Written Answers Nos. 486-508
486. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grant support available for PC solar energy production here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40907/16]
View answerThe primary support for renewable energy technology is a support tariff for energy generated and grants or grant aid are not provided for the construction of facilities such as solar farms.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of solar energy projects in Ireland. This builds on the Energy White Paper published in December 2015 and recognises that solar also has the potential to provide a community dividend, thereby also enhancing citizen participation in Ireland's energy future. With this in mind, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) is one of the technologies being considered in the context of a new support scheme for renewable electricity generation which is under development.
The first Technology Review public consultation on a new renewable support scheme was published in 2015 and following the completion of detailed economic analysis on the viability and cost effectiveness of supporting a range of renewable technologies - including Solar (PV) - a second public consultation will be published in early 2017. Details of the next public consultation will be advertised on the Department's website www.dccae.gov.ie.
Before any new scheme is introduced, it will need to secure Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission. The new support scheme for renewable electricity is expected to become available in late 2017.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland currently provides supports for the use of solar thermal heating technology to both large industry and SMEs. Households can also avail of grant support for investment in renewable energy installations, including solar thermal, under the Better Energy Homes Scheme.
487. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status on meeting EU 2020 CO2 emission reduction targets; the penalties which will be faced if Ireland does not attain this target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40908/16]
View answerFor each year between 2013 and 2020, Ireland has a Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) emissions reduction target under the 2009 Effort Sharing Decision (ESD) No. 406/2009/EC. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their value in 2005. This is jointly the most demanding 2020 reduction target allocated under the ESD, and one shared only by Denmark and Luxembourg. The 2013 target is based on the average of emissions for the years 2008-2010. The target for each of the years 2014 through 2019 is on a straight-line trajectory between the targets for 2013 and 2020, and surpluses in one year can be used to cover deficits in any subsequent year. The average incidence of these targets is a 12% reduction relative to 2005.
In March 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published projected emissions for 2020 which indicate that Ireland’s emissions at that stage could be in the range of 6 - 11% below 2005 levels, depending on whether additional policies or measures beyond those already in place by the end of 2014 are implemented. On a cumulative basis over the period 2013 - 2020, Ireland is projected to have a deficit of between 3 and 12 Megatonnes Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (MtCO2eq). According to the latest inventory published by the EPA in November 2016, GHG emissions for 2015 are estimated to be 59.84 MtCO2eq. This is 3.7% higher than emissions in 2014.
As I indicated in both Houses of the Oireachtas last week, the shortfall to 2020 projected by the EPA reflects our constrained investment capacity over the decade between 2008 and 2019 due to the economic crisis, including the impact of the troika programme and the EU fiscal governance requirements. It now represents a significant challenge to be addressed. It will be necessary therefore to pursue other available options, in addition to the introduction of further policies and measures planned as part of the development of the National Mitigation Plan, if Ireland is to comply fully with its obligations under the ESD.
In the first place, this will include the retirement of Annual Emissions Allocations and units from the Kyoto Protocol Flexibility Mechanisms carried forward from 2008-2012 which can be offset against the deficit. If this does not fully address any potential deficit, further carbon units could be purchased. It is not possible to accurately quantify the cost to purchase notional carbon units at this stage as the cost is dependent on both the quantum and price of carbon units to be purchased at the time.
488. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status on meeting EU 2020 energy efficiency targets; the penalties which will be faced if Ireland does not attain this target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40909/16]
View answerIreland's Energy Efficiency Target is set in an EU context as part of our National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) at 20% energy efficiency by 2020. In energy unit terms the target is 31,925 GWh. The NEEAP target is not binding on EU member states but the more successful we are at meeting the target, the less effort will be required to meet Ireland's 16% Renewable Energy Target which is a binding target.
Ireland continues to make good progress towards the 20% target. Monitoring by the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEAI) indicates that at end 2015 Ireland had achieved 19,204 of the 31,925 GWh target i.e. 60% of the target achieved.
It is likely that an intensification of efforts will be required for Ireland to meet its Energy Efficiency target by 2020. Budget 2017 will provide over €100m for investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects next year, an increase of over 40% on the provisions for 2016. This will save over 116,000 tonnes in carbon emissions every year, reducing overall dependence on imported fossil fuels, and supporting around 3,000 jobs. My Department has developed proposals for new and pilot measures next year as well as expansions to existing measures using the additional funding provided.
Recognising the potential for the public sector to make a significant contribution to national energy efficiency efforts my Department has developed a new Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy which will be considered by Government this month and published in January.
SEAI estimated 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.
490. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the percentage of current population coverage of 3G and 4G mobile phone coverage here under current licensing arrangements between operators and ComReg; the percentage of the country this covers in geographical terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40911/16]
View answerThe management of radio spectrum is a statutory function of the independent regulator of the telecommunications sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Given that ComReg is independent in its statutory functions I have no role in this matter.
I understand however, that licences issued by ComReg impose terms and conditions on mobile network operators – including minimum population coverage obligations. ComReg monitors compliance in this regard by means of biannual drive tests and customers can refer any complaints to ComReg who will investigate the service provider’s compliance with its contractual obligations. According to ComReg all licensees have exceeded their obligations under their respective licences to date. However as mobile services are a radio based technology, services can be affected by topography, quality of handsets, the capacity of the network and proximity to mobile telephone antennas.
There are three main infrastructure mobile providers - Vodafone, Eir Group (Meteor) and 3 Group (3). In addition other operators provide services hosted on these networks including Tesco Mobile and Lycamobile. Mobile operators have invested significantly in rolling out improved services, following ComReg's 2012 multi-band spectrum auction. At lease one operator has over 90% 4G population coverage in every county. 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.
Notwithstanding the independence of ComReg, I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect.
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 already met approximately twenty 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. The report of the taskforce and accompanying action plan will be concluded this month and will set out specific timelines for the delivery of the recommendations and actions, including a key role for Local Authorities in supporting the rollout of telecoms infrastructure.
Under the Programme for Government, Minister Humphreys has also established 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 allocation of spectrum in the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band. This will 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 allocate 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 broadband 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.
494. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and monetary amounts of sports capital grants that have been provided since February 2016, broken down by constituency, in tabular form. [40747/16]
View answerDetails of all allocations under the Sports Capital Programme, including the allocations referred to by the Deputy, are published on the Department's website www.dttas.ie.
Details of payments for 2016 under the Sports Capital Programme will be published early in the new year. Details of previous years' payments are also available on the Department's website.
495. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount allocated to the local improvement scheme in 2017 in view of the programme for Government commitment to have the scheme up and running by end 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40794/16]
View answer499. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital expenditure used to date in 2016 and the amount allocated in 2017 towards local and regional roads 2016 in view of the programme for Government commitment to increase this budget by approximately 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40801/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 499 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Authority's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The Capital Plan published in September 2015 outlined proposed transport investment priorities to 2022. The transport element of the plan was framed by the conclusions reached in my Department's Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. This report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with targeted investments to address particular bottlenecks and critical safety issues. The Capital Plan provides €6 billion for investment in the roads network in the period to 2022, with €4.4 billion earmarked for the maintenance and strengthening of the existing extensive network throughout the country and €1.6 billion for new projects.
As Minister I have to work within the annual allocations set out in the Plan and in this context the Capital Plan provides for a gradual build up in capital funding towards the levels needed to support maintenance and improvement works. While there will be a modest increase in funding for regional and local roads in 2017, it will take some years yet under the Capital Plan to restore "steady state" funding levels for land transport. The primary focus will have to continue to be on the maintenance and renewal of public roads. I do, however, expect that local authorities will continue to be able to use a proportion of their Discretionary Grant for the local improvement scheme in 2017.
The regional and local road grant allocations for next year have yet to be decided but I expect to announce the details early next year. Given funding constraints, my objective has to be to allocate funding to local authorities on as equitable basis as possible taking into account the road lengths in each local authority's area of responsibility.
It is important to reiterate that State grants are intended to supplement local authorities' own resources. In this context, I am emphasising to Councils that the commitment of local authorities to contribute significantly from their own resources, towards the cost of improving and maintaining the regional and local roads network is essential.
As regards the possibility of additional funding within the Plan period, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform indicated in his budget speech that he is bringing forward the Capital Plan review. There is a strong case for additional funding for the transport sector which I will make robustly. However, the parameters for the review and the final decisions on allocations are matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Government as a whole.
496. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount of expenditure allocated in 2017 to the Wild Atlantic Way and greenways considering the programme for Government commitment of €100 million capital investment in the Wild Atlantic Way and greenways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40796/16]
View answerThe Programme for Government provides that the Government will set aside €100 million in additional capital funding for investment in the Wild Atlantic Way, Greenways and a number of other initiatives. This commitment covers a number of funding programmes and Departments. Consideration of how best to allocate funding for these areas will form part of the mid-term review of the Capital Investment Plan that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will be commencing in early 2017.
In regard to the Wild Atlantic Way, my Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects, which are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. In regard to Fáilte Ireland's plans in regard to the Wild Atlantic Way in 2017, I have asked the agency to respond to the Deputy directly. Please contact my private office if you do not hear within ten working days.
With regard to my Department's responsibility in respect of sustainable transport, under the Capital Plan €100 million is committed to smarter travel and carbon reduction measures which includes funding for the further development of greenways. My Department is currently developing a new strategy to set out a cohesive and forward looking approach to the development, funding and promotion of greenways and intends to consult with stakeholders in the coming months. The outcome of this consultation and the resulting strategy will inform my Department's approach in relation to the allocation of available greenway funding in 2017 and beyond.
497. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress as provided under the programme for Government on €10 million in additional funding for regional airports; the capital expenditure allocated in 2017 for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40797/16]
View answerThe capital funding allocated for the regional airports in 2017 is €3.75 million. The Programme for Government commitment is to provide an additional €10 million over the lifetime of the Capital Plan to support the four airports in Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford. This commitment, along with other Programme for Government commitments of a capital nature, will be considered as part of the mid-term review of the Capital Plan which was announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on Budget Day.
498. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress as provided under the programme for Government on TEN-T transport funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40800/16]
View answerA submission is being prepared to send to the European Commission for a revision of the TEN-T Core Network in accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government.
The result of the UK Referendum on exiting the EU has changed the landscape somewhat. From a Trans-European Transport perspective, the UK exit will increase further the peripherality of the western seaboard from the main transport networks of the EU. After the UK exit, Ireland will no longer be linked by land to any part of the EU and our ability to increase connectivity through EU funded projects on the Island of Ireland will be diminished as a result.
My Department has been considering the implications for transport arising from the UK exit, including the implications for the west and north west of Ireland. These implications are being reflected in the submission to the made to the European Commission. I expect to receive the submission in the coming days.
500. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the report as referenced under the programme for Government on rural transport will be published in view of the commitment made that a report will be provided to the relevant Oireachtas Committee within six months examining the way in which existing routes can be made more sustainable and accessible to the public and the potential for new routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40802/16]
View answerSince April 2012 the National Transport Authority (NTA) has been assigned national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme funded by my Department.
As I have advised the House previously, the NTA is preparing a report for my Department, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. I anticipate that the Report will be submitted to the Oireachtas Transport Committee shortly.
501. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 562 of 25 October 2016, if he will provide details of the discussions and the clear position outlined in that reply that his Department has taken with regard to this matter. [40483/16]
View answerThese Questions relate to the tax affairs of an individual person. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport would regard such details as confidential.
The position was outlined to the individual in a letter dated September 2013, at a meeting in October 2013, and then again in letters dated 8 December 2015, 15 December 2015, 18 December 2015 and 22 December 2015. These letters state that the Department always acted fairly and in good faith in dealing with the individual, that the position is clear and concluded.
502. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if driver's licences can be renewed through local post offices; and if not, if he will provide a list of centres in Dublin where licences may be renewed. [40525/16]
View answerThese are operational matters for the National Driver Licensing Service, which is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
503. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if outside companies are employed to carry out motorway roadside maintenance, namely services such as tree tending and grass cutting; and if so, the amount that is paid to these companies for the completion of this work since the year 2011 to date in 2016. [40526/16]
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 roads 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 the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
504. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the tendering process for bus services to be privatised will include a requirement for successful bidders to accept the free travel pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40600/16]
View answerIt is incorrect to describe the on-going competitive tendering processes as privatisation. Nothing is being sold, services are not being deregulated and control remains with the National Transport Authority (NTA).
As the Deputy is aware, it is a statutory function of the NTA to determine the appropriate mix of directly awarded and competitively tendered bus services. In line with its statutory authority, and following a public consultation process, the NTA announced in December 2013 that some 10% of routes currently operated by Dublin Bus and by Bus Éireann under their Direct Award contracts with the NTA would be subject to competitive tendering.
The tendering processes in respect of the three competitions are on-going and the NTA expect to announce the successful operators in 2017. The NTA will then enter into public transport services contracts with the successful operators and will apply the same level of control to tendered routes as it does to the routes which are at present operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann under their respective contracts with the NTA.
The NTA will continue to determine routes, schedules, vehicle types and standards, fares and the customer service requirements, including acceptance of the free travel pass in respect of the bus services to be provided by the successful tenderers.
505. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the tendering process of 23 Dublin Bus Routes and five Bus Éireann routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40601/16]
View answerIt is the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to conduct the current public procurement processes relating to the tendering out of 10% of the PSO bus network. NTA is undertaking this by way of three separate competitions and has now completed the pre-qualification phase of each, and candidates have been informed. The NTA has issued formal invitations to tender in respect of the Dublin Metropolitan competition and tenders are due by end-January 2017. It is planned that documentation for the other two competitions - Dublin commuter and Waterford - will issue before the end of the year, with proposals to be evaluated during Quarter 1 2017.
Anticipating the timeline to complete the competitions is not straightforward; however, I am told that, at this stage, it is expected that contracts will be awarded in mid-2017 with services coming into operation in late 2017 and during 2018. Each competition can commence services independently of the other two.
The tendering processes underway should allow the NTA to capture potential benefits as regards value for money in terms of the use of taxpayers' money in securing the provision of public services, and I look forward to the NTA's successful progression of all three competitions.
506. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of State subsidy in total which goes to Leinster, Connacht, Munster and Ulster, broken down by province, for the provision of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40624/16]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
507. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total use his Department has made of the Government jet since coming into office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40688/16]
View answer508. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total use his Department has made of the Government jet per annum from March 2011 to February 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40705/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 507 and 508 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is being collated and will be provided directly to him within 10 working days.
