Written Answers Nos. 579-594
579. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a funding programme through grants or tax relief will be considered to support persons who purchase derelict or abandoned properties in rural areas with the intention of restoring and renovating them to serve as their principal private residence owing to the benefits such actions have for rural communities, as well as for the provision of housing stock. [9353/15]
View answerI have no plans to introduce a new funding programme to support persons who are restoring and renovating a derelict or abandoned rural property as their principal private residence.
In respect of houses with thatched roofs, my Department operates a grant scheme for the renewal or repair of such roofs, the details of which are at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/HousingGrantsFinancialAssistance/ThatchingGrants/. The issue of tax relief in respect of such activities is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
580. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will amend the conditions applied by the Housing Agency with regard to consideration for acquiring properties under the mortgage-to-rent scheme in association with voluntary housing bodies to a level of €300,000, to reflect increased property prices. [9389/15]
View answerOn foot of the recommendations of the Keane Report on mortgage arrears the Government launched the AHB Mortgage to Rent scheme ( AHB-mortgage-to-rent ) on a pilot basis in February 2012 and extended it nationally in June 2012. The scheme is currently in operation and continues to accept applications from lending institutions.
To be eligible for the AHB-mortgage-to-rent scheme a household must have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process, agree to the voluntary surrender of their home, be in negative equity, and be deemed eligible for social housing in accordance with section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.
In relation to the application of a maximum property value, in order for a property to be considered under the scheme it must be purchased for less than €220,000 in the Greater Dublin Area and €180,000 in the rest of the country. These limits were determined by a working group which took account of available market data and the current social housing acquisition limits. These limits are considered to be reasonable in respect of the income bracket that is targeted by the scheme.
581. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to his reply to this Deputy on 29 January 2015 regarding the extension of the natural gas grid, whether Gaslink replied to his request to meet this Deputy; if Gaslink indicated it would meet this Deputy in view of the fact that this Deputy has had no contact from Gaslink in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8759/15]
View answerAs I indicated in reply to the Question referred to, the development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gaslink, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient.
I understand that the company has recently contacted the Deputy with a view to a meeting in order to discuss the matter.
582. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has requested Inland Fisheries Ireland to provide a full report on the incident in April 2014 in which more than 300,000 juvenile eels were killed at the bottom of the dam at Cathaleen's Fall in what was the largest documented fish kill ever to have occurred here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8779/15]
View answer583. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has taken a decision on whether to prosecute the Electricity Supply Board over a major kill of critically endangered juvenile eels at the hydroelectric installation on the River Erne, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8780/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 583 together.
ESB own and operate the Hydro-Electric facility at Cathaleen's Fall on the River Erne. I can confirm that Inland Fisheries received a report from ESB shortly after the incident.
I am advised that because of the trans-boundary nature of the River Erne, protocols to facilitate passage of juvenile eels, agreed between ESB, IFI and the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL) in Northern Ireland, have been in place for a number of years and positive co-operation between all three bodies is ongoing. The ESB report was also provided to DCAL.
ESB also operate trap and transport arrangements for the transport of mature eels around Hydro-Electric plants.
An important outcome of the report and the ongoing co-operation is to ensure that such regrettable incidents do not happen again. In that regard revised protocols around ensuring safe passage for juvenile eels have been agreed with all concerned and put into operation by ESB. I intend to visit Cathaleen’s Fall and view the operation of the improved protocols at first hand and I have extended an invitation to the Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland.
In relation to the incident itself, as the Deputy points out my Department and IFI are aware of the significant scale of the fish kill and the complexities involved. My Department is liaising directly with DCAL to bring satisfactory closure to the issue.
The matter of a possible prosecution is one for IFI. I am advised that because of the scale of the fish kill and in line with existing IFI policies, IFI referred the matter to its legal advisers. In view of that it would be inappropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.
584. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 570 of 27 January 2015, if assistance will be provided to the organisation concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8818/15]
View answerIn my reply to the Deputy’s previous Question in this matter dated 27 January last, I had outlined the situation in relation to funding and digital skills training opportunities and had indicated that my Department would respond directly to the organisation referred to in the Question. Since then, my officials have written to the organisation and provided information on internet training opportunities and advice in relation to possible approaches to obtaining the computers they wish to acquire.
I have asked my officials to forward a copy of this correspondence to the Deputy.
585. Deputy Joe O'Reilly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the publication of photographs and postings on Facebook and other social media, which seems to suggest that there is widespread killing of freshwater fish species, contrary to fisheries regulations, particularly in counties Cavan and Monaghan (details supplied); his views that the current fisheries legislation and protection measures are sufficient, or if additional measures and resources are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8908/15]
View answerIt is important for the public to alert Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) as soon as they become aware of an incident which they believe constitutes illegal activity. To facilitate this IFI operate a 24/7 confidential hotline number that enables timely reporting of all alleged incidents and a rapid response from enforcement resources. The number of this hotline is 1890-347424.
IFI deploy significant resources on protection and conservation duties and employ modern technologies such as covert surveillance cameras, night vision equipment and rapid water based transport vehicles in combatting illegal activity. IFI Officers, as part of the on-going awareness campaign distribute copies of relevant bye-laws and IFI has made fisheries legislation available on-line across a range of languages.
Reporting of postings on social media is welcome and IFI staff are continuing to monitor the situation and, where possible, follow up. IFI advise that where legally possible efforts are made to identify and interact with the persons in question with a view to ascertaining the circumstances around the alleged incidents.
IFI report that this has resulted in a number of alleged illegal activities being proven to be within the current legal framework but also in a number of individuals being issued fines or cautions.
IFI also advise that many of the photographs reported were posted over 12 months before being reported, with some posted as far back as 2009 and it is not possible for IFI to consider action on alleged incidents outside the established legal timeframe.
In that regard, I understand that some 65% of issues reported to IFI, via social media, in 2014 related to events alleged to have occurred during the previous year. Only a small number relate to events that occurred in the previous 6 months by which timeframe the ability to take action is defined.
The timing and evidential issues arising from reporting matters posted to social media indicate that the confidential hotline is the most effective and timely method of reporting any activity and I would encourage concerned anglers and other citizens to make full use of it.
586. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources recalling paragraph 2 of the European Union renewables directive, 2001/77/EC: paragraph 2 and with the likelihood that Ireland will produce carbon emissions in excess of its agreed targets, if a framework analysis of renewable energy deployments on the Donabate Peninsula will offer advantages. [8997/15]
View answerThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive, which repealed the 2001 Directive, set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. The Directive requires that Member States set out, in a National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), their trajectories towards meeting these targets and the measures to be taken to achieve them. Ireland's NREAP projects that 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heating and 10% of transport power will be produced from renewable sources.
In terms of examining the potential for local authorities to facilitate the development of renewable energy resources, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has developed a useful methodology to assist local authorities to develop robust, co-ordinated and sustainable Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategies (LARES) in accordance with national and European obligations. In this regard a number of local authorities have published such a strategy.
To assist further in the sustainable development of our indigenous renewable energy resources, my Department is formulating a national level Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework. Development of this framework is to be informed by the carrying out of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an Appropriate Assessment and will include consultations with the public, stakeholders and certain statutorily designated organisations.
587. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when consistent, high-quality broadband will be available in a location (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9004/15]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.
The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades. Approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland are expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
A public consultation on a national high speed coverage map 2016 which was launched last November, closed on the 12th February. 28 submissions have been received to date and will be assessed over the coming weeks in terms of the overall intervention strategy. The map continues to be available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 and includes Rathdowney, Co Laois. The AMBER area shows the target areas for the State intervention. All individual premises can be identified on the map to establish whether they are in the BLUE or AMBER area.
The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises or home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention. It also provides detailed information on over 50,000 townlands throughout the entire country including Co Laois.
It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be also delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.
In tandem with the mapping consultation, intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy. The strategy will address a range of issues in relation to the intervention including the optimum procurement model, ownership model for the infrastructure and likely market impact.
Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy during next summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.
The Department will design a tender in a way that maximises efficiencies and keeps the cost of the network build as low as possible. I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 5 year period.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.
588. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when EirGrid will announce its preferred route for the Grid Link project; and when announced, if there will be public consultation before the independent expert panel reviews the proposal. [9005/15]
View answerThe Independent Expert Panel was established in January 2014 to oversee preparation by EirGrid of the comprehensive, route specific studies and reports of fully undergrounded and overhead options for the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The studies and reports are to include assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors.
I am advised that EirGrid submitted a report on the Grid West project to the Panel in early February 2015. That report was considered by the Panel at its last meeting on 24 February 2015. I am also advised that the Panel requires more clarity in respect of certain parts of the report and will be engaging with EirGrid over the coming weeks in that regard. I understand that the Panel expects to be in a position to provide me with an opinion on the Grid West project in April.
The Panel expects to be in a position to provide me with an opinion on the Grid Link project in Quarter 3 this year.
The opinions provided to me by the Panel will address the completeness, objectivity and comparability of the studies and reports. The Panel will also oversee the publication of the reports by EirGrid prior to the company proceeding to public consultation on the two projects.
589. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the strategic environmental and appropriate assessments, including public consultation, for the draft bioenergy plan; if County Donegal and the north-west region will be included in the measures to stimulate and support the supply of Irish biomass; when the finalised plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9155/15]
View answerMy Department will shortly be issuing a Request for Tenders (RfT) inviting responses for the provision of services to assist in the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) which will inform the content of the finalised Bioenergy Plan to be published later this year. The SEA/AA process, which will include a public consultation, will be managed by my Department and overseen by the Bioenergy Steering Group, which has been established to coordinate the implementation of the Draft Bioenergy Plan.
The draft plan identifies the opportunity, at a national level, for the sustainable development of Ireland's bioenergy resources and will be implemented through a number of policy and enabling actions. It recommends the continuation of the REFIT schemes and the Biofuels Obligation Scheme. The draft plan also proposes the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for larger heat users. These measures would encourage demand for biomass.
While individual county's roles in the supply of biomass is not possible to anticipate, the draft plan recognises that meeting the demand for biomass from indigenous sources could deliver significant economic and employment benefits throughout the country. Consequently, the plan contains a number of measures to stimulate and support the supply of Irish biomass throughout the State. In this regard, the key recommendations include: the continued support for the Afforestation Programme; the continuation of the Bioenergy Scheme for energy crops; and the establishment of Bioenergy Ireland, a joint venture between Bord na Mona and Coillte.
590. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he envisages the national broadband plan affecting Connemara, County Galway; the plans in place for enhancing the connectivity of the area; the amount of investment that will be needed in Connemara to ensure the region benefits from the delivery speeds referred to in the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9185/15]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.
The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades. Approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland are expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
A public consultation on a national high speed coverage map 2016 which was launched last November, closed on the 12th February. 27 submissions have been received to date and will be assessed over the coming weeks in terms of the overall intervention strategy. The map continues to be available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016. The AMBER area shows the target areas for the State intervention.
The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises or home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention. It also provides detailed information on over 50,000 townlands throughout the entire country including Connemara, Co Galway.
It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be also delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.
In tandem with the mapping consultation, intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy. The strategy will address a range of issues in relation to the intervention including the optimum procurement model, ownership model for the infrastructure, intervention cost and likely market impact. This is an important part of the detailed work that is being undertaken to finalise the intervention strategy. Ultimately however, the outcome of the tender process will determine the final cost of the intervention.
Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy during next summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.
The Department will design a tender in a way that maximises efficiencies and keeps the cost of the network build as low as possible. I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 5 year period.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.
591. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the remit and operational plan of the newly established post office network development group; if it will specifically affect post offices in Connemara, County Galway; if he will reiterate his support for the protection of post offices in Connemara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9186/15]
View answerIt is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focused network of post offices in the community, including those in the region of Connemara, Co. Galway.
The post office network faces significant challenges given the impact of the economic downturn over the last few years, changes in technology and customer retail preferences. However, the network also stands well positioned to become the front office provider of choice for Government and the financial services sector for both electronic transactions as well as the more traditional over the counter transactions.
Last month, I formally launched the Post Office Network Business Development Group under the independent Chairmanship of Mr Bobby Kerr.
The Terms of Reference for the Group are to examine the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network; identify the new business opportunities for the post office network, taking account of international experience; engage as necessary with the public sector, commercial bodies and other interested parties in pursuit of the above objectives; prepare an interim and final report for the Minister in accordance with an agreed timetable.
The Group’s work will be of strategic importance to the future of the post office network and I look forward to receiving the interim and final reports during this year.
592. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department, or State bodies or agencies under the aegis of his Department, use solicitors' firms (details supplied); the amount paid to these solicitors each year from 2011 to 2014, inclusive, by his Department, or State bodies or agencies under the aegis of his Department; the date until which his Department, or State bodies or agencies under the aegis of his Department, are contracted to use these solicitors' firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9190/15]
View answerMy Department administers a very diverse and complex brief. Its remit includes oversight of very complex policy areas and direct procurement of major services where protection of the State’s interest must be paramount. This situation necessarily requires my Department to procure specialist external professional advice in legal areas to enable it to discharge its responsibility to deliver quality services and protect the interests of the State and the taxpayer. My Department sought legal advice from Arthur Cox Solicitors which is one of the Solicitors firms referred to in the Question. The total amount paid to this firm by my Department from 2011 to 2014 amounted to €163,717.04 with all of this expenditure arising in 2011.
With regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department, this is an operational matter for each body. I will, therefore, request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
593. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that motor insurance companies are refusing to insure motor cars over 15 years old that have passed the national car test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9271/15]
View answerMotor insurers are private concerns subject to the regulation of the Central Bank. I have no role in the regulation of motor insurers and no powers to ensure that they offer a quotation to their customers.
It is advisable for people seeking motor insurance to shop around as the costs can vary dramatically. Some insurers and brokers specialise in certain vehicles, for example vintage vehicles, and can provide quotations on request.
If a person cannot obtain a quotation, there is a Declined Cases programme in place to deal with customers who cannot secure insurance from any source. The Declined Cases Agreement exists to facilitate motorists meeting their obligation to have third party liability motor insurance. It is operated by Insurance Ireland, details of the Agreement are available from them at Tel: 01 676 1914 or Email: iis@insuranceireland.eu.
594. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that the Luas project Lucan, line F1, was part of Government plans since the publication of A Platform for Change in 2000 and was at the environmental impact statement stage when work was suspended due to the downturn in public finances, his plans for resuming this project at the earliest opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8741/15]
View answerGiven the constraints on the public finances, a number of projects, including the extension of the Luas to Lucan, were deferred under the Government's 5-year capital programme, Infrastructure & Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 - Medium Term Exchequer Framework, published in November 2011.
The priorities under the current capital plan are to protect investment made to date and to progress affordable projects such as Luas Cross City which add value to the existing network. Luas Cross City is due to open at the end of 2017.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). In this regard the NTA is in the process of preparing a new transport strategy for the GDA comprising the counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow covering the period 2015 to 2035. This will include a review of the public transport requirements for the Lucan area.
It is intended that the NTA's draft transport strategy will be available for public consultation in mid-2015. As a first step in that process, the Authority invited views and opinions on what might be addressed in the transport strategy. The closing date for submissions has just passed.
In addition, by mid-2015 I expect to finalise a review of a number of studies currently underway, including the Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study, the updated business case for DART Underground, and a preliminary business case for the Swords/Airport/City Centre BRT Corridor in conjunction with the development of the transport strategy for the region.
The outcome from all this work will inform the prioritisation of projects to meet the GDA public transport requirements over the coming years. Delivery of projects prioritised will be dependent on the funding available including from non Exchequer sources.
