Written Answers Nos. 872-891
872. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the identification and monitoring of potential sinkholes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54402/18]
View answerIdentification and monitoring of potential sink holes is a broad and complex topic involving various potential formational mechanisms, both natural and induced. The vast majority of sinkholes are natural occurrences formed from the dissolution and erosion of soluble bedrock, such as limestone and gypsum units. Until sinkholes reach the near surface, they are very difficult to identify, let alone monitor. Features, resembling sinkholes, may occasionally develop above shallow underground mine workings. These features are specifically referred to as crown holes. The majority of abandoned mines in Ireland are not the legal responsibility of the State. As a result, the State does not undertake monitoring at these sites. At all current underground mining operations and recently-closed underground mines, subsidence monitoring is undertaken by the licensee or former mining operator. The results of monitoring at current mines and some closed mines are normally reviewed on a biannual basis by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. However, detailed subsidence monitoring provides no certainty that potential crown hole development will be identified. Crown holes, like sinkholes, are difficult to identify until the cavity breaks the surface.
Mining subsidence events, including crown holes, have recently occurred at the Drumgoosat gypsum mine in Co. Monaghan, which closed in 1989. Monitoring of this site, including subsidence monitoring, has been occurring since the 1980s. The three relevant authorities, Monaghan County Council, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, are working together to ensure that the company carries out the necessary investigations to understand the development of the recent subsidence events and that all appropriate actions are taken to ensure the health and safety of the local community.
873. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the budget and spend in his Department for marketing, media and social media in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the projected spend for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54459/18]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions Nos 467, 476 and 477 of 19 December 2018. The position is unchanged.
874. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff in his Department employed to work on marketing, media and social media in 2018. [54476/18]
View answerThere are currently three staff members assigned to the press office of this Department consisting of one Press Officer at Assistant Principal level, one Executive Officer and one Clerical Officer. In accordance with the terms and conditions set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, one special advisor with responsibility for press and media is employed at Principal Officer level. In addition, there is a Strategic Development and Communications Unit in the Department. The Unit focusses on: internal communications including developing responses to the findings of the Civil Service Employee Engagement Surveys; supporting Departmental engagement with external stakeholders; and the development and maintenance of the Department's website. In 2018, staffing levels consisted of one Principal Officer (who is also responsible for the Press Office), one Assistant Principal Officer, two Higher Executive Officers, two full time Executive Officers plus one half time Executive, and one Clerical Officer.
A percentage of the time of some of these staff would involve work on media and social media.
875. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of electric vehicles for sale here are not included in the list for the electric vehicle home charger grant scheme; his plans to remedy the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54509/18]
View answerThe owner of an electric vehicle is eligible to apply for the electric vehicle home charger grant if the model of vehicle is currently, or has previously been, eligible for the electric vehicle purchase grant. The electric vehicle purchase grant was introduced in 2011 and details on the home charger scheme can be found at www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/electric-vehicle-home-charger-grant/. Currently, to qualify for the electric vehicle purchase grant, the electric vehicle must be classified as M1 (passenger vehicle) or N1 (light commercial vehicle) and meet certain requirements including criteria relating to range and tailpipe emissions. For example, plug in hybrid electric vehicles must have a range exceeding 20km in fully electric mode and must be certified with tail pipe emissions of less than 65 gCO2 per km.
In order for an electric vehicle to be approved under the electric vehicle purchase grant, it is the responsibility of the importer to contact the SEAI directly to register the vehicle with SEAI for the purchase grant scheme, thereby confirming that the vehicle meets the eligibility criteria as required.
876. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of developments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54551/18]
View answer880. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of developments at an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1568/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 876 and 880 together.
My Department, Monaghan County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency are working together to ensure that Gyproc carries out the necessary investigations to understand the development of the recent ‘sinkhole’ in Magheracloone. A programme of works has been agreed between the parties including site investigations and the results of investigations will be submitted by the company to the Statutory Authorities for monitoring and verification. Time lines have been set for these works which will be adjusted and revised depending on results. As a precautionary measure Monaghan County Council closed a section of the L4900 road to facilitate the investigative drilling which has commenced at the location. The three Statutory Authorities continue to work closely to ensure that the situation is managed and resolved by the company as promptly as possible.
877. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of electric vehicle charging stations in Limerick county and city, respectively; the number of electric vehicles registered in County Limerick in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1304/19]
View answerThe majority of the existing network of publicly accessible charge points was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. This network includes circa 80 fast chargers, mainly on national routes. A map showing the location of these charge points, including their status and availability, is available on the ESB's website at www.esb.ie/ecars. ESB eCars informs my Department that there are 26 publically available standard charge points and 4 fast chargers available in Limerick (city and county). It should be noted that this list is limited to ESB eCars public charge points and may not include any installations on private sites such as hotels or chargers installed by other entities. Figures provided by the Central Statistics Office indicate that there were 67 electric vehicles registered in Limerick in 2018.
879. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent on clearing illegal dumping in each county council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1524/19]
View answerThe total 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. Illegal dumping is first and foremost a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law. While enforcement action in this area is a matter in the first instance for local authorities, my Department encourages a multi-facetted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education and, as such, provides funding to support the activities of the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities of approximately €1 million per annum and of the network of local authority waste enforcement officers of approximately €7.4 million per annum.
In addition, my Department has developed the 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. Since 2017 funding of €3.3 million has been made available from the Environment Fund in this regard which has supported over 400 projects across all 31 local authority areas, remediating black spots and equipping local authority enforcement officers with the latest technologies available to support SMART enforcement of our waste laws.
A review of this initiative is underway which will inform a 2019 anti-dumping work programme that will place an increased emphasis on all actors who facilitate the unauthorised movement and disposal of waste.
881. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he expects the national waste management policy to be reviewed as set out in A Resource Opportunity – Waste Management Policy in Ireland in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1614/19]
View answerA review of "A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland" will be initiated as soon as is practically possible in 2019. This review process will take account of a number of initiatives, such as the European circular economy waste and plastics legislation framework and the reports from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Price Monitoring Group. This process will inform the development of future national waste management policy, including our environmental goals, regulatory and market structures, and policy instruments and tools.
882. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress he has made in considering the optimal next steps to achieve the level of ambition as set out in the national development plan, NDP, under the warmth and well-being programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1616/19]
View answerThe Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme was established in 2016 as a joint energy, social and health policy initiative with the Department of Health and cross Government support from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. The scheme was designed to objectively measure and validate the health and wellbeing impacts of improving the living conditions of vulnerable people living in energy poverty with chronic respiratory conditions, demonstrating the multiple benefits of energy efficiency. The scheme was established as a pilot in HSE Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) 7, specifically Dublin 8, 10, 12, 22 & 24. Almost 900 homes in the pilot area have now been upgraded with an investment of €20m. An independent analysis is being carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with the Health Service Executive. Interim findings will be available this year, which will help guide future decisions on the programme.
883. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress he has made with the relevant agencies and stakeholders to deliver the annual support of €75 for the disposal of medical incontinence wear for vulnerable persons to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of domestic waste; when he expects this support to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1617/19]
View answerMy Department is continuing the work of developing a mechanism to provide a €75 support for vulnerable persons with a condition such as lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of their domestic waste. I am informed that this process has taken longer than envisaged, due to a number of issues, including data protection issues that have arisen since the introduction of GDPR. However, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to introducing an annual support as soon as practically possible in conjunction with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
884. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the full extent of energy generated from non-fossil fuels and made available to the grid in the course of 2018 with particular reference to the extent to which the full grid requirement can be met from such sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1744/19]
View answerThe total amount of renewable generation connected to the grid at October 2018 was 3,857MW, of which wind generation was approximately 3,508MW, hydro was 238MW and biomass was 91MW. Eirgrid estimates that a total of between 3,900MW and 4,300MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to achieve 40% renewable electricity by 2020. The Energy in Ireland 2018 Report was published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in December 2018. The report sets out the progress that Ireland has made in reducing reliance on fossil fuels for transport, heating and electricity production. Renewable electricity (or non-fossil fuel) generation accounted for 30.1% of gross electricity consumption in 2017. Corresponding data for the year 2018 is not available yet.The Report also states that renewable energy use grew by 52% between 2013 and 2017. Notwithstanding this, over 90% of all energy used in Ireland in 2017 was from fossil fuels.
Details of the proportions of electricity generated from oil, gas, coal, wind, solar or other renewable sources are available in Table 8 “Growth rates, quantities and shares of electricity generated by fuel” on page 29 of the Report.
The EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy. The SEAI analysis states that 10.6% of Ireland's overall energy requirements in 2017 were met from renewable sources.
885. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of high speed broadband in the Glencullen area of County Dublin; the way in which he expects it to progress in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1779/19]
View answerIn April 2017 my Department published an updated version of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map. This is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The 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: There are 106 premises in the townland of Glencullen. 34 (32%) fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State led Intervention, while 72 (68%) premises are in a BLUE area and are or will be served by commercial providers. Information on categories of specific premises can be accessed on my Department’s website, www.broadband.gov.ie , by entering the relevant Eircode/address into the High Speed Broadband Map.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible and I will bring a recommendation to Government in this regard in the coming weeks.
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.
886. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the customer complaints received by his Department in each of the years since 2016; if the complaints are grouped into categories; the nature of the complaints; the resolution of same; and the number progressed to the relevant ombudsman in each of the years since 2016. [1867/19]
View answerThere were eight customer complaints received by my Department in 2016 and 15 received in 2017; all of these were resolved. Nine of the 13 customer complaints received in 2018 have been resolved. None of the complaints had to be referred to the Ombudsman. The categories of complaint included broadcasting, waste, phone bills, eircodes, etc.
887. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the practice of some drivers obtaining a motor insurance disc by paying a small deposit and then not paying the balance but keeping the insurance disc; and his plans to deal with the issue. [54151/18]
View answerI am aware of the small cohort of drivers fraudulently displaying motor insurance discs valid for a 12 month period when a premium has only been partially paid, as are the insurance industry. Driving without motor insurance is an offence under the Road Traffic Laws. Enforcement of Road Traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
I understand that the Garda Mobility Strategy aims to provide frontline members with greater connectivity to back-office systems, harnessing the power of mobile technology, and forms part of the Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021. A pilot programme was operated in Limerick Garda Division from December 2017 to September 2018, with very positive feedback. A key application developed for the Mobility pilot was a Traffic App, which allowed users to search for vehicle information by entering a vehicle registration number into the mobile phone. The trial app gathered information recorded on PULSE in respect of the vehicle, including tax status, ownership information and vehicle warnings, and will when operational be able to tell the Garda at the roadside whether the vehicle is insured.
The utilisation of mobile devices will enable Garda members to be more efficient and effective by having mobile access to relevant core policing applications, a wide-range of up-to-date information and the ability to input and update information in real time. As such it should greatly enhance Garda ability to enforce a variety of Road Traffic laws, including those against driving without insurance.
888. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process for declaring commercial vehicles such as in the case of a person (details supplied) off the road and then the process post-DOE testing; the reason the test is backdated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54308/18]
View answerIn order to provide a comprehensive answer to this question we have requested further specific details. An email issued to the Deputy from my office on 11th January seeking clarification on the details of this case. Upon receipt of the Deputy's response, a detailed reply will issue.
889. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the number of diesel vehicles, both new and second hand, being imported from Britain and Northern Ireland having regard to the implications for greenhouse gas emission targets; the action he is taking to reduce the number of diesel cars in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54356/18]
View answerThe number of used cars imported into Ireland has grown significantly in recent years. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, EU legislation permits the free movement of goods (including new and used cars) between Member States, allowing European citizens greater consumer choice. Manufacturing standards for vehicles are also set at EU level and enforced on an EU-wide basis, meaning that similar rules apply to all vehicles used within the EU, regardless of their origin.
Over the past decade, the diesel-fuelled segment of Ireland's national vehicle fleet has grown. Among the traditional fuels for transport, diesel is more carbon-efficient than petrol as a means of fuelling vehicles, however, diesel is also associated with worsened air quality, which is concerning particularly in urban areas.
Therefore, a range of incentives are now in place - many of them introduced by this Government - to encourage consumers to transition from conventionally-fuelled higher-emitting petrol and diesel vehicles towards lower-emitting alternatively-fuelled vehicles.
A Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Taskforce was established in 2016. It's first phase of work was on electricity as an alternative-fuel for transport, and the Taskforce's recommendations to Government ahead of Budgets 2018 and 2019 have resulted in a comprehensive suite of measures to incentivise the move to electric vehicles (EVs). The generous incentives on offer include:
- various grants such as the Purchase Grant Scheme, the Reduced Tolling Scheme and the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle Grant Scheme;
- tax incentives such as lower motor tax and VRT relief;
- commercial incentives such as a 0% Benefit-in-Kind rate and an Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme for EVs and their related infrastructure.
These incentives are having results, with more than double the number of EVs on Irish roads by the end of 2018 than a year previously. The LEV Taskforce has now moved to a second phase of work looking beyond electricity at other alternative fuels and also looking at heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) with a view to continuing the move away from traditional fossil fuels such as diesel.
The manufacturing and efficiency standards for vehicles that are set at European level also play an important role in spurring industry to produce vehicles that are less emitting and more efficient. Working at EU level, Ireland continues to push strongly for better vehicle standards, seeking greater ambition in the various EU-wide regulations that ensure vehicles registered with the Union are increasingly more efficient and less emitting. It is through better technology and improved efficiency that carbon emissions generated by vehicles can be decoupled from increased economic activity and population growth.
Finally, the Deputy will also recall that my colleague, the Minister for Finance, announced in Budget 2019 that from 1 January 2019 a new 1% surcharge on VRT will be levied on all diesel cars that are newly-registered in the State; this will apply whether the newly-registered car is new or was previously used outside of the State.
890. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the implementation of the European proposal COM 2017/276 relating to motor tax rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1148/19]
View answerEuropean Commission proposal COM (2017) 276 is a proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 1999/62/EC on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures, as regards certain provisions on vehicle taxation. The proposal was adopted by the Commission on 31 May 2017. It is still under consideration by the Council and a Council Decision has not been adopted as yet.
891. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the safety procedures in maritime operations within the State’s jurisdiction. [1698/19]
View answerMaritime safety is the key concern of the Irish Maritime Administration (IMA) which is a part of my Department. The IMA has many roles in relation to maritime safety both of a preventative and a reactive nature. For instance, the Marine Survey Office carries out maritime transport regulation for ships, seafarers, ports and cargos for safety, security, pollution prevention, accessibility and living and working conditions (for Irish ships in Ireland or worldwide and for foreign ships in Irish ports). The Irish Coast Guard is responsible for the response to, and coordination of, maritime accidents which require Search & Rescue and Counter Pollution & Ship Casualty operations while also having a role in marine communication, surveillance and emergency management in Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Maritime activity is a multi-faceted area with a wide variety of activities ranging from recreational craft users through to the smaller passenger boats and fishing vessels and on up to larger passenger ships and fishing vessels and internationally trading ships, both passenger and cargo.
Ensuring safe maritime operations and, in the unfortunate instances where things go wrong, an efficient and effective emergency response, is the top priority within the IMA. While these activities are constantly under review as part of the day to day work of the IMA, it is useful to take a step back and conduct a separate review from time to time or as the circumstances require.
For instance, following the tragic incidents involving the Irish Coast Guard RIB off Kilkee in 2016 and, separately, Rescue 116 in 2017, I have instigated a review into the national Search & Rescue Framework whose work is ongoing.
Prior to this, in April 2015 my Department, following a wide consultation, published the Maritime Safety Strategy 2015-2019 which contains a list of actions the IMA is working on implementing.
