Written Answers Nos. 615-636
615. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress in meeting the overall renewables targets by 2020 under the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, including the progress on meeting the targets for the contribution of renewables and biofuels to gross electricity consumption, transport energy and heat since this Government came to office. [44188/15]
View answerThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy. Figures provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) show that, in 2014, 8.6% of Ireland's overall energy requirements were met from renewable sources. More specifically, the SEAI has calculated that 22.7% of electricity, 6.6% of heat and 5.2% of transport were from renewable sources. Biofuels represented 1.9% of gross electricity consumption in the same year.
The following table summarises the progress made in meeting these targets since the Government came into office.
|
2011 |
2014 |
2020 Target |
|
|
Overall Renewables Contribution |
6.5% |
8.6% |
16.0% |
|
RES-E |
17.3% |
22.7% |
40.0% |
|
RES-H |
4.9% |
6.6% |
12.0% |
|
RES-T |
3.8% |
5.2% |
10.0% |
|
Biofuels (biomass, landfill gas & biogas) as a % of gross electricity consumption |
1.2% |
1.9% |
None |
The SEAI publication Energy in Ireland 1990-2014 provides further information on progress made in relation to the use of renewable energy in Ireland and is available at the following link:
http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/Energy_in_Ireland/Energy-in-Ireland-1990-2014.pdf
616. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his Department's expenditure on subsidies for energy production, on research and development into thermal energy and wind, wave and tidal power, and on the peat public service obligation in each of the years 2011 to date, in tabular form. [44189/15]
View answerThe overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers.
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy, which is a charge on all electricity customers, is determined by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Details of the levy in the CER PSO Decisions papers at www.cer.ie
This PSO levy has two very important objectives. Firstly, it supports electricity generation which was constructed for security of supply purposes, including peat generation. Secondly, its support for the development of renewable electricity is important for both security of supply and for reducing carbon emissions from electricity generation. The levy is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur by purchasing electricity generated by these producers. It has been in place since 2001.
Currently the Renewable Electricity Feed-in-Tariff (REFIT) and the Alternative Energy Requirement (AER) schemes are the means through which renewable electricity is supported in Ireland. These schemes are supported through the PSO levy and in turn support electricity generated from a range of renewable sources, including small scale hydro, biomass combustion, biomass combined heat and power, landfill gas and onshore wind and full details are available on my Department's website, www.dcenr.ie
It is recognised that other technologies may be needed to meet our renewable energy ambitions and diversify our renewable generation portfolio over the period to 2030, and a recent initial public consultation on a new support scheme for renewable electricity sought views to inform a decision on the technologies to be supported. There will be two further opportunities to contribute at key stages in the design of any new scheme. Subject to Government approval and State Aid clearance from the European Commission, the new scheme would become available in 2016.
Energy Research also plays an integral part in Ireland's energy policy. A successful research environment will help develop the tools required for the transition to a sustainable, low carbon environment.
DCENR has key responsibility for setting energy policy and exerts a coordination function in energy research through sitting on a number of national and international groups including, Research Prioritisation Action Group; International Energy Research Centre Board, SET-Plan Steering Group and the INTERREG Programme Committee. There are a number of agencies involved in funding energy research including:
- Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
- Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI)
- Enterprise Ireland (EI)
- The Irish Research Council (IRC)
- The Higher Education Authority (HEA)
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
SEAI produces an annual inventory of energy research projects, and the latest Review “Energy in Ireland 1990 - 2014,” is available on its website at www.seai.ie highlights that energy RDD&D in Ireland is conducted across a wide range of institutions – Universities, Institutes of Technology, Research Institutions, Research Centres, technology centres, as well as public bodies, state owned companies, and commercial organisations.
In the period 2011 to date some €34 million has been spent on energy research programmes funded under my Department's Vote. This includes support for ocean energy research, development and demonstration including the development of the offshore energy test sites in counties Mayo, Galway and Cork. The programmes also support the Prototype Development Fund operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. This fund supports and grant aids ocean energy companies, helping projects progress up the technology readiness level development path. Almost €7.7m has been grant aided to 43 Ocean projects since 2011.
617. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will enhance or incentivise the development of offshore wind energy, including the level of subsidy; and if he has considered proposals for floating offshore wind farms. [44190/15]
View answerThe 2014 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) sets out Government policy in relation to the sustainable development of Ireland's abundant offshore renewable energy resource.
The Strategic Environmental Assessment carried out for the OREDP found that 4,500 MW of offshore wind and 1,500 MW of wave and tidal generation could be sustainably developed in Irish waters, and the Plan identifies policy actions and enablers that are key to the development of this sector.
Ireland has made good progress in relation to our legally binding targets under the 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive. 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 complemented 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 initial public consultation on a new support scheme for renewable electricity sought views to inform a decision on the technologies to be supported. There will be two further opportunities to contribute at key stages in the design of any new scheme. Subject to Government approval and State Aid clearance from the European Commission, the new scheme would become available in 2016.
The 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.
618. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total cost to his Department, and those bodies under his aegis, of 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. [44569/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. In relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department, this is an operational matter for each body. My Department will ask the bodies in question to supply the information directly to the Deputy.
619. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt an bhfuil sé sásta go bhfuil córas nua á chur i bhfeidhm faoina ndéanfar tairiscint ghníomhach i ngach cás chun rogha a thabhairt idir seirbhísí i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla maidir leis na gairis tástála anála; agus an aontaíonn sé go dtabharfar an chinnteacht a theastaíonn maidir leis an gceist seo má dhéantar na torthaí scríofa a sholáthar ar fhoirmeacha dátheangacha. [43885/15]
View answerSula freagraím an tsubstaint den cheist seo, is gá dom roinnt míthuiscintí a chur i gceart. Bhí an tsaincheist seo i dtrácht rialú na hArd-Chúirte den dáta 2 Deireadh Fómhair, 2015 i dtaobh le foirm na dtuarascálacha clóite de chuid gairis Tástáil Fhianaiseach Anála (TFA) i stáisiúin na nGardaí.
Éilíonn na hAchtanna um Thrácht ar Bhóithre gearis TFA tuairiscí i bhfoirm a bheidh forordaithe a phriontáil. Bunaíodh an fhoirm amach in IR Uimh 541 de 2011, a chuir leaganacha Béarla agus Gaeilge araon. Cuireadh cláraithe na ngearis a bheith in ann a phriontáil oiread.
Bhí an rialú na hArd-Chúirte bunaithe ar léirmhíniú ar an fhoclaíocht IR 541. an Chúirt a chinneadh go, mar gheall ar an mbealach a bhí foclaíocht na rialachán, bhí siad a léiriú go gciallaíonn an bhfoirm fhorordaithe comhdhéanta de na Béarla le leanúint ag an nGaeilge, in áit ná teanga amháin nó an cheann eile. Ba é seo an rialú go hiomlán bonn ar léirmhíniú na rialacháin, agus ní raibh ar bhealach ar bith a bhaineann le cearta teanga. I ndiaidh an rialú, chúlghairm mé IR 541 agus chuir mé rialacháin nua ina hionad a stáit cad a bhí i gceist i gcónaí, ie go raibh dhá leaganacha den bhfoirm, ceann i nGaeilge agus ceann i mBéarla. Bhí an ceart ag daoine I gcónaí a dtuarascáil i gceachtar teanga, agus leanann sé seo a bheith ar an cás. Murab ionann agus an toimhde sa Cheist, níl aon gléasanna nua, agus aon nósanna imeachta nua ag teastáil.
620. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if legislation will be amended for disc parking areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44026/15]
View answerThe legislation governing parking on public roads empowers road authorities to make bye-laws governing the type of paid parking systems they wish to employ (e.g. disc parking) and to control the charges and conditions which apply. Road authorities may provide residents with parking permits which give them an exemption from the need to pay for parking on roads where they live. The criteria for the granting these permits, the fees (if any), and any other conditions are matters for each road authority. What the legislation does not allow is a system where individuals would be given proprietorial rights to specific parking spaces on public roads.
The issue of legislating for residents-only parking has arisen a number of times over the years. However, the legal issues arising are significant. There is a principle that the public road is public property and exists for the benefit of all the public. It is highly possible that any attempt to limit the use of part of a public road to a particular class of individuals (such as residents) would be open to legal challenge.
There is also the problem that, if residents-only parking were to be introduced, real proprietorial issues and matters of legal liability might arise. This could see residents liable to maintenance costs, and/or facing legal liability if people were, for example, to be injured on a section of the road reserved for them.
In the light of these concerns, I have no plans to change the laws or regulations in relation to residents' parking.
621. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the law on the use of drones by private citizens. [44085/15]
View answerThe Irish Aviation Authority has statutory responsibility, under the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993, for the regulation of aviation safety standards for civil aviation in Ireland. This includes remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), or as they are more commonly known, Drones. The IAA published its policy and national legislation on the use of RPAS in October 2012. An update in the form of an Aeronautical Notice was published in April 2014. Details of this are available on the IAA's website at www.iaa.ie.
The European Commission has recently indicated that a suite of European regulations governing the use of drones is being fast-tracked and is expected to be in force by end of 2016. My Department is committed under the National Aviation Policy 2015 to continue to contribute to the EU rule making and regulatory process concerning RPAS.
In the meantime, the current safety regulation of drones in Ireland is detailed under powers in the Rockets and Small Aircraft Order of 2000 and associated guidance material. This Order is currently being updated to include new technology aircraft, including small unmanned aircraft, i.e. drones, and is expected by year-end 2015. The new regulations will take account of the likely provisions in next year's expected EU legislation.
622. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Sport Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43550/15]
View answerThis is a matter for Sport Ireland and I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
623. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [43607/15]
View answerAs the Deputy can appreciate, I receive a very large number of requests from a variety of sources including external bodies, Departmental officials, Oireachtas Members and members of the public. Due to the vast number of requests involved it would not be practicable, or a good use of limited resources, for my Office to keep a register of all these requests. However, if the Deputy wishes to submit a more detailed question in terms of a particular group my Office can look at collating and providing the relevant details.
Also, since the commencement of the Lobbying Act 2015 from 1 September 2015, all lobbyists who come under the Act are required to register and to provide information regularly about their lobbying activities.
624. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's photography costs since he came into office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance by year 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. [43639/15]
View answerPhotography costs incurred by my Department are on its website at the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/photography-costs. It is the policy of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport that photography costs are kept to a minimum and services are provided in-house by staff. Where services are contracted, best value is sought and a number of quotes are obtained. Services are contracted out on an exceptional basis only.
625. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's use of external public relations firms since he came into office by year in tabular form; the uses of these firms and the policy regarding employing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43655/15]
View answer626. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reports he commissioned from external consultants since March 2011, by year, title, cost, date published and company in tabular form. [43671/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 625 and 626 together.
Details of all consultancy payments by the Department are available on my Department's website at http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
It is the policy of the Department in the exercise of its functions to use internal resources as far as possible. Consultants are hired occasionally in circumstances where particular expertise is not available internally and where it is deemed to add value and independence to the overall work of the Department.
627. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [43687/15]
View answerI have two special advisers on my staff since I took up my current Office in July 2014. The pay per annum for each special adviser is as approved by Government.
The combined pay for the two special advisers referred to is set out in the following table for 2014 and 2015 (to end November).
|
Year |
Pay |
|
2014 |
€48,547 |
|
2015 |
€144,235 |
628. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport why a valid travel pass holder (details supplied) in County Kilkenny is unable to avail of the Bus Éireann 2028 service from Mooncoin to Limerick to see a specialist at University Hospital Limerick, due to the lack of appropriate accessibility for physically disabled persons on buses catering this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43730/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
I have also sent a copy of the Deputy's question to the National Transport Authority for information.
629. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received any submissions from Mayo County Council for a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43801/15]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, including the R312 is the statutory responsibility of Mayo County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
My Department received an application this year respect of the R312 under the Strategic Grant Programme. In order to protect funding for road maintenance and repair, the Strategic Grant Programme has had to be curtailed. Mayo County Council was notified in July 2015 that the Department was not in a position to provide an allocation for the scheme.
630. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received any submissions from Mayo County Council on a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43802/15]
View answerMayo County Council has submitted an application for grant funding to my Department under the 2016 Low Cost Safety Scheme. The application which list projects in order of priority includes the provision of a footpath and public lighting on the LP1124 at Church Road, Ballina Co. Mayo.
Allocations under the 2016 Low Cost Safety Scheme will be on the basis of the budget available to my Department. It is expected the 2016 regional and local road allocations will be announced within the first two months of the new year.
631. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the return the State has received from its ongoing investment in the Dublin Airport Authority and the financial dividend it received from the authority's surplus profit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43817/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the daa operates under a commercial mandate, is entirely funded from its own resources (including borrowings) and receives no Government funding supports.
daa last made a dividend payment to the Exchequer in 2009 in the sum of €19.4 million and it is anticipated that the company will resume dividend payments in 2016 in line with the return to profitability of its core airport business.
632. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the subvention paid to Córas Iompair Éireann for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43823/15]
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 reply within ten working days.
633. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if and when he has received an application from Mayo County Council for a specific road grant for the improvement of the road between Cross and Cong in County Mayo, and when it will be decided upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43977/15]
View answerMayo County Council has submitted an application to my Department for funding in respect of improvement works on the R346 Cross-Cong in 2016. The application was received on 20 November and is under consideration by my Department taking into account the available capital budget for regional and local roads. The 2016 Regional and local road allocations will be announced early in the new year.
634. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a new stadium for Finn Harps Football Club in County Donegal; if there is an additional urgency within the Department for the development of the new stadium, given the club's promotion to the premier division of the League of Ireland and the requirements that will be imposed on it regarding minimum standards for stadium facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44030/15]
View answerI and officials from the Department are working with Finn Harps and the FAI to try to progress this matter. In that regard the officials met with Finn Harps and the FAI two weeks ago.
635. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a section of roadway (details supplied) in County Kerry will be prioritised for funding in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44086/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects, including the N70 is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with Kerry County Council concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
636. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any persons with a disability have been appointed to the board of any transportation companies or organisations that provide public transportation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44093/15]
View answerThe application process for membership of State Boards operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) does not identify or require disclosure of a disability. The Department therefore does not hold the information requested by the Deputy.
The Department of Transport Tourism and Sport is however advancing accessibility improvements to public transport services in the context of Transport Access for All, the Transport 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 will be improved. To date, there has been a significant increase in the numbers of accessible vehicles together with improved access to much of the public transport infrastructure. Even so, much remains to be done and work in that regard is on-going. The Department's Accessibility Consultative Committee, which includes representatives of people with disabilities, has a key role in monitoring implementation of the Plan. In addition, each of the main public transport companies has a Disability Users Group to advise on accessibility matters at a company level.
