Written Answers Nos. 311-322
311. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a section of the funds allocated to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland will be ring-fenced for community broadcasting projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30346/14]
View answerCommunity radio stations in Ireland are funded from various sources, including funds derived from donations, advertising and sponsorship. Section 154 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 assigned responsibility to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to develop and administer funding scheme(s) designed to support the production and transmission of high quality programming based on Irish culture and heritage to be funded from the allocation of 7% of the net television licence fee receipts. To the end of 2013 it has allocated a total of €122m. The non-profit community radio stations receive a significant amount of publicly funded support from the Broadcasting Funding Scheme, one of the specified aims of which is the development of local and community broadcasting by providing funding for the provision of high quality, diverse and innovative programming by community broadcasters. This Scheme is currently funded by way of a set proportion of net television licence fee. The current scheme 'Sound & Vision II' was approved by the European Commission to run until the end of 2014. Accordingly a new Scheme is required and BAI has prepared and submitted a new draft Sound & Vision III scheme. Following scrutiny by my Department and in accordance with the obligations under the 2009 Broadcasting Act, I recently approved the draft Scheme under section 154 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The proposed scheme will now be sent to the EU Commission for approval. Finally, I should mention that the BAI also operates the Community Broadcasting Support Scheme, which is a separate development fund specifically established to enable community radio stations to evaluate their activities. The scheme provides funding for stations to carry out key review work to assist with their overall performance to build capacity. The BAI works closely with the community sector in this regard.
312. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the projected income to the State from the Corrib gas field in the years 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30347/14]
View answerThe principal direct financial return to the Exchequer from the Corrib gas field will be through the 25% tax that will apply to profits from the gas field. The level of profits will depend on a combination of factors including, the volume of recoverable gas, the cost of developing and operating the infrastructure, the price of gas over the life of the field, together with the timing and profile of production. The Corrib partners have indicated that the expected timeline for first gas is mid-2015. I would point out that the operation of the taxation system and receipt of revenue are matters for the Revenue Commissioners.
313. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form, a list of consultants to his Department for the past ten years; the amount each consultant was paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30348/14]
View answerI understand the Deputy is interested in consultancies relating to the oil and gas sector. In the time available, it has not been possible to assemble the information requested.
My Department is in the process of identifying and assembling the information which will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
314. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the State money spent on the pursuing the memorandum of understanding with Britain on renewable energy export; the money that was spent on its outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30349/14]
View answerThe Memorandum of Understanding signed with the UK Government in January 2013 undertook to examine how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of Ireland and the UK. Following in-depth analysis it was found that given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and the outstanding decisions to be taken by the UK, delivery by 2020 of an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to facilitate energy export is not a realistic proposition. While it has not been possible to conclude an agreement at this juncture, I do believe that in the context of a European Internal Energy Market, greater trade in energy between Britain and Ireland is inevitable in the post 2020 scenario.
A full cost benefit analysis was carried out on the potential for renewable export between Ireland and the UK. The cost benefit analysis was carried out by my Department with the assistance of NewERA and the ESRI. AECOM consultants assisted in the process and their fee was €43,080, excluding VAT. Additionally, Doyle Kent Planning Partnership were appointed as planning consultants to assist with the Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework and their fee is €78,000, excluding VAT.
I should also emphasise that the work done thus far on the Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework will inform future policy for the development of renewable electricity infrastructure required for compliance with current and future EU renewable targets.
315. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the basis on the public service obligation on energy costs; the amount collected in 2013; the way this money was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30350/14]
View answerThe Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy has been in place since 2001 and is the overall support mechanism for electricity generation constructed for security of supply purposes (including peat fired generation), and for the development of renewable electricity to meet Ireland's target 40% of electricity demand being met from renewable sources by 2020. The levy is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur by purchasing electricity generated by these producers.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) determines the PSO levy which is a charge on all electricity customers without exception. The legal basis for the PSO levy and its method of calculation are set out in Regulations made under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (S.I. No. 217 of 2002). The PSO levy is calculated annually for the period 1 October to 30 September.
The levy amounts for 2012/13 and 2013/14 amounted to €131.24 million and €210.9 million respectively. CER Decisions CER/12/121 (of 1 August 2012) and CER/13/168 (of 31 July 2013), both of which are available on the CER website at www.cer.ie, set out how the levy is calculated for these periods. These documents contain further details on the main categories of PSO generation supported and calculate the payment by customer category for these levy periods.
316. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the function of the TELLUS project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30351/14]
View answerThe Tellus Border Project is a regional mapping project collecting geo-environmental data on soils, water and rocks in the six border counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth. The project acquired airborne geophysical data using specially adapted planes and chemical data from sampling and detailed analysis of streams and soils. The project follows a similar one that was successfully completed in Northern Ireland. It recently completed data acquisition in the six border counties and there is continuing data analysis, including that collected in Northern Ireland.
Information from the project will assist environmental management and support sustainable development of natural resources in the border region. Critically the data allows improvement in geological mapping, which can then be applied by public authorities and all sectors utilising the revised maps, including groundwater protection, aggregate development, mineral exploration and environmental protection. The associated geochemical data is particularly applicable to agricultural productivity and animal health, while airborne radiometric data is being used to improve radon mapping in conjunction with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. The data and associated reports are all made available freely over the web, via the project website www.tellusborder.eu and a final Post Project Evaluation report on Tellus Border will be posted online later in July.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that to date the project has delivered high quality baseline data sets that will no doubt contribute greatly to policy formulation in such areas as health, agriculture, environment, while at the same time encouraging research, innovation and inward investment in these areas. I also believe that it should be of great benefit to the private sector in these areas.
Tellus Border was funded by the INTERREG IVA programme of the European Regional Development Fund, which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (www.seupb.eu). The project is additionally part-funded by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (Ireland) and the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland).
The project was a cross-border initiative between the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, the Geological Survey of Ireland, Queen's University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology.
317. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the function of subscribing to the UK groundwater forum; the amount this costs the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30352/14]
View answerThe Geological Survey of Ireland, which is a division of my Department, is the National geoscience centre and provides objective geological advice and information. The Survey, with circa 60 permanent and contract staff, is relatively small by comparison with other surveys internationally (e.g. BGS circa 1,000 staff, USGS, circa 10,000 staff) and participation in international fora and meetings is important in keeping up to date with geoscience developments internationally. The Groundwater Programme of the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) participates on the Steering Committee of the UK Groundwater Forum. The aims of the Forum, which include raising awareness of groundwater, providing information on groundwater, improving groundwater education and producing and disseminating topical groundwater information, coincide with the GSI's Groundwater Programme’s Outreach initiatives. Participation in the UK Groundwater Forum enables the GSI to engage with other professionals undertaking similar activities and benefit from the experience of the wider group, as well as influencing groundwater topics addressed in more detail at seminars aimed at developing groundwater technical practice and awareness. Other funders of the Forum include Northern Ireland Environment Agency and British Geological Survey, who are contracted to provide scientists to the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland. As such, the GSI's participation in the UK Groundwater Forum underpins an all-island approach to assessing and communicating groundwater resources and issues. The cost per year of participation is €1,000. Up to four meetings are attended, generally by teleconference, incurring limited travel and subsistence costs. Further information on the forum is available at their website http://www.groundwateruk.org/
318. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason his Department provides funding to Bytel; the costs each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30353/14]
View answerUnder the Ireland/Northern Ireland Interreg IIIA cross border cooperation programme, the then Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR) in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment provided funding to Bytel for the implementation of two cross border telecoms projects between 2004 and 2007. These were the Cross Border Extreme Broadband project and the Armagh-Monaghan Digital Corridor (AMDC) project.
The Cross Border Extreme Broadband project, which was implemented in 2004-2005, provided a high speed broadband service between Belfast and Dublin and between a number of locations in Northern Ireland and Letterkenny. The AMDC project, which was implemented in 2006-2007, provided a high speed telecoms link between Armagh and Monaghan.
The total funding paid to Bytel from the Interreg IIIA programme for the Cross Border Extreme Broadband project was €4.3m, of which €1,599,877 was paid in 2004 and €2,700,123 in 2005. The total contribution from DCMNR in respect of this was €505,680 of which €188,146 was paid in 2004 and €317,534 in 2005.
The Interreg funding paid to Bytel for the AMDC project was €716,441 which is broken down between €633,513 in 2006 and €82,928 in 2007. The DCMNR contribution to Bytel in respect of the AMDC project was €84,249 which is broken down between €74,497 in 2006 and €9,752 in 2007.
319. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of public sector workers that are on temporary contracts or other non-permanent contracts of employment in his Department. [30397/14]
View answerMy Department currently employes a full time equivalent of 10 staff on fixed term contracts. These staff are employees in the Private Offices of the Minister and Minister of State.
320. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is concerned by the number of appointments to State Boards under his remit that do not go through the Public Appointments Service; his plans to review the manner in which State Boards are appointed to ensure that the most suitably qualified persons fill vacancies that arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30800/14]
View answerThis Government has made changes in relation to appointments to State Boards and bodies, with new arrangements widening the opportunity to participate on such Boards, involving advertisement of vacancies for applications from suitably qualified candidates and, in accordance with the Government Decision of 12 April 2011, I have since 2011 on my Department's website, invited Expressions of Interest from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of my Department and this information has been used to inform decisions for such appointments. Such invitations are designed to extend the range of suitable persons from which a Minister might make appointments. I would add that appointments to Bodies under the aegis of my Department have also included nominations by Committee of the Oireachtas, worker directors and ex-officio positions. While I am aware of the service that can be provided by the Public Appointments Service, I would point out that the arrangements I have outlined provide for a wide and varied process of selection for appointment
All appointments are made in light of the objectives of the organisation and on the basis of appointees having the necessary competencies, expertise and experience to contribute effectively to the work of the particular boards, whilst also taking into consideration the legislative requirements where applicable.
321. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the annual salary of the chief executive officers of all commercial State companies under his remit. [30860/14]
View answerThe salary rate for CEOs of Commercial Semi State Companies under the aegis of my Department is as set out in the table below.
Salary Rate for CEOs of Commercial State Companies
|
Name of Company |
New Appointment Rate |
|
An Post |
€240,448 |
|
BGÉ |
€250,000 |
|
Bord na Móna |
€226,000 |
|
EirGrid |
€170,000 |
|
ESB |
€295,000 |
|
RTÉ |
€219,871 |
|
TG4 |
€139,104 |
The Annual Reports of the companies contain details of incumbent CEOs' salaries. The Annual Reports are available in the library of the House.
322. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form a list of the annual salaries of the chief executive officers of all non-commercial State sponsored bodies under his remit. [30888/14]
View answerThe information sought is being complied and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
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.
