Written Answers Nos. 7-16
7. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on his plans for the inclusion of Labasheeda, County Clare, in the roll-out of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55870/22]
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 over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 28 October 2022, construction is complete or underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. Over 97,000 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed fibre broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 87,700 premises passed across 25 counties and available for immediate connection. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is in line with projections with some areas exceeding expectations. Labasheeda, Co Clare is included in the rollout of the National Broadband Plan. NBI has advised that as of 28 October, 1,726 premises in Co Clare are passed with a highspeed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection.
The network rollout for the NBP is divided into 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) across the country. These are typically an area of approximately 25km in radius and in total they cover 96% of Ireland’s landmass. The architecture of the network design is specifically based on the design of the NBI network coming from the eir exchanges or the metropolitan area networks (MANs). It is based on an engineering design that allows NBI to reach every premises as quickly as possible working within the confines of how fibre networks are built. Villages, townlands and counties may be covered by a number of DAs which means there are differing timescales for the rollout across county areas.
Further details are available on specific areas throughout the country through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
NBI 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
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. Some 778 BCP sites have been installed by NBI to date 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 Clare 7 BCP’s have been installed by NBI to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/broadband-connection-points/.
In County Clare 26 schools have been installed by NBI to date 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. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/
8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern of businesses trading in household energy products due to smoky coal products being imported illegally into the State; the resources that he is providing to local authorities to counteract such illegal trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55886/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new solid fuel regulations, which took effect from 31 October, place technical standards and restrictions on all solid fuels. It is now illegal to place fuels on the market in Ireland that do not meet the requirements of the regulations, irrespective of where the fuel has been sourced. The introduction of these regulations will improve the quality of the air that we breathe, and the health of the public that we serve by ensuring that the most polluting fuels are no longer available for sale on the Irish market.
Local Authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the solid fuel regulations, identifying unauthorised fuels placed on the market and taking measures to counteract any illegal trade. They are also responsible for the allocation of appropriate resources to ensure that they can fulfil their air quality enforcement obligations. Officials from my Department and the Local Government Management Agency have been working together to establish an appropriate and cost-effective enforcement support structure to be put in place next year. This structure will support the provision of enhanced co-ordination, expertise, and advice to support consistent implementation of air quality legislation across the country. In advance of this, my Department has made grant funding available to support Local Authorities through a pilot solid fuels enforcement scheme this year, and we continue to work with the sector in providing guidance and training, and the sharing of best practice.
9. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport the number of civil servants in his Department who are seconded to State agencies or other public bodies and in receipt of a higher duty or acting allowance; the number who have been seconded for more than ten, more than 20 and more than 30 years, respectively; if the higher duty allowance is not pensionable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport has one staff member seconded to a public body and in receipt of a higher duty/acting allowance since 2018. The higher duty/acting allowance is pensionable. Salary costs and the costs of the higher duty/ acting allowance are recouped from the public body by my Department.
10. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport the number and location of charging points for electric vehicles in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55779/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra11. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport his Department's plans to dramatically improve the number of charging points for electric vehicles in County Clare; if he will provide a timescale for this roll-out; the proposed locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55780/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. As the Deputy is aware, a draft national strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025 was published for consultation in March. The draft strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade. Responses and submissions received as part of the consultation are currently being considered in the development of the final Strategy that will be published later this year, alongside an Implementation Plan.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
On 21st July I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. A suite of new grants and initiatives have been launched and further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
Public EV charge points are provided in Ireland by a number of charge point operators on a commercial basis. ZEVI is engaging with these charge point operators as key stakeholders in the delivery and roll-out of fast charging points across the country.
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022.
In terms of progress ESB eCars have:
- One hub of 4 High-Powered Chargers with 8 charging bays constructed, with 2 in progress. There is an overall target of 6 sites
- One hub consisting of 2 High-Powered Chargers with 4 charging bays completed with a further 10 currently in design/construction.
- 17 hubs of 1 High-Powered Charger and 1 Fast Charger with 3 charging bays completed with a further 13 currently in design/construction
- Completed the upgrade of 40 Standard 22kW chargers to DC Fast 50kW chargers
- Completed the replacement of 250 Standard 22kW AC chargers.
Further details on the progression of this project can be found at esb.ie/what-we-do/ecars/our-network.
In terms of existing supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme, which is administered by the SEAI, continues to be available and provides local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. It should be noted that this scheme facilitates the installation of standard charge points.
ZEVI has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland. A new scheme for neighbourhood charging is in development expected to launch in 2023.
In addition, ZEVI is also currently working in partnership with a number of Local Authorities on pilot programmes for EV charging this year. Clare County Council is welcome to contact the ZEVI team if it would like to put forward a pilot EV charging project for consideration in ZEVI’s pilot programme.
My Department is also developing a new scheme which will support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as visitor centres and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
Public charge points in Ireland are provided by a number of charge point operators on a commercial basis. ESB eCars is one of these operators and has a significant presence nationwide. In light of ESB eCars' role in providing publicly accessible charge points, I have forwarded your question for direct response. Please contact my office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
12. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport the steps he will take to ensure NCT tests across the country are carried out by suitably qualified testers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55688/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra13. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to reports that a company (details supplied), which currently has a contract with the NCT, has been hiring unqualified workers to carry out the safety tests on vehicles as part of the strategy to reduce car-testing waiting lists thus raising serious public safety concern. [55689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra14. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce the appropriate safeguards to ensure that all mechanics and NCT inspectors are fully trained and certified before being able to pass cars on their NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55690/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 12 to 14, inclusive, together.
The operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS), including the resourcing of staff, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
I would note that the RSA has assured my department that the high testing standard we expect from the NCTS will not be compromised in any way as it works to increase testing capacity.
15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify the circumstances of a specific night flight at Dublin Airport which took place on 29-30 October 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55708/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Irish Aviation Authority that the traffic situation referenced involved the Garda helicopter being tasked to an operation in North Dublin and this coincided with the arrival of some transatlantic flights to Dublin Airport. The helicopter was integrated with these arrivals in order to get to the operational area as expeditiously as possible.
A flow of transatlantic flights normally occur around this time of night and the Garda helicopter can occasionally be tasked to various parts of Dublin and surrounding areas. There are no restrictions to Garda helicopter operations.
16. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 22 September 2022, the status of the appointment of the promised specialist team which will assist the National Transport Authority in conjunction with Galway City and County Councils, in undertaking the work to update the Galway transport strategy; the timeline for when the team will be in place; the selection criteria for each role on the specialist team; the terms of reference of the specialist team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55753/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) expects to commence the review of the 2016 Galway Transport Strategy and the development of a new Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy before the end of this year.
In relation to the specific query on the appointment of a specialist team to assist with this work, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
