Written Answers Nos. 177-196
177. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in the BDG scheme on course to meet their herds' 20% target by 31 October 2018; the number not on course to meet their target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40402/18]
View answerThere are currently approximately 22,600 herds on target to meet the minimum 20% 4 or 5 star female requirements by 31st October 2018. At present there are approximately 600 herds not on target but this is expected to reduce when the next evaluations issue shortly. The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation has issued reports to those participants not meeting this requirement advising them to source replacement females.
178. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appeal by a person (details supplied) in respect of the GLAS scheme will be accepted in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40457/18]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016 and has received payment for scheme year 2016 and the 2017 advance payment.
The participant was selected for a 2017 inspection and has requested a review of the inspection findings. The participant will be notified of the outcome when the review is complete.
179. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter regarding the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40485/18]
View answerAn application in this case was submitted under the Young Farmer’s Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II on 8 June 2018. During eligibility checks it was found that the applicant was first set up in farming more than five years before the date of application. The application was rejected on these grounds.
An application under the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme was also submitted on 8 June 2018, with the same investment items. This application is currently being processed and will be sent to the local office for approval shortly.
It is important to note that as per the terms and conditions of the scheme;
"Installation or construction of an investment cannot commence until written approval has been issued to the applicant(s). The commencement of construction or the installation of investment work prior to approval is ineligible. Any sub-investment that has been installed or where work has commenced prior to approval will be rejected from the application". The applicants should not commence building until they receive an approval letter to do so.
180. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of grant aid drawn down in forestry premia and grants by Coillte, farmers and individual non-farmer private investors on an annual basis since the commencement of the current afforestation grant and forest premium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40506/18]
View answerThe current Forestry Programme (2014-2020) commenced in 2015 and offers an ambitious and attractive set of forestry measures aimed at increasing timber production and continuing to provide up to 12,000 jobs in the forestry sector while at the same time improving the quality of the natural environment. The afforestation scheme offers a fixed grant towards the costs, subject to the maximum laid down in the scheme’s terms and conditions. In addition, annual premiums are payable to new forests which qualify for an afforestation grant for a maximum period of 15 years.
There is no distinction between the rate paid to farmers and non-farmers under the 2014-2020 Forestry Programme as the aim is to make the afforestation scheme accessible to all landowners; this allows retired farmers, sons and daughters of farmers or other relatives who might have inherited land but who have careers outside of farming to take part in the scheme, as well as other private investors.
My Department compiles a number of different afforestation statistics annually, which are made available on my Department's website. Those statistics include payments made to farmers and non-farmers. While the statistics for a number of years are available on the website, a synopsis for the period 2015-2017 is attached.
Coillte is not included in the figures as it was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of its forest estate, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte was deemed ineligible in 1999 for the receipt of forestry premiums. In addition, no grant payments have been made to Coillte as part of the 2014-2020 Forestry Programme to date.
Payments under the Forestry Programme 2014 -2020
|
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
||||
|
Farmer |
Non-Farmer |
Farmer |
Non-Farmer |
Farmer |
Non-Farmer |
|
|
Premium payments |
67,498,284.89 |
4,469,387.94 |
69,663,414.03 |
3,278,328.43 |
72,051,023.08 |
2,075,530.57 |
|
Grant Payments |
15,428,032.10 |
6,911,541.01 |
18,462,650.02 |
7,202,883.10 |
22,166,734.36 |
3,036,001.27 |
|
Total |
82,926,316.99 |
11,380,928.95 |
88,126,064.05 |
10,481,211.53 |
94,217,757.44 |
5,111,531.84 |
181. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide data relating to matters (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40521/18]
View answerThe vast majority of clear-felling is of conifer forests and the restock species is generally the same as the previous rotation. While there are no targets in place for broadleaf tree planting at the reforestation stage, where environmental sensitivities exist the inclusion of broadleaves may be a condition of the tree-felling licence. As broadleaves are not generally clearfelled, the percentage of broadleaves continues to grow and according to the most recent National Forest Inventory has increased by 3% between 2013 and 2017 bringing the overall broadleaf area to 28.7% of the national forest estate.
In the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 a target was set to plant 30% of the area of new forests created annually with broadleaf tree species. My Department is making a monthly return to the European Commission on this rate which I am pleased to note has increased this year, largely as a direct result of measures introduced in the mid-term review of the Forestry Programme.
Detailed annual information on reforestation is not available for the period requested. However the third National Forest Inventory completed in 2017 provides information on species composition in reforestation site that are 10 years old and younger. The re-stocking species and figures are shown below;
|
Species |
Area (ha) |
Percent Area (%) |
|
Sitka spruce |
36,660 |
60.7 |
|
Norway spruce |
557 |
0.9 |
|
birch spp. |
5,340 |
8.9 |
|
Scots pine |
16 |
0.0 |
|
other pines |
7,939 |
13.2 |
|
Douglas fir |
3 |
0.0 |
|
alder |
1,370 |
2.3 |
|
larch spp. |
1,378 |
2.3 |
|
ash |
1,432 |
2.4 |
|
beech |
66 |
0.1 |
|
sycamore |
156 |
0.3 |
|
sessile & pedunculate oak |
600 |
1.0 |
|
other conifers |
3 |
0.0 |
|
Other short living broadleaves |
3,698 |
6.1 |
|
Other long living broadleaves |
1,085 |
1.8 |
|
Total |
60,302 |
100 |
All new forests must be established in compliance with national and EU legislation and the Department’s requirements as set out in the Forestry Standards Manual, Scheme Documents, Code of Best Practice – Ireland and the suite of environmental guidelines including the Environmental Requirements for Afforestation and the Land Types for Afforestation, to ensure that the establishment of new forests is carried out in a way that is compatible with the protection and enhancement of our environment, particularly in relation to water, biodiversity, archaeology, soil type and the landscape. The scheme documents set out the requirements at the design stage, the site works stage and the ongoing management. The Form 1 application records the initial application and sets out the project in accordance with the Environmental Requirements for afforestation document. Failure to do so, following an assessment of the application by DAFM, may result in a request for further information to rectify the application, additional conditions, or refusal. Post planting the site may be inspected for compliance with the Environmental Requirements. The site is also subject to inspection at year 4 and at any point during the 15 year premium run.
The Department regularly issues Circulars to update all internal and external stakeholders on new developments or to clarify any issues that arise and in the last two years has issued five circulars related to biodiversity and the environment aspects of forestry. Some of these are to update on policy changes while others for example are to announce mandatory training for registered foresters on the revised guidelines. I have no concern that these measures are not being implemented uniformly as we operate to one common regulatory system for forestry in Ireland.
The Department has also encouraged all registered foresters to register with the Society of Foresters and participate in their Continuous Professional Development programme which is funded by the Department.
Under the DAFM / EPA Acid Sensitivity Protocol, afforestation applications within certain defined areas of the country must be accompanied by water sampling at pre-approval stage, to assess the sensitivity of receiving waters to acidification.
In summary, sampling and analysis by an accredited laboratory must be carried out on at least four separate occasions within the period 1st February to the 31st May inclusive, with each sample taken at least 28 days apart. Where the minimum alkalinity of any one of the four samples taken is <8 mg CaCO3 / litre, no afforestation is permitted. If the result is 8-15 mg CaCO3 / litre, full, partial or no afforestation may be approved, following discussion and agreement between DAFM, EPA and Inland Fisheries Ireland. If the result is >15 mg CaCO3 / litre, afforestation may be licensed.
It should be noted that where landowners or foresters get negative water sample results they may not proceed with potential applications and therefore the amount of sampling conducted may be greater than that reflected in the numbers submitted to the Department.
It should also be noted that, since early 2013, water sampling under the Acid Sensitivity Protocol is not required for afforestation applications which relate to native woodland creation, as these are not considered to have the same potential acidifying effect as other categories of afforestation.
182. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the context of a recently published report for an organisation (details supplied) on the economic and societal importance of the Irish suckler beef sector, he will take steps to introduce a targeted payment of €200 per suckler cow in order to sustain this important and critical sector for the Irish rural agri-economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40560/18]
View answerMy Department is examining all appropriate measures to support the different agrifood sectors, including the suckler sector in preparation for the next iteration of the CAP. The measures adopted will be informed by stakeholder consultation on the needs of the sector to develop in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, as well as the relevant research and the available budget and structure of the new CAP when it is finalised.
The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is currently the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This scheme is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit within the herd.
My Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the €4 billion Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014 - 2020. In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler and sheep farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmers also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.
I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers, together with ensuring market access to as many markets as possible, both for live animals and beef exports, are appropriate supports for the continued development of the sector. National Farm Survey data suggests that suckler farmers receive support equivalent to approximately €500 per suckler cow on average.
I will continue to argue for as strong a CAP budget as possible, post-2020. In particular, I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP. My view is that such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system.
183. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a reduction was made in the entitlements of a person (details supplied) under the areas of natural constraint 2018 payment; if same will be reviewed and payments restored until the said appeal is determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40561/18]
View answerCompletion of a Carbon Navigator in conjunction with an approved advisor is a mandatory key requirement of BDGP I. Failure to do so results in automatic disqualification from the Programme and recovery of payments and costs paid under the Programme.
Reminder letters and texts issued on 9th September 2016, 2nd November 2016 and 24th March 2017 informing the person named of this requirement. In this instance a Carbon Navigator was still not completed by the person named.
As a result the person named was disqualified from the Programme and a debt was posted in respect of payments and costs already paid. When a debt is posted it is recovered from the first payment made under any scheme paid by the Department. If appeal is successful payments will be restored.
184. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an appeal by a person (details supplied) against imposed penalties will be determined; if the person will be allowed an oral hearing in respect of this appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40562/18]
View answerThe Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that an appeal was received from the person concerned. On receipt of the Department file and statement the appeal will be assigned to an Appeals Officer who will be in contact with the person concerned to organise a date for the Oral Hearing. Following the oral hearing a comprehensive decision letter will issue to the appellant.
185. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent decision to enable Ireland to prohibit or restrict the cultivation of genetically modified organisms here in view of the fact that scientific experts have said that the next generation of gene-edited crops has the potential to cut climate emissions in agriculture and boost global food security as outlined in an article (details supplied). [40572/18]
View answerThe Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (supported by the Environmental Protection Agency) is responsible for the authorisation of GM crops for cultivation, while my Department regulates its use, once authorised.
My colleague, Minister Denis Naughten, recently brought a proposal to Government to transpose Directive 2015/412 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015, which will enable, though not compel, Member States to opt out of cultivation of GMO crops approved for cultivation elsewhere in the EU. I understand that the legal instrument to effect the transposition will shortly be signed by Minister Naughten.
The recent decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to classify crops generated by the use of New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) as GMOs means that these crops will be evaluated under the existing GMO regulations regarding risk to human health, animal health and the environment.
Notwithstanding the transposition of this Directive, the Government intends to keep Ireland's policy in relation to GMO cultivation and other emerging technologies under ongoing review, particularly in light of scientific developments in this rapidly evolving sector.
186. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding tillage farming. [40573/18]
View answerMy Department is acutely aware of the importance of chlorothalonil (the active substance in the product referred to) to the cereal producing sector in Ireland, not only as a primary disease control tool but more critically as a resistance management tool, protecting other chemical families from the development of pathogen resistance.
A key issue is a change in the classification for carcinogenicity proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based on the outcome of the technical peer review consultation that it held with Member State experts. The ultimate decision on the appropriate classification will be based on an assessment that the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will undertake when a dossier is submitted to it. It is important that this process provides for all relevant information to be taken into account in a final decision on classification.
The ability of growers to use chlorothalonil products safely, without endangering themselves, consumers or the environment, and in compliance with regulatory approval criteria will be of primary importance in this process.
187. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the pilot scheme for collecting unwanted tyres from silage pits will be extended to Killarney and Tralee, County Kerry, for farmers who want to clean up their farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40375/18]
View answerIn 2017, I made available funding of €1m to local authorities to deal with the clean-up of existing stockpiles of tyres across the country. I did this to support the introduction of a new compliance scheme for tyres and waste tyres from 1 October 2017. At that time, I also indicated that I would look at the issue of tyres on farms. I followed through on that commitment by recently making €700,000 available to remove tyres from farms.
Irish Farm Film Producers Group (IFFPG), the national farm plastics recycling compliance scheme, has agreed to undertake the removal of tyres from farms through 4 bring centres around the country. The collections, which were chosen because they represent a good geographical spread, began on Saturday 29th September at Cootehill Mart, Co. Cavan. Collections will also take place in New Ross Mart, Co. Wexford on Tuesday 9th October, Athenry Mart, Co Galway on Saturday 13th October and Gort Drum Mines, Monard, Co. Tipperary on Saturday 20th October next.
My officials will examine the possibility of extending the bring centre sites outside the four locations identified only after all collection days have been completed.
188. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the introduction of a new RHI scheme for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40428/18]
View answerThe Support Scheme for Renewable Heat has been developed to financially support the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System.
The first phase of the scheme, an installation grant for heat pumps, opened for applications on 12 September 2018. This phase of the scheme will support ground, air and water source electric heat pump installations providing grant-aid of up to 30% of the installation cost.
The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Further details, including the terms and conditions and how to apply, are available on the SEAI website.
The second phase of the scheme, an operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems, is expected to open for applications later this year, subject to state aid approval from the European Commission.
189. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of an allowance for persons with incontinence towards pay-by-weight bin charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40434/18]
View answerMy Department is continuing the work of developing a mechanism to provide a €75 support for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of medical incontinence products. This process has unfortunately taken longer than envisaged, due to data protection issues that have arisen since the introduction of GDPR. However, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to introducing the annual support as soon as practically possible in conjunction with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
In line with the commitments set out in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, published in 2012, and in the interest of encouraging further waste prevention and greater recycling, flat-rate fees for kerbside household waste collection are being phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018, as customers contracts come up for renewal. The necessary regulatory steps have been put in place to give effect to this measure.
It is worth noting that this measure is not ‘new’ for about half of kerbside household waste customers, who are already on an incentivised usage pricing plan, i.e., a plan which contains a per lift or a weight related fee.
As announced in mid-2017, mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging is not being introduced. Allowing for a range of charging options, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste, provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances.
The Price Monitoring Group has considered twelve months of data to date. While fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend is relative price stability.
190. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband services will be provided to certain locations (details supplied) under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40435/18]
View answerThe premises referred to by the Deputy are in the AMBER area on the High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. They are therefore included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. My Department received the Final Tender submission from the bidding consortium on 18 September 2018. This is a significant milestone as the NBP procurement process enters its final stage.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. The Department of Rural and Community Development maintain a list of Broadband Officers, a link to which is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/Pages/NBP-Information-Leaflets.aspx.
191. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of amber premises for the State intervention area, blue premises to be covered by commercial operators and light blue premises, respectively to be covered by Eir under the national broadband plan; the number of premises that have been connected under the plan for each such category by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40571/18]
View answerIn April 2017 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 under the National Broadband Plan.
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017. Approximately 175,000 of the committed premises have been passed as of Q2 2018.
I attach a table which outlines the number of premises in each of these categories on a National and County by County basis as of Q2 2018.
My Department does not receive detailed information on connections to premises from industry, other than those related to eir’s ongoing commercial deployment. According to the latest figures supplied to my Department by the company, some 37,000 premises have been connected to the new network.
The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, publishes a quarterly key data report on the telecommunications industry in Ireland. The Q2 2018 report, attached, contains information on connections which may be of interest to the Deputy.
192. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40388/18]
View answerMotor tax is based on the construction and use of a vehicle. In order to qualify for the commercial rate of motor tax, a vehicle must be constructed or adapted for use as a goods vehicle and used solely for the conveyance of goods in the course of trade or business.
Licensing authorities have an obligation under Article 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing)(Amendment) Regulations 1992 to be satisfied that a vehicle is correctly taxed and it is thus open to a motor tax office to seek supporting documentation when commercial motor tax is being applied for. Such documentation may include a certificate of commercial insurance, notification of registration for tax, evidence of registration for VAT purposes or, at the discretion of the licensing authority concerned, any other appropriate documentation that would indicate that the applicant is in trade or business. It is up to the individual concerned to provide whatever evidence is required by the licensing authority in order for it to be satisfied that the applicant is entitled to the commercial rate of motor tax, which effectively is a concessionary rate.
193. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the services in place on a route (details supplied); if additional services are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40393/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. It also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which now operates under the Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
194. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for legislation that would enforce taxis to provide child car seats as similar to other European states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40414/18]
View answerThe law in relation to the wearing of safety belts and child restraint systems in motor vehicles is set down in the European Communities (Compulsory Use of Safety Belts and Child Restraint Systems in Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2006, which transposed into Irish law Directive 2003/20/EC relating to the compulsory wearing of safety belts and child restraint systems.
The Directive requires that, in general, children who are less than 150 centimetres in height and 36 kilograms in weight be restrained by an appropriate child restraint when travelling in cars (including small public service vehicles). The Directive gives Member States the option to allow children to travel without child restraints in the rear of small public service vehicles if restraints are not available. In allowing for such arrangements in relation to the rear seats of small public service vehicles, the Directive recognises that child restraint systems come in a number of different weight classes and that it would not be reasonable to expect drivers of these vehicles to always have the appropriate child restraint available in their vehicles. For that reason, in making the Regulations to transpose the Directive into Irish law, the option in the Directive permitting children to travel without child restraints in the rear of small public service vehicles was reluctantly exercised. The Regulations, however, require children who are 3 years of age or over and 135 centimetres or more in height travelling in the rear of small public service vehicles not fitted with child restraints to wear safety belts.
Notwithstanding the legal position, it would be my desire that owners of small public service vehicles would endeavour to provide child restraints in so far as it is practicable to do so.
195. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to install off-the-road bus stops in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40417/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for ensuring the development and delivery of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
196. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of PSO funding that has been paid to each of the State's providers of public transport in each year since 2006, in tabular form. [40436/18]
View answerThe PSO funding provided to Iarnród Éireann, Bus Eireann and Bus Átha Cliath from 2006 - 2009 can be seen in the table below.
|
IÉ (€000) |
BÉ (€000) |
BÁC (€000) |
|
|
2006 |
188,716 |
26,459 |
69,845 |
|
2007 |
189,910 |
36,595 |
80,078 |
|
2008 |
181,152 |
41,846 |
85,629 |
|
2009 |
170,624 |
49,365 |
83,199 |
Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the companies are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. I have therefore referred the part of the Deputy’s question which relates to 2010 onwards to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
