Written Answers Nos. 157-170
157. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that his Department has specifically made with regard to delivering the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56288/22]
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. There are over 2.47 million premises in the country of which:
- Over 564,00 (22.8%) are within the AMBER area which will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention;
- Over 1.9 million (77.2%) premises are within the BLUE area which represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
I am advised by NBI that, as of 02 December 2022, over 112,200 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 101,700 premises passed across 25 counties and available for immediate connection. Construction is underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is exceeding, projections.
Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) 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 02 December 2022, 823 SCP sites (280 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 543 schools) have been installed 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 BCPs and the Department of Education for school SCPs. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high-speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
Eir has said it will roll out fibre to some 1.9 million premises. SIRO is currently completing the first phase of its fibre deployment and to date has passed more than 430,000 premises with gigabit services and it has recently announced plans to extend its network to an additional 320,000 premises. Virgin Media is offering 250Mbps as a standard offering with 500Mbps and 1Gbps available to many of their customers across the more than 1 million premises that they cover. Many other network operators and telecom service providers across the State also continue to invest in their networks.
158. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the up-to-date position regarding supports for pay-as-you-go gas and electricity customers to protect them from disconnection this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62888/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.Under its legal mandate, the CRU is responsible for implementing energy specific customer protection measures including in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy.As part of the strengthened customer protection measures CRU introduced reduced debt burdens on Pay-as-You-Go customers. The new measures mean that the debt repayment levels will reduce to 10% from a previous 25% on pay-as-you-go customers top-up payments. On a €20 top-up for example, only €2 will go towards debt repayment (if it exists), rather than €5 previously. From 1 December suppliers will be required to ensure that all customers with a financial hardship meter are automatically placed on the most economic tariff. Furthermore, the CRU has decided to suspend the €200 gas meter exchange siteworks charge associated with a customer moving from a PAYG gas meter to a billpay meter, for all domestic customers. There is no charge to move from an electricity PAYG meter to a billpay meter.
Budget 2023 put in place €2.5 billion in once off cost of living supports including a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - November/December 2022, January/February 2023 and March/April 2023. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion. The payment applies to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2).
Any customer that is in need of additional support may apply for an Additional Needs Payment provided by the Department of Social Protection, including customers on a Pay As You Go meter who have a need for financial assistance to facilitate their continued energy supply. Every effort will be made to ensure that these vulnerable individuals in financial distress, and who qualify, receive an Additional Needs Payment on the same day or as soon as possible where it relates to electricity and heating expenses.
On 13 December, Government approved a new Energy Poverty Action Plan, which provides for the establishment of a €10 million fund to further support people in, or at risk of, energy poverty this winter and into 2023, including people on PAYG meters. The fund will provide a further safeguard in addition to the supports from suppliers and the Additional Needs Payment operated by the Department of Social Protection. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is also available to provide budgeting advice and advocacy support.
Furthermore, I will amend legislation to extend the definition of vulnerable customer to include financially vulnerable, which will extend the existing additional protections for vulnerable customers to a wider cohort. These protections include an obligation on suppliers to ensure that vulnerable customers on PAYG meters are provided with information on what to do if the PAYG meter is no longer suitable for use by them on grounds of vulnerability.
159. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that he plans to increase renewables to meet 80% of Ireland's electricity needs by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62954/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2021 outlined a range of measures to set Ireland on course to meeting our ambitious target to increase the share of electricity demand generated from renewable sources to up to 80% by 2030. The next Climate Action Plan ,which will include measures to deliver on renewable electricity targets, is expected to be published shortly.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on Ireland’s renewable electricity targets. The first RESS auction is expected to deliver circa 1,000 MW of new renewable generation, an approximate 15% increase in Ireland’s current renewable energy generation capacity, by the end of 2023.
The second RESS auction (RESS 2) was held this year and is expected to deliver an increase of nearly 20% in Ireland’s renewable energy generation by the end of 2025. At the end of October, my Department published a consultation on the design of the third RESS auction (RESS 3), which will take place next year.
At least three offshore energy auctions are currently planned for this decade. Terms and Conditions for the first Offshore RESS auction were published on 10 November, providing a pivotal moment in the delivery of offshore wind in Ireland. The offshore auction, the first in Ireland's history, is expected to provide a route to market for up to 2.5GW of offshore renewable energy to the Irish grid, enough to power 2.5 million Irish homes with clean electricity.
The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) offers support to domestic and non-domestic applicants for renewable installations up to 50kW. The MSS aims to support the installation of an estimated 380 MW of new micro-generation by 2030, which would generate over 300 GWh of renewable electricity per annum.
My Department is also progressing the design of a Small-Scale Generation Support Scheme (SSG), to support renewable electricity generators above 50kW but smaller than those supported under the RESS. This scheme is expected to become available in 2023.
160. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will build a strategy in conjunction with the European Commission to fund and construct an Atlantic electricity interconnector which would land west-southwest coast renewable energy directly into the mainland European electricity grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62958/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBeyond Ireland’s 2030 offshore renewable energy targets, the Programme for Government further commits to developing a longer-term plan to take advantage of up to 30GW of offshore floating wind power in our deeper Atlantic waters, which would enable Ireland to become a major regional generator and exporter of offshore renewable energy. Work on a revised Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan is also currently in progress, while the focus of an already established cross-departmental Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce will inter alia ensure that longer term opportunities associated with offshore renewables development, including export possibilities, are captured.
To facilitate this overarching ambition, my Department will continue to support development of regional offshore grids, through the establishment of an appropriate policy framework, engagement with viable proposed new offshore infrastructure projects, including interconnectors, and working groups within the North Seas Energy Cooperation. The revised EU TEN-E Regulation, enacted in June of this year, has also placed Ireland in two priority corridors for offshore infrastructure projects to qualify as EU Projects of Common Interest status, which will facilitate development of future offshore grids and interconnection. The Climate Action Plan further requires that my Department will update the National Policy Statement on Electricity Interconnection of 2018, in order to provide for further connectivity with our neighbours.
161. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will establish an offshore renewable development authority similar to the Industrial Development Authority that will drive a fully co-ordinated national action plan, and will have responsibilities ranging from research and development and supply chain development to the commercial deployment of renewable energy, ensuring that Ireland becomes the leading global clean energy exporter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62959/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra162. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has discussed with Enterprise Ireland plans to stimulate the establishment of indigenous businesses in the renewable energy supply chain through a national renewable energy business accelerator programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62960/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.
With Ireland’s maritime area seven times the size of its landmass and our location at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, I am critically aware that the potential for offshore renewable energy in Ireland is enormous. Central to realising this potential, and to meeting our targets, is the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce.
The goal of this Taskforce is to accelerate and drive delivery of offshore wind by public bodies, and to maximise the economic benefit to Ireland of offshore wind. The key output is the development of a system-wide plan for the roll-out offshore wind, bringing together the work ongoing across Government to deliver on our offshore wind ambitions. The Taskforce is chaired by my Department, with its membership comprising senior officials from the Government Departments and Agencies that are vital to the delivery of Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions.
The system-wide plan will include a workstream for supply chain involving my Department, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Enterprise Ireland, working closely with the Department of Transport and industry. This workstream will capitalise on the economic opportunities of offshore wind for the domestic supply chain and the potential for enterprise clusters at ports; support mitigation of international supply chain risks to the system-wide plan; and support job creation and expansion of Irish companies in the sector.
With respect to growing Irish potential in this sector, earlier this year Enterprise Ireland launched the Gael Offshore Network, which is an offshore wind supply chain cluster consisting companies which provide a range of products, services and skillsets appropriate to the offshore wind sector.
163. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish a green hydrogen strategy involving the emerging industry across the EU as well as key domestic stakeholders to assess hydrogen's suitability as a key future energy source for Ireland's economy and identify the main infrastructure investment requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62961/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHydrogen provides us with an incredible opportunity in Ireland. It provides the potential for long term storage of energy, the opportunity of dispatchable wind and solar power, the potential of chemical feedstocks, the potential of an export market and the opportunity to decarbonise some parts of high temperature processing. Ireland has one of the best offshore renewable energy resources in the world and realising the full potential of this massive resource will be a major opportunity for Ireland, and for green hydrogen production. In response to the climate crisis and the current energy crisis, we must look to accelerate the delivery of renewable electricity, and the delivery of alternative fuels like green hydrogen.Earlier this year, the Government agreed the Sectoral Emission Ceilings. As part of this, we agreed an additional 2GW offshore wind Power to X. I wanted to do this to ensure that the planning, regulatory and market systems adjust to deliver more than just the directly connected electricity system requirements. I would expect that this increased target will be substantially for the delivery of green hydrogen.
A Hydrogen Strategy for Ireland is also under development on its way. As you know earlier this year, my Department launched a public consultation to gather views on the broad landscape of potential hydrogen supply, infrastructure, storage, and demand in Ireland, as well as the potential export opportunities for hydrogen. The significant number of responses we received reflects the momentum building behind green hydrogen in Ireland. Work is expected to conclude shortly on a summary report of the 126 substantive responses, which will be a significant step in developing the hydrogen strategy. The summary report will be considered for publication by the end of year, with the strategy itself to follow early in the new year.
164. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that are being taken to assist local broadband providers in competing for public sector contracts. [62974/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention is deploying a fibre broadband network to cover areas in every county in Ireland, where commercial operators are not already providing a high speed broadband service. The network that is being built and operated by National Broadband Ireland (NBI), is a wholesale open-access network, which means that NBI does not sell services directly to homes, businesses, or organisations such as public sector bodies, but instead makes the network available to all retailers of broadband service, both small and large to sell broadband and other services. There are already almost 50 retail service operators selling broadband services to customers over the NBP network. While these companies include big national retailers such as eir, Sky and Vodafone, there are also many much smaller retailers, that can now sell services at a national level, where in the past they could only serve their own local area. The NBP network, together with other open-access wholesale networks have created new opportunities for smaller broadband companies to reach a wider client base, including public sector bodies, creating new opportunities for a wide number of companies and generating further competition in the market.
165. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure the provision of broadband to Brookdale, Riverstick, County Cork. [62975/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by NBI that, as of 2 December, over 112,200 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 101,700 premises passed across 25 counties and available for immediate connection. Construction is underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is exceeding projections.
There are 81,507 premises in County Cork that will be passed by National Broadband Ireland with high-speed gigabit fibre broadband as part of the State Intervention under the National Broadband Plan. To date in Cork over 15,711 premises are passed by the NBP highspeed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection.
Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) 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 02 December 2022, 823 SCP sites (280 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 543 schools) have been installed 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 BCPs and the Department of Education for school SCPs. In County Cork 24 BCPs have been installed to date.
In County Cork 85 schools BCPs 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 are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
NBI advise that Brookdale Estate is located in the Deployment Area (DA) of Kinsale which is currently pending completion of survey work and is anticipated for connection between January and December 2026. There is a Broadband Connection Point located adjacent to the estate in the Riverstick Community Centre offering high speed access in advance of the fibre to the home build.
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he and his Department continue to examine the fullest possible extent to which all measures can offset the impact of meeting such targets on industry, sector by sector, with particular reference to the need to avoid permanent damage to the economy while at the same time meeting the targets, in the context of meeting carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050, and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, the Government approved sectoral emissions ceilings last July for both the first and second carbon budget periods, with the exception the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry sector, which will be determined no later than the end of 2023. The industry sectoral ceiling in the first budgeting period (2021-2025) is 30 MtCO2eq and 24 MtCO2eq in the second (2026-2030). The new Climate Action Plan will set out a roadmap to achieve these sectoral ceilings. The process allowed for public consultation as well as consultation with industry stakeholders. While operating within the sectoral emissions ceilings will be challenging for all sectors, the transition to a climate neutral economy creates opportunities. Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their purchases and businesses that adapt and evolve their business model to meet this demand will gain new customers. The Climate Action Plan recognises that Government support is required to reduce high upfront investment costs and improve access to low carbon technologies such as energy efficiency; greater electrification of low-to-medium temperature heating; and increased supply and use of biogas, biomethane and green hydrogen. Developments in each of these areas will present opportunities to Irish industry and enterprises.
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he continues to consult with the relevant Minister and the agri-food producing sector with a view to ensuring that carbon reduction targets can be met, while at the same time meeting economic targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63000/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050, and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was adopted by the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022. On 28 July, the Government approved Sectoral Emission Ceilings for both the first and second carbon budget periods, (2021-2025 and 2026-2030), with the exception the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, which will be determined later.
There is target for a 25% emissions reduction for our agriculture sector by 2030. Climate Action Plan 2021 has outlined how emissions reductions can be achieved in this sector in the coming years, which involves offering farmers the means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at farm level by being more efficient, while also diversifying toward less greenhouse gas intensive practices such as organic farming and the production of renewable energy. These measures, and the extent to which progress is being made, will be reflected in the next Climate Action Plan, which is due to be published by the end of 2022. In the meantime, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continue to develop policies for reducing carbon emissions in their sector, while also ensuring the security and sustainability of food production. The challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector, while ensuring our food security, is a key opportunity for Ireland to become a world leader in long-term sustainable food production. I remain confident that our family farms will fully exploit the opportunities of this transition without compromising on sustainable food production.
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the targets, if any, set for the achievement of carbon sequestration over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63001/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050, and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, the Government approved Sectoral Emission Ceilings for both the first and second carbon budget periods, with the exception the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry sector. Finalising the sectoral emissions ceiling for the LULUCF sector has been deferred to end 2023 at the latest to coincide with the completion of the Land-use Review. Implementation and acceleration of the policies, measures and actions committed to for this sector in the 2021 Climate Action Plan will continue. The Irish LULUCF sector has been a net source of greenhouse gas emissions in all years from 1990 to 2021. This must be reversed, and the sector managed to become a net sink through sequestration in the longer term. The Government has committed to an enhanced delivery of afforestation through: a new Forestry Programme which, among other elements, enables farmers to plant up to one hectare of native woodland; and a revamped regulatory system including planning and legislation. In addition, the Government with support from the EU, is rehabilitating 33,000 hectares of former industrial peatlands across the Midlands, involving an investment of €108 million for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, water management and ecosystem services.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which his Department continues to explore electricity generation from non-fossil fuels by way of wind, wave or solar; the full extent of the investment in each element of the sector to date; the degree to which he expects such investment to materialise on an annual basis over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63002/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on Ireland’s target to increase the share of electricity generation from renewable sources to up to 80% and accelerate renewables to deliver on the electricity sectoral carbon budgets. While the primary policy objective of RESS is the delivery of renewable electricity in a sustainable, cost-effective, and secure framework, the broader policy objectives delivered under RESS include technology diversification and support for community ownership and participation.
The RESS auctions provide pathways for renewable developers to plan and develop their projects, with supported technologies including, but not limited to, onshore wind, solar, and hybrids (co-located wind, solar, and/or storage), with offshore wind projects participating under the dedicated Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS). This method allows Ireland to take advantage of new technologies as they emerge.
The first RESS auction, RESS 1, was held in 2020, with 4 projects having already completed the RESS process and a further 57 projects continuing to work through the delivery milestones to reach commercial operation by the end of 2023 at the latest. The first projects in the RESS 1 process reached energisation in Q4 2021, with others reaching that milestone throughout 2022, including the first grid-scale solar project. As a result 2022 is estimated to be a record year for new renewable generation being connected to the grid.
The second RESS auction, RESS 2, was held earlier this year and is expected to deliver an increase of nearly 20% in Ireland’s renewable energy generation by the end of 2025.
At the end of October my Department published a consultation on the design of the third RESS auction, RESS 3, which will take place next year. The Terms and Conditions on the first ORESS auction, ORESS 1, were published in November this year. This will be the first of three planned auctions this decade under the ORESS.
Further auction rounds are expected in future years and an updated RESS auction schedule will be published shortly.
