Written Answers Nos. 217-221
217. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet current and future European Union standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7366/15]
View answerFor each year between 2013 and 2020, Ireland has an ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction target under the 2009 EU Effort-Sharing Decision (406/2009/EC). Furthermore, in October 2014, the European Council endorsed a binding EU target of an at least 40% domestic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and specified that the target will be delivered collectively by the EU in the most cost-effective manner possible, with the reductions in the sectors of activity covered by the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and the non-ETS sector amounting to 43% and 30% by 2030 compared to 2005, respectively. While the specific details of the contribution towards the achievement of these targets to be made by each Member State remain to be defined, the Council agreed that all Member States will participate in this effort, balancing considerations of fairness and solidarity.
The extent of the challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with our EU and international commitments, is well understood by Government, as reflected in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development, published in April 2014, and in the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill 2015, published last month. The National Policy Position provides a high-level policy direction for the adoption and implementation by Government of plans to enable the State to move to a low-carbon economy by 2050. Proposed statutory authority for the plans is set out in the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill 2015.
In anticipation of enactment of the planned legislation, work is already underway on developing a low-carbon plan - the National Mitigation Plan, the primary objective of which will be to track implementation of measures already underway and identify additional measures within the longer term to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and progress the overall national low carbon transition agenda to 2050. I am satisfied that Ireland is on course to comply with the annual mitigation targets under the 2009 EU Effort-Sharing Decision (406/2009/EC) in the first half of the 2013-2020 compliance period. However, there will be a significant compliance challenge in the years 2017-2020 and therefore the first iteration of the National Mitigation Plan will place particular focus on putting the necessary measures in place to address this particular challenge in the years 2017 to 2020 but also in terms of planning ahead to ensure that appropriate policies and measures will be in place beyond that. It is also important to note that the Bill published last month will provide for long-term successive planning in this respect.
2015 will also be a pivotal year in terms of the international response to climate change, with all 196 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) working to conclude a new global agreement in Paris in December. The Paris outcome will build on existing agreements and chart a course for future global emissions reductions. Ireland, through the EU, will play its part in these negotiations and the globally agreed act ions arising. The October 2014 European Council commitment will be the basis of the EU's intended nationally-determined contribution to the new agreement.
218. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 556 of 3 February 2015, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, despite the lack of a foreshore licence, sand is being removed from the Natura 2000 site (details supplied) at Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Harbour special protection area-special areas of conservation, to a private development, a golf course; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that no consultation took place between Kerry County Council and the local landowners or local community, in relation to the removal of sand from the site; no management plan for this Natura 2000 site has been presented by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to the local landowners for consultation; removal of sand from the beach is not permitted, as it was eroded from adjacent dunes, and so should be used to restore those dunes; no assessment was carried out to evaluate the environmental effects of removing sand from the beach, where there is visible and serious erosion; the removal of sand will have a negative effect on the surrounding habitats in the Natura 2000 site, which habitats are eroding up to 15 m in parts; the removal of sand will affect the overall integrity of this site, and damage the goodwill of the local landowners, who have been protecting it; the sand does not belong to Kerry County Council, but to the dunes owned by local landowners; removing sand is prohibited under the Foreshore Act, and all landowners must comply with this, even on their own land; local farmers are not entitled to take sand from the beach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7369/15]
View answerFurther to the reply to Question No. 556 of 3 February 2015, my Department instructed Kerry County Council to immediately cease any works on the foreshore within the Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Harbour candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) and within the Tralee Bay complex Special Protection Area (SPA) pending consideration of licensing requirements under the Foreshore Act 1933. Kerry County Council has advised my Department that works have ceased.
A site inspection is scheduled to be carried out by my Department this week. Thereafter, my Department will consider the next steps in conjunction with Kerry County Council and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The matter of a management plan for a Natura 2000 site is a matter for the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
219. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total funding allocated to the Cavan-Monaghan Leader programme for 2009-14; the amount that this programme was subsequently reduced by; the total funding committed to date under that programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7385/15]
View answerThe original value of the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007- 2013 was €427 million. The Programme commenced in counties Cavan and Monaghan in May 2009 and at that time Cavan Monaghan LEADER, the Local Action Group contracted by my Department to deliver the Programme in these counties, was allocated €12,035,118.
In late 2011 the European Commission offered Member States that were part of the Financial Stabilisation Mechanism an opportunity to avail of an increased co-financing rate from 55% up to 85%. The increased rate was to apply to 2012 and 2013 expenditure only. It reduced the Programme value by 13% to approximately €370 million and was based on the co-financing rate returning to 55% for 2014 and 2015.
In 2013 the Local Action Group's allocations were revised in line with the €370 million estimate, taking account of project approvals and the spend position at the time. Cavan Monaghan LEADER received a final revised allocation of €10,235,403.
The project commitment level under the Programme is €285 million with €261 million of this already paid. In addition, €12 million has been paid in animation expenses and €63 million has been paid in respect of administration to date. The position in relation to Cavan Monaghan currently is that €7.7 million has been spent on projects and €2.3 million on administration/animation expenses. €234,000 remains to be paid in respect of project commitments.
220. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is implementing a plain English policy, as outlined by the National Adult Literacy Agency, in his Department's communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7279/15]
View answerMy Department has been pro-active in promoting the use of plain language to improve engagement and communications with customers (citizens and businesses), as part of the process to improve customer service delivery advocated under the Public Service Reform Plan. Training was provided by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) to Department staff in May 2013. NALA has developed a range of tools to assist Departments in improving their performance and these are available to all staff via the Intranet.
The Department is currently redeveloping its website and is using Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure that the content on the new site will be written as far as possible in clear and simple language. Staff responsible for writing, editing and managing the new website have been specifically trained to use clear and simple language. The intention is to have the new website up and running by mid year.
In addition, it is worth noting that the recent National Broadband Plan Mapping documentation that was put on the Department's existing website was certified by NALA as having met all of their requirements.
221. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the supports for microgeneration here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7299/15]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) provides a range of business supports to both large industry and SMEs. Companies wishing to develop renewable energy projects can avail of grant support for investment in renewable energy installations, including microgeneration, under the Better Energy Communities schemes.
In addition small scale renewable generation is eligible to apply for support under the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff schemes, known as REFIT.
Tax-based support measures include the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme which allows individual investors to obtain income tax relief on investments in renewable energy in each tax year. An Accelerated Capital Allowance scheme also allows companies to offset the cost of investment in qualifying renewable energy generation technologies, against their tax liabilities in year 1 rather than over a more prolonged period, thus aiding their cash flow.
Separately, the Department is currently considering the responses to the consultation on the Green Paper on Energy. The Green Paper, inter alia, sought feedback on the role that alternative technologies, such as microgeneration, could play in delivering our renewable energy ambitions. In addition, the paper also sought views on the role of microgeneration to empower citizens through decarbonisation of the home. The views will be taken into consideration in preparation of White Paper on Energy which will be published in September.
Given the emerging policy context and the requirements of the EU target market, my Department is considering the appropriateness of a new support scheme for electricity, to be available from 2016 onwards. A key component of this will be consideration of the available technologies, their cost effectiveness and the level of any support. Any scheme would be subject to State Aid Clearance and the initial public consultation on its development will commence shortly.
