Written Answers Nos 158-163
158. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39789/15]
View answerThe EU Regulations governing the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 require that all activities, including projects must be complete, paid and refunded by 31 December 2015.
In relation to the project referred to in the Question, I understand that it was approved by Galway Rural Development on 12 September 2013, with a project completion date of 1 September 2014. I also understand that staff in Galway Rural Development have been working closely with the project promoter since that time. Indeed, an extension of over two years since the approval of the project has been provided to the promoter to complete the project in question.
I am advised that the final date for completion of this project is 5 December 2015, by which time the project must be completed and all necessary claim documentation submitted to Galway Rural Development in order to allow time for processing and payment before the end of year deadline. No further extensions after that date can be granted to the project promoter in question.
159. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources why the Inland Fisheries Ireland did not seek to prosecute the Electricity Supply Board for the events of 15 May 2014 at the Cathleen’s Falls dam at Ballyshannon, County Donegal, where some 300,000 elver eels were killed; and if this kill was a result of poor management by the Electricity Supply Board. [39675/15]
View answerIn the context of the Erne as a trans-boundary waterway, a comprehensive package to mitigate the loss of elvers was agreed between my Department, the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL) in Northern Ireland and the ESB. This mitigation package involves the purchase, by ESB, and release of eels into the sea and the extension of ESB’s highly successful “trap and transport” programme on the Erne to carry eels around the Hydro Electric Plant at Cathleen’s Fall. The issues were, therefore resolved via dialogue and consensus.
In addition to the need for mitigation, a key consideration was minimising the risk of a recurrence of such events. In that regard, new protocols defining roles and responsibilities for the capture and transport of elvers around the dams at Ballyshannon have been agreed by ESB with both DCAL and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). Staff from both Government organisations will assist in overseeing the monitoring of elver traps and the subsequent overland transport of them by ESB on the Erne catchment
In contemplation of a mitigation strategy, both Departments consulted with, and followed the advice of, the Standing Scientific Committee on Eels, a statutorily independent advisory committee, comprising scientists from Ireland and Northern Ireland.
I also understand that ESB have made a number of physical improvements and considerable investment in a full upgrade of elver trapping facilities to the latest available technology at Cathleen’s Fall. This upgrade ensures enhanced aeration and storage facilities for collected elvers before release and both IFI and DCAL are content that this has been operating effectively in the 2015 season.
ESB acted on the technology upgrade very quickly and a key element of the mitigation agreement also includes a commitment by ESB and both Departments, to keep the operational and management matters under review in the light of future developments in technology.
The Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland and I jointly welcomed the mitigation measures, the revised protocols and the fact that ESB acted responsibly in terms of mitigation.
160. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the value of capital investment projects and grants under way or approved for funding by his Department, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39652/15]
View answerMy Department’s capital estimate for 2015 is €93.6 million. While this funding is not specifically allocated at county level, it does include a sum of €3.85m for multimedia development projects in the Digital Hub Development Agency and the National Digital Research Council, both of which are Dublin-based projects. The most significant component of my Department's capital funding are the energy programmes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The funding allocated under the various schemes in 2015 is over €52m million.
The trading online voucher scheme, which is administered by my Department, supports qualifying small businesses to develop their trading online capability with a financial incentive coupled with mentoring support from the Local Enterprise Office.
A full breakdown of the allocated funding for all schemes operated by, or on behalf of, my Department is set out in tabular format below.
|
Name of Project/Grant Scheme |
Overview of Scheme |
County |
Value of funding allocated in 2015 |
|
Better Energy Schemes |
Grants for Energy Efficiency |
County by County breakdown not available. |
€44.77 million |
|
EV Grant Scheme |
Grants for purchase of new Electric Vehicles |
County by County breakdown not available. |
€2.5 million |
|
Renewable Energy Research, Development and Deployment |
Funding towards Research and Development |
County by County breakdown not available. |
€1 million |
|
Ocean Energy Development |
Funding towards Ocean Energy |
County by County breakdown not available. |
€4.5 million |
|
Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
The scheme supports qualifying small businesses to develop their trading online capability with a financial incentive coupled with mentoring support from the Local Enterprise Office. |
Carlow Cavan Clare Cork Donegal Dublin Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Laois Leitrim Limerick Longford Louth Mayo Meath Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Tipperary Waterford Westmeath Wexford Wicklow |
€44,325.38 €12,607.18 €59,785 €257,299 €107,135.75 €372,798.72 €48,668.40 €82,571.92 €64,631.00 €59,500.00 €32,115.00 €41,884.84 €107,826.00 €8,637.66 €41,692.25 €22,645.91 €14,730.00 €25,593.02 €30,583.80 €37,873.75 €40,000.00 €78,283.00 €74,450.00 €28,895.72 €55,977.24 €122,374.68 |
161. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will assure the persons of the greater Dún Laoghaire, Sallynoggin and Loughlinstown areas of County Dublin that any changes to the local bus services will not result in a reduced service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39546/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
162. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the correspondence between his Department and the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company regarding the plans for the proposed cruise berth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39254/15]
View answerOfficials from my Department will provide copies of the correspondence requested directly to the Deputy within two weeks.
163. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on plans by Dublin Bus, Luas and Bus Éireann to increase fares in January 2016; that these fare hikes are justified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39246/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
