Written Answers Nos. 93 - 124
93. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the information he received regarding the incident at the Poolbeg incinerator run by a company (details supplied) at which 11 persons were hospitalised; and the powers he has to ensure the real-time display of key operational data from the incinerator. [29793/17]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency is the body responsible under statute for ensuring that the plant referred to in the Question is operating in accordance with the conditions of its industrial emissions licence. The Minister has no role in this matter and is precluded in legislation from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the Agency, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
The Agency has provided information regarding the licensing and operation of the facility (including regarding the provision of real-time and summary emissions monitoring data), which is available at www.epa.ie/enforcement/licenseeinfo/.
Furthermore, the Agency has issued two updates regarding the incident to which the Deputy refers, also available at www.epa.ie/enforcement/licenseeinfo/.
I understand that the appropriate statutory bodies, the Agency and the Health and Safety Authority, are investigating the incident.
97. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the renewable heat incentive; if he has received clearance to proceed with the scheme in the context of state aid rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29486/17]
View answerThe introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a commitment in the Programme for Government. The aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in the renewable heating sector and to help reach Ireland’s 12% target by 2020. Provisional data indicates that 6.6% of heat demand was derived from renewable sources in 2016.
My Department has undertaken a detailed economic assessment on the design and cost of the RHI for the industrial/commercial sector in Ireland. This assessment included a range of renewable energy technologies and focused on large commercial and industrial heat users in the non-Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
The final public consultation on the design and implementation of the new RHI closed in March 2017 and 119 submissions were reviewed by my Department. The findings from this public consultation are being used to help inform final decisions in relation to the scheme. At this stage, the overall costs, technologies to be supported and design of a scheme are still under consideration and will require Government decision and State aid clearance from the European Commission.
99. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the development of the biomass sector, in particular the development of local biomass supply chains for the domestic renewable heat sector and the transition from peat burning power stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29771/17]
View answerThe Energy White Paper and the Programme for Government recognise the potential for biomass to play an important role in decarbonising our economy.
There are a wide range of Government departments, agencies and state bodies that are critical enablers for biomass development by virtue of their responsibility for areas such as energy, forestry, agriculture, waste, research funding and business development.
The principal measure designed to support the biomass sector in Ireland at present is the REFIT 3 scheme. This scheme has the potential to support up to 310 MW of biomass plants in Ireland, including support for the co-firing of biomass at the three existing peat stations. Bord na Mona (BnM) is the only plant to have availed of this support to date.
In addition, my Department is in the process of finalising a Bioenergy Plan to be published later this year. The Plan will highlight the full range of supply-side and demand-side measures that are needed to release the full potential of the domestic biomass sector in Ireland. I expect that a revised draft bioenergy plan to go for public consultation in the coming months. This consultation will be advertised on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie.
One of the key measures in the bioenergy plan is the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The RHI is designed as a demand side measure in the bioenergy sector as it is likely to provide commercial opportunities for renewable heat technologies, including biomass boiler installations. Therefore it is likely that new opportunities will open up for biomass feedstock producers downstream in the biomass supply market. However, available domestic biomass is limited and therefore any supply side measures that can encourage growth in domestic biomass production will assist in meeting the renewable heat target in a cost effective way.
In addition, Bioenergy Ireland, now proposed as BnM BioEnergy, will produce synergies between BnM and Coillte Teoranta, in a number of areas including bioenergy and forestry, which will stimulate growth in the biomass sector. These companies are pursuing a series of initiatives including promoting private afforestation, developing energy crop proposals, incentivising supply mobilisation through aggregation and developing the demand for biomass fuel.
103. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to address concerns that up to 500 post offices will close in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29880/17]
View answerAs Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post, to ensure the company is fully compliant with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning An Post.
Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for An Post mails and retail businesses, including the post office network, are a matter for the board and the management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function. Consequently, measures to maintain, enhance and diversify the post office network are fundamentally a matter for An Post.
It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong, viable company in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and that it maintains a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. However, the environment in which the post office operates is changing and the network needs to change to thrive particularly with the move to digital transactions. This involves harnessing existing strengths such as its trusted brand and the relationship of postmasters with individual communities to build the network of the future. The post office plays an important role in serving the needs of business and domestic customers alike and this is at the forefront of An Post’s mandate.
The House will be aware that a fundamental review of An Post, including the post office network, which will identify the strategic changes and restructuring necessary to maintain the company on a sound financial footing is ongoing.
As I have already stated, while decisions in relation to restructuring of An Post and the operation of the post office network are operational matters for the Board and management of An Post, I am monitoring the position closely and hope that a pragmatic approach which will ensure the long term sustainability of An Post and the post office network can be agreed. I have had a number of meetings with the CEO and the Chairman and my officials also meet An Post on a regular basis. I have encouraged An Post to continue to work closely with all parties to find an agreed solution to the renewal of the network. Government will be briefed once a definitive strategy has been agreed but until such time it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this process.
105. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the work that his Department is undertaking to monitor cybersecurity threats and to increase Ireland's protection against such threats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29471/17]
View answer116. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number and grade of staff at the national cybersecurity centre; the resources made available to the centre each year; his plans to enhance the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29470/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 116 together.
The National Cyber Strategy set out the priorities for the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) for the period 2015-2017, as the protection of Government ICT Infrastructure while building capacity in other areas, including, particularly, the protection of critical national infrastructure. While the 2016 EU Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive was largely anticipated in the Strategy, the finalised Directive contains additional provisions which will have significant implications for my Department also.
The NCSC is presently engaged in a series of activities supporting Departments and agencies in the protection of their networks and infrastructure. These measures include monitoring threats, developing appropriate responses, and informing constituents of these on an ongoing basis.
The NIS Directive requires Member States to take measures to protect critical national infrastructure and ensure the security of Digital Service Providers. As such, the legislation that will be used to transpose this Directive will set out the means that will be used to deal with infrastructure protection in this space, and the NCSC is already well advanced in developing these in a practical way and identifying the actual infrastructure involved.
The dynamic nature of this issue, and the risks posed to citizens and the State, are clearly significant. The NCSC is presently undergoing expansion, both in terms of staffing numbers and funding. While the precise resourcing and staffing of the NCSC are security sensitive issues and are not published, it can be said that the NCSC has just finished a recruitment process at two separate grades, with a number of additional staff either in clearance or already in place.
107. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the recently awarded contract for the emergency call answering service will ensure there is a reliable and safe emergency call-out service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29761/17]
View answerThe contract for a new Emergency Call Answering Service Operator is subject to an on-going procurement process which is being conducted in accordance with relevant national public procurement policy and European Union Directive 2004/18/EC.
However, I can say that my priority is to ensure that all calls to the Emergency Call Answering Service are answered quickly and efficiently and forwarded, as appropriate, to the Emergency Services to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens.
As such, the successful tenderer will be required to meet a number of key performance indicators, set out in the procurement process, to ensure that a reliable and safe Emergency Call Answering Service is available on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis. The system:
- must be designed and configured in a resilient manner to support the provision of a high availability system with a minimum availability of 99.999% on a monthly basis;
- must comprise of a minimum of two geographically separated operator centres where calls are answered and configured so that all calls can be answered at one centre if required. A separate contingency site must also be provided;
- must also include two data centres for housing telephony and data storage systems which must also be geographically separated from each other so that the loss of one centre does not affect the availability of the overall service.
In addition, the service must have operators in place to answer all calls to the service throughout the day including calls from persons with a disability. Procedures must be in place to ensure additional operators can be deployed to deal with unforeseen increases in emergency calls, if required.
111. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe in place for the introduction of the pay-by-weight system for household waste collection; and the pricing structure that is envisaged. [29479/17]
View answerThe charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
I have been quite clear that I am not introducing mandatory per kilogramme pay by weight charging. My intention is to introduce an incentivised pricing structure which will provide the flexibility for customers to be offered a suite of pricing options to encourage householders to reduce and segregate their waste.
This approach is in line with Government waste policy which is articulated in the 2012 policy document 'A Resource Opportunity- Waste Management Policy in Ireland'. A specific measure in the policy provides that the household waste collection sector will “operate pricing structures designed to incentivise environmentally sustainable behaviours by households in terms of waste reduction and segregation”. Incentivised pricing should encourage us, as a community, to prevent and reduce the amount of waste that we produce and to utilise the value of our waste through reuse, recycling and recovery. This will also enable Ireland to meet its legal obligations as well as current and future targets under EU waste legislation.
The amount of waste being sent to landfill has increased in the last two years. Last year, local authorities had to exercise emergency powers on two occasions to make additional landfill capacity available. We must act to encourage further waste reduction in order to avert a return to an over dependence on landfill. The introduction of an incentivised pricing structure for household waste collection will be an important measure in this regard.
112. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has engaged with the local and regional media outlets that were party to a proposed media merger with a media group (details supplied) in the context of the future sustainability of diversity within local and regional media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29719/17]
View answerFollowing approval by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, notification of the proposed transaction referenced in the question was received by me as Minister on 21 November 2016. I had 30 working days from the notification deadline of 24 November 2016 to conduct an initial, or Phase 1, assessment of the case on media plurality grounds.
Prior to this notification and in accordance with the Guidelines on Media Mergers, my Department facilitated two pre-notification meetings with the representatives of the Parties, one on 22 September 2016 and one on 11 November 2016.
On completion of this Phase 1 examination, I decided on 10 January 2017 to request the BAI to conduct a full, or Phase 2, media merger examination of the proposed transaction. Furthermore, in accordance with the legislation, I established an advisory panel to provide an opinion to the BAI on the application of the relevant criteria in the legislation to the media merger in question.
I received the report and recommendations of the BAI on 9 May 2017. However, prior to the deadline for my determination, the parties notified the Department that the merger would not be proceeding. My Department had contact, as appropriate under the relevant legislation, with the Parties during this period.
The Deputy may be aware that it is my intention to publish the relevant reports, including that submitted by the BAI, as soon as possible, having due regard to commercial sensitivity. To this end, my Department has begun consulting with the Parties with a view to identifying any commercially sensitive information which should be removed prior to their publication.
113. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has conducted a cost-benefit analysis regarding the renewable energy support scheme in the context of solar energy and offshore wind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29464/17]
View answerThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy.
My Department is currently developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which is being designed to assist Ireland in meeting its 2020 renewable electricity targets and will support in delivering Ireland's renewable energy contributions to the 2030 EU renewable energy targets.
The design of the new scheme is underway, and includes an extensive independent economic appraisal. This economic appraisal involves comparing the cost of supporting Solar Photovoltaics (PV) - both rooftop and ground mounted, offshore wind, onshore wind and a range of other commercial renewable technologies, to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply. The assessment also includes analysis of the optimum financial support mechanisms for renewable technologies, in line with the 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines.
My Department will shortly publish a public consultation on key design elements of the new support scheme. Following the outcome of this public consultation, and before any new scheme is introduced, it will need to secure Government approval and state aid clearance from the European Commission. Subject to this, it is expected that the new scheme will become operational in 2018.
I am fully aware of the level of interest in the solar and offshore wind sector in Ireland, by both state-owned and private-sector companies. My position remains that while solar and offshore wind have a role to play in Ireland’s energy future, particularly in relation to diversification of our renewable portfolio, we cannot have a situation where a new support scheme leads to a disproportionate increase in people’s electricity bills through the Public Service Obligation levy. In designing the new RESS, the cost implications for people and businesses will, therefore be a high priority and I will ensure that the new scheme is designed in a cost efficient manner.
115. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the progress of the roll-out of Eircodes. [29482/17]
View answerCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the use of the National Postcode System "Eircode".
Since the launch in July 2015, Eircode usage, as part of an address, continues to grow and is used widely among the public, businesses and public sector. This, in part, can be seen by use of the free Eircode Finder app having to-date over 13million free lookups, with an average daily hit rate of 24,000.
Eircodes are available on Google Maps, and other Sat Nav Providers, such as TomTom, facilitating better access for consumers and businesses to digital goods and services.
Capita have licenced over 30 approved Eircode Providers, many of which are SME’s developing Eircode applications for use by businesses across a spectrum of business categories. These include parcel delivery companies like Nightline, DHL and CityPost as well as food delivery businesses such as Domino’s Pizza, using Eircodes to accurately locate proprieties for timely deliveries. Also, there are many businesses that use Eircodes free of charge by using a number of free Eircode Finder app’s to provide services to their customers.
Eircodes are being used by public sector bodies including, CSO, OSi, National Transport Authority, Student Universal Support Ireland, Local Authorities, Revenue, Department of Social Protection, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Health Service Executive. Other state bodies and agencies that interact with the public have incorporated Eircodes into their operational systems.
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) integrated Eircodes into their Computer Aided Dispatch system and actively encourage people who are seeking an emergency ambulance to have their Eircode available to pass it on to the call taker. This means that the patient’s address and the position of the nearest available ambulance can be accurately pinpointed on a digital map. This enables an ambulance to quickly and accurately be routed to someone in need of medical help.
117. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach the monetary value of all work contracted out under the aegis of his Department to external agencies or consultancies for work completed or investigations undertaken in human resources and industrial relations including hiring and interviewing of staff, disciplinary procedures and workplace related issues such as allegations of bullying and so on or dignity at work issues in each of the years 2015 and 2016. [29346/17]
View answerNeither my Department nor the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) have contracted any consultants for work completed or investigations undertaken in HR and industrial relations.
118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the volume and value in money terms of agrifood products exported in 2015 and 2016; and the percentage of these products that were exported to Northern Ireland and Britain. [29460/17]
View answerThere is no trade classification which covers the agri-food sector. The following tables show the value and volume of exports for a wide range of products which are frequently used, but not necessarily exclusively, in the agri-food sector. It should be noted that this list is not exhaustive, and that there may be goods in other classifications not included here which are also used in the agri-food sector. The tables show the value and volume of exports for each classification for the years 2015 and 2016, and the percentage of each exported to Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the volume and value in money terms of products in the construction sector exported in 2015 and 2016; and the percentage of these products that were exported to Northern Ireland and Britain. [29461/17]
View answerThere is no trade classification which covers the construction sector. The following table shows the value and volume of exports for a wide range of products which are frequently used, but not necessarily exclusively, in the construction sector. It should be noted that this list is not exhaustive, and that there may be goods in other classifications not included here which are also used in the construction sector. The table shows the value and volume of exports for each classification for the years 2015 and 2016, and the percentage of each exported to Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
120. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the volume and value in money terms of products in engineering sectors exported in 2015 and 2016; and the percentage of these products that were exported to Northern Ireland and Britain. [29462/17]
View answerThere is no trade classification which covers the engineering sector. The following table shows the value and volume of exports for a wide range of products which are frequently used, but not necessarily exclusively, in the engineering sector. It should be noted that this list is not exhaustive, and that there may be goods in other classifications not included here which are also used in the engineering sector. The tables show the value and volume of exports for each classification for the years 2015 and 2016, and the percentage of each exported to Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
121. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach the amount of goods and services exported to Europe over land through the United Kingdom but that are not used, bought or sold within the UK in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the amount of goods and services exported to Europe but not transported through the UK in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [29573/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not available. The country of final destination is recorded as the country of export in the merchandise trade data. There is no data available on the route taken, or transit country of the goods.
122. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the staffing complement of his Department in whole-time equivalents as at the end of 2016. [29611/17]
View answerAt the end of December 2016, there were 188.2 (whole time equivalent) staff working in my Department.
123. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach when the Central Statistics Office will publish details on gross national income; and if the new metric will be used for deficit reduction targets. [29401/17]
View answerThe CSO will publish annual current price estimates of modified GNI (or GNI*) for the years 1995 to 2016 with the annual National Income and Expenditure (NIE) 2016 results, scheduled for mid-2017. The CSO plan to develop quarterly estimates of GNI* in 2018, with the estimates calculated at current and constant prices (i.e. adjusted for inflation).
The CSO publishes Government Finance Statistics which form the basis for fiscal monitoring in Europe, in particular in relation to the Excessive Deficit Procedure. The EU fiscal rules are set with GDP as the denominator, allowing for harmonised international comparison.
124. Deputy John Brassil asked the Taoiseach the reason for the discrepancy in unemployment figures in view of the fact that the census gave an unemployment rate of 12.7% yet unemployment figures represent 8%. [29452/17]
View answerThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of employment and unemployment statistics for the State. In Q2 2016, the unemployment rate as measured by the QNHS was 8.6%.
The Census of Population 2016 Summary Results - Part 2, published on 15 June 2017 (based on Census night 24th April 2016) provided an alternative measure of unemployment levels and indicated an unemployment rate of 12.7%.
The main difference in the unemployment rate between the two sources arises as the classifications used in the measurement of unemployment differs for both.
- In the QNHS, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) classification is used and defines employment, unemployment and the inactive population. Unemployment is defined as persons who, in the week before the survey, were without work and available for work within the next two weeks, and had taken specific steps, in the preceding four weeks, to find work.
- The Census uses the Principal Economic Status (PES) classification to establish the labour force situation of the respondent. The PES classification is based on how respondents would describe their present principal status including a status of being unemployed.
In addition, differences can arise because:
- The QNHS results are based on a survey of a sample of the population while the Census results are based on an enumeration of the entire population
- The Census form is completed by a responsible adult in each household throughout the State in respect of everyone present in the household on Census Night, while the QNHS is by face to face interview.
Notwithstanding these differences, the main strength of the census-based data on employment and unemployment is the provision of data for small geographic areas, analysis on the comparisons between areas, the provision of data on unemployment blackspots, and other analysis across multiple variables such as marital status, detailed nationality, etc.
