Written Answers Nos. 920-932
921. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that all households with a water supply contaminated by trihalomethanes are exempted from water charges; his views that it is acceptable that homeowners are being exposed to long-term contamination by trihalomethanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12145/15]
View answerRegulation 13 of the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, requires all water suppliers to ensure that substances used in the preparation or distribution of water intended for human consumption, or impurities associated with such substances, do not, either directly or indirectly, reduce the protection of human health provided for in the Regulations. Regulation 13 also provides that water suppliers must take all measures necessary to ensure that the efficiency of disinfection treatment is verified and that any contamination from disinfection by-products, including trihalomethanes (THMs), is kept as low as possible without compromising the disinfection.
Under the above Regulations, suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water supplied is wholesome and clean. Water which is wholesome and clean is defined as water which is free from any micro-organisms and parasites and from any substances which in numbers or concentrations constitute a potential danger to human health and which meets the quality standards specified in the Regulations.
The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from each customer in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers. The Water Charges Policy Direction issued to the CER in July 2014 referred to a number of matters relating to domestic water charges, including where the quality of water services provided by Irish Water to its customers is impaired or where services are reduced or restricted. Where customers are subject to a drinking water restriction notice, including where this is due to non-compliance with THM standards, affected customers will receive a 100% discount to the water supply portion of their bill for the duration of the restriction.
Irish Water has put in place measures to minimise potential THM breaches. These include the development of a THM formation potential monitoring programme, to evaluate the effects of critical individual parameters on THM formation, their interaction, correlation and variability, in order to identify high THM formation potential sources. This in turn will inform mitigation measures for the proposed modification/augmentation of treatment processes up stream of disinfection.
922. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the assurances he will provide that incumbent companies may continue to operate while he is addressing the issue of licensing for seaweed harvesting and regulation of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12153/15]
View answerA number of applications to harvest seaweed on a commercial scale are currently before my Department. These applications are being assessed in the context of the relevant regulatory framework, including any obligations that may arise under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. Following the conclusion of the application assessment process and having considered the recommendations of the Marine Licence Vetting Committee and my Department, I will make a final determination on each of these applications. In the meantime, it is the responsibility of individual applicants and/or harvesters to ensure that they are operating in a lawful manner.
926. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount his Department provided to Dublin City Council under the housing adaptation grants for older persons with a disability, in the years 2012 to 2014, inclusive, and in 2015 to date, and if there will be a supplementary estimate for this programme in view of the two-year waiting list at Dublin City Council, for example. [12167/15]
View answerFunding provided by my Department to Dublin City Council for the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability is available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/ by selecting ‘Social and Affordable Housing’, ‘Housing Adaptation Grants by Area 2008 to date’.
Exchequer funding of over €37 million was provided by my Department to local authorities in 2014 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. Combined with an additional 20% contribution by individual local authorities, there was an overall spend last year of €46.3 million in this area. I am pleased to confirm that the 2015 amount will increase by some 10% to give a combined spend of €50.5 million. Individual allocations will be made to local authorities shortly.
Dublin City Council’s full 2014 allocation for these grants was €5,821,222, made up of €4,656,977 allocated from my Department along with a further €1,164,244 which was to be provided from the Council’s own resources. In 2014 Dublin City Council recouped €3,030,439 out of the €4,656,977 available from my Department.
927. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the eligibility criteria for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's warmer home scheme, which only applies to family income supplement applicants, jobseekers with a child under seven and persons in receipt of fuel allowance; and the reason persons in receipt of invalidity or disability allowance are not eligible. [11214/15]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to deliver energy efficiency measures to low income home owners experiencing energy poverty. Measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation. These energy efficient upgrades are provided free of charge to the customer. Since the commencement of the scheme, over 112,000 homes in energy poverty have received these upgrades with a total Government investment of nearly €137m.
In 2012 the eligibility criteria for the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme were broadened in an attempt to include more households at risk of energy poverty. To be eligible for the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme a person must be in receipt of one of the following: a fuel allowance under the National Fuel Scheme; Job Seekers Allowance for more than six months (and having children under 7); or Family Income Support.
Households in receipt of either Invalidity or Disability Allowance may qualify for a fuel allowance payment from the Department of Social Protection. The fuel allowance is means tested and is therefore aligned to the income of the household. If a householder does qualify for the fuel allowance they are automatically eligible for support under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme.
My Department is currently reviewing responses received to the recent public consultation on a new Affordable Energy Strategy. In this consultation views were sought on a wide range of issues, including the criteria for the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. I expect that the preparation of a new Affordable Energy Strategy will be completed in Quarter 3 of this year.
928. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ensure the continuation of effective competition in the liquefied petroleum gas, LPG, market after the closure of the Whitegate refinery in 2016; the manner in which he will ensure continued access to LPG for all providers in the market after the closure of Whitegate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11236/15]
View answer934. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the future operation of the Whitegate oil refinery and the implications for competition in the bulk liquified petroleum gas market if Whitegate closes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11235/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 928 and 934 together.
The Whitegate Refinery is operated by a private company, Phillips 66. The company recently sold the Whiddy Island oil storage facilities in Bantry to Zenith Energy Ireland Limited but continue to operate the refinery at Whitegate. The company has confirmed that no decision has yet been taken in respect of its future.
In July 2013, a report on the strategic case for oil refining on the island of Ireland, commissioned by my Department, was published. The study found that the existing oil import facilities on the island of Ireland taken as a whole offer a robust infrastructure that could provide comfortable alternatives in the event of a serious disruption at any one of the six principal oil ports. The oil ports could supply the total oil demand, regardless of any future decisions on the operation of Whitegate as either a refinery or terminal. The development of the Irish motorway network has been significant in improving oil security of supply in recent years, facilitating the transport of oil from key ports throughout the island. Work with counterparts in Northern Ireland is ongoing with a view to enhancing contingency planning in both jurisdictions.
Following publication of the report, the Government's primary conclusion on the strategic case for oil refining is that the presence of an operational refinery on the island provides flexibility, enhancing the options available to the State in the event of an oil supply disruption, by providing an alternative source of product thus mitigating a complete reliance on product imports.
In light of that conclusion, the Government had agreed that my Department should liaise with the Irish oil industry and appropriate public bodies to determine any policy options that might facilitate the commercial future of refining in Ireland. I expect to be in a position to brief Government on the available policy options shortly.
The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is no price control on petroleum products in Ireland. The retail price of LPG is therefore not a matter in which I have any role or function. While the regulation of natural gas tariffs is a function of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), the CER has no function in regard to the setting of the retail price of LPG, which is a by-product of oil. While the CER has responsibility for the regulation of the natural gas market and has a safety responsibility for LPG distribution pipelines, it does not have any function or responsibility as regards commercial arrangements between LPG suppliers and their customers.
929. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views that it is legally in order for a company (details supplied) to refuse to provide an additional service to an existing customer on the basis of method of payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11502/15]
View answerThe provision of telecommunications services occurs within a liberalised competitive market. ComReg, the independent market regulator, can intervene in the market to ensure the provision of basic telecommunications services, including voice, fax and basic internet access, is universally available at fixed locations, in response to all reasonable requests, under fair terms and conditions. The terms and conditions of supply of higher value telecommunications services, including high speed broadband services, are decided by the competing services providers. My Department has no statutory power to regulate the terms or conditions attached to the sale or provision of such higher value services.
930. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the cleaning of a river in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11709/15]
View answerAt the outset, I would remind the Deputy that when he previously raised this issue my reply did not confirm a start date in March 2015.
Works as referred to by the Deputy are normally undertaken by the relevant Local Authority, in this case Kerry County Council. In relation to such works consultation with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the statutory body charged with ensuring the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource and habitats, is normally required to ensure that the works, and timing thereof, is in compliance with Fisheries Legislation and EU obligations. In that regard works should take place outside the salmon spawning season from 1 October to 30 April.
The river in question is important for salmon spawning and given the protected status of salmon under the EU Habitats Directive the focus nationally is to ensure that all rivers are afforded the required protection.
I am advised that IFI met, late last year, with a representative of land owners, and Kerry County Council to agree works on the river in question and that IFI have confirmed to Kerry County Council that 1 May is the earliest the Council should enter the relevant waters.
931. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the refinery at Whitegate, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11134/15]
View answerThe Whitegate Refinery is operated by a private company, Phillips 66. The company recently sold the Whiddy Island oil storage facilities in Bantry to Zenith Energy Ireland Limited but continue to operate the refinery at Whitegate. The company has confirmed that no decision has yet been taken in respect of its future.
In July 2013, a report on the strategic case for oil refining on the island of Ireland, commissioned by my Department, was published. The study found that the existing oil import facilities on the island of Ireland taken as a whole offer a robust infrastructure that could provide comfortable alternatives in the event of a serious disruption at any one of the six principal oil ports. The oil ports could supply the total oil demand, regardless of any future decisions on the operation of Whitegate as either a refinery or terminal. The development of the Irish motorway network has been significant in improving oil security of supply in recent years, facilitating the transport of oil from key ports throughout the island. Work with counterparts in Northern Ireland is ongoing with a view to enhancing contingency planning in both jurisdictions.
Following publication of the report, the Government's primary conclusion on the strategic case for oil refining is that the presence of an operational refinery on the island provides flexibility, enhancing the options available to the State in the event of an oil supply disruption, by providing an alternative source of product thus mitigating a complete reliance on product imports.
In light of that conclusion, the Government had agreed that my Department should liaise with the Irish oil industry and appropriate public bodies to determine any policy options that might facilitate the commercial future of refining in Ireland. I expect to be in a position to brief Government on the available policy options shortly.
932. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Tobin report was within EirGrid's knowledge when the independent expert panel requested additional information regarding details of EirGrid's consideration of the suitability of public roads and disused railways lines for an underground cable route option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11146/15]
View answerAn Independent Expert Panel was established in January 2014 to oversee the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both the Grid Link and Grid West projects.
While the North South Transmission Line project is outside of the Panel's Terms of Reference, the Panel agreed to provide an opinion on the compatibility of the methodologies to be employed on the Grid Link and Grid West projects with what had already been done on the North South project up to and including 2 May 2014, being the date that the Panel decided to examine the North-South project.
EirGrid submitted its report to the Panel in relation to the North South Project on 29 May 2014. The Panel subsequently sought additional supplementary information from EirGrid regarding various matters, including information relating to undergrounding options. EirGrid responded to this request for further information in an addendum to the original report on 19 June 2014. EirGrid was aware of the Underground Route Options document that was being prepared by Tobin Consulting Engineers, and which was subsequently published in July 2014.
It should be noted that the Tobin report referred to in the Question relates specifically to the Grid West project and is one of several pieces of analysis undertaken at the request of the Panel. In other words, the Tobin report was undertaken within the methodologies being employed on the Grid West project in accordance with Terms of Reference set by the Panel.
I should also highlight that I am advised that transmission capacity in the region of 1,500 MW is required for the North South Project. This requires a much larger installation than the Grid West scheme. The extent of the installation required for the North South Project means that neither local nor regional roads and road verges would be sufficiently wide to accommodate the works.
