Written Answers Nos. 572-594
572. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps being taken by his Department to ensure that small micro generation projects such as the gas extraction at Kyletalesha landfill at Portlaoise are connected to the national grid. [28662/16]
View answerThe commitments in the Energy White Paper, published in December 2015, include facilitating access to the national grid for designated renewable electricity projects. The regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and I have no function in the matter.
Any party that wishes to connect to the national grid must apply to the system operator (either the Transmission System Operator, EirGrid, or the Distribution System Operator, ESB Networks) and the system operator then issues a connection offer based on the policy set by the CER. This policy is captured under two broad processing approaches: the Group Processing Approach (GPA) and the non-Group Processing Approach (non-GPA).
The GPA has been designated for larger, renewable and conventional generators. Under the GPA, system operators issue connection offers to these generators in batches, called "gates". The last iteration was Gate 3.
The non-GPA is the process to connect small, renewable and low carbon generators that fulfil public interest criteria. The CER has decided (CER/09/099 – available on www.cer.ie) that the following list of technology or classes of technology exhibit public interest benefits and are, therefore, preapproved for processing outside of the GPA: Bioenergy, Combined Heat and Power, Autoproducers, Hydro, Ocean, Wave, Solar, Geothermal and Experimental/Emerging Technology.
It is my understanding that electricity generators (including micro-generation) eligible to be processed outside of the GPA will receive a non-GPA connection offer provided that all technical requirements for connecting to the grid are fulfilled by the applicant. The process for connecting a micro-generator is detailed on the ESB Networks website (www.ESBnetworks.ie)
While I cannot comment on an individual Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) application, I can confirm that it is normal practice that a REFIT applicant would liaise directly with officials in my Department to receive updates on the status of any application, and I have asked my officials to follow up with the REFIT applicant referred to by the Deputy.
The CER consultation document of December 2015 on a Review of Connection and Grid Access Policy (CER/15/284) addressed the question of access to the grid. Responses to the consultation were published by the CER on 10 March 2016.
My Department is working on the development of a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). Exploring the scope to provide support for renewable micro-generation technologies will form part of my Department's on-going analysis to underpin the scheme. The introduction of any new scheme - including the overall costs and technologies to be supported – will ultimately be subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission. Over the coming months there will be an additional public consultation phase on the design of the new scheme, the details of which will be advertised on the Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.
573. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of retired public sector employees in his Department, including bodies under its aegis, who are in receipt of a public sector pension who have been re-employed either part-time or full-time, temporary or otherwise, by the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28976/16]
View answerMy Department currently employs two people who are also in receipt of a public service pension, one on a part time basis. Both are contracted to provide specialist expertise to the Department. The public service pension abatement principles are applied in all cases where persons are re-employed by my Department in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines. The information requested by the Deputy regarding retirees in bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each body. My Department will ask the relevant bodies to provide the information directly to the Deputy.
574. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff employed by his Department or seconded to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28988/16]
View answerMy Department currently employs a total of 324 staff. There are a further 16 staff on secondment to the Department from other Government Departments and public service bodies.
575. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether a declaration from a company (details supplied) to the US Department of Transport that all the crews employed in this operation would, whatever their nationality, be employed on EU or US contracts of employment under normal EU and US labour laws, be of great assistance in removing the objections of many who oppose the application. [28367/16]
View answer577. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider leading or arranging a senior delegation to travel to Washington to lobby for the granting of a licence for the Cork-Boston route, noting the recent decision by the Northern Ireland Assembly to invest over €9 million to secure a transatlantic connection with the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28548/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 575 and 577 together.
This matter has been raised with the US authorities on a number of occasions at the highest level. On 2 August last I wrote to the US Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, urging him to make a positive decision on Norwegian Air International's permit application without any further delay, in accordance with the provisions of the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. The 2½ year delay by the US authorities in making a decision on NAI's permit application is not acceptable. I and my Department continue to liaise closely with the European Commission regarding the matter. The next step in resolving the issue is for the Commission to initiate a formal arbitration under Article 19 of the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. I would fully support such a step.
The EU-US Open Skies Agreement Joint Committee will meet again in November, which will provide a further opportunity for the matter to be raised with the US side.
In the meantime, this issue could be immediately resolved if the US authorities grant NAI its permit, so that the airline can start operating the new route from Cork to Boston and other new transatlantic routes.
576. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be provided to the local authority to resurface the Rathscannell road from Abbeydorney to Ballyduff in North Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28520/16]
View answerI understand the road in question is the R556, which is a regional road. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Kerry (including the R556) is the statutory responsibility of Kerry 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.
Kerry County Council was allocated €12.9 million by my Department in January this year in respect of its regional and local roads programme and it is a matter for the Council to prioritise its work programme for the year, including the selection of schemes that are to progress. The purpose of Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is to supplement the own resources of local authorities, not to meet the full costs of schemes.
578. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with Bus Éireann and the Department of Health to erect a bus shelter at a location (details supplied) in order that patients after brain injury rehabilitation are sufficiently resourced with public transport and that they can re-learn to use bus transport as part of the rehabilitative process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28052/16]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure including bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, bus stands and bus fleets in the State.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred 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.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
579. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the RSA is planning on making changes with regard to hands-free kits in cars, in particular in buses and coaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28103/16]
View answerThe law currently makes it an offence to hold a mobile phone while driving, and to use hands-free devices to send texts or emails while driving.
There is a wider issue, however, of the risk of driver distraction caused by electronic communications devices in general and the proliferation of devices and apps has made this a growing problem. I believe that there is a need to address this in a comprehensive way, and it involves two aspects.
The first, and perhaps most important, is driver education. People need to be aware of the serious risks posed by distraction, and to avoid risky behaviour which could cause distraction with potentially lethal consequences. Making drivers aware of the risks is one of the matters which the Road Safety Authority, in its role of public information and education on road safety, is addressing on an ongoing basis.
The second question is how to address this in law. The General Scheme of a Road Traffic Bill which was considered in pre-legislative scrutiny in 2015 contained proposals to deal with electronic devices. The discussion at the time was very useful, not least because it exposed how difficult it is to frame appropriate legislation in this area which would both capture current problems and be, in as far as possible, future-proofed. As a result of the discussions at that time, the Road Traffic Bill 2016 as initiated does not contain proposals in this area. My Department has since discussed this matter with the RSA and the Gardaí, but the priority has been work on the current Bill. I look forward to addressing the issue of electronic devices in future legislation.
580. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to upgrade the road surface on the N25 Cork to Waterford road between Castlemartyr village and Youghal town in view of the fact it is in an extremely dangerous condition. [28151/16]
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 (such as the N25) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities 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 this position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
581. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has set up a departmental taskforce to acquire EU agencies and research projects from the UK that may have to relocate from Britain after Brexit negotiations are completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28265/16]
View answerMy Department is represented on the Interdepartmental Group on EU/UK Affairs. My Department has also established an internal group on EU/UK affairs. Part of the objective of both groups is to identify potential opportunities arising from the UK's exit from the European Union.
582. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the profit or loss of Bus Éireann's various businesses such as public service obligations, PSOs, expressway services, school transport and other businesses (details supplied) in tabular form. [28279/16]
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.
583. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Irish Aviation Authority has a commercial mandate to provide air navigation and traffic services on and in the vicinity of Dublin Airport (details supplied). [28366/16]
View answerThe Irish Aviation Authority Act (IAA) was established pursuant to the provisions of the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993. Its legislative mandate includes the provision, operation and management on a commercial basis of air navigation services in Irish controlled airspace, including terminal navigation services at Ireland's three State airports (Dublin, Cork and Shannon).
In addition to its commercial mandate, the IAA also has a regulatory mandate. The IAA is responsible for the independent safety regulation of Irish civil aviation, including the safety regulation of Dublin Airport. In that context, the IAA acts independently and objectively on a daily basis in relation to Dublin Airport. In so far as the new regulatory regime for airport noise is concerned, the IAA is required to establish a separate unit for its airport noise regulation activities. This will be functionally separated from its commercial activities in the provision of air navigation services. There is a requirement for regulatory independence in the relevant EU Regulation No. 598-2014 and its achievement by functional separation is specifically permitted.
584. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the resolution of the European Parliament on social dumping in the EU and in particular the request to the Commission and the member states to review rules on initial training and on the licensing of air crew with a view to eliminating shortcomings leading to the exploitation of pilots. [28368/16]
View answer589. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to conduct a review of the relevant rules here and to discuss the concerns of a number of the professional bodies which as stakeholders have already conveyed their concerns regarding the exploitation of many trainee pilots here to his Department on many occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28607/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 584 and 589 together.
In relation to training and licensing of aircrew the National Aviation Policy (NAP) for Ireland published in August 2015 sets out a number of actions designed to continue the development of training and education to support the future demands of aviation in Ireland. The policy position contained in the NAP is to support the development of pilot training with a primary emphasis on the delivery of safe and competent pilots consistent with European standards of technical competence and quality control.
My Department continues to work closely with relevant aviation stakeholders, such as the Irish Aviation Authority, to ensure developments at EU level provide a consistent and effective regulatory regime for pilot training and licensing. My Department and the IAA are actively involved in discussions at EU level on the revision of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) safety regulation 216/2008 which sets out, inter alia, the basic framework for pilot training and licensing.
The policy also recognises the need to support the development of a social dimension in the EU internal aviation market with a view to ensuring that labour rights are not eroded and with appropriate regard to the competitiveness of EU and Irish aviation.
The National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF) established by my Department in February 2016 brings together key decision makers across Government, aviation and development agencies and the aviation sector provides a platform for collaboration to ensure, inter alia, that aviation continues to provide safe, secure and fair employment opportunities across all aspects of the aviation industry.
585. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28408/16]
View answerThe 2016-2019 Statement of Strategy for my Department is currently being drafted and this process includes consideration of the Public Sector Duty under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.
My Department adopts and implements all equality and gender proofing requirements as set out in the central policies developed by Government. This includes setting out how we implement the requirements when individual policy and legislation proposals are submitted to Cabinet in Memoranda for Government for approval. The Department is also represented on the National Women's Strategy Monitoring Committee and reports on the progress achieved in implementing the sector specific commitments contained in Ireland’s National Women’s Strategy as part of our onward reporting at national level to the relevant EU and UN committees.
586. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current status of the M7 road widening project in County Kildare; when he expects work to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28480/16]
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 M7 scheme) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities 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 don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
587. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority plans to provide funding in 2017 to Iarnród Éireann to purchase additional DART carriages, commuter carriages or intercity carriages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28583/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and securing the provision of public transport services throughout the country including PSO bus services, rail services and light rail services. Iarnród Éireann operates the heavy rail network and is responsible for assessing rolling stock requirements for the heavy rail network in conjunction with the NTA.
Noting the responsibilities of the agencies in this regard, I have forwarded your reply to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
The National Transport Authority have been requested to provide funding in 2017 for additional Intercity carriages that will be used to lengthen existing Intercity and Intercity commuter services. Approval on this funding is pending. The National Transport Authority have also been requested to provide funding in 2017 to reintroduce non-operational trains for the existing commuter fleet. Approval on this funding is also pending.
No request has been made for funding for additional DART carriages as the current fleet is provides sufficient capacity aided in particular when the new timetable is introduced. Work is currently underway on the specification for new DARTs and it is expected that a procurement process for these will begin in 2017 in order to provide additional delivered capacity when the DART network expansion is delivered as proposed by the NTA in the Greater Dublin Transport Strategy.
588. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the agency responsible for the maintenance of the roadside verge at a location (details supplied); his plans to remove the large trees which pose a significant danger to the residents of an estate; the timeframe for the removal of these trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28601/16]
View answerWicklow County Council is the relevant road authority in respect of the location concerned.
Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 sets out the responsibility of landowners to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees, hedges are other vegetation growing on their land are not, or could not become, a danger to people using a public road and or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road.
This section also allows the relevant road authority to step in where a landowner fails or is unable to take action to remedy a hazard. In the cases of trees on land taken in charge by local authorities, it is for the local authority concerned to assess the position and decide the appropriate action to take.
590. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to implement EU legislation on the regulation of air traffic noise; the impact this will have on existing planning control and pollution control, specifically in the case of Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28664/16]
View answerOn 22 September 2016, I announced my plans to implement the EU legislation in question, namely EU Regulation No. 598-2014 on the process to be followed when considering the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports. I am arranging to transmit directly to the Deputy further details of that announcement, which describe the main elements of the new regulatory regime for airport noise.
As set out in that announcement, a key element of the new regime is the designation of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) as the competent authority with the necessary powers to implement EU Regulation 598/2014 in Ireland. Only Dublin Airport currently and foreseeably exceeds the 50,000 aircraft movements' threshold in the EU Regulation. In accordance with legislation currently in preparation in my Department, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, the IAA will be required to undertake a review of the noise situation at Dublin Airport immediately following commencement of this legislation. The IAA will be the only body empowered to make determinations on operating restrictions to apply at the airport. The IAA will not be bound by operating restrictions foreseen in the planning permission granted in 2007 for the new runway at Dublin Airport.
The new regulatory regime for airport noise will be built on strong collaborative working arrangements between the IAA and other statutory bodies that have roles and expertise relating to noise management, in particular An Bord Pleanála, Fingal County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency. It is also the case that there will be no change to the necessity for compliance with the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Habitats and Birds, and the Environmental Noise Directives.
591. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of retired public sector employees in his Department, including bodies under its aegis, who are in receipt of a public sector pension, who have been re-employed either part-time, full-time, temporary or otherwise by the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28986/16]
View answerThere are five retired public sector employees re-employed in my Department who are in receipt of a public sector pension.
The position regarding the agencies under the aegis of this Department is a matter for their direct response. I have forwarded a copy of your question to them for direct reply. If you have not heard from the agencies within ten working days, please contact my private office.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
592. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the precise supports given by the IDA and any other State agency to a company (details supplied). [28046/16]
View answer593. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the financial support, if any, offered by the State to a company (details supplied). [28047/16]
View answer594. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs her Department expects a company (details supplied) to provide here in 2017. [28048/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 592 to 594, inclusive, together.
In July 2015 it was announced that the company in question had chosen to locate a Customer Support Centre of Excellence in Limerick, with the support of IDA Ireland. Recruitment and early operations in Limerick began the following month.
Job numbers now stand at approximately 100 and are growing incrementally. It is envisaged that the Centre will employ 300 people when fully operational. However, it is not possible at this stage to provide an accurate figure for the number of jobs to be added during 2017.
Information on grants approved is confidential as they contain commercially sensitive information between IDA and its client companies. However, details of grants actually paid are made available in due course. In this case, no grants have yet been paid to the company in question.
