Written Answers Nos. 687-706
687. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he requested the public broadcasting of advertisements on both television and radio promoting the use of Eircode during emergency situations; and if so, the reason the public advertisements do not carry any endorsement by his Department. [36883/16]
View answer688. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether it was more appropriate to use public funds to run public awareness campaigns advising persons to ensure their Eircode is correct. [36884/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 687 and 688 together.
Eircode ran an advertising campaign on television and radio to raise public awareness of using Eircodes during emergency situations. Using Eircodes helps the National Ambulance Service (NAS) provide speedier access to care. The NAS integrated Eircodes into their Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD) in February 2016. This means that callers to the ambulance service can give the patient’s Eircode, which is validated in the CAD system. The call taker can then locate the patient’s property and direct the nearest available ambulance to the correct location.
Ambulance emergency requests often come from isolated rural locations. NAS considers the Eircode information to be very important in the rapid identification of these rural addresses – in particular, responding to calls from any of the 35% non-unique addresses in the state which caused significant operational challenges in the past. On foot of the campaign, call takers in the National Ambulance Service noticed a big improvement in the elderly population knowing and keeping their Eircode close to the phone.
While there is no requirement to reference the Department in a public service announcement, my Department did approve the public awareness campaign.
689. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if Eircode has carried out an assessment of the accuracy of the Eircode postcodes assigned to households. [36885/16]
View answerEircode employ rigorous quality assurance and validation check processes on the assignment of Eircodes to each postal address and its corresponding geo-location. The postal addresses and the geo-locations are provided to Eircode from authoritative sources, namely An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland through their subsidiary company An Post GeoDirectory.
Eircode undertake detailed quality checking process of all new address data provided by An Post GeoDirectory. Once this process has been completed, Eircodes are then allocated to each postal address through rigorous rules based assignment with built-in quality checks that verify each Eircode is unique and is accurately assigned to the postal address as well as its geo-location.
690. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff from his Department currently seconded to other Departments or agencies in the Civil Service per annum from 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36961/16]
View answer691. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff from his Department who have appealed against secondment per annum from 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form; the appeals mechanism involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36977/16]
View answer692. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff from his Department currently seconded to a firm in the private sector per annum from 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form; the details of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36993/16]
View answer693. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff from his Department currently seconded from a firm in the private sector per annum from 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form; the details of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37009/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 690 to 693, inclusive, together.
My Department works with other Departments and public sector organisations to provide access to development opportunities for staff by way of secondment to/from the Department. Secondments from the private sector arise in respect of skills not readily available within my Department.
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
No. of Staff Seconded out to Other Departments/Agencies |
No. of Appeals to Secondments |
No. of Staff Seconded Out to Private Sector |
No. of Staff Seconded In from Private Sector |
|
2010 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2011 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2012 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
2013 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
2014 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
2015 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
2016 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
694. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the structure being applied to a company (details supplied) for the sale of gas into the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37161/16]
View answer695. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if proposed tariffs to deal with the loss of capacity which will occur for the interconnector pipes across the Irish Sea is being applied to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37162/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 694 and 695 together.
I have no statutory function in relation to matters regarding tariffs for the gas industry. Since 2002, the regulation of the gas market has been the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is independent in the performance of its functions. Decisions on the regulatory treatment of the gas network and tariffing are statutorily matters for the CER under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. The CER, as the independent energy regulator, has a remit to protect energy consumers, ensure security of supply and support competitiveness.
From 2011, in anticipation of the entry of Corrib gas into the system, and in pursuance of its duty to ensure that new sources of gas for the Irish market did not result in unwarranted increases in the price of gas to business and domestic consumers, the CER embarked on a process of reform of the regime governing the regulatory treatment of the two Ireland/UK gas interconnectors and associated tariffing. The rationale for the CER’s proposed reform was that if the then current regime were to persist, new sources of gas coming onstream such as Corrib, and possible liquified natural gas (LNG), would cause the price of gas to rise significantly for all Irish consumers, regardless of the source of the supply. Given our high dependence on gas for electricity generation this would also give rise to electricity price increases and would negatively impact on Ireland’s competitiveness.
On 29 June 2012, following the usual consultation period, the CER published a high-level decision outlining its proposals for the new tariff regime. This CER decision subsequently became the subject of a Judicial Review taken by Shannon LNG. On 11 December 2013 the High Court upheld the CER decision of 29 June 2012. I understand that Shannon LNG has appealed the High Court decision to the Supreme Court.
Following an extensive period of consultation on how the 2012 decision would be implemented, the associated new tariffing regime was introduced with effect from 1st October 2015. Full details are to be found in the CER Decision Paper of 23 July 2015 (CER/15/140) available from the CER website at www.cer.ie.
696. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding that has been provided to County Louth over the previous three years from 2014 to 2016, inclusive, by project name, location and funding amount, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37218/16]
View answer697. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the applications submitted for funding projects from Louth county council in each of the years 2014 to 2016 in tabular form; and if the applications were successful. [37234/16]
View answer698. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding for projects in 2017 in County Louth to be funded by his Department by project name, location and funding amount, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37250/16]
View answer699. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding that has been provided to County Meath over the previous three years from 2014 to 2016, inclusive, by project name, location and funding amount in tabular form. [37266/16]
View answer700. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the applications submitted for funding and projects from Meath County Council in each of the years 2014 to 2016, in tabular form; if the applications where successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37282/16]
View answer701. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding for projects in 2017 in County Meath to be funded by his Department by project name, location and funding amount, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37298/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 696 to 701, inclusive, together.
In the time available it has not been possible to gather the information sought. My Department is compiling the information requested and I will write to the Deputy with the information sought as a matter of urgency.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to the Parliamentary Questions (PQs) which were put down by you for written answer on Tuesday 29th November 2016. In the response given to you it was indicated that my Department was compiling the information sought which would be forwarded to you when available. I am now in a position to provide you with a substantive response to the PQs. Please see the following tables for the requested information. I trust this clarifies the position for you.
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment's Input
Applications submitted for funding from Meath County Council and Louth County Council in 2014-2016
|
County (Meath/Louth) |
Name of funding project |
Year |
Application outcome |
|
Meath |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2016 |
€15,575 |
|
Meath |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2015 |
€15,000 |
|
Meath |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2014 |
€16,215 |
|
Meath |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2016 |
€20,000 |
|
Meath |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2015 |
€20,000 |
|
Meath |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2014 |
€25,500 |
|
Louth |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2016 |
€11,000 |
|
Louth |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2015 |
€11,000 |
|
Louth |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2014 |
€11,000 |
|
Louth |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2016 |
€18,000 |
|
Louth |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2015 |
€18,000 |
|
Louth |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2014 |
€22,670 |
PQs Nos. 697, Reference No. 37234/16, and No. 700, Reference No. 37282/16.
Details of projects funded in Co. Meath & Co. Louth in 2014 – 2016
PQs Nos. 696, Reference No. 37218/16, and No. 699, Reference No. 37266/16.
|
County (Meath/Louth) |
Name of Project/Grant Scheme |
Year |
Location |
Value of Project/Grant |
|
Meath |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2016 |
Meath |
€15,575 |
|
Meath |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2015 |
Meath |
€15,000 |
|
Meath |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2014 |
Meath |
€16,215 |
|
Meath |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2016 |
Meath |
€20,000 |
|
Meath |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2015 |
Meath |
€20,000 |
|
Meath |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2014 |
Meath |
€25,500 |
|
Louth |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2016 |
Louth |
€11,000 |
|
Louth |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2015 |
Louth |
€11,000 |
|
Louth |
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund |
2014 |
Louth |
€11,000 |
|
Louth |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2016 |
Louth |
€18,000 |
|
Louth |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2015 |
Louth |
€18,000 |
|
Louth |
Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme |
2014 |
Louth |
€22,670 |
|
Meath |
Schools 100Mbps Broadband Connectivity |
2014 |
19 Schools based in Meath |
€149,260.50 relating to broadband service costs. |
|
Meath |
National Broadband Scheme (NBS) |
The NBS operated between December 2008 and August 2014. |
18 Electoral Divisions in Meath covered under the NBS |
Final expenditure under the NBS contract took place in 2014. Expenditure is not broken down on an individual County basis. |
|
Louth |
National Broadband Scheme (NBS) |
The NBS operated between December 2008 and August 2014. |
1 Electoral Divisions in Louth |
Final expenditure under the NBS contract took place in 2014. Expenditure is not broken down on an individual County basis |
|
Meath |
Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) |
2014 |
Five Metropolitan Area Networks located in Co. Meath. |
€40,000 paid to Meath CoCo in 2014. This money had been retained by the Department, subject to the satisfactory completion of final construction works under the MANs Programme |
|
Meath |
Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
2015 |
n/a |
€8,501.00 (overall value of grant payments to 7 small businesses under the Scheme) |
|
Meath |
Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
2016 (to mid-October) |
n/a |
€15,794.00 (overall value of grant payments to 9 small businesses under the Scheme) |
|
Louth |
Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
2014 |
n/a |
€13,040.24 (overall value of grant payments to 7 small businesses under the Scheme) |
|
Louth |
Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
2015 |
n/a |
€37,654.70 (overall value of grant payments to 22 small businesses under the Scheme) |
|
Meath |
INFOMARNational Marine Mapping Programme (Geological Survey) |
2015 |
Mapping offshore Co Meath |
15 days offshore operations/ value €105,000 |
|
Meath |
TellusAirborne Geophysical Survey (Geological Survey) |
2015 |
All of County Meath |
13,115 line km of survey/ value €299,238 |
|
Meath |
Groundwater Sand & Gravel Aquifer Mapping (Geological Survey) |
2016 |
Throughout County Meath |
53 days field operations/ value €18,550 |
|
Louth |
INFOMARNational Marine Mapping Programme (Geological Survey) |
2015/2016 |
Mapping offshore County Louth |
Offshore operations/ value €1,715,000 |
Detail of funding and proposed funding for 2017 in Co. Meath & Co. Louth
PQs Nos. 698, Reference No. 37250/16, and No. 701, Reference No. 37298/16.
|
County (Meath/Louth) |
Name of Project/Grant Scheme |
Location |
Value of Project/Grant |
|
Meath/Louth |
Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
n/a |
Total funding of €3m has been made available under the Trading Online Voucher Scheme in respect of grant payments to small businesses (subject to match funding) to develop their trading online capacity. The Scheme is administered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices. |
|
Meath |
Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) |
5 Metropolitan Area Networks in Co. Meath |
€106,078 final retention payment to be made to Meath CoCo under the MANs Programme |
Note: Environment Fund budget lines for 2017 remain under consideration. Environment Fund budget allocations will not be finalised until Q1 2017.
The Better Energy Programme which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department is made up of the Better Energy Homes Scheme, Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme and Better Energy Communities.
1. The Better Energy Homes (BEH) Scheme provides grant aid to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER).
The following table illustrates the number of homes grant-aided per year in respect of Louth and Meath from 2014 to date.
PQs Nos. 696, Reference No. 37218/16, and No. 699, Reference No. 37266/16.
|
County (Meath/Louth) |
Name of Project/Grant Scheme |
Location |
Grants Paid |
Number of houses completed |
Year |
|
Louth |
Better Energy Homes (BEH) |
Louth |
€220,670 |
324 |
2014 |
|
Louth |
Better Energy Homes (BEH) |
Louth |
€349,500 |
387 |
2015 |
|
Louth |
Better Energy Homes (BEH) |
Louth |
€435,868 |
483 |
2016 (to date) |
|
Meath |
Better Energy Homes (BEH) |
Meath |
€316,662 |
358 |
2014 |
|
Meath |
Better Energy Homes (BEH) |
Meath |
€489,610 |
459 |
2015 |
|
Meath |
Better Energy Homes (BEH) |
Meath |
€641,100 |
618 |
2016 to date |
2. The Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the eligibility criteria. It should be noted that under this Scheme the full cost of the works is met, therefore the figures given relate to average spend per home. The measures available typically include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs, cavity wall insulation and roof and wall ventilation.
|
County (Meath/ Louth) |
Name of Project/Grant Scheme |
Location |
Average spend per household |
Number of houses completed |
Year |
|
Louth |
Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) |
Louth |
€2,354* |
230 |
2014 |
|
Louth |
Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) |
Louth |
€2,486 |
159 |
2015 |
|
Louth |
Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) |
Louth |
€2,209 |
532 |
2016 to date |
|
Meath |
Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) |
Meath |
€2,354* |
318 |
2014 |
|
Meath |
Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) |
Meath |
€2,264 |
233 |
2015 |
|
Meath |
Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) |
Meath |
€2,213 |
684 |
2016 to date |
* The old retired BEWHS database does not provide a facility to calculate the average price per home in a specific county. This is the average price per home in total for 2014.
3. The Better Energy Communities Programme aims to encourage community based partnerships to improve the thermal and electrical efficiency of the building stock and energy poor homes and facilities, encouraging the implementation of deeper and more technically and economically challenging measures. These partnerships can be between the public and private sectors, domestic and non-domestic sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations and energy suppliers. The community and business supports leverage considerable additional private investment.
The Projects that Meath County Council has been associated with from 2014 to date are as follows:
PQs Nos. 697, Reference No. 37234/16 and No. 700, Reference No. 37282/16
|
Name of funding project |
County Meath |
Year |
Application outcome |
|
Warmer Homes Area |
Trim Area Scheme |
2014 |
Successful |
|
Warmer Homes Area |
Navan Area Scheme (Private & LA homes) |
2014 |
Successful |
|
BEC 2015 |
Meath County Council Communities Scheme 2015 |
2015 |
Unsuccessful |
|
BEC 2015 |
Meath County Council - Navan Residential Scheme 2015 |
2015 |
Unsuccessful |
|
BEC 2016 |
Meath BEC 2016 |
2016 |
Successful |
The Projects that Louth County Council has been associated with from 2014 to date are as follows:
|
Name of funding project |
County Louth |
Year |
Application outcome |
|
BEC 2014 |
Kingspan Energy BEC Louth (partnership with LCC & Kingspan) |
2014 |
Successful |
|
BEC 2015 |
Louth Smart Energy |
2015 |
Successful |
|
BEC 2016 |
Louth Community Energy |
2016 |
Successful |
Lists of the successful Better Energy Communities projects that received funding in respect of the years 2014-2016 are available on the SEAI website.
|
Year |
SEAI Web Link |
|
BEC 2014 |
www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/2014/Better-Energy-Communities-and-Areas-Approved-Projects-2014.pdf |
|
BEC 2015 |
www.seai.ie/Grants/Better_Energy_Communities/Better-Energy-Community-Projects-2015.pdf |
|
BEC 2016 |
www.seai.ie/Grants/Better_Energy_Communities/BEC-projects-2016-Oct-revision.pdf |
702. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will ensure that gas and electricity companies will not disconnect customers from services during December 2016 and into the early months of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37387/16]
View answerI am acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by families, businesses, charitable and voluntary organisations in dealing with energy costs. However, it is important to note that the electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive and that they operate within national and European regulatory regimes.
Responsibility for electricity and gas market regulation is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent statutory body.
Existing obligations on suppliers as regards disconnections are included in the CERs Electricity and Natural Gas Supplier Handbook, which includes a Code of Practice on Disconnections, under which suppliers are required to offer customers assistance in managing their account and treat disconnections as a last resort.
A number of measures have been taken in recent years to assist consumers deal with energy costs. The CER procured Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) Meters to help those in difficulty with energy bills to better manage their usage and reduce the risk of disconnection. The rollout of PAYG meters has contributed to a fall in the number of disconnections and limited the accumulation of arrears. The Department continues to work with the CER and the energy industry to ensure that there are no impediments to their continued availability to customers who are at risk of energy poverty.
Bord Gáis Energy, Electric Ireland, Energia, Flogas Natural Gas and SSE Airtricity have adopted a voluntary code of practice, the 'Energy Engage Code' committing them never to disconnect an engaging customer, to avoid disconnections in the winter period, and to work with their customers on realistic and achievable payment plans for any arrears.
CER has also issued a disconnection moratorium request to all suppliers and the network companies for all domestic customers for the Christmas period. The moratorium runs from 16th December 2016 to 6th January 2017. Essentially, network companies cannot process requests for disconnection for non-payment of account during this period.
The Code supplements existing obligations on suppliers as set out in the CERs Electricity and Natural Gas Supplier Handbook. The impact of the Code on the level of disconnections is being continuously monitored by the CER.
703. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the materials and their volumes and values that are imported by State agencies to fuel the generation of electricity for the past five years. [37508/16]
View answerThe information sought regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
704. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will fill the number of vacancies on the board of EirGrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37529/16]
View answerThe three current vacancies and an anticipated upcoming vacancy on the Board of EirGrid will be filled in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 445 of 2000) and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards published in November 2014. In line with the Guidelines, the vacancies will shortly be publically advertised on the websites of the Public Appointments Service (PAS), EirGrid and my own Department. Following receipt of applications an assessment process will be undertaken and a shortlist of candidates provided to me for consideration. It is my intention to fill the vacancies as soon as possible after the shortlist of candidates is provided to me.
705. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reports commissioned by his Department since 2006 which, while completed or are in final draft form, have not been published; the reason they have not been published; the expected publication date; the cost to date of each report; if tenders were invited; if it is not intended to publish any such report, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37544/16]
View answerI would refer the Deputy to a previous PQ 22172/16 Dail Ref: 800 answered on 19 July 2016 relating to this matter which gives details of reports commissioned since 2011. Due to the reconfiguration of the Department it is not possible to provide information prior to 2011.
While in the time available it has not been possible to update information for the interim period to date, my Department is compiling that additional information and I will write to the Deputy with the information sought as soon as it is compiled.
706. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the total overall amount paid in grant aid to An Taisce from 2010 to 2016, inclusive; and for each year respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37605/16]
View answerA total of €4.31 million has been provided to An Taisce between 2010 and 2016 in respect of a range of environmental activities and public awareness initiatives which it undertakes, including: the National Spring Clean initiative; contribution to the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) National Litter League; and the Green Schools programme. Funding was also provided from the Environment Fund during the period in question for the Green Coast and Blue Flag Awards.
Funding to an An Taisce is provided from the Environment Fund. The annual allocations for each of the years 2010 to 2016 are set out in the following table.
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016* |
Total |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
834,424 |
766,014 |
753,200 |
736,800 |
415,000 |
403,000 |
403,000 |
4,311,438 |
*2016 figures are allocations. Final details on payments in 2016 will not be available until end of year.
