Written Answers Nos. 185-195
185. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the full cost of ministerial transport and the breakdown of this cost between salaries, mileage allowance and other travel costs for Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15667/13]
View answerThe total amount spent by my Department on Ministerial transport and travel in 2012, in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidance on such matters, was €252,829, which breaks down as follows:
|
Drivers' salaries |
€152,130 |
|
Drivers' travel and subsistence |
€38,566 |
|
Mileage |
€46,004 |
|
Other travel costs |
€16,129 |
186. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will examine the adjustification process whereby an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry was refused a grant by the Arts Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15686/13]
View answer187. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding funding in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15737/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.
Primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. In 2013, the Arts Council will receive an allocation from my Department of some €60.7 million in current, capital and EU Presidency funding. I am very well aware of the important role played by the organisation to which the Deputies refer in promoting a varied arts and culture programme. Under the Arts Act 2003, however, the provision of funding is a matter in the sole remit of the Arts Council and I am precluded by statute from intervening in the Council's decisions on funding. There are, of course, other sources of funding and, in the case of venues, many arts organisations throughout the State receive funding for the administration and maintenance of their venues from their local authorities.
If the organisation in question were to seek to increase its programming expenditure, it could consider applying for funding under my Department's Philanthropy Initiative on condition that it is prepared to raise matching private sector funding. This initiative is designed to encourage philanthropic sponsorship and endowment funding of the arts from private sources and to maximise investment in the arts by unlocking many multiples of the funding put up by the taxpayer. It also provides an incentive to arts organisations to proactively seek new and multi-annual relationships with sponsors which deliver private sector financial support, thereby increasing overall funding available to the arts. Details in this regard are available on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie and at the following link: http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/PressReleases/2013/February2013PressReleases/htmltext,16873,en.html. The application form is available at:
http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Arts/GrantsandFunding/.
188. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the effect the revision to the grant aid, available under the better energy home scheme, has had on the actual number of grants issued since the revisions were introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15630/13]
View answer189. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the number of grants indicating jobs carried out in relation to retrofit external wall insulation measures are increasing or decreasing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15631/13]
View answer190. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the level of grant support expected to be spent and the number of upgrade measures expected, in the period 2013 to 2016 under the better energy home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15632/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 188 to 190, inclusive, together.
The Better Energy Homes scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) as part of the Better Energy Programme. The scheme provides financial assistance to households who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Fixed grants are allocated towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER) assessment.
Exchequer funding of €18million has been allocated to the Scheme for 2013. It is anticipated that this funding will support the delivery of energy efficiency measures to approximately 15,800 homes in 2013. Since commencement in March 2009 the scheme has disbursed over €150m in grants and supported the installation of over 355,000 such measures in 139,000 homes. Over the past 4 years the scheme has undergone a number of reviews including the most recent in December 2011 where some of the grant amounts were reduced in line with falling market prices.
The following table is a summary of the number of measures applied for by year.
|
Measure |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Cavity |
25,812 |
49,580 |
36,750 |
12,813 |
|
Dry-Lining Insulation |
5,275 |
6,233 |
4,921 |
1,558 |
|
External Insulation |
1,737 |
3,372 |
7,162 |
2,925 |
|
Heating Controls Upgrade only |
3,854 |
5,051 |
3,195 |
1,138 |
|
High Efficiency Gas Boiler with Heating Controls Upgrade |
7,382 |
10,472 |
7,647 |
3,802 |
|
High Efficiency Oil Boiler with Heating Controls Upgrade |
9,332 |
10,713 |
6,124 |
2,127 |
|
Roof Insulation |
32,410 |
57,858 |
44,127 |
15,466 |
|
Solar Heating |
3,786 |
3,189 |
||
|
Total |
85,802 |
143,279 |
113,712 |
43,018 |
The table indicates that there has been a similar level of reduced uptake across all measures and not just those measures that have been adjusted in line with falling market prices. While it is difficult to ascertain with any certainty the reasons for falling applications a number of contributory factors include economic constraints for householders and recent milder winters. Additionally, the majority of interested homeowners may by now have already participated in the scheme. The SEAI is working on a number of measures to increase traffic to the scheme, including customer surveys and marketing initiatives.
In relation to the post 2013 position, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to roll out a Better Energy: Financing (Pay-As-You-Save) energy retrofit scheme for domestic buildings after 2013. This would see the current suite of Exchequer funded grants for energy efficiency measures, excluding the low-income housing retrofit programme, replaced by a comprehensive national energy efficiency scheme that would be open to households. This scheme would allow consumers to secure upfront financing for energy efficiency upgrades, the repayment of which would be funded from savings on their energy bill generated from the retrofit. It is anticipated that by providing up front financing under the new Better Energy: Financing model that this would stimulate further activity in the energy retrofit industry after 2013 and in the subsequent years.
191. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total cost to the taxpayer of paying the aggregate fees, salaries and any other remuneration to directors of all State bodies, to include majority State owned banks, all public interest directors, all semi-State bodies, all State agencies and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15405/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there are 18 State bodies, including Regulatory Authorities under the aegis of my Department. Of these there are 15 whose boards are appointed in whole in or in part by the Minister and/or the Government. Appointments to State owned banks do not come under the remit of my Department. The majority of boards, under the aegis of my Department, are not funded directly by the taxpayer as they are either commercial semi-State companies or are funded by industry levies. Some bodies also generate their own revenue in addition to being funded by the Exchequer, I am, however, including details of all bodies, for completeness.
Details of the boards under the aegis of my Department and the remuneration applicable to members, is set out in the following tables. The Deputy will be aware that the One Person One Salary policy introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform provides that serving public sector employees are not eligible to receive remuneration in relation to their membership of boards of State bodies. The Deputy will also be aware that non-public sector board members may choose to voluntarily waive their fees as a matter of personal choice in recognition of the current difficult economic circumstances. Both of these policy initiatives of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have been brought to the attention of the bodies under the aegis of my Department. Consequently, the remuneration details in the table below refer to fees that may be payable and are not indicative of fees actually being received by board members. The payment of board members’ fees and expenses is an operational matter for each State body.
Category and Rates of Fees for Bodies Under the Aegis of DCENR
Commercial Bodies
|
Body |
Classification |
Category |
Board fees Applicable |
|
An Post |
Commercial |
Category 1 Maximum number of members 15 |
Chair: €31,500 Director: €15,750 |
|
Bord Gais Eireann |
Commercial |
Category 1 Maximum number of members 9 |
Chair: €31,500 Director: €15,750 |
|
Bord na Móna |
Commercial |
Category 2 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €21,600 Director: €12,600 |
|
EirGrid |
Commercial |
Category 2 Maximum number of members 10 |
Chair: €21,600 Director: €12,600 |
|
Electricity Supply Board |
Commercial |
Category 1 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €31,500 Director: €15,750 |
|
Raidió Teilifís Éireann |
Commercial |
Category 1 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €31,500 Director: €15,750 |
|
Teilifís na Gaeilge |
Commercial |
Category 2 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €21,600 Director: €12,600 |
Non-Commercial Bodies/Regulators
|
Body |
Classification |
Category |
Board fees Applicable |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland |
Regulatory |
Category 4 Maximum number of members 9 |
Chair: €8,978 Director: €5,985 |
|
Commission for Communications Regulation |
Regulatory |
No Board – 3 Commissioners |
No Fees Applicable |
|
Commission for Energy Regulation |
Regulatory |
No Board – 3 Commissioners |
No Fees Applicable |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency |
Non-Commercial |
Category 3 Maximum number of members 14 |
Chair: €11,970 Director: €7,695 |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
Non-Commercial |
Category 3 Maximum number of members 10 |
Chair: €11,970 Director: €7,695 |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation |
Non-Commercial |
Category 2 Maximum number of members 5 |
Chair: €21,600 Director: €12,600 |
|
Loughs Agency |
North-South Body |
*Category 3 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €11,970 Director: €7,695 |
|
The Mining Board |
Non-Commercial |
Fees per day/sitting Maximum number of members 3 |
€587.97 per day for public and private sittings. €200.93 per full day for any necessary attendance (other than sittings) in discharge of the Boards business. |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency |
Non-Commercial |
Category 4 Maximum number of members 6 |
Chair: €8,978 Director: €5,985 |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Non-Commercial |
Category 3 Maximum number of members 10 |
Chair: €11,970 Director: €7,695 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |
Non-Commercial |
Category 3 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €11,970 Director: €7,695 |
*The Irish Exchequer pays half of the cost of Loughs Agency board fees.
192. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will address genuine concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the registration of oil technicians here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15495/13]
View answerIn the context of the potential dangers that may result from faulty installations, especially carbon monoxide gas, which would be dangerous to people in their homes and at their places of work, I was pleased to launch the first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week on the 24th September 2012. The Awareness Week saw a sustained, multimedia publicity campaign to alert people to the dangers posed by carbon monoxide and to give them advice as to what they should do to be safe. The issue was widely reported on television, on national and local radio and in both national and local press. In respect of the possibility for a mandatory registration scheme for oil technicians, similar to those in place for the gas (RGII) and electricity (RECI) industries, my officials recently met with industry representatives to discuss and consider the matter. Arising from this meeting, my officials will be making a submission to me in the matter.
193. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty associated with persons obtaining large deposits for electricity companies to get connected to an electricity supply even for people with clean-good credit history; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15542/13]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. I have no statutory function in the setting of electricity supply contracts in the business or domestic sectors.
Ireland’s electricity and gas markets, both wholesale and retail, are characterised by vigorous competition and are regulated by the CER. The setting of supply contracts is a day to day operational matter for electricity supply companies. Such contracts are governed by the CER’s guidelines for suppliers’ Codes of Practice, Customer Charter and Terms and Conditions of Supply for Household Customers.
Energy suppliers have always had requirements regarding the provision of deposits in advance but, due to the general economic situation, it is possible that suppliers are strictly applying these requirements as standard, whereas in the past they may have waived them. I understand from the CER that one of the main reasons that electricity and gas suppliers require deposits is that their customers consume the energy supplied in advance and pay in arrears. Therefore suppliers must always meet the cost of providing the energy in advance of payment and consequently they run the risk of non-payment from their customers. This is in contrast to suppliers of other energy products, such as heating oil or Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), as customers are required by the suppliers to pay for these products in advance.
194. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when will detailed postal codes be introduced here; and the reason for the delay. [15566/13]
View answerThe Government is committed to introducing postcodes across the State. The procurement process to select a postcode management licence holder to implement a National Postcode System began in 2011 with the publication of a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire on www.etenders.gov.ie. Since then intensive work has taken place on what is a complex national project. It is expected that the procurement process will conclude in the first half of 2013.
The final decision to proceed with implementation of a national postcode will be one for Government and will be based on appropriate financial, technical and operational considerations.
195. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the full cost of ministerial transport and the breakdown of this cost between salaries, mileage allowance and other travel costs for Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15669/13]
View answerThe cost of Ministerial transport in my Department for 2012 was €199,821. The breakdown is as follows:
|
Office Holder |
Salary cost of 2 Civilian Drivers |
Mileage Costs |
Other Travel Costs |
Total Cost 2012 |
|
Minister |
€81,523 |
€10,192 |
€11,421 |
€103,136 |
|
Minister of State |
€79,186 |
€15,580 |
€1,919 |
€96,685 |
The decision to terminate State transport for Ministers (other than An Taoiseach, An Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice and Equality) has led to savings of 65% to the Exchequer.
