Written Answers Nos. 100 - 119
100. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to increase the tariffs applicable to renewable energy resources other than wind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38955/15]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Feed-in-Tariff (REFIT) schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for renewable energy exported to the grid. These schemes support electricity generated from a range of renewable sources, including small scale hydro, biomass and wind. Small scale renewable generation is eligible to apply for support under the REFIT schemes. Solar PV is not one of the qualifying technologies for this scheme. Further information is available on my Department's website, www.dcenr.ie. On 31 July last my Department launched a consultation on a new support scheme for renewable electricity. While the initial phase of the consultation closed on 18 September 2015, there will be two further opportunities to contribute at key stages in the design of any new scheme. The consultations will be informative regarding the technologies that will assist in meeting our future renewable energy targets. Subject to Government approval and State Aid clearance from the European Commission, the new scheme would become available in 2016.
101. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has outlined plans for a change to how the television licence fee is to collected. [38963/15]
View answerPart 10 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 outlines the statutory basis for the Television Licence and the associated collection mechanisms. Section 145 of the Act designates An Post as the "issuing agent" of the Minister with regard to Television Licences and tasks them with collecting the licence fees. The Programme for Government committed to examining the role and collection of the TV licence fee in light of existing and projected convergence of technologies and to transforming the TV licence into a household based Public Service Broadcasting Charge to be applied to all eligible households and applicable businesses, regardless of the device used to access content or services. The primary objective in introducing a Public Service Broadcasting Charge is to secure a more stable funding stream for public service broadcasting than the current TV Licence system provides in light of the current high level of evasion and the impact that technological developments are having on the way that media is consumed.
In terms of the introduction of any new charge, in my statement of 21 April 2015 on the publication of the NewERA and Indecon reports, I indicated that I had advised Government that it would not be possible to replace the TV licence fee with a public service broadcasting charge within the lifetime of this Government. I also pointed to the need to build public understanding and support for the introduction of such a charge.
In the absence of the introduction of a Public Service Broadcasting Charge there are no plans to change how the Television Licence is collected.
102. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of State investment in the metropolitan area networks to date; the number of towns where networks access is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38982/15]
View answerMetropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are State owned, open access, underground telecommunications networks, linking the main commercial and public buildings to “co-location centres” where service providers locate their telecommunications equipment and access the network. MANs are available to licensed telecoms providers to enable them offer high-speed broadband to their retail customers without having to build their own networks. 88 MANs, covering 94 regional cities and towns, were constructed under the MANs Programme, at a cost of approximately €180m, of which 90% was funded by my Department and 10% by relevant Local Authorities. The MANs were built in two phases – 28 MANs were constructed in Phase I between 2002 and 2004 and 60 MANs covering 66 towns were constructed during Phase II between 2006 and 2009.
The MANs are managed, maintained and operated on an “open access” basis by a Management Services Entity (MSE). enet is currently the MSE for the MANs. The MSE provides fibre-based services and products to licensed telecommunications operators on a wholesale, open access basis. The MSE works with service providers to encourage them to use the MANs to provide downstream services for consumers and businesses. Further details relating to the MANs are available at www.enet.ie.
This State-owned infrastructure has played an important role in driving competition in the regions and currently some 60 telecoms operators use the MANs fibre to provide services to end customers. These end customers include industrial estates, multinationals, SMEs, State entities, educational institutions, as well as fixed and mobile customers outside Dublin.
103. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources how his Department is abiding by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters, commonly referred to as the Aarhus Convention, specifically in relation to the construction of wind turbines, and the formulation of Ireland's energy policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38953/15]
View answerWhile I have no function in regard to the authorisation of wind farm developments, I can advise the Deputy that the construction of wind farms, as with any infrastructure project, is subject to national planning law and procedures and consultation as appropriate. It should be noted that the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, is fully compliant with the requirements of the Aarhus Convention and provides for full transparency as regards to information on the environment and access to justice dimensions.
The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure, sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland’s energy policy is developed in line with Ireland’s EU and international obligations and best practice. One of the central themes in the Green Paper on Energy Policy, published in May 2014, is citizen empowerment. Since its publication, the Department undertook a public consultation process which included analysis of over 1,200 written submissions and thirteen stakeholder seminars on the various priority areas highlighted in the Green Paper. The views submitted are being fully considered in the formulation of the Energy White Paper, which will be published before the end of the year.
104. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department is planning measures to facilitate community renewable energy generation initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38980/15]
View answerVarious community level energy initiatives are supported by my Department through the Better Energy Areas and Communities Programme which is administered on behalf of the Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). That programme allows community and locally based organisations to apply for funding on a competitive basis to support sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings and facilities. It also promotes the creation and development of locally based entities that can engage and mobilise community resources to lower energy bills and boost local employment. €19.6m in grants have been approved under the Better Energy Communities Programme 2015.
One of the central themes in the Green Paper on Energy Policy, published in May 2014, is citizen empowerment. Since its publication, the Department undertook a public consultation process which included analysis of over 1,200 written submissions and thirteen stakeholder seminars on the various priority areas highlighted in the Green Paper. A recurring message coming from both the written submissions and the seminars was the role that community energy could play in our future energy systems. The views submitted on this and other matters are being considered in the formulation of the Energy White Paper, which will be published before the end of the year.
105. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will impress upon the European Commission, which represents Ireland and all other European Union member states in the Kimberley process certification scheme, the urgent need to reform the definition of a conflict diamond in order that all blood diamonds, including blood diamonds which generate revenue for Government forces guilty of gross human rights violations, are banned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38993/15]
View answerThe Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is the established international regime governing the trade in rough diamonds. The KPCS has developed a set of minimum requirements that each participant must meet to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free' and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade. Ireland participates in the KPCS as a Member State of the EU. The EU as a whole is a single Participant in the KPCS, and Council Regulation (EC) 2368/2002 implementing the KPCS for the international trade in rough diamonds applies common rules in all Member States.
Ireland is fully engaged in the KPCS at EU level and supports efforts to ensure that all trade in rough diamonds potentially used to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments is prevented. The prevention of conflict and the protection of human rights remain consistent priorities in Ireland’s relations with other states, both bilaterally and at EU level.
106. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for an update on his Department's engagement with the European Union competition directorate concerning State investment in the broadband network, with specific reference to the national broadband plan. [38946/15]
View answerThe public consultation on the Government’s National Broadband Plan draft Intervention Strategy closed on 25 September last. A total of 38 submissions were received, representing views from a wide range of stakeholders including companies, agencies and individuals. Non confidential versions of these submissions have been published on my Department's website. Meanwhile, my Department continues to review the technical and financial detail relating to potential new commercial investment proposals with a view to updating the intervention area map. A further consultation on the High Speed broadband map was launched on 21 October 2015 and is scheduled to conclude on 11 November 2015. An updated version of the map will then be published.
My officials have established a very constructive working relationship with DG Competition in the European Commission and both sides regularly engage on issues in relation to State Aid aspects of our proposed Plan.
In July last, we submitted our pre-notification document to DG Competition and have agreed to notify the Commission of any material change to this in light of our review of the responses to the public consultation and to the review of commercial investment plans.
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the future role of An Post in the context of communications; the extent to which he expects the network of post offices and counter services to feature in the provision of a countrywide service, with added-on responsibilities of a compatible nature, thereby enhancing and improving the status of An Post, and availing of its strengths in the provision of a modern countrywide service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38951/15]
View answerThe post office network plays an important role in serving the needs of domestic and business customers across Ireland. However, the postal sector is undergoing systemic change, with migration towards electronic communications resulting in significant core mail volume decline year-on-year. In recognition of the changing commercial environment I established the Post Office Network Business Development Group earlier this year. The group’s remit is to examine the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network. The group presented its initial report to me in May 2015 and, in summary, the report outlined that the future of the post office network would be best secured by seeking out opportunities in the following areas: financial services, including basic banking for the unbanked, Government services, social capital and enterprise, and white labelling of financial and other products.
To gain further insight into these areas, a public consultation exercise was held from 16 June to 28 July. Interested parties were invited to submit their views on the initial report. It is clear from the responses received that there is a strong public desire to maintain the nationwide network of post offices. The consultation responses are assisting the group in identifying opportunities that can benefit the post office network and will inform the final report, which I expect to receive presently.
It is premature to speculate, in advance of the final report, on what the next steps will be until I have had the opportunity to consider in detail the findings of the group.
108. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach the percentage of staff in his Department capable of dealing with the public in the Irish language; if there are training programmes in place for staff to improve their level of working Irish; the provision for other minority languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38632/15]
View answerThe primary focus of my Department's work is on dealings with Government and with other government departments and agencies. As a result, we do not experience a significant level of demand from the public for services in Irish.
A number of staff members in my Department have indicated that they have some proficiency in Irish and are competent to provide a variety of services in Irish to varying degrees. Of these, two officers with a high level of proficiency have been designated to provide services to the public in Irish, and this number is sufficient to meet the existing demand.
Training programmes in Irish are available to staff on request, or where a particular need has been identified.
From time to time we receive correspondence in languages other than Irish and English, although the volume of such correspondence is very low. These letters can normally be translated by staff members who have fluency in these languages, and we respond to such correspondence in English.
109. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Taoiseach the amount of funding allocated by his Department to organisations not audited directly by the Comptroller and Auditor General; if he will list those organisations, and the amount of funding allocated to each in the past five years; the process in place to ensure that value for money is achieved and that the funding allocated is audited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38678/15]
View answerI am interpreting the term "organisation" to mean "bodies under the aegis of my Department". The National Economic and Social Development Office is the only body under the aegis of my Department that receives a grant and they are audited directly by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
My Department also allocates grant funding under the Communicating Europe Initiative and the Local Diaspora Engagement Fund.
The Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI) aims to support projects that will help improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues and promote an understanding and awareness of the European Union. The annual CEI grants scheme is open to voluntary organisations, educational bodies and civil society groups.
The Local Diaspora Engagement Fund provides funding to local and community groups based in Ireland to promote local diaspora engagement in line with the objectives of the Global Irish: Ireland’s Diaspora Policy published by Government earlier this year.
The process of making the grant comes within the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General's annual audit of my Department and all grantees are paid in accordance with Circular 13/2014 - "Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds".
110. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the number of applicants awaiting transfer in his Department to locations other than their present location, by location; the rules that apply for such transfers; if an applicant has a defined position on the list for transfer; the grounds that apply to applicants being moved up or down on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38748/15]
View answerApplications for transfer are made either to the Public Appointments Service or directly to the recruiting organisation. All redeployment and secondment opportunities are circulated to all staff in my Department and the Human Resources Unit of my Department makes every effort to facilitate applications for these opportunities where the business needs of the Department allow it.
111. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Taoiseach the projected figures for the number of persons of 70 years of age and over, as at 2016, 2021, and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38970/15]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office publishes population projections for the State after each Census, the last set of projections were published in April 2013 and cover the years 2016-2046.
The projections are based on assumptions relating to future trends in fertility, mortality and migration. Two sets of assumptions were chosen for fertility, one for mortality and three for migration.
The model used in these projections is the demographic component method, which projects the base population forward under the chosen assumptions. The base year used was 2011, using the Census of Population results.
For the purposes of the table provided, only the assumptions relating to mortality and migration are relevant. The fertility assumptions are not relevant as all persons that will be aged 70 years or over in the years 2016, 2021 and 2026 were already born in 2011.
Mortality Assumption
The long-term rate of improvement in life expectancy is assumed to be 1.5 per cent over the period 2016-2046.
Migration Assumptions
M1 : Net migration returning to positive (net inflow of persons) by 2016 and rising steadily thereafter to plus 30,000 persons annually by 2021.
M2 : Net migration returning to positive by 2018 and rising thereafter to plus 10,000 persons annually by 2021.
M3 : Net migration remaining negative for the whole period.
Projected Population aged 70 and over from 2011, by Criteria for Projection and Year
'000
|
Year |
M1 |
M2 |
M3 |
|
2011 |
359.5 |
359.5 |
359.5 |
|
2016 |
418.7 |
418.4 |
418.3 |
|
2021 |
507.8 |
506.2 |
504.6 |
|
2026 |
606.7 |
603.0 |
599.2 |
Source: Central Statistics Office.'
112. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Taoiseach the number of persons aged 70 years of age and over who were resident in County Clare in 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38971/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table.
|
Census Year |
Population aged 70 years and over in County Clare |
|
1991 |
7,869 |
|
1996 |
8,183 |
|
2002 |
8,561 |
|
2006 |
8,937 |
|
2011 |
9,578 |
113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number of jobs created or lost annually in each of the past eight years to 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38581/15]
View answerThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q2 2015.
Table 1a shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment in Q2 of each year from 2007 to 2015.
Table 1b shows the annual change in the numbers of persons aged 15 years and over in employment in Q2 of each year from 2008 to 2015.
As Table 1a shows the overall stock of persons employed at given points in time, the annual changes which are calculated using these stock figures depend both on the number of jobs lost and jobs created over the period in question. The QNHS does not record whether a job is newly created.
Table 1a Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) , Q2 2007- Q2 2015
'000
|
Q2 07 |
Q2 08 |
Q2 09 |
Q2 10 |
Q2 11 |
Q2 12 |
Q2 13 |
Q2 14 |
Q2 15 |
|
|
In employment |
2,136.1 |
2,147.3 |
1,974.0 |
1,893.6 |
1,861.3 |
1,836.2 |
1,869.9 |
1,901.6 |
1,958.7 |
Table 1b Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO), Q2 2008 - Q2 2015 -Annual change
'000
|
Q2 08 |
Q2 09 |
Q2 10 |
Q2 11 |
Q2 12 |
Q2 13 |
Q2 14 |
Q2 15 |
|
|
In employment |
11.2 |
-173.4 |
-80.3 |
-32.4 |
-25.1 |
33.8 |
31.6 |
57.1 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
Reference period: Q2=Apr-Jun.
114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number of jobs lost and gained in County Kildare in each of the past eight years to 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38588/15]
View answerThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q2 2015.
Estimates of employment are produced by NUTS 3 Regions. The NUTS 3 Mid-East region includes Counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable Kildare County estimates from the QNHS.
Table 1a shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by NUTS 3 Mid-East region in Q2 of each year from 2007 to 2015.
Table 1b shows the annual change in the numbers of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by NUTS 3 Mid-East region in Q2 of each year from 2008 to 2015.
As Table 1a shows the overall stock of persons employed at given points in time, the annual changes which are calculated using these stock figures depend both on the number of jobs lost and jobs created over the period in question. The QNHS does not record whether a job is newly created.
Table 1a Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by Mid-East region, Q2 2007- Q2 2015
'000
|
|
Q2 07 |
Q2 08 |
Q2 09 |
Q2 10 |
Q2 11 |
Q2 12 |
Q2 13 |
Q2 14 |
Q2 15 |
|
In employment |
250.6 |
252.9 |
232.9 |
228.1 |
223.7 |
222.7 |
219.0 |
228.5 |
232.7 |
Table 1b Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by Mid-East region, Q2 2008 - Q2 2015 - Annual change
'000
|
Q2 08 |
Q2 09 |
Q2 10 |
Q2 11 |
Q2 12 |
Q2 13 |
Q2 14 |
Q2 15 |
|
|
In employment |
2.3 |
-20.0 |
-4.8 |
-4.3 |
-1.0 |
-3.7 |
9.6 |
4.2 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
Reference period: Q2=Apr-Jun.
115. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Malcom Turnbull, since his appointment as Prime Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39360/15]
View answerI wrote to the new Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, Mr Malcolm Turnbull, shortly after his election to congratulate him on his appointment.
In my letter I also highlighted the close historical links between Ireland and Australia and indicated that I looked forward to working with him and his Government to continue to strengthen the bilateral relationship between our two countries, including our links in trade, tourism and investment. These issues will continue to be advanced by the Government, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and his Department.
I have not spoken to Prime Minister Turnbull since his appointment.
116. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Justin Trudeau, since his appointment as Prime Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39364/15]
View answerI wrote to the new Prime Minister of Canada, Mr Justin Trudeau shortly after the Canadian Federal election to congratulate him on his victory.
In my letter I also highlighted the close historical links between Ireland and Canada, and assured him of the Government’s commitment to continuing to strengthen economic, political and people-to-people links between our two countries. These issues will continue to be advanced by the Government, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and his Department.
I have not spoken to Prime Minister Trudeau since his appointment.
117. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that rent allowance payments will continue to recipients whose current landlords refuse to migrate to the housing assistance payment scheme; if she will acknowledge that any stoppage in rent allowance before a tenant has secured accommodation which will engage with the HAP scheme will force persons into a situation of homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39089/15]
View answerRent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 63,000 people at a cost of €298 million in 2015. The provision for 2015 represents a transfer of funding in excess of €20 million to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to support the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
In local authority areas where HAP is in place, new applicants assessed as requiring social housing support will be considered for HAP rather than rent supplement. HAP is operational in 15 local authority areas and there are currently over 4,600 HAP tenancies in place.
The Department’s strategic direction is to transfer responsibility of persons with long term housing needs to the local authorities under HAP. Of the 4,600 HAP tenancies in place, some 1,650 have transferred from rent supplement, having been in receipt of the scheme for a period of over 18 months. Failure of a landlord to participate in HAP does not affect a recipient’s continued entitlement to rent supplement. I can assure the Deputy that Departmental officers make every effort to ensure that persons in receipt of rent supplement are supported in the transfer to HAP.
Officials in the Department continue to work closely with those in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the local authorities to further roll out HAP and to ensure that customers are supported in the transition from rent supplement.
118. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of children whose legal guardians are deemed eligible for orphan payment of €161; if she could provide a tabular breakdown on the age and location of these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39459/15]
View answerThe payments referred to by the Deputy were introduced in 1936 and were then known as Orphan’s Contributory Allowance and Orphan’s Non-Contributory Allowance. In July 2006, they were re-named guardian’s payments (contributory and non-contributory) in recognition of the fact that the original remit of the schemes had been extended to include children other than those who had lost both parents through bereavement.
Guardian’s payment (both contributory and non-contributory) is payable in respect of a child who satisfies the definition of an “orphan” under social welfare legislation, where the qualifying conditions are satisfied.
Social welfare law defines a “guardian” as “the person in whose care an orphan normally resides”. There is no requirement under social welfare legislation for a person applying for a guardian’s payment to be appointed the legal guardian of the child concerned.
Equally, the fact that a person has applied to the Courts to be appointed as the child’s legal guardian does not automatically imply that they are entitled to guardian’s payment from the Department of Social Protection. That fact, along with all of the other evidence in the case, will be considered by the Deciding Officer when making their decision as to whether or not the qualifying conditions for guardian’s payment are satisfied.
The Department does not collect or retain statistics on the number of applicants for guardian’s payments who have been appointed as legal guardians by the Courts and so the information sought by the Deputy is not available.
119. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of weeks' holiday persons on a disability allowance are entitled to; if their allowance is deducted from them if they are abroad for five weeks or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38985/15]
View answerThe position is that disability allowance is not payable for any period in respect of which a person is resident outside of the state, except for two or three weeks holiday entitlement in any twelve month period.
