Written Answers Nos. 226-245
226. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies in tabular form; the total number of members of each board; the number of women on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of women. [39338/16]
View answerThere are twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department.
The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the table
I am personally committed to achieving the Government target of 40% gender balance on the Boards of State Bodies. In this regard I recently wrote to the Chief Executives of some agri-business companies asking them to support women within their companies who express an interest in being appointed to the Boards of State Bodies and to encourage those who may not as yet have considered putting themselves forward to do so.
In relation to six of the DAFM State Bodies, some of the board appointments are made by me on the basis of nominations from third-party organisations for specified vacancies as set out in legislation. These State Bodies are the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board, Bord Bia, Horse Racing Ireland, National Milk Agency, Teagasc and the Veterinary Council of Ireland. I actively encourage the relevant nominating organisations to be pro-active in encouraging women within their membership to consider putting themselves forward for nomination for appointment to the Board of the State Body to which the organisation makes a nomination.
I will continue to take every opportunity to achieve gender balance on the Boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department.
|
State Body |
Total Number of Members Including the Chairperson |
Total Number of Women Members |
Percentage of each board that is made up of women |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB) |
7 |
1 |
14% |
|
Bord Bia |
15 |
4 |
27% |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
6 |
1 |
17% |
|
Bord na gCon |
7 |
1 |
14% |
|
Coillte |
9 |
2 |
22% |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
14 |
3 |
21% |
|
Irish National Stud |
7 |
2 |
29% |
|
Marine Institute |
9 |
2 |
22% |
|
National Milk Agency |
14 |
0 |
0% |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
3 |
1 |
33% |
|
Teagasc |
11 |
2 |
18% |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
19 |
6 |
32% |
227. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of entitlements a person (details supplied) had submitted on their basic payment application in 2012; and the number of entitlements the person was paid for. [39362/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2012 Single Payment Scheme application on 14th May 2012 to my Department. The person named claimed 15.71 entitlements on the 2012 Single Payment Scheme application. Payment issued to the person named on 15.71 entitlements under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme.
228. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of entitlements a person (details supplied) had submitted on their basic payment application in 2016; and the number of entitlements the person was paid for. [39363/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment Scheme application on 12th May 2016 to my Department. The person named held 18.46 entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme. In order to draw down payment a farmer must declare one eligible hectare for each entitlement owned. The person named submitted 17.55 hectares of eligible land on the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme application and as a result payment issued on 17.55 entitlements.
229. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of entitlements a person (details supplied) had submitted on their basic payment application in 2013; and the number of entitlements the person was paid for. [39364/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2013 Single Payment Scheme application on 14th May 2013 to my Department. The person named claimed 15.71 entitlements on the 2013 Single Payment Scheme application. The person named was paid on 15.71 entitlements under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme.
230. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there was a difference on the amount of entitlements paid in 2016 as to the year 2012; the reason this difference occurred in relation to the case of a person (details supplied). [39365/16]
View answerThe person named held 15.71 entitlements under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme and received payment to the value of €4142 on these entitlements. 8.52 of these Single Payment Entitlements with a total value of €2,207.53 were leased in from another farmer with a lease expiry date of 31 December 2013.
Under the new CAP reform which came into effect on the 1st January 2015, the Single Payment Scheme was replaced by the Basic Payment Scheme. All existing Single Payment entitlements expired on the 31st December 2014.
The EU Regulations governing the Scheme provide that an automatic right to receive an allocation of entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme was allocated to farmers who were in receipt of a direct payment in 2013. The number of Basic Payment Scheme entitlements allocated to a farmer in 2015 was based on the number of eligible hectares declared by them in 2013 or 2015, whichever was the lesser.
The value of entitlements allocated to a farmer in 2015 was based on a fixed percentage of the value of entitlements held by the farmer in 2014 and any payment received under the 2014 Grassland Sheep Scheme
The person named declared 18.45 eligible hectares in both 2013 and 2015 Scheme years. The total value of entitlements held by the person named under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme and payment under the 2014 Grassland Sheep payment was €2,837.71.
In this regard 18.45 Basic Payment Scheme entitlements were established with a total value of €2,802.23 including greening in 2015 rising under the internal convergence process to a total value including greening of €3,256.03 in 2019.
In order to draw down payment under the Basic Payment Scheme a farmer must declare one eligible hectare for each entitlement held. The person named submitted 17.55 hectares of eligible land on the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme application and as a result payment issued on 17.55 entitlements.
231. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff employed by him and each Minister of State, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, press secretaries and other positions, in tabular form; the pay rate for each assistant and the total cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39548/16]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the table gives a breakdown of positions.
Special Advisors and civilian drivers are paid by my Department but in line with the guidelines for Ministerial appointments for the 32nd Dáil other positions are paid by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service. Therefore my Department would not have salary information in relation to these staff.
|
- |
Minister |
Minister of State |
Salary Scale |
|
Special Advisors |
2 |
0 |
€79,401 - €91,624 |
|
Civilian Drivers |
2 |
2 |
€665 pw |
|
Parliamentary assistant |
1 |
1 position (2 people) |
unknown |
|
Secretarial assistant |
1 |
1 position (2 people) |
unknown |
|
Temporary Vouched eEmployee |
0 |
1 |
unknown |
232. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any staff employed in the public and civil service are seconded to work with him or any Minister of State in their constituencies; and the number of same and cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39562/16]
View answerThere are no staff seconded to work with me or with the Minister of State in the constituencies. An executive officer from my Department has been temporarily transferred to my constituency office.
233. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the assessment that has been carried out on the impact of EU fines as a result of missing binding renewable targets by 2020; the possible implications for the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39185/16]
View answerThe Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC provides a comprehensive framework for Member States to work towards achieving individual and EU renewable energy targets including mechanisms for countries to work together such as statistical transfers, which allow Member States to meet their targets by purchasing credits from Member States that overachieve on their renewable targets.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has calculated that 25.3% of electricity, 6.5% of heat and 5.7% of transport energy requirements were met from renewable sources at end 2015. The SEAI analysis also shows that 9.1% of Ireland’s overall energy requirements in 2015 were met from renewable sources and has estimated that this avoided over € 286 million of fossil fuel imports.
The Government has a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy and although good progress towards the target has been made to date, meeting the 16% target remains challenging. The SEAI has estimated that the cost to Ireland of meeting our overall renewable energy targets other than through domestic measures may be in the range of €100 million to €150 million for each percentage point Ireland falls short of the overall 16% renewable energy target.
While all options will be kept under review, the focus of my Department is on implementation of the range of actions set out on the White Paper that will enable our transition to a low-carbon economy.
234. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the pay-by-weight waste collection system will commence; if he has satisfied himself that the necessary preparations have been undertaken across the State; and if he is considering scrapping plans for its introduction. [39263/16]
View answerMy Department is currently reviewing, with industry representatives and regulatory authorities, the introduction of an incentivised pricing system, such as pay by weight, for household waste collection, which is due to be completed by July 2017. Incentivised pricing should encourage householders who prevent, reduce and segregate their waste. Encouraging people to divert waste from landfill is important as we have had two landfill capacity emergencies this year.
In this regard, I also wish to provide more flexibility to the industry so that they will be in a better position to provide householders with options on managing their waste costs under an incentivised charging scheme. Given that we are reviewing more than just the introduction of a ‘per kilogramme pay by weight’ system, there is no necessity for companies to now provide for ‘dual billing’ and ‘opt in/ opt out’ arrangements for kilogramme prices from January 2017.
235. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress being made to ensure that, in conjunction with commercial investment, 85% of premises here will have access to high speed broadband within two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39202/16]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband 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.
A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested c. €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of telecoms services.
It is estimated that up to 70% or c.1.6 m premises in Ireland will have access to commercial high speed broadband services provided by telecommunications operators, while the remaining 30% consisting of just over 750,000 premises will fall within the proposed State led intervention under the National Broadband Plan. Currently approximately 1.4m premises in Ireland can now get high speed broadband from commercial service providers.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention, which are the subject of the current procurement process.
My 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. 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. In addition, bidders need adequate time to 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 on timelines at this juncture, given that discussions are on-going 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.
During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
236. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of times the expert advisory committee on climate change has met; the date the full committee was appointed; when the first report of the committee on climate change is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39205/16]
View answerIn advance of enactment of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015, an Advisory Council was established on an administrative basis on 10 June 2015 by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Subsequently, the Climate Change Advisory Council was established on 18 January 2016 by Ministerial order in accordance with section 8 of the 2015 Act and the members were formally appointed by Government, following nomination by the Minister, shortly thereafter.
The Council is independent in the performance of its functions and it is, therefore, solely a matter for it to determine the frequency of its meetings. However, it is understood that the Council has met on six occasions since its formal establishment and is also scheduled to meet today. The Council met twice during the period it was operating on an administrative basis.
The Council has a number of statutory reporting obligations, including with regard to ‘Annual’ and ‘Periodic Reviews’ of progress towards meeting the national transition objective. Because of the time lag before the publication of the statutorily required National Mitigation Plan (NMP) and National Adaptation Framework (NAF), the Council decided to publish an initial paper, called the “Climate Change Advisory Council First Report” on 3 November 2016. In its ‘First Report’, the Council outlined its views on the challenges that climate change presents for Ireland with the aim of assisting in the development of the NMP and the NAF. The Council has also provided advice and recommendations to me in relation to the review of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and the initial public consultation on the development of the NAF. The 'First Report' and these submissions are available at http://www.climatecouncil.ie/ .
237. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the proposals there are to improve broadband telecommunications service in an area (details supplied) in County Cavan; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that households and many small enterprises are concerned regarding the inadequate service that exists at present; if the necessary investment programme will be undertaken without further delay to bring this broadband service up to a proper standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39264/16]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband 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 High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention, which are the subject of the current procurement process. speed broadband services.
The area referred to by the Deputy falls within the AMBER area and will therefore be included in the State intervention procurement process. Over 750,000 premises are currently within the State intervention area.
My 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 including approximately 24,000 premises in Co. Cavan, 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 can expect speeds of at least 30 megabits per second and potentially much higher with businesses potentially availing of symmetrical upload and download speeds.
The timeframe for 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. In addition, bidders need adequate time to 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 on timelines at this juncture, given that discussions are on-going 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.
During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
In a further positive initiative, last 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 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. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country, including County Cavan.
238. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied that the regulatory framework that ComReg oversees is adequate to protect the consumer. [39307/16]
View answerThe market regulator, ComReg, is independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with a requirement to that effect in (EU) Directive 2002/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services. That legislation provides, inter alia, obligations on telecommunications services providers to include in customers’ contracts information regarding the minimum service quality levels and the types of maintenance service offered, the customer support services provided, the means of contacting those services and conditions regarding any compensation and refund arrangements which apply if contracted service quality levels are not met.
In addition, the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended, prohibits inter alia telecommunications services providers from imposing charges on customers for services not provided. Any customer who is charged for a telecommunications service which is not provided or who cannot resolve a quality of service dispute in bilateral dealings with the service provider can submit a dispute to the ComReg to pursue further.
These measures are in addition to the more general consumer protection rights and dispute resolution procedures which apply to the provision of goods and services generally.
ComReg is accountable “for the performance of its functions to a Committee of one or both Houses of the Oireachtas” as provided for in Section 34 (2) of the Communications Regulations Act 2002 as amended.
There are no proposals to amend these legislative provisions at this time .
I established the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, together with Minister Humphreys, which aims to unlock barriers to investment in mobile and broadband services by identifying and recommending practical actions that can be taken to improve mobile reception and broadband access. ComReg has engaged with the Taskforce throughout this process, contributing towards actions that will benefit the consumer. Minister Humphreys and I intend to bring the report of the Taskforce to Government in the coming weeks This report will set out specific timelines for the delivery of the recommendations and actions.
239. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide further powers to ComReg to allow the regulator to bring civil as well as criminal cases where necessary. [39309/16]
View answerThe Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), established pursuant to the provisions of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 (as amended) is the statutory independent regulator of the electronic communications and postal markets. In addition, ComReg is empowered to investigate suspected breaches of competition law in respect of electronic communications and related services.
Extant legislation already provides recourse by ComReg to the District Court in respect of summary offences and the High Court in respect of the imposition of civil penalties. Provision is also made in respect of certain offences to be prosecuted on indictment. However, as a matter of law such offences can only be prosecuted at the suit of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
As part of the Law Reform Commission's Fourth Programme of Law Reform, the Commission is considering a wide range of questions concerning two related matters. The first is whether the supervisory and enforcement powers of the State’s main financial and economic regulators are adequate or need to be supplemented by, for example, civil financial sanctions and more effective co-ordination between regulators. The second is whether there are gaps in the criminal law that do not deal sufficiently with serious wrongdoing by corporate bodies, in particular regarding current fraud legislation and the general rules for attributing criminal liability to corporate bodies.
As part of this process, in January of this year the Commission published an Issues Paper entitled ' Regulatory Enforcement and Corporate Offences (LRC IP 8-2016). Contributors were requested to make their submissions/comments in response to this Issues Paper before close of business on the 20th of April 2016.
Another part of this process was the Commission’s 2016 annual conference on Thursday 3rd November 2016 at St George’s Hall, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, which was themed ‘Regulatory Powers and Corporate Offences’.
The Commission is currently in the process of reviewing the submissions received in response to the Issues Paper and engaging in further research in relation to the topics outlined in that paper.
It is currently intended that the Report on this project, which will include final recommendations and draft legislation, will be published next year.
I await with interest the outcome of the Report and I will consider the position at that point.
240. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies in tabular form; the total number of members of each board; the number of women on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of women. [39341/16]
View answerThere are 19 State boards / agencies under the aegis of my Department. The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy.
|
State Body/Agency |
No. of positions on Board |
Current membership |
No of vacancies |
No of women on board |
% of women on board* |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) |
9 |
8 |
1 |
3 |
37.5 |
|
BAI Compliance Committee |
8 |
7 |
1 |
4 |
57 |
|
BAI Contract Awards Committee |
8 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
43 |
|
RTÉ |
12 |
11 |
1 |
6 |
55 |
|
TG4 |
12 |
11 |
1 |
6 |
55 |
|
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
6 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
17 |
|
An Post |
15 |
13 |
2 |
3 |
23 |
|
Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg) |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) |
14 |
8 |
6 ** |
2 |
25 |
|
Bord na Móna (BnM) |
12 |
12 |
0 |
2 |
17 |
|
Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) |
3 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
33 |
|
EirGrid |
10 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
33 |
|
ESB |
12 |
12 |
0 |
4 |
33 |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (INPC) |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) |
6 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) |
12 |
10 |
2 |
4 |
40 |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) |
10 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
30 |
|
Loughs Agency |
12 |
12 |
0 |
2 |
17 |
|
The Mining Board |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
A complete list of all current members and vacancies is available on the State Boards website at www.stateboards.ie.
*Based on current board membership
** It is not proposed to fill all of these vacancies on the board of the DHDA in light of the merger with Dublin City Council.
241. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff employed by him and each Minister of State, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, press secretaries and other positions, in tabular form; the pay rate for each assistant and the total cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39550/16]
View answerStaffing for Ministerial Offices are appointed by Government under the terms and conditions set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the ‘Instructions to Personnel Officers – Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil’, which includes the Guidelines for Staffing of Ministerial Offices. In accordance with the Guidelines I have appointed two special advisors and two civilian drivers to my Department. The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table.
|
Appointed by |
Grade |
Gross Salary per annum |
|
Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment |
Special Advisor
|
€85,750.00 |
|
Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment |
Special Advisor
|
€79,401.00 |
|
Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment |
Civilian Driver |
€34,699.70 |
|
Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment |
Civilian Driver |
€34,699.70 |
Staff relating to Minister of State Kyne are employed by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and is a matter for that Department.
242. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if any staff employed in the public and Civil Service are seconded to work with him or any Minister of State in their constituencies; and the number of same and cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39564/16]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that no civil servants employed by my Department are seconded to work in my constituency or any other constituency of a Minister of State.
243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a junction in Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39194/16]
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 operation of individual national road projects 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.
Noting the above position, I have referred your 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.
244. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a bus service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39262/16]
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. I have also sent a copy of the Deputy's question to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for information.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
245. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his Department’s work with local authorities and transport providers on the bus rapid transport scheme in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39288/16]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects. The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035 was approved by my predecessor, Minister Donohoe, in February 2016. It includes proposals for two specific BRT schemes,Blanchardstown to UCD and Clongriffin to Tallaght. In addition, the Strategy indicates that the public transport needs on the Swords/Airport to City Centre corridor may require a higher level of public transport capacity than the existing provision, both in advance of the delivery of new Metro North which is scheduled for operation in 2026/2027 and also to serve areas south of the M50 subsequent to the implementation of new Metro North. The NTA has indicated that this additional capacity may take the form of a BRT service, a BRT-type service or a conventional QBC upgrade.
Any final arrangement would be designed to be complementary to the new Metro North scheme. Funding is being made available for initial planning and design work for the Blanchardstown to UCD and Clongriffin to Tallaght BRT schemes under the Government's Capital Plan 'Building on Recovery Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021'. I understand from the NTA that a contract has been signed with a design team to carry out a route options analysis study to identify the preferred route option for a BRT Scheme linking Clongriffin to Tallaght. The NTA are also preparing tender documents to progress the design and planning of the Blanchardstown to UCD BRT Scheme.
