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Tuesday, 16 Jul 2013

Written Answers Nos. 696-712

Better Energy Homes Scheme Applications

Questions (696, 697, 698)

Clare Daly

Question:

696. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reasons dormer housing is not eligible for attic insulation under the Sustainable Energy Ireland free scheme [34736/13]

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Clare Daly

Question:

697. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date the decision to exclude dormer housing from attic insulation was reached under the free scheme. [34737/13]

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Clare Daly

Question:

698. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason a private contractor would be in a position to conduct attic insulation and a contractor under the Sustainable Energy Ireland scheme is not in a position to do so under the policy change regarding dormer attic insulation. [34738/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 696 to 698, inclusive, together.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme which delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage, and via an area based approach. Measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation and are free of charge to the eligible homeowners. To date the programme has addressed almost 100,000 fuel poor homes, 5,500 of those in 2013.

Dormer roofs present particular technical challenges meaning that traditional insulation, as used under the scheme, can only be installed in certain parts of the roof space resulting in only partial insulation coverage. A full insulation solution would only be possible with recourse to expensive internal dry-lining, not provided under the scheme due to budgetary constraints. Furthermore, the provision of adequate ventilation in an attic space to mitigate the risks of harmful condensation increases costs significantly. The practice of insulating dormer roofs through the scheme was reviewed in mid-2012, in the context of trying to address the maximum number of energy poor homes from within available resources. On balance it was decided that the significant additional costs are not generally justified relative to the marginal insulation gains. Therefore insulation of dormer roofs has not been implemented under the scheme since July 2012.

Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hotline can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.

Research and Development Funding

Questions (699)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

699. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the Government supported International Energy Research Centre and the involvement of University College Cork and the Cork Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34188/13]

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Written answers

The International Energy Research Centre (IERC) is a joint initiative between industry, Government Departments and Agencies. Established in 2010-11, it is supported by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation working with a coordinated agency project team drawn from IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

It is hosted by the Tyndall National Institute, based in Cork and part of University College Cork. To date, six major industrial partners are formally signed up and actively engaged: Alcatel-Lucent, Bord Gáis Éireann, GM, HSG Zander, IBM and United Technologies Research Centre (UTRC). The IERC strategy is to position Ireland as a leading edge location for developing integrated energy solutions where knowledge-intensive international and Irish companies along with leading research partners will develop innovative energy solutions for global markets. Its focus is thus on turning research ideas into businesses and jobs.

Within this initiative over €5 million of research activity is underway across a number of research establishments in Ireland’s Higher Education Institutions – in NUI Galway, University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology, University College Dublin, Dublin Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology. These activities include development of new technology solutions, such as wireless sensors for commercial buildings, home area networks and smart factories, and are linked to international research expertise in the USA, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

Apart from its host role through the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork is part of the research team on two projects, investigating wireless sensor technology, energy diagnostic tools for buildings and thermal storage materials. Cork Institute of Technology is part of the research team on two projects, investigating wireless sensor technology and energy diagnostic tools for buildings.

Question No. 700 answered with Question No. 723.

Wind Energy Generation

Questions (701, 719)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

701. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on discussions with the UK Government on the export of wind generated renewable energy and the associated proposed wind farm projects in the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34214/13]

View answer

Seamus Healy

Question:

719. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will commit to an immediate full and independent cost/benefit analysis to the State of its current wind energy strategy taking into account energy supply to both the Irish grid and for export, in view of the scale of current and planned wind farm developments; if he will ensure that such a study will examine all aspects of wind farm development, including actual carbon saved, the carbon footprint of production/construction, fossil fuel saved, allowing for spinning reserve, increased grid capital costs, the number of energy jobs created, the number of energy jobs displaced, the effect on energy prices and the resulting impact on national competitiveness, net jobs displaced solely because of reduced competitiveness, environmental damage, tourism impact and social impact; if he will ensure that the study will be carried out by competent consultants who are completely independent of his Department, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the wind companies and any other vested interest to ensure objectivity and credibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34968/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 701 and 719 together.

In 2012 I published the Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012-2020. This strategy reiterates the Government’s firm view that “the development of Ireland’s abundant indigenous renewable energy resources, both onshore and offshore, clearly stands on its own merits in terms of contribution to the economy, to the jobs and growth agenda, to environmental sustainability and to diversity of energy supply”. It is this position that informs Ireland’s commitment to delivering on its binding EU obligations under the Renewable Energy Directive, which assigned 2020 renewable targets to each Member State in 2009.

On the basis of expert advice, the Strategy for Renewable Energy also identified Ireland has the capability to achieve our national targets for renewable electricity from onshore renewable generation alone. In addition, it also recognised that Ireland has an excellent and abundant renewable energy resource, which has the potential to produce amounts of renewable electricity significantly in excess of the amounts required to meet our 2020 target. It is in this context that the opportunity to harness this resource for the export market, and realise its potential for investment, job creation and economic growth has been identified.

To this end, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation with my UK counterpart, Mr. Edward Davey, on 24 January this year. This MoU clearly signals the joint interest of Ireland and the UK in developing the opportunity for trading in renewable energy to our mutual benefit.

Detailed consideration of how Ireland’s onshore and offshore wind resources might be developed for export to the UK is now under way, with a view to determining if it is beneficial for both countries to enter into an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.

There are very complex issues to be considered, such as, the actual scale of the export generation capacity required by the UK, the approach to be taken to grid development, the job creation potential and other economic benefits for Ireland, and the sharing of potential benefits between both States. The mechanism for remunerating any wind farms that may in the future export renewable energy to the UK has yet to be decided, but will not involve any subsidy costs being imposed on the Irish State. Any IGA would also have to ensure an adequate return to the Irish Exchequer.

Though it is ambitious, the target for completion of this work is early 2014, with a view to electricity being exported to the UK by 2020 in order to be counted towards the UK’s national target under the Renewables Directive.

Should an IGA be entered into, the development of any new wind farms for the export market would be underpinned by a clear policy framework. Such developments would also be subject to a selection process and to the Planning and Development Acts, including their requirements for public consultation. Based on principles yet to be established in an IGA, the need for further analysis to identify in more detail, the upper levels of Ireland’s capacity to develop generation and transmission infrastructure for large scale export of renewable energy, taking into account environmental and planning considerations, has been identified.

Broadband Services Provision

Questions (702)

Jack Wall

Question:

702. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the schools where high-speed broadband has been installed under the scheme funded by his Department since 1 January 2013, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34390/13]

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Written answers

All post-primary schools will have a 100Mbps broadband connection installed by the end of 2014, through a project jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Education and Skills (DES).

In March last, I announced that all post-primary schools in Counties Dublin, Kildare and Meath will be provided with a 100Mbps broadband connection in 2013 under the phased national programme. The breakdown on a county basis is set out in the following table:

County

No. of Schools

Dublin

185

Kildare

24

Meath

20

Total

229

Additionally, all new schools scheduled to open during the year as well as those located in Counties completed under the national programme last year will also be connected in 2013. The breakdown of this category of schools on a county basis is set out in the following table:

County

No of Schools

Cavan

1

Galway

2

Leitrim

1

The procurement process to establish a framework agreement for service providers to connect the remaining schools in the programme is currently being undertaken. These schools are scheduled to have their connections installed by the end of 2013.

I will forward shortly to the Deputy a copy of the list of schools scheduled for connection in 2013.

Offshore Exploration

Questions (703)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

703. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to set up a forum, made up of third level institutions, oil and gas companies, trade unions, Government nominees and environmental and community representatives, and if ongoing contact can be pursued with other countries such as Norway and Portugal to exchange ideas on best practice regarding offshore oil and gas exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34395/13]

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Written answers

The issues raised by the Deputy are two of the eleven recommendations made by the former Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture in its report of May 2012 on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration.

As the Deputy will be aware the debate on the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee concluded last week. In the context of the outcome of the debate I propose to reflect on the Report’s recommendations.

In respect of the specific recommendation to establish a stakeholders forum, whilst I have no immediate plans to establish such a forum, both I and my Departmental officials meet with stakeholders and consider their views. In respect of the specific recommendation that my Department should pursue on-going contact with other countries, I should point out that officials from my Department, in the context of international petroleum exploration related fora, regularly meet with senior officials from other European administrations and exchange ideas on best practice on various aspects of petroleum exploration and production.

Departmental Reports

Questions (704)

Niall Collins

Question:

704. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011. [34399/13]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that details of the external reports commissioned by my Department are set out in tabular form as follows. The complex and diverse nature of my Department’s brief requires use of outside consultants. The bulk of these studies referred to below are technical and specialist in nature and were necessary to enable the Department to discharge its policy and project responsibilities in the areas concerned.

Consultancy Name

Purpose of Consultancy

Cost - €

Date of commission

Date or expected date of publication

Dr Michael Johnson

Silvermines Vegetation Study

5,848

August 2011

This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase

Camp Dresser McKee CDM

Sampling of Gortmore and Silvermines Vegetation

13,890

July 2011

This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase

Purvin & Gertz

Strategic Case for Oil Refining requirements

193,997

August 2011

July 2013

PA Consulting Group

National Digital Research Centre

29,040

July 2011

This report was not published. The report is commercially sensitive as it is a Strategic Review of the NDRC to inform decisions about the future of the NDRC after the Concession Agreement expires in 2013.

OHH Energy Ltd

Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line

41,120

July 2011

17/1/2012

Elimark

Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line

38,786

July 2011

17/1/2012

2B Energy

Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line

32,284

July 2011

17/1/2012

Indecon Economic Consultants

Economic/Socio-Economic Analysis of options for rollout of next generation broadband

28,167

May 2012

This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision.

SLR Consulting

Core Library Holdings Review

39,688

Sept 2011 – Dec 2011

Jan 2012

Jenny Deakin

Preparation for the Graigue Group Water Scheme Report

1,750

April 2011 – Sept 2011

Sept 2011

Consultancy Name

Purpose of Consultancy

Cost - €

Date of commission

Date or expected date of publication

Analysys Mason

Analysis of options for potential State intervention in the rollout of next generation broadband

30,522

May 2012

This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision.

CDM Smith Ireland Limited

Environmental Monitoring at former mining areas of Silvermines, Co. Tipperary and Avoca, Co. Wicklow

153,000

December 2012

On completion of scheduled reports

Indecon International Economic Consultants

Assessment of Economic Contribution of Mineral Exploration and Mining in Ireland

53,690

October 2012

Q3 2013

Thornton’s Chartered Surveyors

Provision of land valuation and negotiation services

3,690

July 2012

This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase

Consultancy Name

Purpose of Consultancy

Cost - €

Date of commission

Date or expected date of publication

Neary Marketing & Communications

Review of Irish Geoscience Sector

€10,000

Dec 2011 – Feb 2012

This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive.

Neary Marketing & Communications

Review of Irish Geoscience Sector

€10,000

March 2013 – June 2013

This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ltd

Scheduled review of INFOMAR Project

€59,505

Dec 2012 – May 2013

publication due in September 2013

AMEC Earth & Environmental (UK) Ltd

Expert Services to Monitor Mining Activities and Compliance with terms of State Mining Leases/Licences.

41,000

December 2012

This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive

Consultancy Name

Purpose of Consultancy

Cost - €

Date of commission

Date or expected date of publication

Indecon (Ireland)

Provision of a Macro-Economic Research Exercise under the National Digital Strategy to Determine the Value of Internet/Digital to the Irish Economy

€72,474

November 2012

July 2013

Environ UK Ltd

Corrib gasfield project – monitoring compliance with the Conditions of the Department’s Letter of Consent dated 25 February 2011

€355,796

June 2011

End 2014

Norcontel (Ireland) Ltd

Market analysis of backhaul infrastructure in Mayo and Galway

€10,500

May 2013

June 2013

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Questions (705)

Billy Timmins

Question:

705. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a ban on fracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34455/13]

View answer

Written answers

Three onshore licensing options were granted in February 2011, two over parts of the North West Carboniferous (Lough Allen) Basin and one over parts of County Clare. These licensing options conferred upon the holders the first right, to apply for an exploration licence over the areas concerned. I can confirm that two of the three companies, (Tamboran Resources and Enegi) have submitted applications for a follow-on exploration licence.

I have made it clear on a number of occasions that any application for an exploration licence that proposed the use of hydraulic fracturing as part of an unconventional gas exploration programme would be subject to an environmental impact assessment. I have also made clear that such an environmental impact assessment would be informed by the findings of further research to be commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and that no decision would be made on any proposal for the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration drilling in Ireland until there has been time to consider the outcome of this further EPA research.

In relation to the two applications received, my Department will shortly commence its evaluation, focusing on the technical rationale underpinning the applications, along with the corporate information provided. Where the outcome of this stage of the evaluation is positive, further consideration of the application will then be put on hold until after the findings of the new EPA research have been published.

I would also like to confirm that I do not propose to consider applications for exploration authorisations in respect of other onshore areas until the EPA research has concluded.

Departmental Bodies Board Remuneration

Questions (706, 732)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

706. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the fees and expenses paid to each member of each State board, to include the chair and board members, and the number of members on each State board under the aegis of his Department. [34509/13]

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Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

732. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the annual saving to the Exchequer if all State agency board fees were reduced by 25% under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35796/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 706 and 732 together.

The information which the Deputy requested is set out in tabular form. 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. The payment of board members’ expenses is an operational matter for each State body. In the case of Commercial State Bodies, any fees payable are not funded by the Exchequer.

In the case of public bodies established by Statute, the maximum, and sometimes minimum, number of persons that may be appointed to the Board is generally set out in the relevant legislation. I have set out in the table below the maximum number of persons that could be appointed to these bodies together with the fee level that may be paid in each case.

Body/Regulator

Number of Members

Board Fee Applicable

Fee if there was a 25% reduction

An Post

15

Category 1

Chair: €31,500

Director: €15,750

Category 1

Chair: €23,625

Director:

€11,812.50

Bord Gáis Éireann

9

Category 1

Chair: €31,500

Director: €15,750

Category 1

Chair: €23,625

Director:

€11,812.50

Bord na Móna

12

Category 2

Chair: €21,600

Director: €12,600

Category 2

Chair: €16,200

Director: €9,450

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

9

Category 4

Chair: €8,978

Director: €5,985

Category 4

Chair: €6,733.50

Director: €4,488.75

Digital Hub Development Authority

**14

Category 3

Chair: €11,970

Director: €7,695

Category 3

Chair: €8,977.50

Director: €5,771.25

EirGrid

10

Category 2

Chair: €21,600

Director: €12,600

Category 2

Chair: €16,200

Director: €9,450

ESB

12

Category 1

Chair: €31,500

Director: €15,750

Category 1

Chair: €23,625

Director:

€11,812.50

Body/Regulator

Number of Members

Board Fee Applicable

Fee if there was a 25% reduction

Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (Loughs Agency)

12

*Category 3

Chair: €11,970

Director: €7,695

Category 3

Chair: €8,977.50

Director: €5,771.25

Inland Fisheries Ireland

10

Category 3

Chair: €11,970

Director: €7,695

Category 3

Chair: €8,977.50

Director: €5,771.25

Irish National Petroleum Corporation Ltd

**5

Category 2

Chair: €21,600

Director: €12,600

Category 2

Chair: €16,200

Director: €9,450

Mining Board

3

Fees per day/sitting

Fees per day/sitting

National Oil Reserves Agency

**6

Category 4

Chair: €8,978

Director: €5,985

Category 4

Chair: €6,733.50

Director: €4,488.75

Ordnance Survey Ireland

10

Category 3

Chair: €11,970

Director: €7,695

Category 3

Chair: €8,977.50

Director: €5,771.25

RTÉ

12

Category 1

Chair: €31,500

Director: €15,750

Category 1

Chair: €23,625

Director:

€11,812.50

TG4

12

Category 2

Chair: €21,600

Director: €12,600

Category 2

Chair: €16,200

Director: €9,450

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

**12

Category 3

Chair: €11,970

Director: €7,695

Category 3

Chair: €8,977.50

Director: €5,771.25

*The Irish Exchequer pays half of the cost of Loughs Agency board fees

** Staff in my Department are on the Board and no fee is applicable to them.

Departmental Bodies Board Remuneration

Questions (707)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

707. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the annual salary of all non-commercial State sponsored bodies' chief executive officers under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34525/13]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department is compiling the information she has requested and I will write to her with the information sought as a matter of urgency. All directions issued by the Government in relation to remuneration of CEOs in non-commercial Semi State Companies, including reductions arising from the implementation of the Haddington Road Agreement, have been brought to the attention of the relevant State Companies.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (708, 710)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

708. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, a list of all professional fees, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT related, advisory, advertising and accountancy; the company name and the amount invoiced between 1 June 2012 and 31 May 2013. [34541/13]

View answer

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

710. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the annual saving to the Exchequer of a 20% reduction in all professional fees, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT related, advisory, advertising and accountancy; the company name and the amount invoiced between 1 June 2012 and 31 May 2013. [34573/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 708 and 710 together.

The followng table outlines details of fees paid for professional services as defined by the deduction of witholding tax by my Department between 1 June 2012 and 31 May 2013.

My Department administers a very diverse, complex and extremely technical brief. It has a total complement of around 250 full-time equivalent staff, of whom a limited number are technical personnel. This reality necessarily requires my Department to procure specialist external professional advice notably in legal, financial and technical areas to enable it to discharge its very wide brief. In procuring these specialised services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and that these professional services contribute to project delivery and informed, robust and evidence based policy making. Furthermore, in relation to the competitive tendering for contracts my Department adheres to the relevant EU Regulations and Department of Finance Guidelines on the procurement of goods and services. I would also point out that many of the consultancies relate to individual time limited projects where it is more sensible from a value for money perspective to engage consultants rather than permanent staff. In a number of cases, e.g. Tellus Border Project, the cost is either fully or partially funded by the EU.

Applying a unilateral 20% reduction in professional fees would reduce the amount paid by approximately €1 million. This figure is however a mathematical exercise, as the competitive tendering process ensures a market rate is obtained for the professional services being delivered.

Professional fees paid by the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resource

Name

Description of Service

Amount (€)

Mason Communications (Irl) Ltd

Communications Consultancy on digital projects

65,812

David Fox Associates

Petroleum Engineering

124,675

Deloitte & Touche

Procurement advice on specialist communications projects

10,094

ESRI Ireland

Software licensing, maintenance and development

230,137

Mason Hayes + Curran

Assistance in implementation of National Postcode System

17,454

Natural Environment Research Council

TELLUS Border Project

986,404

Version 1 Software

Software licensing

8,344

Morgan Geophysics

Geophysical Consultancy

89,888

Dr. Robert Meehan

National Quaternary Mapping

22,001

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Financial Advisory Service

164,827

Bearingpoint Ireland Ltd

IT licensing & systems maintenance and development

23,231

Name

Description of Service

Amount (€)

Compass Informatics Ltd

ICT input into Marine and geophysics projects

111,646

Murphy Surveys Ltd

INFOMAR Project

7,545

Keane Offshore Integrity Ltd

Corrib Gas Consultancy

106,944

John Deasy

Marine Geoscience & Hydrographic Services

36,668

Maria Judge

Marine Geoscience Services

48,129

Niall Finn

Marine Geological Services

42,859

Ms. Mairead Glennon

Geological Project Management Consultancy, TELLUS Border Project, GSI

51,150

Indecon

National Broadband Plan, eInclsion & the contribution of mining sector on economy

114,227

Tobin Consulting Engineers

Geoscience Initiatives on groundwater

213,210

Grainne O'Shea

Geographic Information Systems Services

69,459

Mr. Phelim Lally

Specialist for National Aggregate potential Mapping

59,729

Client Solutions Limited

Software Maintenance

110,220

Aurum Exploration Ltd

Geoscience Initiatives on bedrock

43,267

Geo Marine Survey Systems BV

Offshore Data Acquisition,

3,046

CDM Smith Ireland Ltd T/A CDM

Mine safety and environmental monitoring of Avoca and Silvermines, EMD

43,558

Ronan O'Toole

Marine Geoscience & Hydrographic Services, INFOMAR

56,938

W1 Design

Information Society and eInclusion

13,447

PA Consulting Group

Assistance in implementation of National Postcode System

209,133

Mouchel Parkman Ireland Ltd

Landslide Susceptibility Mapping

43,290

VBF Technologies

Information Society and eInclusion

31,396

Construction Consultancy Svs

Geoscience Initiatives

35,246

Jenny Deakin

Hydrogeological Services, Groundwater Source Protection

7,350

Janine Guinan

Marine Geoscience Services

52,181

Reidy Brophy Limited

Emergency Exercise for Oil Supply Disruption

5,680

Peter Conroy

Hydrogeological Services, Groundwater Source Protection Work

7,067

Tom Browne

Survey Vessel Master Services, INFOMAR

41,474

Shane Carey

Geographic Information Systems Services, TELLUS Border Project

59,089

Environ uk ltd

Monitoring consent conditions for Corrib Gas Consultancy

166,412

Dúlra Iorrais Teoranta

Marine Geoscience Services, INFOMAR

4,371

Eoin Mc Craith

Marine Geoscience Services, INFOMAR

41,349

Brian Smith

Survey vessel master services

23,856

Atlas Services Group

Hydrographic Data Processing-INFOMAR

116,512

Versata FZ - LLC

Software Licensing

72,180

Waterwise Environmental

Water Sample Analyses, TELLUS Border Project

68,156

Katherine Knights

Geochemical Consultancy, TELLUS Border Project

61,370

Beta Analytic Limited

INFOMAR Operations

2,041

Morrow Communications

Community and Landowner Outreach Consultancy, TELLUS Border Project

9,688

Gill Scott

Marine Geoscience Services, INFOMAR

22,289

Latinollo Limited

National Analogue Switch Off Campaign

767,472

OConnell Agri-Enviromental Consultants (OCAE)

Geochemical Data Acquisition, TELLUS Border Project

68,588

Peter Cooney

Geographic Information Systems Services, National Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping

46,327

Ronan Tierney (Tierney & Associates )

Internal Audit Consultancy

66,819

OHH Energy

Consultancy –Meath Tyrone Power Lines

4,198

2B Energy

Consultancy –Meath Tyrone Power Lines

1,342

Elimark AB

Consultancy –Meath Tyrone Power Lines

2,849

Jim Duffy

Exemplar Networks

4,139

Neary Marketing + Communications

Data management and presentation

1,600

Cloda Ryan

Pensions Advisor

160

Irish Observer Network Ltd

Survey Vessel Master Services, INFOMAR

5,953

Mostop Ltd

Geoscience Initiatives

55,729

LHM Casey McGrath

Geoscience Initiatives

670

Capital Business Svs Ltd T/A Capita Consulting

Internal audit services

24,080

Seighin Lennon

Marine and Geophysics, INFOMAR

1,920

Botanical Environmental Consultants (BEC)

Environmental Impacts Assessments

7,668

Communications Consultants Ireland

Public and stakeholder consultation meetings

1,505

5,016,054

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (709)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

709. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of all third level courses, training programmes and courses and accompanying cost for the 2012/13 academic year, 1 September 2012 to 30 June 2013, provided for employees of his Department. [34557/13]

View answer

Written answers

I assume that the Deputy is seeking information on courses of third level study, funded by my Department and pursued by staff outside of working hours. Each year my Department invites staff to make an application for funding within the terms of the Refund of Fees Programme (Post-Entry Education) under Department of Finance Circular 23/07. Applications are prioritised with reference to the relevance of the course to the applicant's role and to the work of their Division and the Department.

In the interests of value for money, the level of funding my Department provides for new applications is determined following assessment of the number of applications approved for the academic year. Funding for staff in the second or subsequent year of a relevant third level course is also provided.

Funding is provided on the basis that a portion is made available at the start of the academic year with the balance payable on successful completion of the academic year including any prescribed examinations, verified by the relevant college or institution.

The following table sets out details on courses supported under this scheme for the academic year 2012-13:

Refund of Fees – Academic Year 2012-2013

Course

Total Cost

Bachelor of Business Studies Accounting

€2,980.00

BSC (Hons) Computing IT & Mathematics

€1,137.21

MBA

€6,025

Doctorate in Governance

€10,000

Doctorate in Governance

€10,000

PHD in Physics

€3,800

MSc Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation

€3,370

Bridging course for Economics Degree

€125

Environmental Science

€1,767.10

Total

€39,204.31

Question No. 710 answered with Question No. 708.

Exchequer Savings

Questions (711, 712)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

711. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the annual saving to the Exchequer of a 1%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20% reduction in travel and expenses for his Department. [34589/13]

View answer

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

712. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the annual saving to the Exchequer of a 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20% reduction in training and development for his Department. [34605/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 711 and 712 together.

The Revised Estimates Volume 2013 provides for an allocation of €135,000 to training and development for the staff of my Department and an allocation of €582,000 for travel and subsistence.

The following table applies the percentages to the estimated allocations. Such figures are a mathematical exercise and can provide no measure of the consequence of reduction in travel necessarily involved in fieldwork and other domestic travel, or the impact that would arise in terms of participation in and advocacy in European Union, International Energy Agency and other international bodies. I can assure the Deputy that the sums provided are the minimum necessary in light of work requirements and available resources.

% reduction

Training and Development

(2013 allocation - €135,000)

Travel and Subsistence

(2013 allocation - €582,000)

1%

-

€5,820

5%

€6,750

€29,100

7%

€9,450

€40,740

10%

€13,500

€58,200

12%

€16,200

€69,840

15%

€20,250

€87,300

17%

€22,950

€98,940

20%

€27,000

€116,400

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