Written Answers Nos. 594-614
594. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount spent on the construction of local authority housing in each of the years 2011 to date, in tabular form, and the estimate for 2016 [44198/15]
View answerThe amount spent on the construction of local authority housin g in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 is outlined in the following table.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2011 |
€58.512m |
|
2012 |
€51.707m |
|
2013 |
€29.620m |
|
2014 |
€24.623m |
To date in 2015, €11.33 million has been spent on direct Exchequer investment in the construction of local authority housing. In addition, a further €43 million has been invested by certain local authorities in the delivery of local authority housing so far this year; this amount has been self-financed from Local Property Tax proceeds in lieu of Exchequer funding and has supported both the construction and acquisition of social housing.
Investment in housing infrastructure has been given priority in Budget 2016 with exchequer investment of almost €811 million across a range of housing programmes. In addition, local authorities will fund a range of housing services from their own resources to the value of over €112 million, bringing the total Housing provision in 2016 to €923 million. This funding will facilitate an investment of over €180 million in the construction and acquisition of social housing.
595. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of former rental accommodation scheme tenants who have been evicted or who have had their tenancies terminated in each of the years from 2011 to date. [44199/15]
View answerThe information requested is not available in my Department. The administration of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is a matter for each local authority.
597. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of an application for funding by a housing group (details supplied) in County Tipperary, if and when funding will be provided to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44230/15]
View answerThe project in question was submitted to my Department as part of a prioritised list of proposals from Tipperary County Council, for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme. In July 2015, I announced funding approval of over €150 million nationally under the Scheme, to deliver over 1,000 new social housing units. This included 27 new units across 6 projects that were prioritised by Tipperary County Council, at an overall cost of €3.637 million. While the project in question was not announced for funding approval at that time, it remains under consideration. My Department has sought clarification in relation to a number of aspects of the project and it will be further considered when responses are received.
598. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason housing specifically designed for occupation by Travellers, where more than one house or dwelling is provided, is excluded from sale under SI No. 483 of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44235/15]
View answer599. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government where an applicant has adequate funding to purchase a house or a family member is willing to make the money available to the applicant, the reason under SI No. 483 of 2015 a minimum annual income is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44236/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 599 together.
The new incremental tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses will come into operation on 1 January 2016 and will provide opportunities for tenants to become homeowners, while also promoting sustainable communities and generating additional funding from sale proceeds for local authorities to refurbish and replenish its housing stock.
The scheme will be open to tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme, and who have been in receipt of social housing support for a minimum period of one year and who have a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum.
This minimum reckonable income under the new scheme is the same as that which exists for the incremental purchase scheme for certain new local authority houses and is considered appropriate, both as a means for determining the discount to be applied to the market value of the house and also to ensure that the tenant is in a position to meet the ongoing costs of maintaining the house for the period of the incremental purchase charge.
Similar to other incremental purchase model schemes currently operating, the scheme involves progressive discounts for purchasers linked to household income, with the housing authority placing an incremental charge on the house equivalent to the discount given.
A tenant may fund the purchase price of the house from one or a combination of the tenant’s own resources, including savings, contributions from family members or from a mortgage.
The exclusion of houses that have been specifically designed in a group setting for occupation by Travellers will ensure that the social housing units provided under these schemes to date will remain within the ownership and control of local authorities and will therefore be available on an on-going basis to meet the specific housing needs of Travellers.
600. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost to his Department, and agencies under his aegis, for the procurement of legal services in the State from 2011 to 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44572/15]
View answerThe information requested in relation to my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible. The information sought regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency.
601. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the review of criteria to include persons in receipt of partial capacity in the eligibility criteria for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's warmer home grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43545/15]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. Recipients of the scheme do not receive grants but have measures installed free of charge. In 2012 the eligibility criteria for the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme were broadened in an attempt to capture more households at risk of energy poverty. To be eligible for the Warmer Homes scheme now a person must be in receipt of just 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.
In 2015, I published a consultation paper on developing a new Government strategy on affordable energy and this consultation paper sought views on whether the eligibility criteria for the Warmer Homes Scheme were adequate. The responses received from this consultation are under consideration and I expect to release a new Affordable Energy Strategy in January 2016.
602. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will continue the trading online voucher scheme in 2016. [43768/15]
View answer603. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications for the trading online voucher scheme; and the number of vouchers awarded in 2015 to date. [43769/15]
View answer604. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the policies he has introduced in 2015 to encourage and increase the number of indigenous micro businesses and small businesses trading online. [43770/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 602 to 604, inclusive, together.
The Government’s National Digital Strategy (NDS) recognises the importance of enabling all citizens and businesses to realise the full social and economic potential of the digital world. My Department’s Trading Online Voucher Scheme, which was launched nationally on 1 July 2014, is a key initiative under the enterprise strand of the NDS and the Action Plan for Jobs.
The scheme, which is administered in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), offers financial assistance of up to €2,500, coupled with training, mentoring and networking supports by the LEOs to small and micro enterprises to develop their trading online presence. Applications are received directly by individual LEOs who award the vouchers to qualifying businesses, following evaluation by an expert panel.
Trading Online Vouchers are activating small businesses from across a wide range of sectors including, retail, manufacturing, professional services, food, craft/design, tourism and leisure. By November 2015, some 1,500 businesses had completed, or were in the process of completing, their trading online projects. In addition, it is estimated that more than double that number of businesses have benefitted from advice and peer-to-peer support through their participation in the information sessions delivered by the LEOs. The roll-out of vouchers to reach the initial target of 2,000 continues nationwide.
In July last, I published a report into the enterprise impacts of the scheme which is available on my Department’s website at www.dcenr.ie. The report revealed that businesses that moved online experienced an average increase in sales of 21%. Some 40% of businesses had customer interactions from new markets overseas, and over 70% of businesses surveyed expect to recruit new staff. With the potential creation of an average 1.4 new jobs per company – in businesses that employ ten staff or less – trading online is making a tangible impact on jobs and economic activity in Ireland.
The Government is committed to rolling out the scheme to more interested businesses, and to this end, I have allocated funding of €3 million to deliver an additional 1,000 vouchers in 2016.
605. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware that there is inadequate enforcement of what is known as the Dim2/Erp legislation in respect of the import and sales of non-compliant LED lamps; his plans to improve enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44095/15]
View answerMy Department currently has Market Surveillance responsibilities for Energy Labelling and Ecodesign. We have become aware of potential issues relating to allegedly non-compliant LED lamps. My officials have liaised with market players to elicit more information on this matter and they have discussed it with counterparts in other Market Surveillance Authorities. We have, on foot of this, looked at LED lamps in a number of stores scheduled for inspection recently and no issues were identified. The next step would be to carry out a series of inspections on importers and authorised representatives. The Market Surveillance function is in the process of being transferred from my Department to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland who are more suited to discharging such operational functions and should be able to avail of synergies with some of their other functions. It has been agreed to effect this transfer in early 2016 and budgetary provision has been made.
Over the coming weeks as my Department is discussing arrangements for this transfer with SEAI, officials will brief them on the LED issue so that they can make arrangements at the earliest opportunity to consider and follow up as appropriate.
606. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of meetings requested by private external lobby groups and the number held, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43595/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, in view of the range of my remit as Minister I receive representations, including requests for meetings from a broad range of sources, including members of the Oireachtas, local and voluntary groups and private individuals and companies. Since my appointment as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on 11 July 2014 I have attended some 892 meetings with a range of individuals and groups, including meetings with representatives of those bodies under the aegis of my Department, and other public representatives. This does not include informal unscheduled meetings that might arise from time to time. In the time available, it has not been possible to break this figure down between the different categories of meetings listed in the Question.
The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 was enacted by the Oireachtas earlier this year and commenced on 1 September 2015. The Act provides that the Standards in Public Office Commission (the Standards Commission) will establish and maintain an online register of lobbying and oversee compliance with the legislative provisions. The purpose of the register will be to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials. Persons lobbying will have to register with the Standards Commission and will be required to submit returns on their lobbying activities. Under the Act, I am a designated public official.
607. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his Department's photography costs since he came into office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance, by year and in tabular form; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion; the policy in place regarding the booking of photographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43627/15]
View answerThe information requested in the question is set out in the following table:
|
Company |
Event Date |
Event |
Cost |
|
Maxwell Photography |
13/06/2011 |
Government convenes Next Generation Broadband Taskforce |
340.92 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
27/07/2011 |
Age Action Silver Surfer Launch (pre shoot) |
274.97 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
23/09/2011 |
Minister Rabbitte stock photos available for widespread media use |
409.58 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
24/10/2011 |
Minister Rabbitte welcomes EU Commission Telecoms specialists to Dublin |
552.67 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
(1) 27/11/11 |
Publication of the Government’s Affordable Energy Strategy |
|
|
(2) 16/11/11 |
Launch of Irish Anti Botnet Website (anti cyber crime initiative) |
1,052.70 |
|
|
Fennell Photography |
09/12/2011 |
Cunningham Awards, Geological Survey of Ireland, University Geology Project Competition Awards |
510.75 |
|
2011 Total |
3141.59 |
||
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
10/01/2012 |
Launch of Community Outreach Campaign - Digital TV Switchover |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
13/01/2012 |
Launch of the SMS 112 emergency service |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
06/02/2012 |
Nationwide rollout of high speed broadband to second level schools |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
01/03/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte welcomes 23 Digital Outreach Champions |
492 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
02/05/2012 |
Next Generation Broadband Taskforce launch |
485.85 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
28/05/2012 |
Launch of the Renewable Energy Strategy Report |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
22/08/2012 |
Third Central & North Atlantic Conjugate Margins Conference |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
30/08/2012 |
Launch of the National Broadband Plan |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
15/10/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte visits Kippure TV mast for Digital Switchover with media |
492 |
|
Phocus |
08/11/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte inspects high speed broadband in St. Colman’s School |
359.78 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
17/12/2012 |
Announcement of Ireland’s Digital Champion |
492 |
|
2012 Total |
5273.63 |
||
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
24/01/2013 |
Signing of Energy MoU with Britain |
492 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
28/02/2013 |
Launch of National Energy Efficiency Action Plan |
499.38 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
05/03/2013 |
Announcement of phase II of Schools Broadband in Warrenmount School |
361.62 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
11/07/2013 |
Launch of the National Digital Strategy |
327.18 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
26/11/2013 |
Appointment of the New Chairman and Commissioners in Comreg |
137.76 |
|
2013 Total |
1817.94 |
||
|
Maxwell Photography |
12/05/2014 |
Launch of Energy Green Paper |
327.18 |
|
Hany Marzouk (freelance photographer) |
25/04/2014 |
Announcement of National Broadband Plan state intervention |
230 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
11/06/2014 |
Launch of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme with Local Enterprise Offices |
309.96 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
24/06/2014 |
Launch of the report of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group |
309.96 |
|
JMAC Photography |
26/06/2014 |
100,000th participant receiving digital training under BenefIT scheme – Arranmore Island |
227 |
|
Mr Kieran Clancy (freelance photographer) |
24/11/2014 |
National Broadband Plan Mapping Consultation, Doolin, Co Clare |
282 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
22/12/2014 |
National Digital Strategy Award of Grants to Benefit IIII projects |
499.38 |
|
Fennell Photography |
26/06/2014 |
National Digital Strategy Showcase, Dublin Castle |
411.50 |
|
2014 Total |
2596.98 |
||
|
Photography Costs – 1 January 2015 – 3rd December 2015 |
|||
|
Maxwell Photography |
02/02/2015 |
Post Office Network Business Development Group – press event at Rathangan Post Office |
533.82 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
01/07/2015 |
National Broadband Plan |
447.72 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
15/07/2015 |
1000th Trading Online Voucher |
551.04 |
|
Fennell Photography |
16/09/2015 |
Tellus Project Data Launch |
230.00 (ex vat) |
|
Mac Innes Photography |
October 2015 |
Senior management head shots for use on www.whodoeswhat.gov.ie |
1,536.01 |
|
2015 Total |
3298.59 |
||
|
Total |
16128.73 |
Payments from Ministerial allowances are not a charge on the Vote of the Department and therefore my Department does not hold information on these allowances.
Photographers are booked for the purpose of recording key events attended by Ministers, such as the launch of schemes and programmes, new initiatives and visits by inward delegations. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, following an EU-level advertised procurement process, has established a Framework Agreement comprising five firms for the provision of photography services. The Framework was established in February 2012 and is open for use by all Government Departments and Offices. My Department avails of this Framework Agreement for photography needs.
608. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his Department's use of external public relations firms since he came into office by year and in tabular form; the uses of these firms and the policy regarding employing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43643/15]
View answerMy Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and address specific issues as they arise. The Department, therefore, necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations from time to time. In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and to keep expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The information which the Deputy requested is outlined in the following table:
|
Company |
Amount Spent on Public Relations |
Purpose of Consultancy |
||||
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 (to date) |
||
|
Morrow Communications Ltd |
€40,514 |
€19,538 |
€18,318 |
€28,221 |
€44,415 |
Provision of services in relation to outreach in rural communities with respect to a geophysical and geochemical soil survey using low flying aircraft . |
|
Murray Consultants |
€8,349 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Media Services to the Department. |
|
McConnells Advertising Agency |
€32,670 |
€86,933 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Public information campaign on the Digital Switchover. |
|
Communications Consultants Ireland |
n/a |
n/a |
€1,797 |
n/a |
n/a |
Management of two Public Information Meetings on new Inland Fisheries Legislation |
|
TOTAL |
€81,533 |
€106,471 |
€20,115 |
€28,221 |
€44,415 |
609. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reports he commissioned from external consultants since March 2011 by year, title, cost, date published and company, in tabular form. [43659/15]
View answerMy Department administers a very diverse, complex and technical brief across critical and strategic sectors of the Irish economy. While it has a total complement of around 250 full time equivalent staff of whom a number are technical personnel, the technical, commercial, legal complexity and evolving nature of sectors with which the Department deals requires access to external professional expertise to assist in discharging its functions. In procuring these specialised services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and that these services contribute to project delivery and informed, robust and evidence based policy making. The bulk of the studies are technical and specialist in nature and were necessary to address specific issues as they arose and enable the Department to discharge its policy and project responsibilities in the areas concerned.
Details of the external reports commissioned by my Department are set out in the following table:
|
Consultancy Name |
Title |
Cost |
Date of commission |
Date or expected date of publication |
|
Environ UK Limited |
Corrib gasfield project – monitoring compliance with the Conditions of the Department’s Letter of Consent dated 25 February 2011 |
€890,448* (to date) |
June 2011 |
On-going |
|
Dr Michael Johnson |
Silvermines Vegetation Study |
€5,848 |
August 2011 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase |
|
Camp Dresser McKee CDM |
Sampling of Gortmore and Silvermines Vegetation |
€13,890 |
July 2011 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase |
|
Purvin & Gertz |
Strategic Case for Oil Refining requirements |
€193,997 |
August 2011 |
July 2013 |
|
PA Consulting Group |
National Digital Research Centre |
€29,040 |
July 2011 |
This report was not published. The report is commercially sensitive as it is a Strategic Review of the NDRC to inform decisions about the future of the NDRC after the Concession Agreement expires in 2013. |
|
OHH Energy Ltd |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€41,120 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
Elimark |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€38,786 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
2B Energy |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€32,284 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
SLR Consulting |
Core Library Holdings Review |
€39,688 |
Sept 2011 – Dec 2011 |
Jan 2012 |
|
Jenny Deakin |
Preparation for the Graigue Group Water Scheme Report |
€1,750 |
April 2011 – Sept 2011 |
Sept 2011 |
|
Indecon Economic Consultants |
Economic/Socio-Economic Analysis of options for rollout of next generation broadband |
€28,167 |
May 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision. |
|
Analysys Mason |
Analysis of options for potential State intervention in the rollout of next generation broadband |
€30,522 |
May 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision. |
|
Thornton’s Chartered Surveyors |
Provision of land valuation and negotiation services |
€3,690 |
July 2012 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase. |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Assessment of Economic Contribution of Mineral Exploration and Mining in Ireland |
€53,690 |
October 2012 |
Published September 2013. |
|
Indecon (Ireland) |
Provision of a Macro-Economic Research Exercise under the National Digital Strategy to Determine the Value of Internet/Digital to the Irish Economy |
€72,474 |
November 2012 |
Published July 2013 |
|
CDM Smith Ireland Limited |
Environmental Monitoring at former mining areas of Silvermines, Co. Tipperary and Avoca, Co. Wicklow |
€435,399 |
December 2012 |
On completion of scheduled reports |
|
AMEC Earth & Environmental (UK) Ltd |
Expert Services to Monitor Mining Activities and Compliance with terms of State Mining Leases/Licences. |
€108,864 |
December 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive |
|
Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ltd |
Scheduled review of INFOMAR Project |
€59,505 |
Dec 2012 – May 2013 |
Published September 2013 |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for (1) a 2D regional seismic survey and (2) an offshore exploration well (Dunquin) (2 reports received) |
€11,211 |
February 2013 |
Reports published on the Department’s website |
|
Det Norske Veritas |
Expert technical advice to the Department in connection with offshore drilling |
€52,088 |
March 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive |
|
Neary Marketing & Communications |
Review of Irish Geoscience Sector |
€10,000 |
March 2013 – June 2013 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2D/3D offshore Seismic Surveys and exploration drilling applications (six reports completed in 2013) |
€18,266 (€3,044 fee payable for each report received) |
April 2013 |
Reports published on the Department’s website |
|
Norcontel (Ireland) Ltd |
Market analysis of backhaul infrastructure in Mayo and Galway |
€10,500 |
May 2013 |
Published June 2013 |
|
Selgovia Limited |
Offshore exploration well technical assessment |
€4,429 |
July 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive |
|
Doyle Kent Planning Partnership Ltd. |
To provide draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report for the Renewable Energy Policy and Development Framework |
€95,940 |
September 2013 |
This report has not been published but is expected to be published shortly. |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Establishment of an Administrative Framework for the Conduct of an Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment |
€23,247 |
November 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Establishment of an Administrative Framework for the Acquisition of Baseline Information on Marine Species |
€21,973 |
November 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive |
|
AECOM Ltd. |
Economics and Financial Consultancy |
€52, 988 |
November 2013 |
This Report will not be published as it remains confidential. |
|
Indecon (Ireland) |
Economic Analysis of the Advertising Market in Ireland |
€71,438 |
December 2013 |
Report published on the Department’s website |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2D/3D offshore Seismic Surveys and exploration drilling applications. |
€66,124 (€3,653 fee payable for each report received) |
February 2014 |
Reports published on the Department’s website |
|
Wood Mackenzie |
Review of Ireland’s Oil and Gas Fiscal System |
€212,873 |
12/03/2014 |
Published June 2014 |
|
Neary Marketing & Communications |
Review of Geoscience Ireland Business Cluster |
€5,000 |
March 2014 – July 2014 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
PA Consulting |
Post Project Evaluation of the Tellus Border project |
€24,750 |
March 2014-July 2014 |
Published July 2014 |
|
Perspective Associates Ltd |
The provision of independent expert advice relating to the identification of an appropriate framework for determining whether a compilation of programme material offered by a contractor under s.71 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 has the ‘character of a public service’. |
€5,000 |
18/07/2014 |
Report published on the Department’s website |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Assistance with the Production of the Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment (IOSEA) 5 |
€289,438 (to date) |
October 2014 |
Ongoing |
|
KN Network Services |
To provide a due diligence assessment on the current status of the Galway-Mayo telecoms duct. |
€62,500 |
2014 |
The report will not be published, it will be used to assist with the appointment of a Management Services Entity for the duct. |
|
Gemserv |
To provide an interim privacy impact assessment on the implementation of the National Postcode System |
€59,340 |
August 2014 |
Interim report and the process is ongoing |
|
Ricardo - AEA |
REFIT 3 Review |
€4,500 |
2014 |
This document remains part of the deliberative process and contains commercially sensitive information. |
|
Doyle Kent Planning Partnership Ltd. |
Assistance with the screening of the National Broadband Intervention Strategy for Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment. |
€4,500 |
25/08/2014 |
This report will be published on completion of the consideration of the SEA/AA assessments. |
|
Ramboll Environ UK Ltd |
Environmental Consultancy Services for Gap Assessment on Application for Corrib Pipeline Consent to Operate. |
€70,000 |
August 2015 |
Ongoing |
|
RPS Group Limited |
To undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment/ Appropriate Assessment on the Draft Bioenergy Plan |
€54,930 |
September 2015 |
March 2016 |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Review of Designated Events of Major Importance to Society under the Broadcasting Act 2009. |
€37,223.43 (to date) |
23 October 2015 |
January 2016 |
|
Tekenable |
Provision of TV Licence Database and System Review. |
€13,177.13 (to date) |
29 October 2015 |
January 2016 |
|
Compass Informatics |
Scoping Study for a National Geological Data Centre |
€29,625 |
October 2015 |
December 2015 |
* These costs are recouped from the Operator of the Corrib gasfield project.
610. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of special advisers on his staff and their yearly salary from 2011 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43675/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Minister |
No of Advisors |
Total Salary paid including employers PRSI (2011-2015 to date) |
|
2011 |
Mr Eamonn Ryan TD(1/1/11-23/1/11) Mr Conor Lenihan TD(1/1/11-9/3/11) Mr Pat Rabbitte TD (10/3/11 -31/12/11) |
2 1 2 |
28,682.30 28,363.52 131,547.10 |
|
2012 |
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD |
2 |
200,181.22 |
|
2013 |
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD |
2 |
178,563.05 |
|
2014 |
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD (1/1/14-12/7/14) Mr Alex White TD (18/7/14 – 31/12/14) |
2 2 |
121,088.60 55,474.62 |
|
2015 |
Mr Alex White TD |
2 |
192,693.60* |
*2015 figure is for the period 1 January - 8 December
611. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the purpose of the national broadband plan team’s recent meeting with Center Parcs; the date of the meeting; if it will help accelerate the provision of high speed broadband in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43995/15]
View answerIn the last 18 months, the Department has received enquiries from a variety of owners and operators of small, medium and large scale (existing and proposed) leisure and other facilities. The nature of the enquiries has focussed mainly on the likely impact of roll-out of the Intervention Strategy on specific areas in Ireland. Officials from the Department facilitated a meeting request from Center Parcs on 14 October 2015 to discuss the likely provision of broadband in the Longford area. The meeting was held for information sharing purposes and will not have any direct impact on the roll-out strategy for the proposed State led intervention under the NBP.
The meeting afforded officials from my Department an opportunity to outline the scope and detail behind the National Broadband Plan (NBP), which encompassed both commercial investment and investment under the proposed State led intervention.
Representatives from Centre Parcs presented its proposed plans along with the likely demand for the provision on high quality broadband services in Longford to their proposed development.
More specifically I can confirm that high speed broadband has been extended to serve 7,100 premises to date in County Longford with a further 3,700 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 11,600 premises in county Longford will be covered by further commercial investment or the NBP intervention.
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 3-5 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 an ambition of 100% coverage by end of 2020.
612. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources how much has been spent to date on the study commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency on the environmental impact of unconventional gas exploration and extraction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44077/15]
View answerWhile the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is co-ordinating the Joint Research Programme into the potential environmental impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction (UGEE), the research programme is being co-funded by the EPA, my own Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). The costs of the first phase of the Joint Research Programme were estimated at just over €1m. The three commissioning bodies committed approximately €1.25m in funding to the research project. While my own Department has committed €0.5m to the project, these funds have not been paid out as yet.
613. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will suspend the study commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency on the environmental impact of unconventional gas exploration and extraction, given the concerns raised in relation to the potential conflicts of interests of the lead consultants in the assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44078/15]
View answerI assume that the focus of the Deputy’s question is recent public comment relating to the role of the lead consultant in the multi-agency trans-boundary programme of research on the potential impacts on the environment and human health from Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction projects. This research programme is administered by the EPA and co-funded by the EPA, my Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, with oversight from a broad based Steering Committee that includes my Department.
As is usual in major and broad ranging projects such as this, the project team involves a wide range of expert institutions and companies. CDM Smith is the lead consultant in the consortium engaged to carry out the programme of research and that consortium includes the British Geological Survey, University College Dublin, Ulster University, AMEC Foster Wheeler and Phillip Lee Solicitors, each offering a particular specialism required by the project scope.
I understand that the contract for this programme of research was awarded following a robust evaluation process in compliance with public procurement guidelines, where the tender submitted by the CDM Smith headed consortium was evaluated as being the strongest bid.
I am aware that there has been some comment on the fact that internationally CDM Smith has provided expert advice to oil companies involved in the development of unconventional gas resources. I should point out that CDM Smith has also provided advices to State bodies and regulatory agencies across its area of expertise.
As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, it is common that a broad range of parties will seek to draw on the specialist expertise available from a firm such as CDM Smith. The fact that disparate entities seek to draw on such expertise, is generally seen as an indicator of a company's recognised experience.
614. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware that Queen’s University Belfast has confirmed it is not involved in the study commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency on the environmental impact of unconventional gas exploration and extraction; the date upon which he became aware of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44079/15]
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 Phillip 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.
