Wednesday, 9 Nov 2016

Written Answers Nos. 167 - 189

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (167)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

167. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34014/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (168)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

168. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further funding in respect of core hours, personal assistant hours for persons in need of these hours; if his attention has been drawn to the severe cutbacks made in the core hours in respect of this scheme in the west of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34016/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath)

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (169)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

169. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further funding in respect of home help hours scheme and the home care package scheme for persons in need of these hours; if his attention has been drawn to the severe cutbacks made in these hours in respect of these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34017/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Helen McEntee)

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (170)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

170. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will provide extra home help hours for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34028/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Helen McEntee)

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Departmental Records

Questions (171)

Seán Fleming

Question:

171. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of all contingent assets in his Department and in agencies under his Department where amounts can be owed but are not listed in the national accounts as an asset; if he will further provide a full breakdown of each category of contingent assets and the estimated amounts in the category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34078/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department has no contingent assets. Also, no contingent assets were reported by statutory agencies under the aegis of my Department in their most recently audited annual financial statements.

Health Services Funding

Questions (172)

Micheál Martin

Question:

172. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment on addressing long-term challenges such as long-term funding models in health. [33805/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris)

The Programme for a Partnership Government committed to the establishment of an Oireachtas All-Party committee to develop a long term vision for healthcare and direction of health policy over a 10 year period, with cross party support. The Committee on the Future of Healthcare was established in June this year and has been specifically tasked with examining and costing different funding models for the health service and to make recommendations on a funding approach that is best suited to the Irish context.

The development of a new funding model is key to the long-term sustainability of our health service and the development of a universal single tier service.

However, making changes to funding levels and financing methods takes time and requires careful management, not least to avoid disruption to vital existing services. It is for these reasons that the all-party Committee has been established and tasked with considering this important issue in the context of an overall long-term vision and plan of how the health service can be developed.

I have already committed to not making any major structural reforms in this area while the Committee does its work, as we have to be serious about building consensus on how to fund a shared vision of universal healthcare. However, I am continuing delivery of aspects of the ongoing health reform programme which must be completed so that the foundations are in place to change the funding model. In this regard, it is worth noting that one of the key building blocks for universal healthcare that is currently being advanced by the HSE is the introduction of a more efficient payment system for hospitals known as activity-based funding.

The Programme for Partnership Government confirmed the Government’s continued commitment to the implementation of activity based funding, which went live in 2016. This is a model whereby hospitals and other healthcare providers are funded based on the quality and quantity of the services they deliver for patients as opposed to historical budgets. Linking budgets with activity will drive efficiency and increase transparency in the provision of high quality services for patients.

Transfer of Entitlements Application

Questions (173)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

173. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the processing of an application for the transfer of entitlements submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be completed; the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33882/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by sale as Transferee. The application was successful and acceptance letters issued to the person named and to the transferor on the 26th October 2016.

The transferor in this case had also submitted a separate 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application seeking the transfer of entitlements to a third party which required to be completed before payment could issue to the person named. Following the successful processing of both applications, payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will be issued to the person named in the coming days.

Imports Data

Questions (174, 175)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

174. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of lambs that were imported from Northern Ireland in October 2016; the way this compares to the number of lambs imported in October 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33909/16]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

175. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of lambs that were imported from the United Kingdom in October 2016; the way this compares to the number of lambs imported in October 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33910/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.

The intra EU movement of animals is recorded on the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), which is the EU wide online management tool for all sanitary requirements on intra-EU trade and importation of animals, semen and embryo, food, feed and plants. Movements are recorded at the level of Member State only on TRACES. Figures from TRACES show that in October of this year, 44,072 sheep of all ages were imported from the United Kingdom, compared to 39,424 in October 2015. The vast majority of these animals came from Northern Ireland, though no further geographic breakdown is available at this time. There are no category breakdowns available to specify for lambs, however the animals are categorised as breeding, fattening and or those for direct slaughter.

For October 2016 these figures are 129 for breeding, 4,963 for fattening and 38,980 for direct slaughter. In October 2015 the corresponding figures were 193 for breeding, 766 for fattening and 38,465 for slaughter.

This government is acutely aware of the importance of the sheep sector in Ireland and the vital contribution it makes to both the agri-food industry and rural life in Ireland. In recognition of this, the Programme for Government commits to the introduction of a scheme for sheep farmers under the Rural Development Programme with a budget of some €25 million to be provided in Budget 2017. This scheme, in addition to the existing supports available to sheep farmers under the BPS, GLAS, ANC and TAMS, will make a vital contribution to ensuring the continuing viability and sustainability of the sheep sector in Ireland.

Basic Payment Scheme Appeals

Questions (176)

Mary Butler

Question:

176. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if and when a payment will be made to a person (details supplied) on the basis of an appeal which has been lodged to the basic payment schemes appeals committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33928/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted applications under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme. The Terms and Conditions governing the operation of these schemes state that in order to qualify as a ‘young farmer’, a person must be setting up an agricultural holding for the first time in his/her name or have set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the BPS application. The applications were not successful as the applicant was deemed to have commenced farming more than five years before the submission of the BPS application. The applicant was notified of this decision and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal.

My Department subsequently received an appeal from the person named in relation to the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme applications. This appeal was considered based on the information set out by the applicant and the original decision was upheld. The person named was notified of the outcome of the appeal and offered the opportunity to submit a further appeal to the Basic Payment Scheme Appeals Committee in respect of the National Reserve application and to the Agriculture Appeals Office in respect of the Young Farmers Scheme application. The person named will be notified of the outcome of his appeal as soon as possible.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (177)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

177. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33943/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2016 Areas of Natural Constraint scheme application on 30 March 2016. EU Regulations governing the administration of this scheme require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise, officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Questions (178)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33954/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment Scheme/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme application on 13 April 2016. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. The outcome of this inspection is currently being finalised with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise, officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

Animal Welfare

Questions (179, 180)

Clare Daly

Question:

179. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the obligations of the Turf Club to ensure animal welfare standards are met; the role and obligations of the Turf Club in investigating breaches of those standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33958/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

180. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the obligations of the Turf Club to ensure animal welfare standards are met and its role and obligations in investigating breaches of those standards have changed since 2011. [33959/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The Racing Regulatory Body (Irish Turf Club) is a private body charged under legislation with responsibility for the integrity and the reputation of Irish racing in Ireland and Internationally.

The questions raised by the Deputy are an operational matter for the Turf Club.

The Turf Club has assured me that attention to horse welfare is threaded throughout its Rules and processes. Rules were changed in July 2013 to now make the trainer responsible for everything connected with the welfare, training and running of all horses under the care of that trainer.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (181)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

181. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payments in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33966/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme commenced during the week commencing 19 September and are continuing on a twice weekly basis. To date almost €184 million has been paid to 85,000 applicants. It is expected that some 97,000 applicants will qualify for payment under the scheme.

 A number of applications are not yet clear for payment under the scheme; the applicants are aware of the scheme requirements and what is required to fulfil them. In particular, many farmers have yet to satisfy the annual average stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for the calendar year.  However, farmers have until 31 Dec 2016 to do so. Such cases will clear for payment once  compliance with this requirement has been confirmed.

The total number of applicants with entitlements allocated under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is currently just over 128,000. Only valid applications under the BPS that fully comply with the requirements of the EU legislation are paid. Each year a number of cases are found to be “in error” - errors include over-claims, dual claims and incomplete application forms.  In order to resolve these issues, the Department enters into correspondence with farmers.  The aim is to issue such query letters as early as possible in the process although this is not always possible as error cases will continue to arise as cases are processed.  

This year the Department introduced the concept of preliminary checks for BPS online applicants.  This involved the Department notifying online BPS applicants of non-compliance in the areas of overclaims, dualclaims, and overlaps in the weeks following the closing date for BPS (16 May).  Applicants were then given an opportunity to rectify any identified non-compliance before 20 June and there was no penalty or reduction where such non-compliance was fully rectified.

In total, some 12,000 BPS error notifications have issued to applicants.  In response to requests from stakeholder groups, text messages also issue in these cases to inform the farmer that an error has arisen.

Payments under the BPS commenced on 17th October, which is the earliest possible date allowable under regulation, and to date in excess of €772m has issued to over 117,000 applicants. Regular payment runs are continuing in order to clear to payment all applicants whose applications are fully processed and who have no outstanding errors.

Departmental Records

Questions (182)

Seán Fleming

Question:

182. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of all contingent assets in his Department and in agencies under his Department where amounts can be owed but are not listed in the national accounts as an asset; if he will further provide a full breakdown of each category of contingent assets and the estimated amounts in the category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34069/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has no contingent assets.

As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, I have requested that the relevant information is forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Electricity Generation

Questions (183)

Seán Fleming

Question:

183. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a strategic environmental assessment is required for a process that would involve the administration of connections to the electricity grid where a new connection process is being proposed; if the current gate 3 process which was finalised in December 2008 is in line with the current planning legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33942/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

As has been outlined to the Deputy on a number of occasions, while the Minister for Communication Climate Action and the Environment has no function in this matter, I can confirm that the Gate 3 process is an administrative grid connection process managed by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is independent in the execution of its functions. As such, this is an operational matter for the CER.

It is my understanding that no Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was required on the Gate 3 connection process. However, an SEA was carried out on EirGrid’s Grid 25 strategic plan for development of the national grid. I understand that a copy of this SEA is available on the EirGrid website at www.eirgrid.ie.

Mobile Telephony Services

Questions (184)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

184. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the terms of reference for the newly established Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce; the timeframe for delivery of its recommendations; the status the taskforce recommendations will have; if rural areas currently not availing of mobile phone coverage will be favourably looked at as part of the task force recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33900/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect.  Mobile operators have, however, invested significantly in rolling out improved services, following ComReg's multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage. The rate of demand for data services has however increased by 500% in the last four years and this presents a continuing challenge for mobile operators, regulators and policy makers both in Ireland and internationally.

Recognising this challenge, I specifically included in the Programme for Government, a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. In July, I established the Taskforce, together with Minister Humphreys, which aims to unlock barriers to investment in mobile and broadband services.  The Terms of Reference of the Taskforce state that it will identify and recommend practical actions that can be taken to improve mobile reception and broadband access. The Taskforce has met several times, with a number of helpful initiatives emerging in the areas of planning, local authority engagement, and consumer information and engagement.

The Taskforce involves Government Departments and agencies, as well as engagement with ComReg and telecoms operators. I anticipate that we will bring a report to Government by end 2016, on foot of its work. This report will set out proposed timelines for the prompt delivery of the recommendations and actions.

Under the Programme for Government, Minister Humphreys is also establishing two regional action groups to work with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies in helping accelerate the rollout of broadband and mobile services at local level.

In addition, I recently signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 auction of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, to provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services.

In my Department's estimates for 2017 I have secured an €8m provision for RTÉ to allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band.  ComReg in turn will make plans to auction this spectrum, to provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage.  The 700 MHz band is particularly suited to rural environments where the signal can travel long distances.  

These initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services across Ireland, and particularly in rural Ireland.

In parallel, the National Broadband Plan aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland, through private investment and a State intervention in areas where commercial investment have not been fully demonstrated.

The procurement process is underway and the three bidders in the process have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution for rural Ireland.  Intensive dialogue with bidders is ongoing, with a view to putting in place contract(s) that will deliver the NBP network and put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (185)

Brendan Smith

Question:

185. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the proposals there are to upgrade the broadband telecommunications infrastructure in an area (details supplied); if the requests of local residents and local business to have an adequate and modern broadband service provided in that area without further delay will be given urgent and favourable consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33931/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.  This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.  The formal procurement process for the State Intervention commenced in December 2015.

To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.

Approximately 1.3m premises in Ireland can now get high speed broadband and at least one mobile operator is delivering 4G services to over 90% of the population.  It is estimated that up to 42% of premises in Co. Monaghan will have access to commercial high speed broadband services provided by telecommunications operators, while the  remaining 58% consisting of just over 19,000 premises in Co. Monaghan will fall within the proposed State led intervention under the National Broadband Plan.

The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area and provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county including Co Monaghan.

The maps shows that Latton in the townland of Lisdrumcleve falls within the AMBER area and will therefore be included in the State intervention procurement process. Individuals can check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by scrolling through the map online or entering their Eircode.  The Department also has a dedicated mailbox and anyone with a query in relation to the Map should email the Department, quoting their Eircode, to [e-mail].  

The Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area comprising over 750,000 premises, covering 100,000km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland.

Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution.  Householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30Megabits per second but potentially up to 1000 megabits per second with businesses potentially availing of symmetrical upload and download speeds.

Earlier this year, before I came into office, the Department announced that it would be June 2017 before contract(s) were awarded under the NBP. The bidders in the process have recently indicated that they may need more time to conclude the procurement process. The timing of each stage of the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team, and bidders, during the procurement process. Bidders need adequate time to prepare detailed proposals and their final formal bids and get the relevant shareholder and funding approvals at key stages of the process. It is also important to ensure that risks in this multi-million euro procurement are carefully managed. I do not propose to comment any further at this juncture, given that discussions are ongoing in the procurement process. I can assure the Deputy however, that the procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. The Government considers the NBP to be one of the most significant investments in rural Ireland for decades, and one which will transform society, akin to rural electrification in the last century.

In parallel, and in accordance with commitments in the Programme for Government, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.

In July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. I expect the Taskforce to report by end 2016.

I have also secured €8m for RTE  which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band. In addition, I recently signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 auction of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, to provide an 86% increase in total  spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services.

These initiatives should assist in significantly improving the quality of broadband and mobile phone services across Ireland, putting Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity.

Electricity Transmission Network

Questions (186)

Seán Fleming

Question:

186. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has been informed or given any indication of non-compliance with the strategic environmental assessment directive regarding the gate 3 decision by the Commission for Energy Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34010/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The regulation of the electricity network is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent statutory body and I have no function in the matter.

The Gate process, including the Gate 3 process, is an administrative grid connection process managed by the CER in accordance with its regulatory functions. I am informed by the CER that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was not required in regard to Gate 3 and therefore the issue of non-compliance does not arise. However, as is the case with all Directions issued by the  CER, the Gate 3 Direction was subject to public consultation before being finalised in December 2008.

Departmental Functions

Questions (187)

Seán Fleming

Question:

187. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has official responsibility for bodies under the aegis of his Department in respect of Government policy, including responsibility for regulatory corporate governance and based on the code of governance this requires bodies under the remit of his Department to adhere to all statutory obligations; if, in view of this, an agency (details supplied) complied with all statutory obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34011/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas and oversight of State regulation, as well as the provision of key strategic areas such as energy, communications, climate action  and public broadcasting.

There are 6 Commercial State Bodies, 8 Non-Commercial State Bodies and 3 Regulators, under the aegis of my Department.

With regard to the commercial and non-commerical State Bodies, my Department currently oversees the governance of those bodies to ensure they are fully compliant with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning individual bodies. My Department also ensures that the State Bodies act in a manner consistent with current Government policy and that compliance obligations, reporting procedures and assurance arrangements are all adhered to.

The Department is supported by NewEra in exercising corporate governance functions in respect of the bodies designated under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act, 2014.

With regard to the regulators, they have all been established on a statutory basis and are independent in the exercise of their respective functions, including functions that are necessary to ensure compliance with EU directives.  Appropriate corporate governance arrangements are in place to ensure that the regulators comply with, insofar as applicable and having regard to the binding requirements of EU and national law, the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, related Government policy and all other governance functions within the various statutory frameworks underpinning them. 

In order to enhance oversight of the bodies and regulators under the remit of my Department and bring a more coherent approach to governance activity, the corporate governance function for all of these bodies is being centralised in the Department to ensure consistency and standardisation of approach.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is Ireland’s independent energy regulator. The CER was established in 1999 and has a range of economic, customer protection and safety responsibilities in the energy sector. The CER is also Ireland’s economic regulator of the public water and wastewater sector.

The CER was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. Its regulation of the gas market is legally underpinned by the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002, as amended. The CER regulates water services under the Water Services Act 2013 and the Water Services Act 2014.

The Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 provides for CER’s regulatory independence and accountability for the performance of its functions to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas.

Wind Energy Generation

Questions (188, 189)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

188. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether sufficient offshore wind energy could be constructed in the Irish Sea by 2020 to reach the 2020 renewable energy target. [34064/16]

Eamon Ryan

Question:

189. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has commenced a cost benefit analysis on offshore wind; the scope of this report; his plans for engaging with Irish and international companies seeking to invest in offshore wind energy here and the timescale for completion of the report. [34065/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

The Government’s policy in relation to the sustainable development of our indigenous offshore wind, wave and tidal energy resources is set out in the 2014 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP).  The Strategic Environmental Assessment that underpinned the plan found that 4,500 MW of offshore wind generation could be sustainably developed in Irish waters. I understand that consents have been issued in respect of a number of offshore wind projects in the Irish sea. Investment decisions are commercial matters for developers.  

My officials engage with the offshore wind energy industry on an on-going basis, including through meetings with the Offshore Renewable Energy Steering Group, which was established to implement the OREDP and is chaired by my Department.

As regards the legally binding target set by the EU Renewable Energy Directive of meeting 16% of our energy demand from renewable sources by 2020, the Government has adopted a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy.  Good progress has been made to date, but the target remains challenging.  Figures provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for 2015 indicate that 9.1% of the overall 16% target was met by renewable sources.

The primary support mechanism in the electricity sector is the Renewable Energy Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes, which support the development of a range of renewable electricity technologies including hydro, biomass combustion, biomass combined heat and power, landfill gas and onshore wind.

My Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).  In-depth economic analysis is underway to inform the actual cost of a new scheme and, while no decision has been taken on the precise renewable technologies to be supported, the cost and technical viability of solar photovoltaic (PV), bio-energy and offshore wind are being examined as part of the assessment process.  

Once this analysis is complete, a public consultation on the new scheme will be published. This consultation is expected in the first half of 2017 and it is expected that the new scheme will be announced in late 2017 subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission.