Monday, 11 Sep 2017

Written Answers Nos. 1428-1447

Fishing Industry

Questions (1428)

Mary Butler

Question:

1428. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether the culture and knowledge required for eel fishermen either for commercial fishing or scientific research fisheries needs to be safeguarded for the future; his plans to have the issue examined in co-operation with IFI, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and fishermen that have the necessary knowledge of this ancient method of fishing and identity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37045/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Seán Kyne)

I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Question No.1249 of 26 July 2017. In addition, Inland Fisheries Ireland has engaged a number of former eel fishermen around the country in an eel research fishery which commenced in 2016.  This research is intended to contribute to informing a review, due in 2018, of the existing management measures contained in Ireland’s Eel Management Plan (EMP). The EMP has been approved by the European Commission under EU Regulation 1100/2007.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (1429, 1430)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

1429. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of women and men, respectively, employed in his Department in tabular form. [37068/17]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

1430. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of men and women, respectively, in his Department who hold posts (details supplied). [37079/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1429 and 1430 together.

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tables:

Staff Numbers as at 31/8/17	Female	Male
380	185	195
Grade (and equivalent)	Female	Male
Secretary General	0	1
Second Secretary	0	0
Deputy Secretary General	0	0
Assistant Secretary	1	4
Principal Officer	11	25
Assistant Principal	32	54

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (1431)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1431. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address the concerns of a person (details supplied) regarding broadband in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37168/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location.  The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that to date approximately 1.5m or 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second and this footprint is expanding.   

In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.  This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area. The Map is searchable by eircode. 

The BLUE areas on the Map represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering, or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services and the AMBER areas on the Map represent the areas that will require State Intervention and are the subject of a procurement process.  

Also in April, eir signed a agreement with me committing them to follow through on their commercial plans to provide new high speed broadband infrastructure to 300,000 premises in rural areas.  eir has committed to doing this work over a 90-week period with an average of 500 premises passed per day.  Quarterly updates on progress of the eir 300k rollout are published on my Department’s website.  The Quarter 2 2017 figures have been verified by my Department and the eir rollout is in line with the Commitment Agreement.     

 The address referred to in the Question falls within a LIGHT BLUE area on the High Speed Broadband Map and is covered by eir’s planned rural deployment.  Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available from eir at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/.  With regard to this rollout, decisions as to when areas and premises are served, is an operational matter for eir. My Department had no input in that process.

Illegal Dumping

Questions (1432)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1432. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding spent by local authorities on an annual basis in clearing up illegal dumping and littering throughout the country; the amount received from the various recycling and civic amenity centres throughout the country; if more is being spent on cleaning up illegal dumping than is being raised at these centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37213/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The cost of illegal dumping is not collated by my Department as it includes local authority enforcement, disposal and legal costs and also involves costs for other State agencies such as An Garda Síochána. Local authorities are requested to provide details of their expenditure under the Litter Pollution Acts on litter prevention and control on an annual basis to my Department. Such expenditure includes street and road cleaning, litter warden services and public awareness initiatives. In 2016 (latest available figures), local authorities spent approximately €96 million nationally on litter control and prevention. My role, as Minister, is to provide the legislative and policy framework under which both local authority and EPA enforcement action against illegal dumping and littering as appropriate is initiated. The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat littering; under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering is a matter for local authorities, taking account of its own local circumstances and priorities. Enforcement action in relation to illegal dumping is a matter for the relevant local authority concerned and also the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE), which supervises the environmental protection activities of local authorities.

The income derived by local authorities from Civic Amenity Sites operating in their functional areas is not collated by my Department but financial penalties for serious dumping offences available under the Waste Management Acts are substantial and range from a maximum fine of €5,000 on summary conviction to a maximum fine of €15 million on conviction on indictment and represent an opportunity to significantly defray enforcement and clean-up costs.

In terms of litter enforcement, the €150 on-the-spot fine for littering offences is one of a range of measures aimed at tackling the problem of litter in Ireland. In addition, under the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, penalties attaching to litter offences are also substantial.  This Act introduced conviction on indictment for litter offences with a maximum fine of €130,000, and set the maximum fine for summary conviction at €4,000. 

My Department has also developed an anti-dumping initiative to work in partnership with local authorities and community organisations in identifying high risk or problem areas, developing appropriate enforcement responses and carrying out clean-up operations.  In response to the hugely positive reaction from local authorities and communities since I launched this measure earlier this year, I have made further funds available to support it.  The initial allocation of €650,000 has been doubled with total funding of €1.3 million now being made available to support the clean-up of dumping black-spots and to target those who engage in this illegal practice.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (1433)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1433. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost his Department incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees; the financial institutions to which the payments were made. [37221/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

Year	Debit Card Charges   €	Credit Card Charges   €	Banking Fees & Charges   €	Fees for processing credit card and online sales receipts €
2017 (to date)	0	69.67	5738.31	426.61
2016	0	75.12	2635.66	1008.60
2015	0	86.31	778.07	2129.73
2014	0	160.37	758.07	1385.77
2013	0	148.20	192.25	1257.36

The above payments in respect of banking fees and charges, along with credit card charges were made to Bank of Ireland, while fees for processing receipts relating to the Geological Survey of Ireland's online and credit card sales were paid to Elavon.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (1434, 1435, 1437, 1448)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1434. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37388/17]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1435. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of a fibre optic installation in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37414/17]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1437. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a company (details supplied) plans to install broadband in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37518/17]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1448. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will extend the provision of broadband to a house (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37861/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1434, 1435, 1437 and 1448 together.  

The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location.  The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that to date approximately 1.5m or 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second and this footprint is expanding. 

In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.  This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high-speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area. The Map is searchable by eircode.

- The BLUE areas on the Map represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering, or have indicated plans to deliver high-speed broadband services, 

- The AMBER areas on the Map represent the areas that will require State Intervention and are the subject of a procurement process.

Also in April, eir signed a agreement with me committing them to follow through on their commercial plans to provide new high speed broadband infrastructure to 300,000 premises in rural areas.  eir has committed to doing this work over a 90 week period with an average of 500 premises passed per day.  

Quarterly updates on progress of the eir 300k rollout are published on my Department’s website.  The Quarter 2 2017 figures have been verified by my Department and the eir rollout is in line with the Commitment Agreement.     

The position in relation to the areas referred to by the Deputies is set out below.

Towland	County	Number of premises	AMBER premises  State led Intervention area	BLUE premises commercial operators	Light BLUE planned rural deployment by eir
Knocktaggle	Kerry	51	10	9	32
Rockfield	Kerry	29	1	2	26
Annaghilymore	Kerry	58	55 (including eircodes referenced in the Question)		3

A full set of county statistics are available at www.broadband.gov.ie. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available from eir at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/. 

I would encourage members of the general public who are in a BLUE area but who cannot access a high speed broadband service from at least one operator at present to contact my Department at [e-mail], quoting their contact details, eircode, query details, details of the operators they have contacted and conveying their permission for my Department to forward such details to the participating operators.  My Department is working with operators to ensure that all such locations will be in receipt of high-speed broadband as soon as possible.  

My Department is 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. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage, with “Detailed Solutions” to be submitted by bidders later this month. 

To improve both mobile and broadband services in rural Ireland in advance of the rollout of the high-speed broadband network to be built in the State intervention area, I established a task force to identify immediate solutions to mobile phone and broadband coverage deficits and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers. These solutions will enhance the existing services prior to the full build and rollout of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention

Waste Tyre Disposal

Questions (1436)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1436. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the collection of old and disused tyres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37477/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The new structures which I am introducing for tyres and waste tyres will come into effect on 1 October 2017. The new structures will not limit the number of waste collectors collecting waste tyres.  All waste collectors who are permitted by the National Waste Collection Permit Office to collect tyres will be able to do so under the new structures. They will however have to register with, and report tyre collections to, an approved body.  I will be approving Repak ELT as that body once the regulations giving effect to the new structures are finalised.

Question No. 1437 answered with Question No. 1434.

Natural Gas Imports

Questions (1438)

Clare Daly

Question:

1438. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views regarding the recent decision of the Port of Cork to enter into a joint venture with a company (details supplied) to import liquefied natural gas extracted through fracking in the United States, in view of the recent ban on fracking here due to of the serious environmental damage caused by same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37609/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The production, sourcing, buying and selling of natural gas produced outside this jurisdiction is an operational matter for the undertakings involved.  I have no policy remit in relation the means of energy production in other countries. In this jurisdiction, since 2002, the regulation of the gas market has been the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is independent in the performance of its functions.  I have no direct statutory function in relation to liquefied natural gas projects, including specific projects such as this project, nor in relation to ports policy.  The  announced investment decision is a commercial matter for project promoters to take.

Waste Disposal

Questions (1439)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1439. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has investigated the use of anaerobic digestion systems in waste disposal and energy production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37696/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

In order to maximise the resource potential and minimise disposal of our waste, the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015 build on the Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations 2009. These two sets of regulations place clear obligations on waste collectors, businesses and households to promote the segregation and recovery of food waste for purposes of producing energy, compost and digestate, thereby supporting job creation in the waste and bio-energy sectors. The Regulations also facilitate the achievement of the targets set out in the Landfill Directive (Directive 99/31/EC) for the diversion of bio-degradable municipal waste from landfill sites, by directing source-segregated household food waste to composting and to other forms of treatment.

There are positive indications that the implementation and enforcement of these Regulations are resulting in more food waste being diverted from landfill. The Environmental Protection Agency recently published Compost and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Statistics for 2015 which highlighted that the quantity of waste accepted for treatment at composting and AD plants increased from 271 ktonnes in 2013 to 300 ktonnes in 2015 (11% increase).

The Programme for Government and the White Paper on Energy Policy recognise that anaerobic digestion (AD) technology can utilise waste as a resource to produce renewable energy, while the National Mitigation Plan summarises the role anaerobic digestion could provide in reducing carbon emissions.

The REFIT3 (Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff) scheme currently supports the production of electricity in 13 AD plants. In addition, my Department has undertaken a detailed economic assessment on the design and cost of introducing a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in Ireland. This assessment included a broad range of renewable energy technologies, including the potential for the injection of biomethane produced in AD plants into the natural gas grid. The primary focus of the RHI is on large commercial and industrial heat users in the non-Emissions Trading Scheme to ensure the scheme is cost effective.

The final public consultation process on the design and implementation of the new RHI closed earlier this year with the findings informing final decisions in relation to the scheme. I will be bringing a proposal to Government in the coming weeks in relation to the scheme. Subsequent to a Government decision, a process for State Aid clearance from the European Commission will commence.

Last week, I launched a public consultation on the design options for a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). This follows on from the RESS Technology Review consultation which identified a range of technologies, including AD technologies, to be further assessed. The consultation will remain open until 3 November 2017.

Television Licence Fee Collection

Questions (1440)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1440. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has considered the possible impacts that outsourcing the collection of television licences could have on An Post's revenue. [37726/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

As the Deputy will be aware, I have obtained Government approval to draft a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act, 2009, including  amendments to allow for the tendering of TV Licence fee collection, and the proposed amendments are currently being considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny. In tandem with this, I recently asked the Office of Government Procurement to issue a Request for Information to see what services the market may be able to offer in respect of TV Licence fee collection. The result of this will help inform any tender process once the legislative amendments are in place to provide for a procurement process.  

Whatever form any future tender process might take, it is my intention that the post office network should remain central to the sale of television licences. 

In the meantime, there will be no change to the existing TV licence fee arrangements and An Post continues to work as my issuing agent in accordance with Section 145 of the Act. 

Question No. 1441 answered with Question No. 1421.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (1442)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1442. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the investment his Department has made in the Cavan, Monaghan and Meath areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37728/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

My Department provides investment under a number of schemes in Counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath. Details of the funding provided from 2016 to date are set out in the following tables: 

ENERGY

The Better Energy Homes scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The scheme supports private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating system upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER). Across 2016 and to date in 2017, €1.5m in grant funding has been provided to 1,431 homes across Cavan, Monaghan and Meath.

	2016		2017 (YTD)		Total
County	Homes	Grants	Homes	Grants
Cavan	193	€175,300	91	€114,000	€289,300
Meath	645	€671,600	373	€419,750	€1,091,350
Monaghan	81	€101,610	48	€65,350	€166,960
Total	919	€948,510	512	€599,100	€1,547,610

The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures, free of charge, to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty that meet the defined eligibility criteria. The measures typically provided include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs, cavity wall insulation and energy advice.  In 2016 and to date in 2017, €2.08m in grant funding has been provided to 996 homes across Cavan, Monaghan and Meath.

	2016		2017 (YTD)		Total
County	Homes	Spend	Homes	Spend
Cavan	90	€239,935	44	€112,515	€352,450
Meath	697	€1,363,537	98	191,673	€1,555,21
Monaghan	45	€114,303	22	61,010	€175,313
Total	832	€1,717,777	164	€365,199	€2,082,976

The Better Energy Communities scheme provides grants to community based partnerships to improve the thermal and electrical efficiency of the building stock and energy poor homes and facilities. Projects are typically based across a number of counties so it is not possible to report on a county by county basis. In 2016 €4,687,591 was paid out to projects which included elements within Cavan, Monaghan and Meath. In 2017, €3,317,488 in grant funding has been allocated to projects which include elements in Cavan, Monaghan and Meath.

ENVIRONMENT

Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme promotes anti-litter activities and creates awareness of litter issues amongst the general public.

Location (Cavan/Meath/Monaghan)	2016	2017 to end August	Total value of Investment
Cavan	€15,000	0	€15,000
Meath	€20,000	0	€20,000
Monaghan	€15,000	0	€15,000
			Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small scale environmental projects at local level.
Location (Cavan/Meath/Monaghan)	2016	2017 to end August	Total value of Investment
Cavan	€8,500	€9,775	€18,275
Meath	€15,575	€18,050	€33,807
Monaghan	€8,475	€9,775	€18,250

  - Note all payments were direct to local authorities who are responsible for the administration of the above schemes

Diesel Oil Claims

Location (Cavan/Meath/Monaghan)	2016	2017 to end August	Total value of Investment
Monaghan		€18,838	€18,838
Monaghan	€98,044		€98,044
			Historic Tyre Piles
Location (Cavan/Meath/Monaghan)	2016	2017 to end August	Total value of Investment
Monaghan	€20,000		€20,000
Monaghan		€32,668	€32,668

The Landfill Remediation Grant Scheme was established in order to deal with the specific issue of the remediation of closed, licensed, local authority-operated landfills, and in recognition of the fact that local authorities would not have sufficient resources to fund the full cost of this remediation.

Location (Cavan/Meath/Monaghan)	2016	2017 to end August	Total value of Investment
Meath	€499,705		€499,705
Cavan	€582,821		€582,821
			Environmental Enforcement Grant
Location (Cavan/Meath/Monaghan)	2016	2017 to end August	Total value of Investment
Monaghan	€204,833		€204,833
Meath	€259,000		€259,000
Cavan	€278,000		€278,000
			Waste Repatriation
Location (Cavan/Meath/Monaghan)	2016	2017 to end August	Total value of Investment
Monaghan	€301,291		€301,291

  COMMUNICATIONS

  The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is an initiative under the Government’s National Digital Strategy, and is specifically designed to support small and micro enterprises to trade online. The scheme offers financial assistance of up to €2,500, subject to match funding, coupled with training, mentoring and networking supports to help small businesses to develop their online trading capability. Small businesses, with 10 or fewer employees and less than €2m in revenue, that have little or no capacity to trade online, are eligible to apply. 

The demand-led scheme is funded by the Department and delivered on a nationwide basis by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO).  Businesses must be located within the jurisdiction of the LEO to which they apply. The following table shows the amount of funding provided to LEO Cavan, LEO Meath and LEO Monaghan under the Trading Online Voucher Scheme for 2016 and 2017 to end of August.

Location (Cavan/Meath/Monaghan)	2016	2017 to end August	Total value of investment
Cavan	€24,613	€13,289	€37,902
Meath	€34,594	€30,323	€64,917
Monaghan	€29,378	€32,550	€61,928

Projects funded/partially funded by DCCAE through Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI)

IFI has a €2m grant scheme currently open for applications. This is broken down as follows:

- Salmon Conservation Fund to a maximum of €500,000

- Midland Fisheries Fund of €50,000

- National Strategy for Angling Development Fund of €1,500,000

Name of investment scheme	Location (Cavan/Meath/Monaghan)	Description	Value of investment	Awarded in 2016	2017 to end August
Capital Grants Scheme 2016	Hollybank Lake, Arvagh Access Road and Car Park Improvements Cavan County Council	Hollybank Lake is a popular angling spot for pleasure and competitive angling. This project aims to improve access to the lake including upgrading the current access road, which is currently in poor condition, and the car park.	€16,920	Yes
Capital Grants Scheme 2016	Lough Sheelin Safety Measures Cavan County Council	Provision of safety measures at Lough Sheelin including the purchase of 30 marker buoys, chains, shackles and anchor blocks.	€3,618	Yes
Capital Grants Scheme 2016	Bun Lake Car Park and Access Road Improvements Cavan County Council	Upgrading the car park and access road at Bun Lough, Belturbet. This is a prime angling location and the project aims to improve access to the lakeside and make the site more attractive.  This project will add to the scope of leisure activities in Belturbet by improving the angling product in the town and wider region.	€14,913	Yes
Capital Grants Scheme 2016	Putiaghan Lake Lay-By Upgrade Cavan County Council	Resurfacing the lake lay-by on N3 at Putiaghan Lough. The lay-by is undersized and overgrown and this project aims to deliver a proper lay-by which delivers an adequate and safe parking facility for anglers.	€9,112	Yes
Capital Grants  Scheme 2016	Nadreegeel Loughs – Site Clearance, Car Park Improvement and Signage Development Cavan County Council	This is a popular fishing location with potential for development. This project will enhance the venue by adding a Disabled Access platform and reviewing existing facilities to ensure that Lacken Lake can be used by anglers of all abilities.  This work will also include improvements to the car park and informational signage developments.	€16,500	Yes
Capital Grants Scheme 2016	Mentrim Lake – Improved Angling Access Mentrim & District Anglers Community Organisation	Project to make lake accessible to anglers and wider community by providing more fishing areas, installing fishing stands, upgrading and expanding the car park, improving the entrance from the main road, clearing the walking area, bridging drains and providing start up fishing courses for all types of fishing and anglers of all ages.	€10,500	Yes
Capital Grants Scheme 2016	Lough More Greagh Emyvale – enable easier angling access Lough Moore and Blackwater Anglers Association	Install iron devices on boat dock to enable anglers to get in and out of boat. In particular, the devices should allow older anglers to grip them and lower themselves into a boat or lever themselves upwards when disembarking the boat.	€450	Yes
Capital Grants Scheme 2016	Bairds Shore Access Road and Kilroosky Parking Area Monaghan County Council	Resurfacing and pruning along Bairds Shore Access Road which is currently in poor condition, construction of new car parking area at Kilroosky and installation of 13 new signs throughout the district of Ballybay-Clones to direct anglers to lakes and fishing stands in the area.	€20,364	Yes
Salmon Conservation Fund	River Boyne (Kells Blackwater) The Curly Hole, Townland: Townley Hall and Oldbridge	Restoration works on the River Boyne at the Curly Hole, Oldbridge, Co. Meath,	€50,000	Yes
Salmon Conservation Fund	River Boyne (Kells Blackwater) Kells Blackwater at Martry Mill, Townland	Project is aimed at facilitating free passage of salmon and all fish at Martry Weir on the Kells Blackwater at Martry, Co. Meath	€46,000	Yes
Salmon Conservation Fund	Martry River (tributary of Kells Blackwater) Ballybeg, Co. Meath	River bank restoration, stock proofing and habitat rehabilitation	€15,000	Yes
Salmon Conservation Fund	Kells Blackwater (Boyne),Carnaross, Kells, Co. Meath	River bank restoration, stock proofing and habitat rehabilitation	€15,000	Yes
Salmon Conservation Fund	River Fane, Lannat, Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan	Tree Pruning, introduction of gravel into areas void of existing gravel to encourage salmon spawning, construction of 3 low water weirs to scour and clean gravel and pools.	€4,892	Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2016	Monaghan	National Junior Pike Final Angling Competition	€250	Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2016	Killeshandra, Cavan	NCFFI Youth All Ireland Angling Competition	€5,344	Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2016	Canal, Enfield, Meath	6 week Youth Angling Coaching Programme	€240	Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2016	Lisanisk Lake, Monaghan	Carrickmacross Juvenile Angling Summer Camp 2016	€1,727	Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2016	Arvagh, Cavan	(1) Arvagh Breffni Seniors Angling Competition; (2) Arvagh Breffni Open Angling Competition; (3) Arvagh International Coarse Fishing Festival;        (4) Arvagh King of Clubs Angling Competition	€11,043	Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2016	Leitrim/Cavan/ Fermanagh	Cross-Border Angling Competition	€9,161	Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2016	Cootehill, Cavan	Cootehill Fishing Festival	€5,521	Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2016	Lakes in Ballybay area, Monaghan	Ballybay 2 Day Fishing Festival	€500	Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2016	Lakes in Ballybay area, Monaghan	NCFFI Senior & Ladies All Ireland Championship	€1,145	Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2017	Lakes around Arvagh, Cavan	Breffni Seniors Angling Competition	€9,943		Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2017	Lakes around Arvagh, Cavan	Breffni Challenge Angling Competition	€9,943		Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2017	Lough Gowna and surrounding lakes, Cavan	Fitzpatricks Gowna Angling Competition /Festival	€750		Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2017	Boyne Canal, Navan, Meath	NCAC Open Day Juvenile Angling Coaching	€400		Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2017	Lisanisk Lake, Carrickmacross, Monaghan	Juvenile Angling Summer camp 2017	€500		Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2017	Lough Sillan, Cootehill, Cavan	Junior Feeder All Ireland Angling Competition	€250		Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2017	Cavan/Leitrim area. Venues to be finalised.	Juvenile All Ireland and Interprovincial Championships	€2,026		Yes
IFI Sponsorship Fund 2017	Event will be held in Monaghan/Cavan. Area venues to be finalised.	Senior and Ladies All Ireland Championship	€5,344		Yes

Waste Disposal

Questions (1443)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1443. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the different items that are allowed in green or black bins and the way in which his Department plans to educate persons on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37729/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Since 2013, a series of Regulations have been introduced to deal with the disposal of food waste and bio-waste. As part of this phased introduction, brown bins have been introduced on a gradual basis, starting in the largest population centres and extending to smaller centres of population. The European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 430 of 2015) are designed to promote the segregation and recovery of household food waste. Regulations 6 and 7 impose obligations on householders, which inter alia, require householders who avail of a household waste collection service, and are supplied with a food waste bin in line with the Regulations, to place food waste in the food waste bin. My Department has worked with the Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland to develop a website, www.brownbin.ie, to provide the public with the information required to use the brown bin appropriately. This includes advice on the types of material which should and should not be placed in a household brown bin and guidance on food waste prevention and home composting.

The Seventh Schedule to the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, (S.I. 820 of 2007) as amended, requires kerbside household waste collectors to accept a minimum list of recyclable household waste materials. Collectors also may accept additional mixed dry recyclable household waste items.

Residual household kerbside waste, as defined in the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, (S.I. 820 of 2007) as amended, which is not food waste or recyclable household waste, should be placed in the residual bin.  

All Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and waste batteries must be recycled and should not be placed in any household wheelie bins. WEEE is taken back free of charge in electrical retail stores on a one-for-one, like-for-like basis while waste batteries are taken back free of charge in all stores selling batteries with no obligation to make a purchase when returning old batteries. Each local authority also accepts household WEEE and small batteries free of charge at its recycling facilities.

Hazardous waste items should not be presented with normal household waste, i.e. in the mixed black bin waste for collection. Instead, hazardous waste should be separated at source (in the home) and brought to local authority recycling facilities for safe disposal.

The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices (RWMPOs) are running a comprehensive ongoing waste campaign in 2017. This campaign includes a programme of education and awareness using radio and cinema advertisements to encourage the use of the brown bin and focusing on food waste prevention, backed up with social media campaigns; the development of a master recycling programme by the RWMPOs, working with the environmental pillar, to roll out workshops across the country training recycling ambassadors to bring the recycling message and understanding to a wide variety of communities; and, a billboard campaign to promote the prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling of waste. The Department is also running a campaign on the phasing out of flat flee charges for household waste collection. The Department and the RWMPOs will assist households on how they can reduce and control their own domestic waste costs while preventing the creation of greater waste problems for future generations; further details available at:

www.southernwasteregion.ie

www.emwr.ie

www.curwmo.ie

Waste Disposal Charges

Questions (1444)

Noel Rock

Question:

1444. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if colostomy bags can be considered as part of the annual support for waste charges of €75 for persons with lifelong and long-term medical incontinence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37770/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

An annual support of €75 will be introduced for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence. This will help people meet the average annual cost of the disposal of medical incontinence pads. The details and arrangements of this support will be finalised later this year, after further consultation with the stakeholder groups.

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Questions (1445)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

1445. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the granting of an offshore oil exploration licence for a company (details supplied) is compliant with his commitment to take action in reducing carbon emissions and taking action to prevent climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37784/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Seán Kyne)

Four commercial gas discoveries and no commercial oil discoveries have been made since exploration began in the Irish Offshore. The Irish Atlantic Margin remains substantively underexplored and its actual potential will not be known without a significant increase in the level of exploration and in particular exploration drilling.

The Energy White Paper “Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030” sets out a vision and framework to guide Irish energy policy and the actions that Government intends to take in the energy sector from now up to 2030, aimed at transforming Ireland's fossil-fuel based energy sector into a clean, low carbon system by 2050. This ambitious vision for Ireland’s energy system envisages a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from that sector by 80-95% relative to 1990 levels by 2050. The White Paper identifies the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050.

Ireland’s transition to a low carbon energy future will involve progressively moving to lower emissions fuels e.g. moving initially from peat and coal to natural gas, and ultimately towards an even greater reliance on renewable energy. In that regard, the Government has introduced a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy and deliver energy efficiency.

The White Paper recognises that oil and natural gas will remain significant elements of Ireland’s energy supply in the transition period.  

Ireland currently sources all its oil from abroad. Ireland sources its gas supply from the Kinsale fields (Kinsale, Ballycotton and Seven Heads), the Corrib field and the gas pipeline from Moffat in Scotland. Corrib and Kinsale are not in a position to meet all of Ireland’s annual gas demand and so Ireland will continue to rely on gas via the United Kingdom for the foreseeable future. The Kinsale fields are expected to cease production by 2021 while Corrib production is projected to decrease to 50 per cent of its initial levels by 2025.

Taking this into account, successful exploration in Ireland’s Atlantic Margin has the potential to deliver significant and sustained benefits to Irish society and the economy, particularly in terms of enhanced security of supply and import substitution.

Waste Disposal Charges

Questions (1446)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

1446. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when household waste collection providers will be able to introduce the new pricing arrangements for household waste collections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37799/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The charges applied by waste management companies are matters for those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.

  In the interest of encouraging further waste prevention, the Government decided that flat-rate fees for kerbside household waste collection will be phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018 as customers contracts come up for renewal and the necessary regulatory steps are being put in place to give effect to this decision.

As has been long-standing practice, a collection service provider may amend a pricing structure or a contract at any time, as long as the amendments are in accordance with all relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation. It is worth noting that the measure to phase out flat fees is not ‘new’ for the more than half of kerbside household waste customers who are already on an incentivised pricing plan, i.e., a plan which contains a per lift or weight-related fee.

Environmental Policy

Questions (1447)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1447. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37800/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I am not aware of any issue affecting petrol engines along the lines suggested by the Deputy.  If the Deputy is in a position to provide further detailed information on this matter I will be happy to examine it.