Written Answers Nos. 34-40
34. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline his plans to develop a national bioenergy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40169/14]
View answerI recently published a Draft Bioenergy Plan which is available on my Department’s website (www.dcenr.gov.ie). The draft Plan will undergo Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments, including public consultation, which will inform the content of the finalised Plan. These assessment processes will commence shortly. The draft Plan sets out the broader context for the development of Ireland’s bioenergy sector, and the current status with regard to the range of policy areas that must be coordinated in order to create the conditions necessary to support the development of this sector. The draft Plan recognises that improved coordination would allow the sector to contribute to a number of policy objectives in the areas of renewable energy, waste management, sustainable agriculture and forestry, and economic activity. The draft Plan also identifies the next steps that must be taken to support the sustainable development of the sector.
In terms of bioenergy's role in meeting Ireland's renewable energy targets, the draft Plan recommends the continuation of the REFIT schemes and the Biofuels Obligation Scheme. Furthermore, the analysis underpinning the Plan is that an additional bioenergy-focused measure in the heat sector would represent the most cost effective means of meeting a number of different policy goals. Therefore, the Plan also recommends the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for larger heat users to change to heating solutions that produce heat from renewable sources. The RHI scheme, once designed, will require State Aid approval from the European Commission and further Government approval. It is proposed to have the scheme in place in 2016.
35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to set out the extent to which oil companies have passed on to the consumer the benefit of the substantial drop in world oil prices; whether, in consultation with the energy regulator, he may be in a position to encourage a reduction in oil prices in line with those on world markets; if any evaluation has been done of the potential economic benefit to this country's economy arising from energy price reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40327/14]
View answerThe Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is free entry to the market. There is no price control in the oil sector and it is Government policy to encourage price competition and consumer choice. The Commission for Energy Regulation has no statutory function in the regulation of petrol and diesel prices. The Maximum Prices Order was removed in 1991 and the market was deregulated. Similarly, I have no statutory function in the setting of oil, petrol or diesel prices. The price paid at the pump by consumers is largely determined by taxation levels, the internationally traded price of crude oil and the consequent price at which refined product is traded in Europe, along with the level of competition in the retail market.
Oil has been virtually eliminated from the power sector in Ireland (1% of power was oil generated in 2012) and its main use is in transport and home heating. 100% of oil used in Ireland is imported. Home heating oil prices paid by consumers reflect volatile market prices, transportation costs, trends in exchange rates and other operating costs along with taxation.
The Irish Petroleum Industry Association have noted in their publication What determines pump prices? that while the long-term trend in the price of crude oil has generally had an effect on the price of refined products, the pressures of supply and demand for refined products have tended to lag those of crude oil and can be affected by other forces.
The National Consumer Agency has specific responsibilities for protecting the rights of consumers. In December 2008, the National Consumer Agency published an Investigation into Petrol and Diesel Price Movements which concluded that: "There is little evidence to suggest unwarranted delays in the passing on of wholesale price changes to the consumer at the pump. Direct comparison between fluctuations in crude oil prices and petrol and diesel pump prices is inappropriate and does not reflect the reality of the petrol and diesel supply chain. ….Examination of the accounts of the larger oil companies in Ireland suggest there is relatively modest profit to be made in the downstream supply of refined oil products."
36. Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to set out the position regarding an appeal for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; when a decision will be made on same. [40706/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case.
Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.
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.
37. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a determination will be made on an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40709/14]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person in question on the 11th March 2014. The application was sent to a social welfare investigative officer for assessment of means and confirmation that all the conditions for receipt of CA were satisfied. In addition, the person concerned recently submitted further medical evidence in support of their application. All the evidence in the case, including the additional medical evidence, is currently being reviewed by a deciding officer. A decision will be made on the person’s entitlement very shortly. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
38. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if Irish Water customers who do not complete the Irish Water application pack are eligible to receive the additional €100 in the household benefits package. [40717/14]
View answerFrom 2015 a new payment, the water support, will be paid to all those who are eligible for household benefits or fuel allowance, irrespective of whether or not they are required to make a payment to Irish Water. This will include the 15-18% of households who make their own provision for water and sewerage through group schemes, or who have to pay for their own wells and septic tanks.
The payment will be €25 paid every three months to approximately 650,000 households at an annual cost of €66 million. The payment will be made to all those currently in receipt of either household benefits or fuel allowance.
39. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to set out the position regarding a wage subsidy scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40729/14]
View answerAn application for subsidy under the wage subsidy scheme from the employer of the person concerned was received by the Department on Monday 20th October 2014. The application is incomplete; further documentation and additional information is required and this is being sought. When the full information is provided a decision can be made on the application.
40. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue pertaining to an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40737/14]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 15th September 2014. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Upon receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made and notified to the person concerned. It can currently take 10 weeks to process an application for DCA.
