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Tuesday, 25 Feb 2014

Written Answers Nos. 412-436

Domiciliary Care Allowance Data

Questions (413)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

413. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a table showing the number of domiciliary care allowance applications granted and refused; and the average length of time it took to process those applications each month for the past two years. [9543/14]

View answer

Written answers

Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for children, aged under 16 years, with a severe disability requiring ongoing care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of that age. Table 1 refers to the outcome of applications processed over the past 2 years. Many applications are allowed following a review of the original decision, when the customer supplies additional information on the care needs of the child. Administrative improvements, as recommended in the DCA scheme review are due to come into operation shortly and it is anticipated that these will improve the quality of information received at the initial claim stage and lead to better outcomes in the first instance.

Table 2 refers to the average processing time, in weeks, from receipt to award, each month for the past 2 years.

Table 1. Domiciliary Care Allowance applications – 2012 and 2013

-

Applications received

Applications processed in year

Applications allowed*

Applications disallowed

2012

4339

4,680

2,204 (47%)

2,476

2013

4829

4,404

2,444 (55%)

1,960

*including following a review of decision request from customer

Table 2. Average time receipt to award each month – January 2012 to 2014

-

Average time to award in weeks

January 2012

8

February 2012

5

March 2012

5

April 2012

6

May 2012

7

June 2012

7

July 2012

7

August 2012

9

September 2012

6

October 2012

4

November 2012

4

December 2012

5

January 2013

9

February 2013

9

March 2013

7

April 2013

8

May 2013

7

June 2013

8

July 2013

8

August 2013

8

September 2013

5

October 2013

4

November 2013

5

December 2013

6

January 2014

9

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Questions (414)

John O'Mahony

Question:

414. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their appeal for invalidity pension; if all the medical evidence was taken into consideration in the application and the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9553/14]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 19th February 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on all documentary and medical evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Questions (415)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

415. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason carer's allowance is being stopped in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9561/14]

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Written answers

The person in question has been notified that her carer’s allowance in respect of one care recipient is being stopped on 26th March 2014 as, following a review, it was decided that the medical criteria were no longer satisfied based on the medical evidence submitted to date in relation to one of her care recipients.

In order for a child under 16 years to be deemed eligible for carer's allowance, domiciliary care allowance must be in payment for that child. In those circumstances, the child is deemed to be medically eligible for carer’s allowance.

Once the child reaches 16 years and is no longer entitled to domiciliary care allowance, a review of the continuing entitlement to carer’s allowance is carried out.

If the person in question is not satisfied with the decision to stop her carer’s allowance for the care recipient concerned, she may request a review or may submit an appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Questions (416)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

416. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will introduce a scheme to assist fishermen who have suffered significant losses as a result of the recent severe weather; if she will consider introducing a scheme such as fish assist to support those who have been adversely affected along the coast of Ireland, in particular, the south west coast; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9572/14]

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Written answers

Self-employed workers, including self-employed fishermen, whose businesses fail or suffer from reduced demand or who do not have constant or continuous employment, may access social welfare support by establishing entitlement to assistance-based payments such as jobseeker’s allowance and disability allowance. In the case of jobseeker’s allowance they can apply for the means-tested jobseeker’s allowance if their business ceases or if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in levels of work.

In general, their means will take account of the level of earnings in the last twelve months in determining their expected income for the following year and, in the current climate, account is taken of the downward trend in the economy. Typically over 80% of jobseeker’s allowance claims from self-employed persons have been awarded over recent years.

In addition, employees in the fishing industry who suffer a loss of employment may claim jobseeker’s benefit or allowance subject to normal scheme criteria which includes being available for and genuinely seeking full-time work.

It may also be noted that if a person has no income they may be entitled to the basic supplementary welfare allowance. If weekly income is below the supplementary welfare allowance rate for their family size, a payment may be made to bring their income up to the appropriate supplementary welfare allowance rate. Also exceptional needs payments may help meet essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.

Any changes to these provisions would be a matter for Government to consider in a Budgetary context.

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Questions (417)

John Lyons

Question:

417. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount returned to the Exchequer in the past five years from unclaimed social welfare payments as part of the social welfare payments contract with An Post. [9600/14]

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Written answers

Under contract An Post acts as the Department’s paying agent in respect of cash payments made to social welfare recipients.

In accordance with long established government accounting rules and procedures, payments routed through An Post are brought to account by the Department for expenditure purposes upon encashment (i.e. when the customer presents at a Post Office to collect their payment). Where customers fail to collect the amounts due for payment within a specified period the payment instructions go out of date and are regarded as lapsed issues bearing no charge on the Exchequer.

An Post is put in credit by way of weekly advances to ensure it has sufficient funds to meet customer payments as they arise. The amount of uncashed issues remains part of the unspent advances held by An Post on behalf of the Department for funding purposes.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (418)

Joan Collins

Question:

418. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the current staffing levels in the Castle Street community welfare office (details supplied). [9607/14]

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Written answers

There has been no reduction in the level of service in the Castle Street Community Welfare Office. Given the current workload, staffing levels are sufficient to continue to deliver a full Community Welfare Service for Dublin 12. Mail is collected on a daily basis, phone calls and voice mail messages are responded to within a reasonable timeframe, and appointments are prioritised from time to time in order that those persons with an urgent need can be attended to first.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Questions (419)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

419. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an appeal for domiciliary care allowance has not been assigned to an appeals officer in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9633/14]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 10th October 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 28th January 2014 and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

Questions (420)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

420. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if the means test for the humanitarian assistance scheme includes a capital assessment; the number of persons per county who have applied for relief under the humanitarian assistance scheme as a result of the recent flooding to date; the length of time to process the applications; the average payment made under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9634/14]

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Written answers

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Office of Public Works has responsibility for capital flood relief activities. However, the Department of Social Protection has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events such as flooding.

The humanitarian assistance scheme, which is income tested, is available to assist people whose homes were damaged by the recent severe weather and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair as a result of the damage. The objective of the income test is to determine the household’s capacity to meet the costs of restoring their home to a habitable condition by considering all household income, including that derived from capital, when determining entitlement to payment. For example, a family consisting of a couple and two children with a gross household income of €70,000 or less will receive 100% of the amount allowable in respect of their application. For each whole €1,000 of household income above the €70,000 the couple will be required to make a personal contribution of 1% toward the amount allowable. The amount allowable in any particular case refers to the amount the officer administering the scheme determines is required to replace essential losses and to make any essential repairs. Further detail on the humanitarian assistance scheme and the income test for single persons and families is available on the Department’s website at www.welfare.ie.

In dealing with emergency events of this nature, the Department generally adopts a three stage approach as follows:

- Stage 1 is to provide emergency income support payments (food, clothing and personal items) in the immediate aftermath of the event. A relatively small amount of financial assistance is generally provided initially with payments around the country ranging from €100 to €500 depending on family size. The response on the ground to the current flooding had been primarily focused at this stage with immediate payments issuing mainly in respect of food, clothing, toiletries and accommodation.

- Stage 2 generally involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items. It is not until the flood water abates and houses dry out that the full extent of the damage to homes will become known. In the last week, applications have started to be processed under this phase in Limerick in respect of white goods, furniture, etc. with payments ranging from €2,000 to €4,000. Payments under this phase are normally processed within 2 to 3 working days of the receipt of a valid application and supporting documentation.

- Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support or works are required. It could take several months before this stage of response commences and this involves a cross Departmental/Agency response. Works carried out can include plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting. Payments under this phase will generally take longer to process as homeowners establish the cost of repair by securing builders’ estimates and the extent of the loss is verified, usually by a loss assessor, in cases where significant amounts are claimed.

The Government has not set a limit on the amount that can be paid to an individual household under this scheme. Levels of payment depend on the relative severity of damage experienced and the household’s ability to meet these costs ensuring that the funding is appropriately targeted. The information available shows that in response to previous flooding events, payments have issued to individuals ranging from approximately €50 to €28,000 under this scheme.

As of 21st February 2014, some €206,000 financial assistance under the humanitarian assistance scheme has been paid in respect of 405 claims, of which 323 were in respect of the Limerick area. The average payment made in 2014 is €508 per claim which in most cases relates to the stage 1 phase of emergency income support. It is envisaged that more substantial payments will be made as the number of applications increase in respect of stages 2 and 3 as outlined above. Details of the payments made under the scheme on a county basis in 2014 are provided in the following tabular statement.

Any person continuing to experience hardship as a result of the recent weather events should contact the Department’s local representative administering the supplementary welfare allowance scheme who may be able to offer assistance.

Tabular Statement: Humanitarian Assistance payments 2014 (as of 21 st February)

COUNTY

No of Payments

Expenditure

LIMERICK

323

€149,314

WATERFORD

26

€27,021

GALWAY

12

€7,582

DUBLIN

2

€6,955

TIPPERARY

9

€3,095

CLARE

9

€3,008

ROSCOMMON

1

€2,250

WEXFORD

6

€1,750

CORK

5

€1,700

OFFALY

2

€1,000

KILKENNY

5

€770

MAYO

1

€674

KERRY

3

€602

CARLOW

1

€300

Total

405

€206,020

Disability Allowance Payments

Questions (421)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

421. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears of disability allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9639/14]

View answer

Written answers

The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 23 October 2013. The first payment will be made to the person in question by her chosen payment method on 25 February 2014.

The person in question was in receipt of another social welfare payment during the period 23 October 2013 to date. Consequently, the amount of social welfare already paid requires to be calculated and deducted from any arrears of disability allowance due. Any residual arrears due will be paid to the person in question shortly after the first payment issues.

School Meals Programme

Questions (422)

John Lyons

Question:

422. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection the current budget allocation for the school meals programme; the average funding amount provided to each school in each category of need and the average amount to each student; her plans to review the system for allocating funds to the scheme due to the growing number of students in schools currently operating the scheme and the growing number of new schools availing of the scheme. [9648/14]

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Written answers

The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food services for disadvantaged children through two schemes. The first is the statutory urban school meals scheme, operated by local authorities and part-financed by this Department. The second is the school meals local projects scheme through which funding is provided directly to participating schools and local and voluntary community groups who run their own school meals projects.

The Government has provided €37 million for the programme in 2014 which will benefit over 205,000 children across some 1,600 schools and organisations, representing an average of €23,000 per school/organisation and €180 per child for the academic year.

In recent years priority for new applications for funding has been given to schools which are part of the Department of Education and Skills initiative for disadvantaged schools "Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools" (DEIS). DEIS schools may apply for funding for all pupils, if they feel such a need exists. However there is no automatic entitlement to funding and all applications must be considered in light of the available budget for the scheme. Following the provision of an additional €2 million for the scheme as part of Budget 2013 the Department contacted over 170 schools requesting expressions of interest in participating in the scheme for the current school year. Applications to join the scheme were received from some 90 schools which have been included in the scheme.

Wildlife Protection

Questions (423)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

423. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on whether the burning season should be extended a month, in view of the fact that his Department is saying that there is too much scrub on land and deeming it ineligible; every opportunity should be given to allow for the removal of that scrub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9276/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibit the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity. I have initiated a review of the current legislation to ensure that it remains both effective and balanced. Without prejudging the outcome of the review, in the timeframe available, it would not be possible to amend the closing date of 1 March this year. The issue of eligibility of land is one for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Questions (424, 425)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

424. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of all lands that have been removed from the Falcarragh to Meenlargh special area of conservation (details supplied); the dates of the removals; the reasons for the removals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9631/14]

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Pearse Doherty

Question:

425. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of site visits undertaken by the National Park and Wildlife Service with landowners-users of lands currently or previously designated under the Falcarragh to Meenlargh special area of conservation (details supplied); the number of visits in which officials met personally with the landowners concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9632/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 and 425 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 330 and 331 of 11 February 2014.

Severe Weather Events Response

Questions (426)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

426. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form by county, the number of requests which have been received by the National Parks and Wildlife Service during the recent flooding to remove debris, gravel and other material or give advice on same, from rivers, streams and drains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9643/14]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is working with all relevant agencies at national and local level in responding to the impact of the recent storms. At national level, my Department is working with relevant Government Departments through the National Coordinating Group on Severe Weather to ensure that agreed approaches are taken to repair and restoration works so that people, property and nature are all protected in compliance with all legal requirements. At a local level, my staff are working in an ongoing way with local authorities and landowners in advising on dealing with the aftermath of the storms insofar as that impacts on protected areas. Regarding specific requests concerning the removal of material from rivers, my Department received one such request in respect of each of the counties Waterford, Cork, Tipperary and Kilkenny and four such requests in respect of Wexford.

Heritage Sites

Questions (427)

Willie Penrose

Question:

427. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are plans in train to have the Hill of Uisneach, Killare, Mullingar, County Westmeath, nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9658/14]

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Written answers

UNESCO sets out a formal process for State signatories to the World Heritage Convention to nominate properties for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The nomination process is initiated by the State authorities drawing up a Tentative List of what they consider to be the most important heritage sites within their national boundaries. A particular criterion is that a site must be considered to be of outstanding universal value, defined by UNESCO as meaning of “cultural and or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.” Following a public consultation process and consideration by an expert advisory group, a new Tentative List for Ireland was approved and submitted to UNESCO in March 2010. “The Royal Sites of Ireland”, made up of Cashel, Dún Ailinne, the Rathcroghan Complex, the Tara Complex and the Hill of Uisneach, was one of seven potential nominations chosen for inclusion in Ireland’s Tentative List. Consideration is also being given at this stage, in consultation with Armagh City and District Council and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, to the possibility of adding Eamhain Mhacha/Navan Fort in Co. Armagh to the Royal Sites proposal.

The nomination of a property to the World Heritage List is a significant undertaking that requires the development of comprehensive nomination documentation, including a management plan for the property. Following submission of a nomination to UNESCO, it is evaluated by three advisory bodies:

- the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS);

- the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); and

- the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property(ICCROM).

Once the site has been evaluated, the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee makes the final decision regarding the site’s inclusion on the World Heritage List.

In order to further progress the nomination process, I hosted a seminar in September 2013 to consider the extent of local interest in pursuing World Heritage nomination for the sites on the current Tentative List and to clarify all the elements involved in applying for and retaining such status. My Department has been in on-going contact with relevant local authorities and community representatives since the seminar to further clarify the significant research and other requirements involved in preparing nomination documentation. As part of this process a further meeting will take place shortly with representatives from the areas in the Royal Sites nomination, including the Hill of Uisneach.

Control of Dogs

Questions (428)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

428. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to introduce legislation that would ensure the control of hunting dogs based on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9660/14]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister, I have responsibilities under the Wildlife Acts relating to the conservation of certain protected species, which include the granting of licences for the hunting of such species. I am aware that drag hunting, which is the activity identified by the Deputy in this case, and involves the following by a pack of hounds of a scent which has been laid or dragged over a course, is practised in certain areas of the country. However, as this practice does not involve the hunting of wild birds or wild animals, the provisions of the Wildlife Acts do not apply.

There are no proposals to change the current position. I understand that an identical Question has been submitted to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government who has responsibility for the Control of Dogs legislation.

Waterways Ireland Remit

Questions (429)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

429. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a date has been set for him to meet with all interested parties to examine the possibility of rescuing Ireland's oldest surviving commercial ship, the Naomh Eanna; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Waterways Ireland's hired contractor has moved the ship into the breaking dock at Ringsend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9670/14]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, the Naomh Éanna was purchased by the Irish Nautical Trust (INT) and moored at Grand Canal Dock in 1989, when it could no longer meet health and safety requirements to operate as a passenger-carrying vessel. In April 2013, a report commissioned by INT on the hull condition of the vessel highlighted serious safety concerns. Based on the report’s findings, INT issued a ‘Notice to Vacate’ to both of the businesses that had been operating from the vessel. The Deputy will also be aware that Waterways Ireland offered to arrange for the removal and disposal of the ship on INT's behalf. Waterways Ireland made this offer as the property owners of the Grand Canal Dock because of the health and safety concerns arising from the condition of the vessel and because INT did not have the financial resources to deal with the matter. I am advised that INT accepted the offer and confirmed its approval to Waterways Ireland to dispose of the vessel on its behalf.

A commitment was given in the Dáil on Thursday 13 February 2014 that a meeting would be sought to enable the relevant bodies with an interest in this mater, including my own Department and Waterways Ireland, to determine if anything could be done to avert the disposal of the Naomh Éanna. This meeting took place on the following Tuesday, 18 February, and included officials from my Department, Waterways Ireland, the National Asset Management Agency and the Health & Safety Authority (HSA). The Marine Survey Office, Dublin City Council, Dublin Port Authority and the Environmental Protection Agency were also invited but were not in a position to send representatives.

The meeting concluded that the proper course of action to be taken was to proceed with the disposal of the vessel because of the continuing serious risk it posed, the disruption and expense that would be involved were it to sink in the Grand Canal and the absence of any firm indication that the very significant level of finance required to make it safe and insurable was potentially available. This decision was not taken lightly.

I am advised that a contractor moved the Naomh Éanna into dry dock at Ringsend on Wednesday 19 February 2014 and that the contractor will commence disposal following the safe removal of asbestos from the vessel, which it is anticipated could take up to three weeks.

Irish Language

Questions (430)

Seán Kyne

Question:

430. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is legislative provision which ensures that the requirements placed on Departments to provide services, information, application processes and so forth through the medium of Irish extend to any organisation or agency, new or otherwise, that is contracted to provide services once provided by central or local Government. [9703/14]

View answer

Written answers

In general, section 2 of the Official Languages Act 2003 specifies that services, offered or provided (whether directly or indirectly) to the general public or a class of the general public by a public body, are covered under the Act. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on a matter of legal interpretation. The First Schedule to the Act lists the public bodies that are covered under the Act, as updated by the Official Languages Act 2003 (Public Bodies) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 150 of 2006). The process for bringing public bodies under the Act is under consideration as part of the review of the legislation, which is due to be brought to Government very shortly.

Semi-State Bodies

Questions (431)

John Lyons

Question:

431. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the chief executive officers of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department who are on Hay contracts and those who are not on Hay contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10125/14]

View answer

Written answers

I can advise the Deputy that no semi-State companies are funded from my Department's Vote group and, consequently, there are no Chief Executive Officers operating under the aegis of my Department on Hay contracts.

Renewable Energy Exports

Questions (432)

Martin Heydon

Question:

432. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the proposed energy export policy and development framework; the number of submissions that were received during the consultation process and from what sectors; when the framework will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9073/14]

View answer

Written answers

There are three stages in the development of the Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework. I have stated on a number of occasions that transparency in the development of the framework is crucial and that the views of local communities must be at the heart of the transition to renewable energy.

The Stage 1 consultation, which involved the publication of Stage 1 information and summary documents, ran from 23 October to 22 November last year, and gave all interested parties an opportunity, at the outset, to present their views on how we should develop national policy to realise the opportunity to trade renewable energy with other EU Member States and, in the first instance, with the United Kingdom. My Department received nearly 1,400 responses to the consultation across a range of sectors all of which are available on my Department's website. My Department is now in the process of assessing the responses to inform the development of the framework.

In order to complete Stage 1 of the development of the framework, taking into account the feedback received, my Department will now prepare the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) scoping report. The process will then move to Stage 2 with the publication of the scoping report for public consultation by the end of March. National press advertisements and updates on my Department's website will inform all stakeholders of the commencement of the Stage 2 consultation. During Stage 2 a report on the Stage 1 consultation will also be published providing an overview of the consultation process, feedback and analysis.

During Stage 3 the draft policy, the Environmental Report (on which the Strategic Environmental Assessment will be based) and Natura Impact Statement (on which the Appropriate Assessment will be based) will all be published and a public consultation will provide all stakeholders a further opportunity to contribute to or make observations on the development of the framework.

Energy Resources

Questions (433)

Gerry Adams

Question:

433. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the emergency oil stocks owned by NORA are located in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9203/14]

View answer

Written answers

Under EU and International Energy Agency (IEA) obligations, Ireland is required to hold 90 days of oil stocks that can be used in the event of an oil supply disruption. The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) is responsible for acquiring and managing the bulk of Ireland’s emergency oil stocks.

Since 2007, in line with IEA and Government policy, NORA has been pursuing a policy of reducing dependency on stock tickets (paper contracts to deliver oil in an emergency) as well as repatriating stocks held abroad to the island of Ireland, subject to value for money considerations. In 2006, 51% of NORA stocks were held in Ireland, 10% were held as physical stocks abroad, while 40% were held as stock tickets. By 2013, the picture had changed dramatically with 73% of NORA emergency stocks held as physical stocks on the island of Ireland and 27% held as physical stocks in other EU Member States under Bilateral Agreements or Memoranda of Understanding, with no requirement for stock tickets.

By successfully rebalancing its stocks in favour of physical stocks on the island of Ireland, NORA helps ensure that emergency stocks are easily physically accessible and available in an emergency situation. This significantly enhances the security of Irish oil supply and is in line with EU requirements under the new Oil Stocks Directive (2009/119/EC). The EU has also encouraged Member States to reduce dependency on stock tickets.

The stocks included in the “Island of Ireland” figures above include NORA stocks in Northern Ireland, which amount to approximately 9% of Ireland’s emergency stocks. Since 2011, NORA has completed three key storage refurbishment projects at Ringsend (Dublin), Kilroot (Antrim) and Tarbert (Kerry.) These storage developments form a key part of NORA’s ongoing plans for the steady rebalancing of stocks from abroad onto the island of Ireland.

NORA has maximised its storage in all available storage facilities in Ireland, and has steadily increased its stockholding to meet its ongoing obligations. NORA is continuing on its quest to develop further storage on the island of Ireland, and a number of options are being considered. This work will continue with a view to identifying and implementing the most beneficial plans for NORA in meeting its obligations in future years and underpinning security of supply.

Domestic Gas Leaks

Questions (434)

Michael Colreavy

Question:

434. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the policies that are in place to deal with domestic gas leaks and their reporting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9257/14]

View answer

Written answers

The protection of the safety of gas customers, of the public generally and of public property by minimising incidents involving gas is a matter of highest priority for Government. Legislation in place reflects this policy objective and provides the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) with responsibility for regulating the activities of natural gas undertakings and gas installers (both natural gas and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)) with respect to safety. The CER discharges its safety responsibilities through the implementation of the Gas Safety Framework, which has been in operation since 2008. The CER is currently reviewing the Gas Safety Framework with a view to extending the Framework to provide for LPG safety licensing of LPG Distribution Networks to multiple domestic final customers from the 30th April 2014 and for LPG incident reporting from the 31st March 2014.

Natural Gas undertakings (and LPG Undertakings from the 31st March 2014) have statutory responsibilities for the reporting of gas related incidents to the CER. Procedures have been developed by the CER to ensure that all relevant personnel deal with an incident in an effective and approved manner.

The Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, confers on the CER specific functions in regard to gas safety. A gas installer is required to be registered as a Registered Gas Installer (RGI) in order to carry out works on domestic type gas appliances, i.e. ‘Gas Works’, as defined in the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Gas Works) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 255/2009) and the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Works) Regulation 2011 (S.I. 299/2011). As such it is a legal requirement that any ‘Gas Works’ carried out in the domestic environment, whether it is the installation, service or repair of a gas appliance, must always be carried out by a RGI.

The CER's gas safety regime comprises an annual programme of audits and inspection of regulated entities, the investigation of complaints regarding gas installers and an enforcement regime where action is required.

The CER has legal responsibilities in regard to the Promotion and Public Awareness of gas safety and may direct a gas undertaking to engage in related publicity campaigns. A variety of campaigns have been carried out, including the following:

- What to do when a member of the public smells gas, i.e. phone the Bord Gais Networks 24 hour emergency phone line (1850 20 50 50);

- Only use a Registered Gas Installer for the installation, repair or servicing of domestic type gas appliances;

- Carbon Monoxide awareness campaigns; and

- The "Dial Before You Dig" campaign to encourage people to contact Bord Gais Networks prior to undertaking excavation works in order that underground gas pipes are not damaged.

Broadcasting Service Provision

Questions (435)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

435. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9299/14]

View answer

Written answers

In accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ, through its subsidiary company 2RN, is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network and I, as Minister, have no function in this matter. Specifically, the Act requires RTÉ to provide digital coverage to the same extent as provided over the previous analogue network, i.e. 98% population coverage, and I am advised by RTÉ that this level of coverage is being provided by the SAORVIEW TV network.

For the remaining 2% of the population, RTÉ launched SAORSAT in March 2012. The development and provision of SAORSAT, which is a “free to air” satellite system providing access to the RTÉ channels and TG4, was undertaken by RTÉ on its own initiative and, as in the case of the SAORVIEW DTT network, is not a matter in which I have a function.

Ireland is not the only country to have introduced a national TV network on both a terrestrial and satellite platform. Many countries, including the UK, have developed their digital networks on both the traditional terrestrial platform and also over satellite. The reason for this is simple. It is technically and financially impossible to provide 100% coverage using a terrestrial TV platform. However, through SAORVIEW and SAORSAT, Ireland now has 100% “free to air” coverage of the RTÉ channels and TG4 for the first time in the history of the State.

That said, I have noted the specific details of the case raised by the Deputy in this Question and have had them brought to the attention of RTÉ’s network company, 2RN and I will write to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Post Office Network

Questions (436)

Finian McGrath

Question:

436. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will support the Irish Postmasters' Union plan, Open for Business, which will save 557 post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9320/14]

View answer

Written answers

Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are a matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. As shareholder, however, I have a strong concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I regularly liaise with the Company in this regard. Information in relation to measures taken or proposed to develop the post office network were set out by me in reply to Question No. 29 of 30 January 2014.

I welcome the Irish Postmasters Union input into the debate on the future of the post office network and their report "Into the Future" which was launched on 19 February 2014. In this regard, arrangements will be made for my Department to meet the Irish Postmasters Union to discuss their proposals further.

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