Written Answers Nos. 134-140
134. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the threshold for Student Universal Support Ireland Grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32439/15]
View answerThe rates of grant and the income thresholds for the Student Grant Scheme are announced annually as part of the Budget. No changes to the rates or thresholds were included in Budget 2015.
Student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period. The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally. The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households.
In addition to the scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances.
135. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that teachers who wish to participate on the professional diploma in mathematics course in the University of Limerick who do not have a teaching contract at present are not deprived of the opportunity to pursue this course due to their present employment status; her views that the non-acceptance of such applicants onto the course is putting a further impediment in the way of these graduates obtaining a teaching position; the proposals she has to amend this anomaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32472/15]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching is a blended learning, two year part-time programme. It is designed to assist practising 'out-of-field' teachers to acquire the extensive and complex integrated knowledge base, including mathematical and pedagogical knowledge, that is necessary for effective mathematics teaching at post-primary level. The programme makes special reference to Project Maths, the post primary mathematics curriculum.
Since September 2012 the Diploma has been made available nationwide to improve the skills of such teachers of mathematics. Provision of the Diploma is led by the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching & Learning (NCE-MSTL), based in the University of Limerick (UL). It is accredited jointly by UL and NUI Galway through their strategic alliance.
To be eligible for the programme a candidate must:
Be a qualified post primary teacher registered under Regulation Four of the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009 (but who is not qualified to teach mathematics);
Have a teaching contract at the time of application; Have a teaching contract at the time of course start date;
Be teaching post primary mathematics at Junior or Senior Cycle;
Have a commitment from their school that they will continue to teach mathematics in this employment.
136. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to extend the smoky coal ban to other towns here in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32338/15]
View answerThe ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel (or 'smoky coal ban' as it is commonly known) was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 in response to severe episodes of winter smog that resulted from the widespread use of smoky coal for residential heating. The ban proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels in Dublin. As well as bringing air quality levels into compliance with the then EU standards, the ban also had the effect of significantly improving human health in the capital. Research indicates that the ban in Dublin has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths. The ban was subsequently extended to other urban areas.
In August 2012, following a public consultation process, new solid fuel regulations were introduced with the aim of ensuring that the smoky coal ban remains fit for purpose in safeguarding air quality by limiting harmful emissions of air pollutants arising from the use of certain residential solid fuels. The ban now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide, including all towns with a population greater than 15,000 people, bringing the ban areas broadly into line with national EPA air quality management zones. My Department keeps the operation of the ban under regular review .
Air quality monitoring by the EPA has shown that air quality is poorer in towns where the smoky coal ban does not apply, although there is evidence that smaller smoky coal ban areas tend to be less effective. The further extension of the ban to smaller towns on an individual basis may not be the most effective solution to addressing the problem of emissions from residential solid fuel use in these areas. However, it is recognised that having different regulations between urban and rural locations is not ideal, as it results in different levels of environmental protection and clean air benefits for citizens in different locations.
Under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council, and in conjunction with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, my Department has commissioned a study to inform a discussion on policy options to further address emissions from residential solid fuel use on an all-island basis. The study includes-
- an assessment of the solid fuel market and barriers to the use of cleaner fuels;
- consideration of the role and impacts of biomass (primarily wood and wood-based products) and the links to climate policy; and
- an economic analysis addressing the potential positive and negative effects on the consumer, for example, resulting from potential fuel switching, the availability of smokeless fuels to supply an all-island market and job creation opportunities in the manufacture and supply of smokeless fuels.
A final report is expected to be presented to the North South Ministerial Council later this year. However, it should also be noted that I plan to engage in further consultation on the matter of clean air in the coming months, commencing with a 'Clean Air Conference' hosted by my Department and the EPA in Dublin on 28 September, which will examine and discuss current and future challenges for clean air policy.
137. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has reduced funding to the Environmental Protection Agency since 2007; if so, if he will provide an annual breakdown of the reduced funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32339/15]
View answerThe financial allocations to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), comprising funding from both the Exchequer and the Environment Fund, for the years specified is set out in the table below. It should be noted that the figures do not include income generated by the EPA itself from licensing fees, etc.
Funding to the Agency increased between 2007 and 2009, owing to the assignment of additional functions to the Agency, such as monitoring and assessment under the Water Framework Directive and increased funding for research and development during the period.
Given the constraints on public funds in more recent times, funding for the Agency, akin to most bodies, was reduced in the period from 2010 to 2013. Notwithstanding this, the Agency continued to meet all critical national and international regulatory and other obligations, through careful management and prioritisation of resources, for which the Agency is to be commended.
The increase in funding in 2014 incorporated the funding hitherto provided separately to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) by my Department, which was then provided to the EPA following the merger of both organisations with effect from 1 August 2014. The funding allocated to the EPA for 2015 is higher than the outturn in 2014, reflecting the continued improvement in the national fiscal situation and the priority accorded to the role of the Agency.
Environmental Protection Agency Funding 2007 – 2015 (€000)
|
- |
Budget Outturn |
|
2007 |
39,659 |
|
2008 |
51,143 |
|
2009 |
51,531 |
|
2010 |
44,068 |
|
2011 |
46,783 |
|
2012 |
41,453 |
|
2013 |
41,496 |
|
2014 |
44,478 |
|
2015 |
45,278 * |
* allocation for 2015
138. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the housing assistance payment will be implemented in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32349/15]
View answerThe first phase of the statutory pilot for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme commenced in September 2014 and has been introduced incrementally to 13 local authority areas to date - Limerick City and County Council; Waterford City and County Council; Cork, Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin, Monaghan, Donegal, Offaly, Carlow, Clare, Tipperary County Councils; and Cork City Council.
Dublin City Council is also implementing the HAP pilot scheme for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of all four Dublin local authorities.
To date, there are almost 4,000 households supported by HAP across these local authority areas. While consideration is currently being given to the sequencing of a further cohort of local authorities to commence HAP in the coming months, the scheme is not expected to commence in County Laois until next year.
139. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has a date for when the revised wind farm planning guidelines will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32365/15]
View answerIn December 2013, my Department published proposed "draft" revisions to the noise, setbacks and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed:
- the setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- a mandatory minimum setback of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- the complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the Guidelines, which ran until February 21 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process.
It is intended that the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be finalised as soon as possible. In this regard, account has to be taken of the extensive response to the public consultation in framing the final guidelines. Further work is also advancing to develop technical appendices to assist planning authorities with the practical application of the noise measurement aspects of the Wind Guidelines.
The revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, when finalised, will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.
140. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Ireland is in full compliance with the European directives, 2008 clean air for Europe directive, Directive 2008/50/EC and the fourth daughter directive, Directive 2004/107/EC of 15 December 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32369/15]
View answerAir quality monitoring in Ireland is carried out to meet the requirements of EU Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, also known as the CAFE Directive. The Directive requires that certain minimum levels of monitoring are conducted for the purpose of assessment and management of air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responsibility for the monitoring of air quality in Ireland, and monitors a range of atmospheric pollutants, based on data obtained from monitoring stations that form the national ambient air quality network.
The EPA also publishes an annual report on air quality, based primarily on the monitoring requirements of the CAFE Directive. The most recent report, Air Quality in Ireland 2013 – Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality, was published in October 2014 and provides an assessment of air quality in Ireland for 2013, compared to the CAFE Directive standards, as well as assessments in relation to more stringent World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines for the protection of human health.
That report indicates that Ireland currently meets all EU standards for air quality but exceeds WHO air quality guidelines for particulate matter in some areas. Particulate matter levels are of concern, particularly during the winter heating season in areas where the sale of smoky coal is permitted. As a result, levels of particulate matter in smaller towns are similar to or higher than those in cities where smoky coal is banned. To help protect our good air quality, the Irish consumer must become more aware of their choice in home heating fuel and the potential impact that choice can have on air quality in their locality and on human health.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels showed a slight increasing trend in the years 2008 2010. During this period, NO2 levels were close to the CAFE limit value in Dublin and Cork cities, due primarily to traffic congestion. However, NO2 levels decreased from 2010-2012, and thereafter may have stabilised in 2013. To further reduce NO2 levels in cities, we must develop and implement policies to reduce travel demand, emphasising sustainable transport modes such as cycling, walking and public transport , and improving the efficiency of motorised transport.
More recent figures from the EPA, for 2014, indicate that n o levels above the EU limit value were recorded at any of the ambient air quality network monitoring sites in Ireland.
