Written Answers Nos. 214-222
214. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total quantity in megawatts of renewable energy generating capacity that has been approved for REFIT payments since the year 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3164/15]
View answerREFIT stands for 'Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff' and is the primary means through which electricity from renewable sources is supported in Ireland. The first REFIT scheme ('REFIT 1') was announced in 2006 and state aid approval was obtained in September 2007. The REFIT 2 scheme provides support for onshore wind, small hydro and landfill gas generation projects and was opened in March 2012. The REFIT 3 scheme supports biomass technologies and opened in February 2012.
The REFIT schemes are supported through the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy which is a levy on all electricity customers. The PSO levy has been in place since 2001 and is the overall support mechanism for a number of different technology types, including peat generation, certain conventional generation constructed for security of supply purposes, and the development of renewable electricity.
Annually, my Department drafts a statutory instrument to provide the legislative basis for the REFIT payments and the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) determines the PSO levy. Only projects which are included on the PSO statutory instrument and in the CER's PSO levy projections are eligible to receive REFIT payments.
There was 1,874 MW of REFIT renewable generation capacity included in PSO decision CER/14/361 for 2014/2015 PSO levy period which represents the total megawatts which have become eligible for REFIT payments in the period since 2000.
215. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the inclusion of homes (details supplied) in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 in the retrofitting programme for 2015 in order to significantly improve their energy rating and reduce energy costs to tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3174/15]
View answerVarious energy efficiency grant support schemes are open to non-homeowners.
The Better Energy Areas programme was launched in 2012 and supported the delivery of energy efficiency measures to people in, or at risk of, energy poverty. The scheme targeted homes in specific geographic areas. The Better Energy Communities programme has allowed community and local organisations to apply for funding to upgrade homes, businesses and community facilities. Over the period 2012-2014 the two schemes provided €46.8m in direct grant assistance. This supported 230 individual projects, resulting in the upgrade of a total of 9,644 homes, the majority of them in energy poverty.
In 2015, these two schemes will be merged into a unified programme and projects will be selected on a competitive tendering basis. Addressing energy poverty will remain a core priority in the unified scheme.
The application process for the 2015 unified scheme is being launched on 22 January. Interested applicants should liaise with the SEAI on the matter. It is important to note that neither I, nor my Department, have any role in the selection of individual projects.
216. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if ESB will pay a special dividend to the State this year; if this will be funded by borrowing or sale of assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3195/15]
View answerAs part of the State Assets Disposal programme, the ESB committed to delivering special dividends to the Government targeted at up to €400m by the end of 2014. The remainder of the 2014 special dividend, amounting to €213.7 million, will be paid over the coming weeks comprising funds from the sale of assets and from ESB's current borrowing arrangements.
217. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the waiting times for the national car test; and the steps being taken to remedy the current situation. [3107/15]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements.
The first quarter is traditionally the busiest time for the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) because most cars are sold in the first few months of any year. This, however, was anticipated by the NCTS and over 60 additional staff are being made available, bringing the number of Vehicle Inspectors in place this month to approximately 565, the highest in the history of the NCT.
The RSA has also repeatedly emphasised that the availability of appointments on the NCTS website is not a reflection of the total number of test slots available to customers. If a person requires an early test, they should follow the advice on that website which clearly advises that if a suitable slot cannot be obtained online applicants should contact the NCTS call centre directly on (01) 413 5992.
I understand from the RSA that car owners, including those who may require an early test, should receive an NCT appointment within 28 days. In order to meet this standard, in some cases, the NCTS holds requests on a waiting list until a suitable slot is found. In the majority of cases, customers are given a slot within the required timescale.
The RSA has also been encouraging people to book early, as the test may be undertaken up to 90 days in advance of the due test date without affecting the expiry date of the new certificate. This system is to ensure that owners have ample time to have their vehicle tested before their current NCT certificate expires and I would encourage people to avail of this early facility for booking car test appointments.
218. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of taxis that received funding from the wheelchair accessible vehicle grant run by the National Transport Authority in 2014; and his views of having another such scheme in 2015. [3140/15]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, including responsibility for the promotion of access to and the availability and affordability of SPSVs by persons with disabilities.
I have therefore referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
219. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of accidents that were reported on the N86 Tralee to Dingle road, County Kerry, for the period 1999-2015; the number of these accidents that involved fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3172/15]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the provision of statistics related to road collisions. However, the RSA, in Tables 1 and 2 below, has provided the number of collisions and the number of people injured (casualties) on the N86 between the roundabout with the R551 Tralee and the intersection with the R559 Dingle over the period 2003 to 2012. This is the time period for which accurate validated information is available for this specific route. The total distance of this route is 47.9km.
Table 1: Road traffic collisions on the N86 between the roundabout with the R551 Tralee and the intersection with the R559 Dingle
|
Year |
Collisions |
Total |
||
|
Fatal |
Serious |
Minor |
||
|
2003 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
|
2005 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
2006 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
|
2007 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
8 |
|
2008 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
10 |
|
2009 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
2010 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
7 |
|
2011 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
2012 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
Total |
6 |
10 |
49 |
65 |
Table 2: Road traffic casualties on the N86 between the roundabout with the R551 Tralee and the intersection with the R559 Dingle
|
Year |
Injury Severity |
Total |
||
|
Fatal |
Serious |
Minor |
||
|
2003 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
11 |
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
9 |
|
2005 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
|
2006 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
|
2007 |
1 |
1 |
17 |
19 |
|
2008 |
2 |
3 |
12 |
17 |
|
2009 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
12 |
|
2010 |
0 |
10 |
6 |
16 |
|
2011 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
2012 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
9 |
|
Total |
8 |
25 |
79 |
112 |
220. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make available a dedicated annual stream of funding for community groups to develop, construct and promote new outdoor trails such as greenways, blueways, and other outdoor pursuits for the enjoyment of the local population, and also to attract visitors to the various regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3181/15]
View answerMy Department has no plans to put in place a dedicated funding stream to provide funding to community groups to develop and deliver proposals such as those outlined by the Deputy as funding is fully allocated at present until 2016. As it stands I feel that the LEADER programme serves this purpose although no doubt there are many demands being made on limited resources.
I fully recognise the contribution such projects make to the local economy attracting visitors from home and abroad. Last year my Department awarded €6.3m. under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2014 to three local authorities for the delivery of greenways following a competitive process. A further 11 cycle/greenway proposals submitted by local authorities were selected to share in €200m Government Stimulus Package for infrastructural development, €10m of which was earmarked for the delivery of greenways.
I would recommend that Local Authorities and Community Groups continue working within their own resources, where possible, to progress plans for suitable projects so that when funding does become available that they are in a position to apply for that funding.
221. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a cheapfar an duine atá ainmnithe ag Comhairle Contae Chorcaí ar Bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta; cén t-údar atá leis an mhoill ar an gceapachán seo ós rud é go bhfuil an folúntas sin ann ón 19/11/14 agus gur thug an Chomhairle Contae an t-ainm i Meán Fómhair 2014; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [3101/15]
View answer222. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a líonfar an folúntas don bhall ainmnithe ar Bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta; cén próiseas a leanfar chun an duine seo a cheapadh; an ainmneofar bean don fholúntas, ag cur i gcuntas an t-éagothromas atá ar an mbord idir fir agus mná; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [3102/15]
View answerTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 221 agus 222 le chéile.
Is mian liom a dheimhniú go bhfuil sé i gceist agam ainmniúchán Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí a cheapadh ar bhord an Údaráis go luath. Tá i gceist agam fosta léirithe spéise a lorg go luath ó dhaoine a bhfuil suim acu i gceapacháin chuig bord an Údaráis ach na cáilíochtaí cuí agus an taithí chuí a bheith acu. Is i gcomhréir leis na treoirlínte do cheapacháin ar bhoird Stáit á dhéanfar an ceapachán sin. Déanfar léirithe spéise a lorg go luath tríd an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí ar www.stateboards.ie.
Tá mé thar a bheith airdeallach go bhfuil sé mar aidhm ag an Rialtas go ndéanfaidh mná suas ar a laghad 40% de chomhaltaí bhoird Stáit. Sa chomhthéacs seo, beidh mé ag cur fáilte ar leith roimh léirithe spéise ó mhná a bhfuil na cáilíochtaí cuí agus an taithí chuí acu le ceapadh chuig bord an Údaráis.
