Written Answers Nos. 232-247
232. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection if, while acknowledging the positive additional engagement by her Department with jobseekers, including offers of educational placements, she will confirm whether a person in receipt of a jobseeker's payment as a result of an appeal regarding a disability payment will be negatively affected for not taking up an offer of a labour activation measure. [48385/13]
View answerLegislation provides that a person’s weekly jobseeker's payment may be reduced for refusal or failure, without good cause, to engage with activation measures.
Decisions regarding whether to apply the above sanctions are made by a Deciding Officer and are subject to appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
234. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding a peg number for a boat in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47931/13]
View answerPrivate boats on the lakes in Killarney National Park are regulated by way of mooring discs or pegs. In a scheme introduced in 1991, following lengthy consultation with interested parties, mooring discs were issued to all boat owners having a recognised traditional mooring right on the lakes, subject to an overall limit on the number of discs issued. It is considered that a limit is necessary so as to balance recreational use with the conservation imperative of flora and fauna of the lakes and surrounding areas and also taking account of obligations under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. My Department does not permit the placing of boats on the lakes on a daily basis, as boats and engines coming from outside the Park carry the risk of spreading invasive alien species such as zebra mussels and various pond weeds.
To facilitate others, applicants for mooring pegs are placed on a waiting list and any pegs becoming available are allocated to those on the list. In order to facilitate the short-term accommodation of some of those on the waiting list, they are entered into a lottery each year for one of 20 temporary mooring pegs to use the lakes for one year.
My Department receives numerous requests for mooring spaces but, unfortunately, the demand far exceeds the number of spaces available. My Department is currently in the process of reviewing all issues relating to the ongoing management of the lakes in the Park, including all boating activities, with a view to developing a long-term sustainable strategy for the lakes as an integral part of Killarney National Park.
The individual referred to in the Deputy's Question has contacted my Department directly in relation to this matter and my officials have informed him of the position as set out above.
235. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made in the past six months with the provision of the terminal buildings at the airstrips in Cleggan and Inishbofin, County Galway; the reason for the delay with these projects; the steps taken to speed up the work commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47884/13]
View answerA decision has been made not to proceed further with plans for the construction of terminal buildings at the airstrips at Cleggan and on Inishbofin, County Galway. The contract with the consultants that were engaged to undertake the design, planning and tendering process for these buildings has, therefore, been terminated.
My Department is currently assessing alternatives with regard to the possible disposal of these assets in conjunction with other stakeholders, including Galway County Council.
236. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the future plans for Slieve Bog, Dunmore, County Galway; if there are plans to make it a special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47887/13]
View answerSlieve Bog is within a raised bog Natural Heritage Area (NHA). In May 2010, the previous Government decided that turf cutting should come to an end on all raised bog NHAs, including Slieve Bog, at the end of 2013.
However, as part of an undertaking given in the current Programme for Government , my Department is carrying out a review of raised bog NHAs, which will consider, inter alia, the future of turf cutting on such sites. To assist in this task, my Department has engaged a team of consultants who are undertaking the scientific work which will underpin the review.
It is intended that the review, which will be completed shortly, will provide clarity for turf-cutters and land-owners on Slieve Bog and in other raised bog NHAs in advance of the 2014 turf-cutting season.
237. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide, in tabular form for each year since he was provided with a budget, the total cumulative amount in euro paid by his Department for non-audit services to companies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48119/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 2 June 2011 and therefore the available information is being provided from that date.
I am advised that €1,600 for non-audit services was paid by my Department in 2012 to one of the companies referred to in the Deputy's Question.
238. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form for each year since he was provided with a budget the total cumulative amount in euro paid by his Department to senior counsel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48150/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 2 June 2011 and I am advised that it has made no payments to Senior Counsel since that date.
For completeness, I would bring to the Deputy's attention that my Department makes payments from time to time to the Chief State Solicitor's Office in respect of legal services that it provides to my Department.
239. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will introduce legislation for controlled mountain gorse burning before the closed season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48287/13]
View answerThe Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibit the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation growing on uncultivated land or in hedges or ditches from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife.
While vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat, it needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity and the controlled burning of gorse is one such example. I have initiated a review of the current legislation to ensure that it remains both effective and balanced. As part of that review, the potential for setting the relevant dates by statutory instrument, rather than in primary legislation, as is the position currently, will be examined.
240. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken by his Department on the impact of Ireland signing the Antarctic treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48314/13]
View answerI am advised that the co-ordination of the Government position in relation to the ratification of the Antarctic Treaty is a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
I can confirm, however, that my Department has not carried out a cost benefit analysis of the nature referred to by the Deputy.
241. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there has been an increase in the public service obligation levy in the case of electricity bills and in general; and the way in which he will use the money generated from this increase. [47769/13]
View answerThe PSO levy is charged to all electricity customers. It is designed to support the national policy objectives of security of energy supply, including through the use of indigenous fuels (i.e. peat), and the use of renewable energy sources in electricity generation. The proceeds of the levy are used to recoup the additional costs incurred by suppliers in sourcing a proportion of their electricity supplies from such generators. The policy and terms associated with PSO levy supported plant are mandated by Government in the relevant legislation and approved by the European Commission. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), as set out in legislation, acts in an administrative function to calculate and certify the levy. As part of its calculation and certification of the PSO levy, the CER only allows costs properly incurred under the relevant PSO contracts/schemes and ensures that the scheme is administered efficiently.
The cost of the levy for October 2013 to Sept 2014 as calculated by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is €210.9 million, an increase of €79.7 million on the 2012/2013 levy of €131.2 million. For domestic customers, the PSO levy will increase from €2.32 per month to €3.57 per month from October 2013 and this will be reflected in their electricity bills. The reasons given by the CER for the increase in the levy are:
- A lower forecast System Marginal Price (SMP) in the Single Electricity Market (SEM). The forecast price for 2013/2014 is €64.28/MWh. This is a reduction from 2012/2013 when the SMP was calculated at €65.72/MWh. A lower SMP results in the need for an increased PSO to recover costs for electricity generation which is guaranteed a support price under the PSO. If those plants cannot recover their supported price through the market price the size of the PSO levy has to be increased to support them up to the level of their guaranteed prices.
- An increase in the quantity of renewable generation subject to PSO support. There is an increase of 265 MW of REFIT renewable generation capacity compared to 2012/2013.
- A greater "R" factor. The PSO levy is calculated each year and is based on estimates of costs to be recovered by the relevant parties if these costs cannot be recovered in the market. These figures are adjusted two years afterwards when fully audited costs have been submitted and the actual market price is known. The "R" factor is the name given to this adjustment. The actual payments from the market in 2011/2012 were lower than expected and the "R" factor for 2013/2014 retrospectively reconciles these payments.
242. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions he is taking to compel the national broadcaster and independent radio stations to ensure that Irish singer-songwriters obtain a minimum of 30% total airtime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47711/13]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 159 of 21 March 2013.
243. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the role he has in the appointment of members to the board of EirGrid, including the appointment of the chairperson and directors of the board; the appointments he has made to the board of EirGrid since he assumed office; the criteria employed to select members of the board; if his attention has been drawn to any changes in board membership to date in 2013; when he will be appointing new directors and-or chairperson to the board of EirGrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47775/13]
View answerThe Members of the Board of EirGrid, and the Chairperson of the Board, are appointed by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Such appointments are made under Statutory Instrument No. 445 of 2000.
This Government has made changes in relation to appointments to State Boards and bodies with new arrangements involving advertisement of vacancies for applications from suitably qualified candidates and, in accordance with the Government Decision of 12 April 2011, Expressions of Interest have been invited from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of this Department. This information has been used to inform decisions for appointments to State Boards.
The following appointments were made to the EirGrid Board since March 2011:
Dr Gary Healy 15/09/2011
Ms Regina Moran 15/09/2011
Mr Liam O’Halloran 15/09/2011
Ms Bride Rosney 15/09/2011
Ms Doireann Barry 22/12/2011
Mr Fintan Slye 17/07/2013
A new Chairperson will be appointed in the usual way in due course. New directors will be appointed when vacancies arise.
244. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of the NewEra strategy, if he has devised a strategy for the payment of dividends by State-owned companies to the Exchequer for the next five years. [47785/13]
View answerLead responsibility for NewERA is a matter for the Minister for Finance. However, the general strategy for State owned energy companies, including matters relating to dividend, is a matter for agreement between those companies and the shareholding Ministers, the larger shareholding interest of which is held by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
245. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to whom the benefits from the Grid 25 scheme will accrue, with particular reference to the benefit that will accrue to private owners; and if private companies which set up wind farms are required to make a proportion of the output for the national grid as a public service obligation. [47801/13]
View answerWhile several of the issues raised in the Question are matters for EirGrid, and not ones in which I, as Minister, have any role or function, I will respond to the issues that fall within the ambit of my Department and Government policy in this area.
EirGrid's Grid25 Programme is a Government endorsed strategy to develop the transmission network to ensure nationwide safe, secure and affordable electricity supply supporting economic growth, renewable and sustainable energy. It represents the most important investment in Ireland’s transmission system for several generations and will position our energy system for decades to come.
Electricity demand for business and homes must be met safely and securely 365 days a year. Our ability to rebuild the economy, to attract and retain foreign investment, to sustain Irish enterprise, to create jobs and growth, to deliver regional development and to ensure the well-being of our people depend on this.
Grid25 will take several years to complete and it represents an investment of €3.2 billion. It involves extensive work throughout the country, including building 800km of new power lines and upgrading 2,000 km of existing lines – double the size of today’s grid. The Grid25 project will reduce our dependency on imported fossil fuels by putting the infrastructure in place to enable us use our own natural resources, help us create less carbon waste and enable us reach our renewable energy targets by 2020.
There is no requirement for wind farm developers to connect to the National Grid, but ordinarily they do so to transmit electricity to consumers. The principal supports for renewable electricity generation are the current REFIT, and former AER schemes. These schemes are funded though the Public Service obligation (PSO) levy, which is paid for by all electricity consumers.
246. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason wind farms are not being located offshore, eliminating the need for putting turbines across the land and the resulting electrical infrastructure of pylons and minimising the impact on communities. [47802/13]
View answerIreland has some of the best renewable energy resources in Europe, both onshore and offshore. Cost effective harnessing of the potential of the sector as a whole will be crucial to reducing our dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports, creating a low carbon energy system and delivering jobs in the green economy. The Government, as outlined in the Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012, is confident that Ireland has the capability to achieve its 2020 national targets for renewable electricity from onshore renewable generation and primarily from wind. Accordingly, there is no support scheme for offshore wind for domestic consumption on the basis that it would impose unnecessary costs on the electricity consumer.
In addition to pursuing our domestic renewable electricity requirements, my Department is also working closely with the United Kingdom Government to pursue the opportunity of harnessing the abundant potential of our renewable energy resources, including offshore wind, for export.
As set out in the 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure, the Government is keenly aware of the need to balance the requirement to deliver the new energy infrastructure necessary to ensure that the energy needs of all consumers are met in a way that is secure, reliable, sustainable and competitive, with the requirement to engage fully with the public regarding their concerns at such developments. To this end, on 23 October last, I launched the first of three phases of public consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the proposal to export renewable energy from Ireland to the UK. Responses to this consultation are sought by 22 November, 2013.
Additionally, my Department is currently finalising an Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP). The process began with the carrying out of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Informed by the findings of the SEA, the OREDP will identify how best to coordinate actions across the environmental, energy and economic development policy areas in order to realise Ireland’s abundant offshore renewable energy potential in a sustainable way, using both offshore wind, and emerging ocean, technologies.
Furthermore, with regard to the development of onshore wind, a review of the Wind Energy Planning Guidelines currently underway, is examining the manner in which the guidelines address key issues such as noise (including separation distance) and shadow flicker. The review is being carried out by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, in conjunction with this Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, in order to ensure that Ireland continues to meet its renewable energy targets, while at the same time ensuring that wind energy does not have negative impacts on local communities. It is expected that draft revised guidelines will be published for consultation by the end of November with a view to the finalisation of the new guidelines by mid-2014.
247. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in view of the failure of the company’s efforts to set up a grey market for company shares, he is in a position to respond to the former ESB staff requests that the State should buy back the ESOP shares or any portion of them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47905/13]
View answerThe ESB Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a tax efficient mechanism established in December 2001 as a trust, to acquire and hold a 5% stake in ESB on behalf of over 10,000 employees and former employees of ESB. I understand that in August 2013, it was decided by the Trustee and Chairman of the ESOP that given conditions following the first Internal Market in 2012 in respect of market liquidity, it would not hold a second Internal Market in September 2013. I am advised that the Trustee is working to protect the interests of all the beneficiaries in order to resolve the matter as soon as possible. The ESOP receives 5% of every dividend payment by ESB. In addition, arising out of the impending sale by ESB of State assets, the ESOP is due to receive 5% of the special dividend revenues. That may provide an opportunity for the Trustee to resolve outstanding issues in relation to the remaining shares.
