Written Answers Nos. 598-620
598. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will convene open public meetings in the midlands region on the question of Ireland's future sustainable energy policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40559/15]
View answerMy Department is currently in the process of finalising a new Energy White Paper which will set out Ireland’s energy policy to 2030. This follows a period of extensive consultation including a written consultation process in summer 2014 which garnered 1,240 responses and a period of intensive stakeholder engagement covering 7 themed seminars and 4 regional seminars, one of which was held in Moate, Co. Westmeath. This consultative process provided significant opportunity for the public, business and industry to input into the policy development process.
In July 2015, my Department launched two separate consultations on new support schemes for sustainable energy, one for renewable electricity and one for a proposed Renewable Heat Incentive. Further consultations on each support scheme are planned. My Department has also recently completed a public consultation on the Biofuels Obligation Scheme related mainly to the area of renewable energy in the transport sector.
My approach to the development of the Energy White Paper has been to ensure that the citizen is placed firmly at the heart of Ireland’s energy policy.
599. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will indicate how European Union policy is impacting on Ireland's offshore wind farm developments; if he is committed to the development of this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40560/15]
View answerThe development of Ireland's abundant offshore renewable energy resource will be an increasingly important element of Ireland's future energy policies. Offshore renewable energy has the potential to generate carbon free renewable electricity, reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhance our security of energy supply, and deliver green growth and jobs to the economy.
The 2014 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) sets out Government policy in relation to the sustainable development of Ireland’s abundant offshore resource. It identifies policy actions and enablers that are key to the development of the sector.
In the context of EU policy, the 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport.
Ireland has made good progress in this regard, and to date, onshore wind energy, as the most cost effective technology available to Ireland, has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. It is recognised, however, that this must be complimented by other technologies to meet our renewable energy ambitions. In addition to our onshore wind resource, bioenergy, solar, offshore wind and other technologies may play a critical role in diversifying our renewable generation portfolio over the period to 2030, and a recent public consultation on a new support scheme for renewable electricity sought views to inform a decision on the technologies to be supported.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the Ocean Energy Forum, established by the European Commission, is developing a Strategic Roadmap with a view to enabling the commercialisation of ocean energy in Europe. Ireland is fully engaged in this process and the most recent High Level meeting of this Forum, which I attended, was held in Dublin last month.
600. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 10 November 2015, regarding the unconventional gas exploration and extraction research project, and given that the consortium includes the British Geological Survey, University College Dublin, Ulster University and solicitors (details supplied), each offering a particular specialism required by the project scope, if he will elaborate on which of those institutions has expertise in public health. [40573/15]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction (UGEE) Joint Research Programme is made up of five interlinked projects as follows:
- Project-A1 Groundwater, Surface Water and Associated Ecosystems;
- Project-A2 Seismicity;
- Project-A3 Air Quality;
- Project-B: UGEE Projects/Operations: Impacts & Mitigation Measures; and
- Project-C: Regulatory Framework for Environmental Protection.
The fifth project, Project C, which deals with the Regulatory Framework for Environmental Protection, is being carried out by AMEC Foster Wheeler supported by Phillip Lee Solicitors. The work will be reviewed by AMEC Foster Wheeler, Phillip Lee Solicitors, BGS and CDM Smith Ireland.
I am aware that the deliverables related to Project C, Task 3: Potential role of Health Impact Assessment in regulation of UGEE projects/operations, will include a discussion of the approaches of other countries regarding Health Impact Assessment, such as scope, process, timing, how it is used in the planning/permitting process, who undertakes them, who evaluates them etc, as well as recommendations for a protocol for Ireland regarding Health Impact Assessment. The output from this task will form part of Final Report-5.
601. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that parts of north County Louth (details supplied) may not have broadband provision until 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40651/15]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is a Government initiative which aims to deliver high speed broadband to every citizen and business in Ireland. This is being achieved through a combination of accelerated commercial investment by telecoms operators, and a proposed State intervention to provide high speed broadband to those parts of the country where the commercial sector will not invest.
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 and was developed based on the most up to date information available at the time of publication.
The areas marked blue represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services by end 2016. The areas marked amber represent those areas where the State intends to intervene to ensure those areas will have access to high speed broadband services.
Based on information provided by commercial operators, Hackballs Cross will be covered by the commercial sector. Where parts of Hackballs Cross or its environs are not covered by commercial high speed services these will be the target of the State intervention.
The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises or home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by the end of 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention.
I would encourage consumers to consult the websites of the various commercial operators to ascertain details of current and planned future deployment plans.
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.
I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 43,900 premises to date in County Louth with a further 1,000 expected to be served by commercial investment. The remaining 15,000 premises in County Louth will be covered by further commercial investment or be the target for the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan.
41 responses were received following the publication of the NBP proposed Intervention Strategy in July 2015. Non-confidential versions of these submissions have been published and can be accessed at www.Broadband.gov.ie .
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. I expect to publish an updated version of the Map and to proceed to formal procurement before the end of the year.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3 to 5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018, with all addresses passed by 2020.
602. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on using an underground alternative on the North-South interconnector, which employs high voltage direct current technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40666/15]
View answerEirGrid made a formal application for the North South Transmission Link Project to An Bord Pleanála on 9 June 2015. I am constrained, therefore, in what I can say in relation to the project other than the provision of factual information.
The North South Transmission Link project is part of EirGrid’s plans to upgrade the national electricity transmission system. It is a strategically urgent project that will remove restrictions limiting cross-border power flows between Ireland and Northern Ireland thus strengthening security of electricity supply throughout the island of Ireland.
Since the project was initiated, there have been numerous studies into the option of using an underground cable for the project. In July 2014, a Government-appointed Independent Expert Panel provided its opinion on whether EirGrid had adequately examined this matter. It found that the studies and work undertaken were compatible with the methodologies being employed on the Grid West and Grid Link projects.
On 27 March 2015 EirGrid published a new independently peer reviewed draft Strategy which found, inter alia, that there remains a clear need for the North South transmission line, and that the existing proposal for a 400kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project.
603. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on revisions made to Grid South and Grid West projects due in part to peak energy demand forecasts for 2025 being scaled back significantly, compared to 2008 levels; based on these demand forecasts, if there were revisions made for the North-South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40667/15]
View answerThe North South Transmission Link project is part of EirGrid’s plans to upgrade the national electricity transmission system. It is a strategically urgent project that will remove restrictions limiting cross-border power flows between Ireland and Northern Ireland thus strengthening security of electricity supply throughout the island of Ireland.
On 27 March 2015 EirGrid published a new independently peer reviewed draft Strategy which found that there remains a clear need for the North South transmission line, and that the existing proposal for a 400kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project.
EirGrid and SONI periodically publish an All Island Generation Capacity Statement. In February of this year, the All Island Generation Capacity Statement 2015-2024 was published. The report examines the generation adequacy over a number of economic scenarios. These projections are based on economic forecasts published by the ESRI, namely the Quarterly Economic Commentary, published in October 2014 and the Medium Term Review, published in July 2013. The Statement confirms the necessity of the North-South transmission line based on its demand forecasts. The All Island Generation Capacity Statement is published on the EirGrid website.
604. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason Queen's University in Belfast has withdrawn from the Environmental Protection Agency’s study into hydraulic fracturing; if he is aware of the fact that the lack of engagement by independent researchers in providing oversight undermines the credibility of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40691/15]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, staff from Queens University Belfast were intended to contribute to the Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) Joint Research Programme (JRP) Project A1 (Groundwater, Surface Water & Associated Ecosystems). Specifically:
- Three researchers in the Queens University Belfast Groundwater Group were proposed to work on a number of Project A1 tasks (leading tasks 2 & 7 and supporting other tasks); and
- A full time Queens University Belfast academic was nominated as part of the technical review team (internal review process carried out by a Consortium comprising of CDM Smith, the British Geological Survey, University College Dublin, Ulster University, AMEC Foster Wheeler and Philip Lee Solicitors, before submission to the UGEE JRP Steering Committee) for Project A1.
Upon appointment, Queens University Belfast decided that the three researchers would not be able to fulfil their agreed responsibilities on project A1. However, a full time academic from Queens University Belfast has undertaken a review role in full on Project A1 as proposed in the tender.
While an internal review process is carried out by the Consortium as a Quality Control process before submission of any interim/final deliverables of the UGEE JRP, all outputs are reviewed by a Technical Review Group which includes the UGEE JRP Steering Committee and other external experts such as the Environmental Protection Agency; the Geological Survey of Ireland; An Bord Pleanála; Northern Ireland Environment Agency; ETH Zürich and University College Cork. The Technical Review Group process is fully independent of the internal quality control process put in place by the Consortium.
605. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that responsibility for delivering objective 1.5 of the national positive aging strategy, relating to age-friendly public transport, is assigned to his Department; the progress he has made in delivering this objective; the work completed to date; the contact there has been with other Departments or State bodies towards achieving this objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40047/15]
View answerMy Department and the relevant Agencies, namely the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and National Transport Authority (NTA), are committed to delivering on our commitments under the National Positive Ageing Strategy. The position in relation to Objective 1.5 - Enable people as they age 'to get out and about' through the provision of accessible, affordable, and flexible transport systems in both rural and urban areas - is as follows.
1.5.1 - Barriers to people continuing to use their own transport
Medical rules relating to fitness to drive have been reviewed by the RSA and recommendations will shortly be made to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport proposing some changes to those rules as they apply to drivers over the age of 70. The RSA has also developed a road safety programme specifically designed for older road users called 'Mobility Matters'.
A strategic partnership has been developed with Active Retirement Ireland to deliver this programme nationally in conjunction with their regional development officers and locally via the local active retirement leaders.
My Department has been assured by Insurance Ireland, who are the representative body for insurers in Ireland, that there are no loadings for age. Insurers will also facilitate owners who cannot drive their vehicles any longer so that they may continue their insurance policy with themselves excluded but with a named driver in their place. This allows them to keep any no-claims bonuses they have earned and keep the costs down for the individual.
1.5.2 - Age Friendly public transport
Accessibility improvements to public transport services are being advanced in the context of Transport Access for All, the DTTAS Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. The Plan is premised on the principle that through accessibility improvements to the public transport system for people with disabilities, access for all people, including older people, will be improved. However, while many targets have already been achieved, much remains to be done and work in that regard is on-going.
The NTA is committed to:
- achieving a fully accessible subsidised bus fleet as quickly as financial resources allow;
- increasing the level of wheelchair accessible services provided by other (i.e. non-subsidised) bus operators;
- improving the accessibility and quality of bus waiting areas;
- further improving the quality and dissemination of information about bus and rail services; and
- supporting the provision of wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys.
1.5.3 - Integration of Rural Transport Programme with other local transport services
The Rural Transport Programme is being restructured with a view to:
- achieving better integration of rural transport services with other bus and rail services; and
- co-ordinating and integrating health-related transport services with other rural transport services.
1.5.4 - Public transport linkages to major health facilities
The NTA is:
- examining the scope for improving access by public transport services to major health facilities;
- planning for any proposed improvement to public transport accessibility at health facilities; and
- examining the use of demand responsive services in urban and rural areas to serve major health facilities.
606. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received a request for emergency funding from Cork County Council to carry out necessary and vital repairs to a road (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will support this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40086/15]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
My Department was contacted by Cork County Council on 21 September 2015 concerning additional funding related to the damage caused to the road network in the south western part of the County as a result of severe flooding in September.
In response, the Department confirmed to the Council that while all of its 2015 funding has been allocated, it is prepared to facilitate agreed over expenditure on relevant programmes (Restoration Maintenance, Restoration Improvement and Bridge Rehabilitation) in order to allow Cork County Council some means of recoupment over the 2015/2016 period. In relation to the Bridge Rehabilitation Programme, Cork County Council has indicated that the repair of the collapsed section of the R597 Glandore to Leap sea wall will be included in its works programme. The overall spend at year end will determine whether any recoupment is possible this year.
607. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for closure of the lift at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 13, which leads to disabled persons and persons with children in buggies unable to access the platform; if this will be immediately remedied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40134/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
608. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be a sports capital programme in 2016, what the budget will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40174/15]
View answerThere have been three rounds of the Sports Capital Programme since 2011. No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme and the focus now must be on assisting clubs and organisations to draw down existing grants.
609. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work completed to date in integrating various Government funded agencies such as the Health Service Executive, the Irish Wheelchair Association and others in relation to the provision of public transport, detailing resources provided and barriers to integration identified; and if the National Transport Authority has any target of integration or a timeframe for this. [40196/15]
View answer610. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to further integrate charities and community groups struggling with transport needs into transport co-ordination units; and if they will be available to assist these organisations. [40197/15]
View answer611. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale for the National Transport Authority abandoning the community bottom-up ethos of the rural transport programme; the provision there is for the voluntary boards to make choices that fit local needs; if there is no such provision, if he will provide an explanation for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40198/15]
View answer613. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the impact of the changes to the rural transport programme, such as the transfer of management to the National Transport Authority; and the details of any administrative savings that have been made, or any targeted savings. [40200/15]
View answer615. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of work to improve and ensure that the objective of social inclusion remains a primary role of the transport co-ordination units, as it was under the rural transport programme. [40202/15]
View answer616. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work completed to ensure the high standard of training and health and safety standards remains in the rural transport programme. [40203/15]
View answer617. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale for the removal of the procurement function of the rural transport programme from the transport co-ordination units, and its centralisation; and how this will affect the ability of the units to address specific local needs. [40204/15]
View answer618. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position and plans of the National Transport Authority to subsume the rural transport programme and the transport co-ordination units into local authority structures; and the rationale for this plan. [40205/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 609 to 611, inclusive, 613 and 615 to 618, inclusive, together.
I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP). Following a Government Decision in January 2012, national responsibility for the integration of local and rural transport services, including management of the RTP, was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 1st April 2012. This includes responsibility for the implementation of the restructuring of the RTP announced in July 2013.
I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct response. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
612. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the value for money on the rural transport programme report which was completed in 2009 recommended that management of the programme be transferred to the National Transport Authority to achieve savings in the administration of the programme. [40199/15]
View answer614. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport given that the value for money recommendations indicated that the rural transport programme might benefit from being under the aegis of the National Transport Authority's responsibility, his views that its ethos and fundamental structures require change, in that it was only recommended that economies and skills on the supply side be looked at; and his further view that the authority has gone too far. [40201/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 612 and 614 together.
A Value for Money and Policy Review of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) was completed in June 2011 and published in January 2012, following submission to Government. Amongst its recommendations was that options to reduce the administrative budget further could potentially be achieved with the transfer of the Programme to the National Transport Authority (NTA). Following a Government Decision in January 2012 responsibility for the integration of local and rural transport services, including management of the RTP, was assigned to the NTA with effect from 1 April 2012. This includes responsibility for the implementation of the organisational restructuring of the RTP which was recommended in the Value for Money and Policy Review Report.
The restructuring of the RTP was announced in July 2013 and the consolidation of the 35 RTP Groups, which had been delivering RTP services, into 17 Transport Co-ordination Units has recently been completed. The aim of the restructuring is to protect the provision of rural transport services into the future by ensuring a more efficient delivery structure that maximises integration with other State transport services and by making the Programme a sustainable part of the public transport system. The NTA, with its national remit for securing the provision of public passenger transport services, is well placed to develop better links between local and rural transport services and scheduled bus and rail services.
619. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the leap card system operated by the National Transport Authority is accepted for journeys made using public transport to destinations within County Donegal, and for journeys to and from the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40253/15]
View answerResponsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing Leap Card system is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
620. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the issue of inadequate road signage, and the lack of visible road speed signage around Dublin city (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40275/15]
View answerWhile my Department is responsible for general legislation in regard to traffic matters, it has no direct role in relation to the erection of road signage, which is a matter for the relevant local authority. However, the 2010 Traffic Signs Manual, which constitutes a Direction of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, provides local authorities with detailed guidance in relation to the design rules and their application to road signs, as well as regarding the placement of road signs for use on motorways, national, regional and local roads in Ireland. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has overall responsibility for the planning and supervision of works, including signposting, on the national road network.
