Written Answers Nos. 785-804
785. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to widen the eligibility criteria for the warmer homes schemes and the sustainable energy communities programme to include houses inhabited by low-income families in both the public and private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29611/15]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes and Better Energy Communities schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, which meet the defined eligibility criteria. Beneficiaries of the scheme do not receive grants but have measures installed free of charge. Since the commencement of the scheme in 2000, 116,283 homes around the country have received energy efficiency measures under the Scheme. €15.8m has been allocated to the Scheme in 2015.
In 2012 the eligibility criteria for the Warmer Homes scheme were broadened in an attempt to capture more households at risk of energy poverty. To be eligible a person must be an owner-occupier of a non-local authority home constructed before 2006 and in receipt of one of the following: Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme; Job seekers allowance for more than six months and with children under 7; Family Income Support.
The Communities Scheme supports energy efficiency upgrades to existing buildings and facilities in the community sector as well as clusters of homes likely to be at risk of energy poverty. This scheme is application-led and the proportion of energy poor homes a project contains is taken into account in the evaluation of each application. There is no requirement to be an owner-occupier in the Communities Scheme. A total of 29 projects received grant allocations of €18.6m in this year's Communities scheme.
My Department is currently in the process of developing a new Affordable Energy Strategy. A public consultation on this strategy was held earlier this year and views were sought on a wide range of issues, including the eligibility criteria for existing schemes. I expect that the new Affordable Energy Strategy will be completed and published later this year.
786. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has examined the report on the regulation and inspection of gas installers operating here, which was compiled by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29943/15]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 confers on the CER specific functions in the area of safety regulation of the natural gas industry. The legislation provides for natural gas installers to be registered as a Registered Gas Installer (RGI). It is a legal requirement that any gas works carried out on domestic gas installations may be carried out only by a Registered Gas Installer. The CER discharges its gas safety responsibility through the implementation of a Natural Gas Safety Regulatory Framework. The Framework has been in operation for five years. Since 2009, it has included a system for the regulation, certification, ongoing inspection of work and investigation of complaints regarding the competence of any particular natural gas installer. Under Section 9(f) of the Electric Regulation Act 1999 as amended by the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, CER has the power to prosecute unregistered gas installers through the court system. The CER has attained a number of successful prosecutions to date in cases where unregistered installers have completed domestic gas works.
Nevertheless, I note that the Report of the Joint Committee recommends that certain legislative measures be considered. My Department, in consultation with the CER, will examine the Committee's recommendations and will respond to the Committee in due course on the findings reached.
787. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his Department's priorities for the remainder of this Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29581/15]
View answerThe Statement of Government Priorities 2014 to 2016 sets out clear and ambitious targets to build on the achievements of the last four years and to broaden and deepen the economic and social recovery and improve the living standards of our citizens. Energy and broadband connectivity are amongst the most strategic sectors of the Irish economy and are clearly reflected in the strategy for economic and social recovery set out in the Statement. My Department has published a new Statement of Strategy which sets out the key objectives, outputs and related strategies for my Department for the next three years. It includes: The development of an Energy White Paper, for publication in October 2015, which takes account, inter alia, of energy and climate change objectives and targets over the medium and long term, specific obligations to 2020 in relation to renewable energy deployment and energy efficiency, and the need to ensure security of supply and competitiveness in our energy system; Further development of the National Broadband Plan including the publication of an intervention strategy (published on 15 July) which aims to ensure that 85% of premises have high speed broadband in 2018 and 100% in 2020; Continued delivery of the National Digital Strategy which focuses on enterprise (assisting small and micro enterprises to trade online), citizens (ensuring that citizens and communities are empowered and motivated to use the internet) and education (enhancing teaching and learning through greater use of digital resources). Delivery of the National Broadband Plan and the National Digital Strategy will be closely aligned in order to optimise economic and social benefits for citizens, businesses and communities; Supporting a diverse and financially stable broadcasting sector; Overseeing the 2015 Offshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round; The introduction of Eircodes (launched on 13 July); A Public Sector Energy Efficiency Action Plan and a revised Affordable Energy Strategy, both of which it is intended to publish before the end of this year; and A legislative programme that will include new Broadcasting, Minerals, Energy and Fisheries legislation, as well as legislation to amend our Oil and Gas Fiscal Terms.
My Department's Statement of Strategy is available on the Department's website at www.dcenr.gov.ie.
788. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a review of the metropolitan area network is under way, or recently completed; the organisations and groups which were invited to make a submission; those which made a submission; if he will make these submissions available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29598/15]
View answerMy Department is currently concluding an internal review of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme. The purpose of the review is to carry out a retrospective analysis of the impact of the MANs Programme on the delivery of policy objectives, and to consider the future role and direction of the MANs in the context of market and Government policy developments.
As part of the review process, the Department undertook a stakeholder engagement exercise with a number of licensed service providers on a confidential basis due to the commercial sensitivity of issues for the companies concerned.
The review of the MANs Programme, which is not yet complete, will inform future decisions and direction in relation to the MANs and while it was not intended to publish this review, I am happy to consider whether relevant non-commercial extracts could be made publicly available in due course.
789. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the context of upcoming European Union Directive 2014/61/CE, if he will implement a compulsory registry of broadband assets and pricing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29599/15]
View answerDirective 2014/61/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 aims to reduce the cost of deploying high-speed electronic communications network infrastructure by, among other things, requiring EU member states to withdraw any statutory measures which prohibit utility network operators from sharing network assets. There are no such statutory measures in place in Ireland. The Directive also requires other utility network operators to make network information available to public communications network operators, if requested, unless there are objective reasons not to.
The Directive does not impose any new or additional obligations on network operators to make such information available to public bodies or to place such information in the public domain.
As I set out in reply to Question No. 818 of 16 June 2016, my Department is compiling a register of owners of existing infrastructure that could be used to support the National Broadband Plan network roll-out, and publishing it on our website.
790. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will conduct a national broadband measurement scheme to identify high propriety areas as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29600/15]
View answerYesterday, I published for public consultation the Government's draft Intervention Strategy which sets out how we propose to ensure the provision of high-speed broadband to premises in the intervention area. This consultation runs until September 14th next. The draft Intervention Strategy and associated expert reports are now available on www.broadband.gov.ie. The Strategy sets out clearly that I expect 85% of the premises in Ireland will have access to high-speed broadband in 2018, increasing to 100% by 2020.
The prospective bidder or bidders for the NBP contract are experts in network roll-out and each will bring different network architectures and technologies to bear on the project which will be capable of delivering the network in different ways. It is considered that they will be best placed to determine the sequencing of the network deployment to maximise efficiencies during network build. The strategy proposes however that the Department will engage with the winning bidder or bidders on the optimum roll-out strategy, having regard to business and consumer needs, areas of particularly poor service and areas of strong demand. These factors will need to be balanced against the most efficient network roll-out and will be agreed during the procurement process.
791. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure that Eircode, in the introduction of the new postcode system, will have all placenames named and spelled correctly in their original Gaeilge as well as in English; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29620/15]
View answerThe use of Eircode is voluntary, not mandatory and there will be no requirement to change existing addresses in Irish or English. The Eircode is simply appended to the existing address be it in English or Irish. With the exception of the existing Dublin district codes, all Eircodes will be neutral of location in both the English and Irish language which means that the seven digit code is considered data rather than language. The Irish language organisations are satisfied with this approach. Eircode in consultation with Conradh na Gaeilge and Foras na Gaeilge has produced bilingual promotional material and postcode notification letters that will be issued to all postal addresses in the State. Bilingual staff are available in the Eircode call centre to take calls from members of the public in Irish. The addresses in the Gaeltacht areas will receive their Eircode letter using the Irish form of their address.
I will continue to work with Irish language organisations to ensure that all elements of the project are in compliance with Irish language requirements.
792. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he or his Department have had any recent communications with the communications regulator or the mobile telephone companies in relation to the widespread concern regarding poor mobile telephony coverage, particularly in counties Cavan and Monaghan, as discussed previously through parliamentary questions; if the telephone companies have provided commitments to upgrade their infrastructure and to meet modern demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29623/15]
View answerConditions regarding levels of mobile telephony coverage to be delivered by Mobile Network Operators are attached to licences issued by ComReg. Operators tend to exceed these coverage requirements for commercial reasons. However, as mobile services are a radio based technology, services can be affected by topography, quality of handsets, the capacity of the network and proximity to mobile telephone antennas.
Any customer, including those in Cavan and Monaghan, who experiences service difficulties should raise the matter with the service provider, in the first instance. If this fails to resolve matters, customers can refer a complaint to ComReg, who will investigate the service provider’s compliance with its contractual obligations.
My Department has contacted ComReg to seek an update in relation to complaints about coverage in counties Cavan and Monaghan. Our understanding is that the amount of complaints regarding coverage in these areas is nominal since April last, with the number of contacts that ComReg has received from these counties being a small percentage of overall contacts received in relation to network coverage.
My Department has been advised by one mobile operator that disruptions to service may have been experienced due to work being carried out to upgrade their networks in Monaghan and Cavan. The positive outcome of such disruption is, however, a deployment of an improved service. Its network upgrade is more or less complete in Monaghan, with Cavan currently on track for completion in the autumn timeframe.
Another operator has confirmed to the Department that it has deployed two 3G and two 4G deployments in Cavan and Monaghan since May, which would recently have improved coverage. It has also indicated that it has not received complaints regarding coverage in these counties.
It is hoped that coverage issues will diminish through a combination of commercial operators continuing to invest in upgraded infrastructure and services, and local authorities and Government Departments working together to address barriers to the deployment of telecoms infrastructure and services which currently exist.
793. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of grants, in tabular form, that were awarded as part of the better energy scheme in each year since its introduction. [29699/15]
View answerThe Better Energy Programme was launched in 2009 as the Home Energy Saving scheme after a pilot programme was conducted in 2008. The Home Energy Saving scheme was rebranded as the Better Energy scheme in May 2011. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy programme on behalf of my Department. The programme consists of three schemes: Homes, Warmer Homes and Communities. Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Better Energy Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. The Better Energy Communities programme supports energy efficiency upgrades to homes, buildings and facilities in the community sector. The Better Energy Communities programme also incorporates an area-based element that supports the upgrade of clusters of homes in energy poverty.
The following tables detail the total value and number of grants (where relevant) provided through the Better Energy Programme since 2009:
|
Programme |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 (spend to date) |
|
Better Energy Homes |
€16.25m |
€45.2m |
€57.6m |
€28.95m |
€13.16m |
€9.9m |
€5.25m |
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes |
€12m |
€30m |
€21.4m |
€20.5m |
€17.55m |
€20.7m |
€2.42m |
|
Better Energy Communities |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
€5.9m |
€17.6m |
€23.65m |
€18.6m* (*Grant allocations announced June 2015) |
|
Total |
€28.25m |
€75.2m |
€79m |
€55.35m |
€48.31m |
€54.25 |
€26.27m |
|
Programme |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 to date |
|
Better Energy Homes |
18,203 |
45,946 |
49,236 |
26,426 |
13,710 |
9,927 |
4,752 |
|
Better Energy Communities |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
18 projects |
50 projects |
58 projects |
29 projects |
794. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the annual cost of grants under the better energy homes scheme in each year from 2010 to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29730/15]
View answerThe Better Energy Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying BER. The amount of grants awarded under the Better Energy Homes Scheme in each year from 2010 to 2014 is as follows:
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
€45.2m |
€57.6m |
€28.95m |
€13.16m |
€9.9m |
The importance of improving our energy efficiency for reducing our harmful emissions cannot be overstated. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published its report on Ireland's Greenhouse Gas Emission Projections 2014-2035. The report finds that significant additional effort is required by Ireland to meet our 2020 emissions targets, particularly in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The report highlights the importance of the Better Energy Programme in delivering the emissions reductions necessary in the residential sector to 2020.
In late 2014 my Department working with the SEAI reviewed the supports available under the Better Energy Homes scheme in conjunction with the financial resources available for the scheme. This review concluded that the most efficient ways of using the limited resources available to the scheme were (i) to increase the existing grant levels whose value had been eroded by inflation, (ii) to introduce a new bonus payment that encourages householders to engage in deeper renovations that could lead to more significant energy savings and (iii) to abolish the minimum grant threshold. In March of this year I announced increases of between 25% and 50% in the grant levels awarded to householders under the scheme. In addition, a bonus payment has been introduced for householders that complete three or more energy efficiency improvements.
795. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide specific information regarding the delivery of high-speed broadband for a townland (details supplied) in County Mayo under the national broadband plan given that in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 554 of 7 July 2015 he stated that he does not believe works in this area will commence until 2016; with a three to five year construction timescale, if he will clarify where exactly this townland is within that stated timescale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29846/15]
View answerIn reply to Question No. 554 of 7 July last, I confirmed that, based on my Department's current intervention map, the townland of Ballintubber in County Mayo is included in the NBP intervention area. Yesterday, I published for public consultation the Government's draft Intervention Strategy which sets out how we propose to ensure the provision of high-speed broadband to premises in the intervention area. This consultation runs until 14 September next. The draft Intervention Strategy and associated expert reports are now available on www.broadband.gov.ie
The Strategy sets out clearly that I expect 85% of the premises in Ireland will have access to high-speed broadband in 2018, increasing to 100% by 2020.
In terms of the precise timing of when any particular area can expect to be covered, the prospective bidder or bidders for the NBP contract are experts in network roll-out and each will bring different network architectures and technologies to bear on the project which will be capable of delivering the network in different ways. It is considered that they will be best placed to determine the sequencing of the network deployment to maximise efficiencies during network build. The strategy proposes, however, that the Department will engage with the winning bidder or bidders on the optimum roll-out strategy, having regard to business and consumer needs, areas of particularly poor service and areas of strong demand. These factors will need to be balanced against the most efficient network roll-out and will be agreed during the procurement process.
796. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of investment from capital spending his Department has made in County Kildare since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29886/15]
View answerTotal capital expenditure by my Department was €396m in the period 2011 to end 2014 and is currently forecast at €93.6m for 2015. This expenditure is not broken down by county. The most significant component of my Department's capital expenditure is in respect of the Better Energy Programme, which consists of three schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. SEAI has advised me that for the period 2011 to date grants amounting to over €4.8m have been awarded under the Better Energy Homes Scheme, €60,388 has been awarded under the Better Energy Communities Scheme and over €1.8m has been invested in the Warmer Homes Scheme, in County Kildare.
Under the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Scheme, €10,350 was paid in the period in question as a balance in respect of the installation of telecommunications ducting, carried out in conjunction with other works in Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
A sum of €46,701 has been awarded to date under the Trading Online Voucher Scheme in respect of grant assistance to 24 small businesses in Co. Kildare to help them develop their online trading capability.
Finally, the Deputy may wish to note that there were 11 electoral divisions in County Kildare covered by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which was in place between December 2008 and August 2014. The actual expenditure is not available as it is part of a national contract for the NBS.
797. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the approximate cost of introducing a renewable heat incentive, which his Department plans to bring online next year; if he has considered including any project installed from the date the initiative is announced to retrospectively qualify once the initiative opens; the approximate cost of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29963/15]
View answerThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our overall energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. To meet this target, Ireland is committed to achieving 40% renewables in electricity, 12% in heat and 10% in transport.
Measures currently in place, including Part L of the Building Regulations and the combined heat and power supported under the REFIT 3 scheme, are expected to increase the uptake of heat from renewable sources. However, analysis by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) suggests that in the absence of further measures a shortfall in the region of two to four percentage points could emerge in the renewable heat sector. This would represent between one and two percentage points in terms of the overall renewable energy target. While the cost of such shortfall has yet to be established, the SEAI has estimated that it could be in the range of €100 million to €150 million per percentage point shortfall. This means that a shortfall in the heat sector could cost between €200 million and €300 million in renewable energy credits. There could also be penalties associated with any shortfall.
Analysis underpinning the Draft Bioenergy Plan indicates that an additional bioenergy focussed measure in the heat sector would represent the most cost effective means of meeting a number of different policy goals including addressing the potential shortfall in our renewable heat levels. The draft Plan recommends the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to incentivise larger heat users in the industrial and commercial sector to change to heating solutions that produce heat from renewable sources.
The initial public consultation on the RHI is being finalised. One of the considerations in preparation of this document is how best to support continuing investment in the renewable heat sector whilst the RHI is being consulted on. Any arrangements will be subject to budgetary and state aid approval. Ultimately the cost of the scheme and any retrospective application will be a function of the design of the support scheme and the scale of supported installations. This will be identified as the design of the scheme develops through the consultation process.
798. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals to provide modern broadband telecommunications infrastructure in an area (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30009/15]
View answer799. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals to provide modern telecommunications infrastructure in an area (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30010/15]
View answer800. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals to provide modern telecommunications infrastructure in an area (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30011/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 798 to 800, inclusive, together.
The 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 proposed State intervention under the NBP represents a potentially very significant capital investment project for the State and the Government is firmly committed to delivering this investment, as evidenced in the National Broadband Plan itself and in the Programme for Government, the Action Plan for Jobs and the Statement of Government Priorities.
The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers plan to deliver high speed broadband services. The AMBER areas on the map show the target areas for the State intervention.
According to publicly available information on eircom's website, the area of Bailieboro is already largely provided by high-speed broadband. Some 16% of the premises in this locality will be included in the Government's proposed intervention. In addition, eircom's website also indicates that Broomfield in County Monaghan will be upgraded this Autumn. I can confirm that all of the premises in both Canningstown and Knockbride will be covered by the Government's proposed intervention.
It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.
Under EU State Aid rules, public investment in a commercial market has to be targeted at areas where there is evidence of market failure. Therefore, the Government's proposed investment under the NBP will apply to those parts of the country that are unlikely to be served commercially.
Eircom recently announced an investment that may address a further 300,000 premises with fibre-to-the-premises technology. My Department will be rigorously examining the assurances from eircom in relation to these new plans, which is a requirement for all operators, and will review how this impacts the proposed intervention area.
More generally I can confirm that broadband services have been upgraded for 9,665 premises to date in Co. Cavan and 9,647 in Co. Monaghan with a further 8,510 in Co. Cavan and 4,267 in Co. Monaghan expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 24,197 premises in Co. Cavan and 19,551 in Co. Monaghan will be covered by commercial investment or be the target for the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan.
I published the draft Intervention Strategy for public consultation yesterday and the draft strategy and relevant expert reports are available on the NBP website www.broadband.gov.ie. Following the consultation process over the summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.
I expect the physical build of the network to begin in late 2016, and it will take 3-5 years to fully complete – depending on the details of the bid or bids selected.
This complex national infrastructure project will definitively address the long-standing challenge of deploying a resilient and high-quality broadband network in rural parts of Ireland.
801. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of public advertising, statutory and non-statutory, funded by his Department in 2013 and 2014; the corresponding figure for agencies under the control of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30021/15]
View answerThe total cost of advertising to my Department was €106,381 in 2013 and €77,229 in 2014. The information sought by the Deputy regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
802. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost in 2013 and 2014 of printing reports by his Department and agencies under the control of his Department; the corresponding figure for annual reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30036/15]
View answerThe cost incurred by my Department in printing reports was €12,778 in 2013 and €4,666 in 2014. In procuring any services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money. In relation to my Department’s Annual Reports for 2013 and 2014, both reports were published online only, therefore no printing costs were incurred.
The information sought by the Deputy regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
803. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost in 2013 and 2014 of issuing hard copy payslips to staff or retired staff by his Department and agencies under the control of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30051/15]
View answerAll staff in my Department currently receive electronic payslips. The cost of issuing hard copy payslips in exceptional circumstances to staff in my Department for 2013 is estimated at €400 and the cost for 2014 is estimated at €250. Pension payments to retired staff members from my Department are made by the Pay Master General and therefore there is no cost to the Department.
804. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline and itemise all expenditure undertaken by his Department on private travel for him and-or for his private office, on legal fees, on consultancy fees and on hotel accommodation during the 12-month period to 30 June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30066/15]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
