Written Answers Nos. 177-194
177. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of high support hostel placements, as outlined in A Vision for Change, in the County Kildare and west County Wicklow region; the improvements that have been made in the level of provision in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10373/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
178. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the way in which the plans for a new acute mental health unit at Naas General Hospital may help to free up space from the old Lakeview unit for enhanced capacity at Naas General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10374/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
179. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a funding freeze imposed by the HSE in south County Dublin (details supplied); when this freeze will be lifted; if his attention has been further drawn to the distress this freezing is placing on families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10425/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
180. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 227 of 1 February 2018, the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); when the payment will issue in view of the fact that it has been prioritised by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10224/18]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received the payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
The Department is aware of an issue with this case that has delayed payments. This case is being processed at the moment and payment will issue when all relevant checks are complete. GLAS payments are continuing to issue on a weekly basis.
181. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10230/18]
View answerThe above named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of January 1st 2017.
All GLAS claims must clear validation checks before payment can be made. My Department is working proactively to complete the checks required to allow for the issue of payments. Once this case clears the validations the 2017 advance payment will be processed. GLAS payments are issuing on a weekly basis.
182. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delays in processing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10238/18]
View answerThe above named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of January 1st 2016 and has received all payments in respect of 2016.
All GLAS claims must clear validation checks before payment can be made. My Department is working proactively to complete the checks required to allow for the issue of payments. Once this case clears the validations the 2017 advance payment will be processed. GLAS payments are issuing on a weekly basis.
183. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10253/18]
View answerThis person has received all payments due to date.
184. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 21 February 2018, the contractual commitments contained as part of the recently announced funding commitments for Killybegs harbour centre (details supplied); the reason the figures do not correlate between those provided by his Department and the figures provided in his reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10263/18]
View answerI want to clarify to the Deputy that in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 21 February 2018 I set out the context and reasons for the €5.08m contractual commitment figure allocated under the 2018 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme.
I also set out the two main components of the €5.08m figure, namely €3.47m for the completion of the Smooth Point(phase 1) project and €1.26m for the completion of the Landing Pier Upgrade project which between them account for €4.73m.
The remaining €350,000 is accounted for by €100,000 which is allocated as a contractual commitment for the completion of the Small Craft Harbour project, on which €2.9m has been spent to date. In addition a further €250,000 was allocated as a contractual commitment for completion of the Harbour Electrical Upgrade project which received €499,000 in funding in 2017.
I trust this clarifies the position.
185. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under GLAS 2 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10264/18]
View answerThe above named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of January 1st 2016 and has received all payments in respect of scheme year 2016.
All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue. Department officials are working proactively to complete these checks. Once this case clears validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are being made on a weekly basis.
186. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made in respect of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10265/18]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the 2017 BPS on 6 May 2017.
As part of the process of determining land eligibility, parcels declared by the person named on his 2017 BPS application have been identified as having been burned outside of the permitted timeframes.
Accordingly, such lands are not eligible for the purpose of a BPS payment and this has created an over claim on the named person's BPS application.
The person named was notified by my Department about the burned land parcel(s) in question, and has submitted an appeal. This appeal is being examined with a view to an early resolution. Should additional information be required, my Department will contact the person named directly.
187. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the employment records of a person (details supplied) can be altered to reflect an employment. [10270/18]
View answerThe matter of pension entitlements for former employees is a matter for Human Resources (HR) Division within my Department. I would like to assure the Deputy that a member of the HR team will contact the person directly to assist with their enquiry.
188. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the newspapers his Department officials have engaged with in promoting or explaining Government business in his Department; when these meetings took place; if they are held on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10286/18]
View answerThe Press and Information Office in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides a service in respect of all general media enquiries, including those in relation to Government business. This service responds to ad-hoc media queries and does not include any regularly scheduled meetings with specific media outlets.
189. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the conditions at a pound (details supplied) which is the subject of a social media video displaying appalling living conditions for animals; if he is satisfied that the standard of welfare at this facility meets the welfare standards regarding all animals, including dogs seized, accepted or detained under the Control of Dogs Acts and under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10343/18]
View answerUnder the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have responsibility for the management of dog pounds. Enforcement of welfare standards for animals, including dogs come under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. My Department maintains a close working relationship with local authorities on dog welfare matters and has consulted with the relevant local authorities who avail of the services of the enterprise referenced, all of which have indicated that the facility is maintained to a very high standard and has passed all recent unannounced veterinary inspections.
190. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10351/18]
View answerThe above named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of January 1st 2017.
All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue. My Department is working proactively to complete these checks. Once this case clears validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are being made on a weekly basis.
191. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in west County Cork in receipt of the basic payment scheme, BPS, and greening payments in ranges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10398/18]
View answerPlease find below information as requested by the Deputy.
|
Range |
BPS Applicants |
Greening Applicants |
|
01-Between 0 and 10000 |
7262 |
8196 |
|
02-Between 10001 and 20000 |
885 |
103 |
|
03-Between 20001 and 30000 |
107 |
14 |
|
04-Between 30001 and 40000 |
38 |
2 |
|
05-Between 40001 and 50000 |
10 |
0 |
|
06-Between 50001 and 60000 |
7 |
0 |
|
07-Between 60001 and 70000 |
4 |
0 |
|
08-Between 70001 and 80000 |
2 |
0 |
|
09-Between 80001 and 90000 |
0 |
0 |
|
10-Between 90001 and 100000 |
0 |
0 |
|
11-Over 100001 |
0 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
8315 |
8315 |
192. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) dated 8 November 2017 sent to him and acknowledged by his Department on 16 November 2017; the reason for the delay in replying to the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10217/18]
View answerA final reply is now being issued to the Deputy in relation to the issue raised. The delay was due to the very significant workload within the Road Safety Division of my Department.
The Deputy’s correspondence related to a person who has experienced an issue as regards his medical fitness to drive. Medical Fitness to Drive standards including as regards eyesight are set at European and not at national level. The Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines are available on the RSA's website at http://rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Safe-driving/Medical-Issues/
I cannot comment on individual cases such as the case raised by the Deputy.
193. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the newspapers his Department officials have engaged with in promoting or explaining Government business in his Department; when these meetings took place; if they are held on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10299/18]
View answerMy officials do not have regular meetings with any newspapers regarding the promotion or explanation of Government business in my Department.
Officials from my Department provided technical briefing support as part of an engagement process with a range of stakeholders led by the Department of an Taoiseach in the lead up to the launch of Project Ireland 2040. Three officials from my Department accompanied me to the recent launch of Project Ireland 2040 at which members of the media, including newspapers, would also have been present and may have attended briefing sessions.
In addition, officials in my Department's Press Office answer general media queries on Departmental business on an ongoing basis.
194. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10303/18]
View answerThe transition to alternatively fuelled vehicles is a necessary step-change for Ireland to effect a substantial reduction in transport emissions. I am very much committed to exploring mechanisms to encourage more individuals to switch to electric vehicles (EVs). In fact, in the National Policy Framework for Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland 2017-2030 published last year by my Department, we set a clear ambition that all new cars and vans sold in Ireland from 2030 onwards will be zero emission (or zero emission-capable). (Available at http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/public-transport/english/npf-picture/6186npfalternative-fuelsengv5.pdf. This ambition was reiterated in both the Government's National Mitigation Plan (https://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/National%20Mitigation%20Plan%202017.pdf) and the recent National Development Plan 2018-2027 (http://www.per.gov.ie/en/national-development-plan-2017-2028/).
In this regard, it may interest the Deputy to know that my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, jointly convened an interdepartmental Low-Emitting Vehicles (LEV) Task Force to consider a wide range of measures and options available to Government for the purpose of accelerating the deployment of low carbon technologies – specifically that of EVs. The work of the Taskforce has been divided into three work streams focusing on: Market Growth Stimuli and Visibility (Working Group 1); Infrastructure, Energy Regulation and Pricing (Working Group 2); and Planning Legislation, Building Regulations and Public Leadership (Working Group 3). Preliminary recommendations from the Taskforce were considered in the 2018 budgetary process and a suite of continued and new EV supports were subsequently announced. A list of current incentives to promote EVs is presented in the table below and is promoted on the SEAI website (https://www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/). As you will see there is a particular focus on raising public awareness and promoting citizen engagement with EVs.
In terms of the number and location of publicly accessible charging stations, I understand that there are currently c. 1,200 charge points (79 fast chargers) available across the island of Ireland which is among the more comprehensive networks currently in place across Europe. At present the fast charge points are primarily located on corridors that facilitate intercity travel. However, during 2018 Working Groups 2 and 3 of the Taskforce will comprehensively consider the future development of the EV charging network as a key element to support greater EV use. In relation to dedicated parking for EVs, under the Road Traffic Act 1994 it is a matter for each individual local authority to make bye-laws governing the type of paid parking controls in their jurisdictions. However, the role of parking as an incentive is currently under consideration by Working Group 1 of the Taskforce and a series of stakeholder engagements with local authorities have already taken place. The LEV Taskforce expects to report its findings to Government in Q2 2018.
Finally, I was delighted to secure funding as part of Budget 2018 to help encourage the transition of our Taxi/Hackney/Limousine sector towards EVs. This sector can play a vital role in championing the use of EVs to members of the public and in reducing harmful tailpipe emissions, particularly across our urban areas. The grant scheme was launched on February 1st and is administered on behalf of my Department by the National Transport Authority (NTA). This scheme is available nationwide and supports both new and second-hand EVs.
Current Electric Vehicle Incentives
|
Current Incentives |
- |
|
VRT Relief |
Continuation of VRT relief in Budget 2018 - Up to €5,000 for new EVs until end 2021 Up to €2,500 for new PHEVs until end 2018 |
|
SEAI Grant Scheme |
Continuation of SEAI Purchase Grant - Up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new EV or PHEV |
|
Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) |
EVs and charging infrastructure are qualifying equipment under the ACA scheme |
|
Charging Supports |
A new grant to support installation of home charger points for buyers of new and second-hand EVs from January 1st |
|
SPSV Grant Scheme |
A new grant and supporting measures to stimulate take-up of EVs in the taxi /hackney/limousine sector |
|
0% Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) |
A new BIK 0% rate to incentivise EVs without mileage conditions for at least three years |
|
Public Body Procurement |
National Procurement Service to introduce a new public procurement framework contract for EVs in 2018 to allow public bodies to buy EVs with reduced administrative burden |
|
Public Engagement Programme |
National awareness campaign Driver experience roadshow Public sector and commercial fleet trials Support for EV use in car sharing trials |
|
Toll Incentive Regime |
A reduced tolling regime for EVs is expected to be introduced in 2018. |
