Written Answers Nos. 171-182
171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new broadband connections in the past twelve months to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63003/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract, signed in November 2019 and which came into effect in January 2020, 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 NBI that: As of 31 December 2021, over 54,466 premises could order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection with 32,680 premises passed and available for immediate connection. 4,914 connections were completed. 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. Over 25,800 Connections have been completed. 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/.
172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the ongoing steps to support remote working through the roll-out of high-speed fibre broadband connections in internet, with particular reference to blackspot-prone rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63004/22]
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. High-speed broadband connections are available 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.
A recent report produced for my Department, investigated the potential benefits of the NBP for the Irish economy. Broadband is increasingly essential to our daily lives and it is a vital part of economic and social development. In particular it shows that the NBP is unlocking significant environmental benefits, principally through the increased prevalence of remote working.
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/.
173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he expects to rely on onshore and offshore wind-generated electricity over the next ten years; the extent to which he expects to meet overall targets in respect of alternative energy production throughout the period in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63005/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's most recent renewable energy projections are reported in the 2019 National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), available here: assets.gov.ie/94442/f3e50986-9fde-4d34-aa35-319af3bfac0c.pdf, which was prepared before the adoption of the current Programme for Government.
Table 7 of the NECP details the planned trajectory of all renewable energy technologies, including onshore and offshore wind, in terms of installed capacity and in terms of energy generated in each of the years from 2018 to 2030. Table 5 of the NECP outlines the overall renewable energy projections for the same period.
It should be noted that the NECP trajectories are based on the previous targets of at least 70% renewable electricity and 3.5GW of offshore wind. These targets have since been increased to 80% electricity from renewable sources, and 5GW of offshore wind (with a further 2GW earmarked for green hydrogen production). The NECP will be revised in 2023 and the updated version will reflect our increased ambition.
The actions we are taking now will set us on the path to at least an 80% renewable electricity target and increased electrification of our end-use sectors by 2030, and ultimately towards our national climate objective of net-zero by 2050.
174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the main areas of environmental protection deemed at present to be urgent; the action in hand or proposed to deal with any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63006/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department published its Statement of Strategy, Le Cheile 23, in 2021. The Strategy sets out the five Strategic Goals for the Department up to the year 2023. Strategic Goal 2, the Transition to a Circular Economy and protecting and restoring our environment identified 10 specific areas of environmental engagement. Full details of the Statement of Strategy, and the associated actions delivered under Strategic Goal 2 can be found on my Department's website www.decc.gov.ie
In addition my Department provides funding to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is an independent competent authority responsible for protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset for the people of Ireland. The EPA has published its own Priority List setting out those areas it deems as most appropriate for engagement. This information can be viewed at the attached link www.epa.ie/our-services/compliance--enforcement/whats-happening/national-priority-sites-list/
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the success to date in meeting carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, published in October 2020, set out a climate ambition which has since been placed on a statutory footing through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, which was signed into law in July 2021. The Act commits Ireland to achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. The significantly strengthened legally binding framework under the Act, with clear targets and commitments set in law, will help ensure that Ireland achieves its climate goals and obligations.Within this strengthened framework, several important milestones in climate action have been reached. In November 2021, the Government published the Climate Action Plan 2021, which identifies the policies, measures and actions required to achieve our emissions reductions targets, while also setting out indicative ranges of emissions reductions across each sector of the economy. This was followed by the publication of an accompanying Annex of Actions, which sets out the detailed timebound actions that are required to drive delivery of the Plan. By the end of Q3 2022, 77% (542 of 708) of Climate Action Plan 2021 actions had been delivered on time. Following the process set out in the Act, Ireland’s first carbon budget programme and sectoral emissions ceilings were approved and introduced in 2022. These budgets and emissions ceilings set out a clear pathway for Ireland’s decarbonisation. Climate Action Plan 2023 will reflect the targets set in the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings.
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the national waste management plan continues to address the relevant issues, with particular reference to reduction, reuse and recycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63008/22]
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.
High-speed broadband connections are available 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.
A recent report produced for my Department, investigated the potential benefits of the NBP for the Irish economy. Broadband is increasingly essential to our daily lives and it is a vital part of economic and social development. In particular it shows that the NBP is unlocking significant environmental benefits, principally through the increased prevalence of remote working.
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/.
177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the cost of producing electricity here currently compares with other countries throughout Europe, with particular reference to maintaining competitiveness throughout industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63009/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to providing the reliable supply of safe, secure and clean energy in order to deliver a phase-out of fossil fuels. This means Ireland must deliver on its commitment to reach up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030 and that this must be planned and delivered in a cost-effective way that minimises costs to consumers.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), in its Energy in Ireland 2022 report, available at www.seai.ie/publications/Energy-in-Ireland-2022.pdf, shows that electricity prices to Irish industry has seen a steep increase since Q1 2021. The fuel mix for electricity generation is one factor that has a key bearing on the variation in the price of electricity. Ireland has a high dependency on gas generation, at 49% in 2021, which has had a significant impact on electricity prices over the last year.
The SEAI report on Electricity and Gas Prices in Ireland (Jan – June) 2022 sets out the breakdown of electricity prices based on energy & supply, network costs, renewable taxes, capacity taxes, environmental taxes and other costs. The weighted average household electricity price is 26.5c/kwh with the weighted average business electricity price being 22c/kwh. The report is available online at www.seai.ie/publications/SEAIs-EPR-data-for-Jan-to-June-2022.pdf.
Eurostat places Ireland 21st for Electricity prices for Irish household consumers only marginally above the EU average of 25c/kwh in the first half of the year. For businesses, Eurostat places Ireland 23rd in the Euro area, above the EU average of 16c/kwh in the first half of the year.
Increasing Ireland’s level of renewables will help to reduce the impact of high gas supply costs on our electricity prices over the coming years.
178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the budget allocated to his Department remains adequate to meet the costs of the targets set in respect of his Department in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63011/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Programme for Government, my Department has responsibility for the delivery of a substantial programme of work across several key missions, particularly: A Better Quality of Life for All; Reigniting and Renewing the economy; and A Green New Deal.
To deliver on these missions, and the Department’s vision of a climate neutral, sustainable, and digitally connected Ireland, significant funding is allocated to my Department. Under the current National Development (NDP), a total of €12.9 billion in capital funding has been allocated for the period 2021 to 2030. This funding is enabling my Department to strategically plan, and deliver on its long term commitments and targets. Under Budget 2023, the total expenditure allocation for my Department is €1.038 billion, of which €1.016 billion is capital.
The Revised Estimates Volume for 2023 (REV 2023) was published on 14 December 2022 and sets out greater detail on the budget allocations, including detailed performance information and targets. The REV 2023 can be accessed at gov.ie - The Revised Estimates Volumes for the Public Service (www.gov.ie).
Details of my Department’s achievements and progress towards its targets and commitments are published annually in its Annual Report. The 2020 and 2021 Reports are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/86651-annual-report-2020/ and www.gov.ie/en/publication/92514-annual-report-2021/.
179. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the cross-jurisdictional collaboration which took place in 2022 between his Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Rural and Community Development in Northern Ireland. [63134/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department (DECC), along with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Teagasc have engaged with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute NI (AFBI NI) through the NI/Ireland Ammonia Update Forum in 2022. This update takes place periodically between officials in the two jurisdictions. It is a forum for discussions at a technical and scientific level, exchanging information and ideas on scientific and technical issues such as monitoring campaigns, impact assessments, licensing, and ongoing research on emissions of ammonia in Ireland. Ammonia emissions arise primarily from agriculture and are transboundary, presenting common challenges for both jurisdictions.The most recent meeting took place in May 2022, attended by officials from DECC, DAFM, EPA, Teagasc, DAERA and AFBI NI. Several academics from Irish Universities were also in attendance. A further meeting is being scheduled for 2023.
The Inland Fisheries Division jointly manages governance over the Loughs Agency with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (NI). The Loughs Agency is a North South implementation body established under the British Irish agreement. While the Assembly in Northern Ireland has not been functioning, the formal meeting of Ministers in the North-South Ministerial Council has not been facilitated.However, the long-standing and close working relationship between officials has ensured that the core functions of the Agency (fishery and natural resource management and development, marine recreational support and cross -border community initiatives have continued to be funded and delivered. This relationship has also resulted in the establishment of a number of cross-border scientific, collaborative and support working groups which have continued to embed co-operation as a key feature of joint working arrangements.My Department and NI officials have also been liaising regarding the EU PEACEPLUS programme for the development of project proposals on topics such as clean air and geothermal energy. It is the programme’s intention that several clean air projects will be developed and agreed by mid-2023, with a call for tenders by the end of the year. The wider Government engagement with the EU and Northern Ireland on PEACEPLUS is led by the Department of Finance.
180. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the plans that are in place to develop the port infrastructure to enable the deployment of offshore wind farms, particularly along Ireland's west coast (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62955/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra181. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on establishing Shannon Foynes port as an international floating offshore wind energy hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62956/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
I welcome the contents of the National Ports Study (September 2022), commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland (WEI), which provides a useful profile of port infrastructure and the proposed development plans of the port companies for both fixed and floating installations.
Ireland has ambitious plans with regard to the development of Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) in the seas around Ireland. This report aligns with Government Policy I published last December on the facilitation of ORE by Irish Commercial Ports in identifying that four to five port facilities (each capable of building 500 MW of ORE annually) will be required for deployment activity and multiple ports, both on the east and west coast, will be needed for O&M operations.
A multiport approach will ultimately allow investments that are commercially viable in the long-term progress without undermining the ability of any port to meet its primary obligations in relation to the facilitation of international trade.
Officials in my Department have engaged with WEI about their Study and the association, along with Marine Renewable Industry Ireland (MRIA), made a presentation in October at the ORE Ports Co-ordination Group chaired by my Department. Arrangements are already being made to facilitate more regular exchanges of views and updates between the Department and the industry representative associations.
A National Task Force has been established by DECC on the delivery of offshore wind energy. The Task Force on which I sit brings together senior representatives from key departments and agencies and has set the development of port infrastructure as one of its core objectives. This development will not happen in isolation, however. It will be done in tandem with improvements to the planning process, the introduction of appropriate regulatory frameworks, the establishment of a cohesive supply chain and skills capability, including ecological and environmental and enhancements to the national grid.
Shannon Foynes Port Company is Ireland’s second largest port based on tonnage and is located beside one of the best wind resources in Europe. A review of their 30-year Masterplan, Vision 2041, was conducted this year in order to assess how best to unlock the huge potential of the port as a key enabler of unprecedented renewable energy opportunities.
I was delighted to be able to launch the Review of Vision 2041 in November. The report sets out the blueprint for the Shannon Estuary to become a hub for facilitating the development of offshore wind, along with the production of clean fuels – including green hydrogen, ammonia and methanol. The Review demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability, climate action and renewable energy and also clearly demonstrates the continued commitment of Shannon Foynes Port Company as a driver of economic growth in the Shannon Estuary, the Region and nationally.
Shannon Foynes Port Company is a Tier 1 Port under National Ports Policy and a “core corridor port” on the EU’s TEN-T network. Similar to other ports it receives no exchequer funding and it is envisaged that like all port infrastructure, the ORE facilities will be funded through a combination of port revenues, EU funding and borrowing from the likes of the Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and other financial institutions. Shannon Foynes has been particularly successful in obtaining EU funding for its projects to date.
My Department is engaging with ISIF, EIB and the EU Commission, about the availability of funding for ports in providing the ORE infrastructure to meet EU and Ireland's ambitions.
182. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a complaint (details supplied) in relation to bus services to the Knocklyon area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62877/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised in relation to a complaint regarding bus services in the Knocklyon area is a matter for the company. Therefore, I have referred this question to Dublin Bus for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
