Written Answers Nos. 800-811
800. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form. [22172/16]
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 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 |
€924,111* |
June 2011 |
Report published on the Department’s website Dec 2015. |
|
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This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase.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This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase.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 has not been published. |
|
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 |
€516,497 |
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. |
€122,353 |
December 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
Wardell Armstrong LLP |
Provision of Expert Services for Mine Inspection, Environmental Advice and Compliance with terms of State Mining Leases/Licences. |
No costs to date |
May 2016 |
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 (five reports completed to date in 2014). |
€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 |
12/3/2014 |
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 |
€218,399.51 |
October 2014 |
Report published on the Department’s website Sep 2015. |
|
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 a privacy impact assessment for the National Postcode System. |
€59,340 |
August 2014 |
The report is published and available on the Departments website. |
|
Ricardo - AEA |
REFIT 3 Review |
€4,500 (excl VAT) |
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. |
|
RPS Group Limited |
To undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment / Appropriate Assessment on the Draft Bioenergy Plan |
€54,930 (ex VAT) |
September 2015 |
March 2016 |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Review of Designated Events of Major Importance to Society under the Broadcasting Act 2009. |
€82,719 |
23 October 2015 |
The report will not be published, it is used to assist in the review of designated events. |
|
Tekenable |
Provision of TV Licence Database and System Review. |
€36,017.48 |
29 October 2015 |
Ongoing |
|
Compass Informatics, |
Scoping Study for a National Geological Data Centre |
€29,625 excluding VAT |
October 2015 |
December 2015 |
|
Ramboll Environ UK |
Corrib Pipeline Consent environmental consultancy services for gap analysis for Corrib pipeline consent to operate |
€85,634 |
August 2015 |
Report published on the Department’s website December 2015. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2/3D offshore seismic survey and exploration drilling applications. |
€21,918.60 (€3,653 fee payable for each report received. |
April 2016 |
Reports published on the Department’s website. |
|
Norcontel |
Financial advice relating to the concessionaire model for the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANS) |
€22,950 (exclusive of VAT) |
30 March 2016 |
This report is commercially sensitive and confidential, and will not be published. |
|
Indecon |
Assessment of the Macro-Economic Impact of Internet/Digital on the Irish Economy |
€74,070 (exclusive of VAT) |
30 November 2015 |
Published on the Department’s website on 31 May 2016. |
|
Eamon Halpin & Co. Ltd |
Valuation Report and advice on Waterford & Dungarvan MAN Networks |
€5,000 (exclusive of VAT) |
25 November 2015 |
This report forms part of an ongoing legal process and will not be published. |
costs are recouped from the operator of the Corrib gasfield project.
801. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of extending the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland electric vehicle grant until 2017 and 2020, respectively, assuming the 2020 targets for electric vehicle usage are met, and not assuming they are not met. [22194/16]
View answerThe 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets all Member States a binding target that at least 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland aims to meet this target mainly through the increased use of sustainable biofuels, with electric vehicles also making a small contribution. The Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme supports and incentivises, through grants of up to €5,000, the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) in Ireland. These grants are in addition to the Vehicle Registration Tax reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to EVs. The grant scheme commenced in 2011 and the purchase of over 1,400 new EVs has been supported. The scheme, which is being kept under review, is continuing this year and an allocation of €4.5 million has been provided for this purpose.
In the context of settling the 2017 Estimate for my Department, I will be liaising with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform over the coming months in regard to the capital requirements for the scheme.
803. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the national broadband plan will not be part of Government owned infrastructure. [22223/16]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of High Speed Broadband under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
On 5 July 2016, the Government selected the Commercial Stimulus Model as the optimum ownership model for the network that will be part-funded by the Exchequer. The Government considered two ownership models, having narrowed the options down last December, from five models. The two models are:
- Commercial Stimulus where the private sector finances, designs, builds, owns and operates the network, with contractual obligations to the Department; and
- Full Concession where the private sector finances, designs, builds and operates the network with contractual obligations to the Department. In this model, those assets funded by the State are handed back to the State after 25 years; commercial assets that support the NBP infrastructure would however remain in private ownership.
Both Models will deliver the same network, with the same service specifications and controls, for 25 years. In both models, the winning bidder(s) will be subject to stringent contract provisions to ensure that the network delivers quality, affordable high speed broadband to all parts of Ireland that cannot access services.
The Department has completed detailed costings, down to every individual premises in the Intervention Area and, on that basis, has modelled the likely cost of each ownership model. It would not be appropriate to publish the expected cost of building the network, the likely cost to the State, or the expected terminal value of the network, while a major public procurement process is underway. I do not intend, therefore, to indicate the overall estimated Exchequer funding parameters, or projected costs or values of the network. Ultimately, the costs will depend on the price that bidder(s) quote in the tender process.
In choosing the Commercial Stimulus Model, the Government has had regard to the impact of the Full Concession Model where the entire project is likely to be on the Government’s Balance sheet. This would impact the general Government deficit by approximately €1bn more than the Commercial Stimulus Model and would also reduce the available capital spend for other key investment projects by up to €600m over the next six years.
The Government’s priority is to deliver this network as quickly as possible. My Department has been advised that the Full Concession Model could take at least 6 months longer to negotiate because of the complexity of identifying assets and in particular assets owned by third parties.
The Government has, therefore, chosen the Commercial Stimulus model as the optimum approach for the National Broadband Plan intervention. The decision on ownership has allowed the procurement phase to move to the next stage, where three bidders have qualified and been invited to participate in formal dialogue with the Department. The Dialogue process with bidders will commence this week.
804. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way in which the private ownership model would require an additional €500 million to €600 million in capital spending regarding the national broadband strategy; the way, in terms of overall spend on the project, it would impact on the current capital plan and the Government balance sheet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22229/16]
View answer805. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the private ownership model cost an additional €500 million to €600 million in capital spending when it has been explicitly stated its cost is €270 million, €70 million of which will be EU funding, regarding the national broadband strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22230/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 804 and 805 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question Numbers 21272/16 and 21273/16 (Proof 766 and 767) of 12 July 2016 . The position remains as set out in that reply. (see below)
On 5 July the Government selected the Commercial Stimulus Model as the optimum ownership model for the network that will be part-funded by the Exchequer. The Government considered two ownership models, having narrowed the options down last December, from five models. The two models are:
- Commercial Stimulus (or ‘Gap Funding’) – the private sector finances, designs, builds, owns and operates the network, with contractual obligations to the Department;
- Full Concession – the private sector finances, designs, builds and operates the network with contractual obligations to the Department. Those assets funded by the State are handed back to the State after 25 years. Commercial assets that support the NBP infrastructure would however remain in private ownership.
Both Models will deliver the same network, with the same service specifications and controls, for 25 years. In both models, the winning bidder(s) will be subject to stringent contract provisions to ensure that the network delivers quality, affordable high speed broadband to all parts of Ireland that cannot access services.
The Department has completed detailed costings, down to every individual premise in the Intervention Area and, on that basis, has modelled the likely cost of each ownership model. It would not be appropriate to publish the expected cost of building the network or the likely cost to the State while a major public procurement process is underway. I do not intend therefore to indicate the overall estimated Exchequer funding parameters. Ultimately, the costs will depend on the price that bidder(s) quote in the tender process. I can however confirm the following based on the cost modelling completed to date:
- The Full Concession Model is estimated to cost 50 – 70% more in nominal terms that the Commercial Stimulus Funding model;
- In the Full Concession Model, the full cost of the project would be likely to go on the Government’s Balance Sheet, and the commercial sector input would likely be regarded as Government debt;
- Having the entire project on the Government’s Balance sheet would impact the general Government deficit by approximately €1bn more than the Commercial Stimulus Model. This would also reduce the available capital spend for other key investment projects by up to €600m over the next six years.
In addition to the funding implications of the Full Concession Model, I am advised that this model could take at least 6 months longer to negotiate a contract, than with the Gap funding model.
806. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of engagement with local authorities under the better energy communities scheme; the status of each local authority application and the amount he intends to allocate on a geographical basis. [22355/16]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Communities scheme on behalf of my Department. The scheme aims to support and encourage community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of homes, businesses and community facilities in a local area. To date the scheme has supported the upgrade of more than 12,000 homes and several hundred shared community facilities, from sports clubs to community centres and childcare facilities.
SEAI seeks to engage with all potential applicants to the Better Energy Communities scheme as early as possible in the process each year. SEAI typically undertakes a number of workshops for applicants, offers on-site visits and advisory inspection support as well as extensive advice and support.
On June 23 2016, I announced that 38 projects were successful in this year’s Better Energy Communities Scheme and that €20 million in grant funding has been allocated to these projects. This will provide for energy efficiency upgrades to more than 2,600 homes and almost 300 community and commercial facilities. The total investment in energy efficiency, including funding from local communities themselves, is almost €48 million, which will support an estimated 700 direct and indirect jobs right across the country. Due to the nature of community projects, many individual projects cross county and Local Authority areas. Details on each project, including the areas covered by the project are set out in the attached table and have been published on my Department’s website at: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/energy/SiteCollectionDocuments/Energy-Efficiency/2016%20BEC%20Projects.pdf
In this year's scheme 14 Local Authorities were involved with project applications. Of these applications, 9 were successful, with 5 unsuccessful. All applications to the Better Energy Communities Scheme are assessed in a competitive process operated by SEAI and neither I, nor my Department, have any function in relation to the evaluation or selection of projects.
807. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline the legislative framework regarding the ESB regulation of the River Shannon; his plans to amend that framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22375/16]
View answerESB’s statutory responsibilities in relation to the regulation of the River Shannon are set out in the Shannon Electricity Act 1925, the Electricity Supply Act 1927 and the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act 1934. That legislation establishes the Shannon Scheme which consists of a power station and associated dam and headrace at Ardnacrusha, along the Parteen Weir and associated embankments.
I currently have no plans to amend that legislation.
808. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action SEAI is taking to support professions that contribute to the eco-economy and jobs with less aggressive control of BER assessors. [22662/16]
View answerThe EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), transposed into Irish Law from 2006 onwards, obliges specific forms of information and advice on energy performance to be provided to building purchasers, tenants and users for consideration in property transactions. Under S.I. 243 of 2012, the European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2012, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is designated as the Issuing Authority with responsibility for the registration of BER assessors, maintaining the registers of BER assessments, quality assurance, awareness raising and ongoing management of the BER scheme.
The BER Assessment system is an energy label with accompanying advisory report for homes. The rating is a simple A to G scale that reflects the level of energy consumption that would be typical of that home. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and will tend to have the lowest energy bills. Every property offered for sale or rent in Ireland must have a BER and that BER must be included in any advertisements. To date, more than 650,000 BER assessments have been registered with SEAI, meaning that around 40% of dwellings in Ireland have an associated BER assessment.
Studies conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) have found that BER assessments can have a significant effect on the value of a property. An ESRI study conducted on 36,000 properties offered for sale or rent, “The Value of Domestic Building Energy Efficiency – Evidence from Ireland,” found that relative to D-rated properties, otherwise comparable A-rated properties receive a sale price premium of 9.3%.A BER must be performed by an appropriately qualified BER assessor. To qualify as an assessor, a person must successfully complete a training course for BER assessors, pass a BER examination, have the required insurance policies, and complete the SEAI registration process. There are currently approximately 900 BER assessors registered with SEAI.
To ensure the quality of the work performed by these assessors, SEAI aims to audit around 2% of all BER reports. The audit process and associated timings are published and publicly available in SEAI’s Quality Assurance System and Disciplinary Procedure. SEAI also has procedures in place to deal with any complaints, disputes or appeals that may arise and copies of these procedures are available on SEAI’s website.
SEAI have more recently (May 2016) published new procedures to support the development of BER assessors. These changes come into effect from 1st August and introduce such improvements as Mentoring Audits to assist BER assessors. A new BER advisory report will also be introduced by the end of this year. This new advisory report will provide improved information on the potential energy efficiency upgrades a householder can make.
I believe that BER assessors have a key role to play as trusted advisors to homeowners and those renting property, by helping them make informed choices about the potential energy efficiency improvements they can make in their home. Given the importance of this role, the amount of properties that have a BER assessment and the impact this assessment can have on the value of a property, it is vital that robust quality control procedures are in place to ensure the integrity, reputation and quality of the BER system.
809. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the body with responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of persons in an area (details supplied). [22672/16]
View answerI understand that the issue of Waste Licences is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency and consequently I have no function in the matter.
Applications for planning permission, including compliance with the conditions of planning permissions are matters for the relevant planning authority and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has no function in the matter.
810. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of politically appointed staff working in his Department, including the names, roles and salaries of each staff member; in the case of special advisers, their qualifications and experience relevant to their roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22728/16]
View answerThe following political staff were appointed to and are currently paid by my Department:
|
Name |
Grade |
Gross Salary per annum |
|
Ross Elwood |
Special Adviser |
€79,401 |
|
Suzie Coogan |
Special Adviser |
€79,401 |
|
Michael Concar |
Civilian Driver |
€34,669.70 |
|
Liam Feehily |
Civilian Driver |
€34,669.70 |
The appointments of all of the above staff were conducted in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines.
811. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 5 July 2016, if his Department, in preparing for issuing the licences in the Atlantic Margin oil and gas exploration licensing round, carried out an environmental impact assessment of the potential effect that further oil and gas exploration could have on climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22840/16]
View answerEU Directive 2001/42/EC, commonly known as the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive, provides for a formal environmental assessment of certain plans and programmes which are likely to have significant effects on the environment. The Directive applies to plans or programmes instigated on or after 21 July 2004. The Directive was transposed into Irish Law by way of Statutory Instrument Number 435 of 2004.
In relation to the licensing of petroleum exploration, the Directive requires Member States to undertake an SEA prior to proceeding with a programme of licensing. Since 2004, my Department has completed five SEAs in advance of holding licensing rounds.
Over the period 2014 to 2015, and in advance of the 2015 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round, my Department undertook Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment 5 (IOSEA5), the objective of which was to inform the Department of specific environmental considerations in respect of future petroleum activities under licensing rounds in Ireland's Atlantic Margin basins, as well as the award of licences in the Celtic and Irish Seas. In addition, IOSEA5 was intended to provide exploration companies working offshore with an operational baseline against which they can undertake their work and ensure the protection of the marine environment. The impact of petroleum exploration activities on climate was one of the issues considered in the IOSEA5 process.
The full suite of documentation regarding IOSEA5 and previous IOSEAs can be found on my Department’s website at www.dcenr.gov.ie.
