Written Answers Nos. 509-528
509. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a residence (details supplied) can expect to be connected to high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2322/19]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP. 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.
I note that there has been some deployment of infrastructure by Eir in the area of the premises referred to by the Deputy. This is part of that company’s ongoing rural fibre rollout.
Eir’s rural investment in high speed broadband is an entirely commercial undertaking, and not part of the planned State Intervention network. Although the deployment is monitored under the terms of a Commitment Agreement signed between the company and my Department, it is not funded by the State and it is not planned, designed or directed by my Department in any capacity.
The selection of what premises are to be served under Eir’s deployment is an internal and commercial decision for that company. My Department has no statutory authority or function to intervene in the company’s commercial decisions, nor in any decisions relating to the roll out and siting of infrastructure throughout Ireland by service providers operating in a liberalised market.
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. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements.
510. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the recent decision by the European Court of Justice that upheld the ability of the German Government to make a household media charge non-device dependent; if this ruling has been discussed by the television licence fee reform working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2461/19]
View answerThe Working Group on the Future Funding of Public Service Broadcasting is currently deliberating a number of options for the reform of the TV Licence Fee and its collection. It is due to report to me by the end of March. I am aware that the ruling referred to has confirmed that there are no state aid implications for the broadcasting contribution introduced by Germany in 2013 to replace the previous device dependent broadcasting fee. The Court found that the new levy did not lead to a substantial increase in the compensation received by the public broadcasters to cover the costs associated with the public service tasks entrusted to them.
511. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the schemes available if a person wishes to purchase an electric car; the incentives in place to purchase an electric car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2475/19]
View answerThere is a range of supports for the purchase of electric vehicles. These supports include a purchase grant of up to €5,000 for new electric vehicles and Vehicle Registration Tax relief of up to €5,000 for battery electric vehicles and up to €2,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. In addition, further grants of up to €7,000 are available to support the purchase of electric vehicles in the taxi/hackney/limousine sector. Other supports available include:
- Accelerated Capital Allowances for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure;
- A grant of up to €600 to support the installation of a home charger for purchasers of new and second-hand electric vehicles;
- Benefit-in-Kind relief for battery electric vehicles;
- Low motor tax of €120 for battery electric vehicles; and
- discount on tolls of 50% for battery electric vehicles and 25% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (up to a maximum amount of €500 per year with greater reductions off-peak on the M50).
A full list of supports is available on www.drivingelectric.ie.
In addition, under the first call for applications from the Climate Action Fund I approved funding of up to €10 million to a project from ESB eCars. This project will develop a nationwide, state-of-the-art electric vehicle fast charging network capable of facilitating large-scale electric vehicle uptake over the next decade. In addition, my Department, in conjunction with the SEAI, is working on how best to support the provision of greater levels of on-street public charging.
512. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if directions to public bodies under section 15(2) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 have been issued by his Department or other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2564/19]
View answer513. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the local authorities that have notified his Department under section 4(13)(a) or (b) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 of their intention to adopt or their adoption of climate change mitigation measures; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2565/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together.
I have secured government approval to develop an All of Government Plan which will set out the actions which must be taken in every Government Department and Body in order first to ensure we: deliver our 2030 targets; prepare for deep decarbonisation by 2050; and to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change.
There will be substantial engagement with Departments and agencies as the Plan is developed. In that context I have asked each body under the aegis of my Department to consider their own direct contribution, their practices and the clients and stakeholders with whom they directly interact, to see how climate action can be prioritised.
Section 4(13) of the 2015 Act provides that a local authority may notify the Minister or the Government in writing of specific climate mitigation measures that have been adopted or are intended to be adopted by that local authority. My Department has not received any notification to date under section 4(13) of the Act.
Notwithstanding this, my Department is engaging with a full range of public bodies on foot of other relevant provisions of the 2015 Act. Section 14 provides for the preparation and submission to the Oireachtas of an Annual Transition Statement setting out the mitigation and adaptation measures adopted to reduce emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change and enable the achievement of the national transition objective. The 2018 Annual Transition Statement, available on my Department’s website at www.dccae.gov.ie, summarises activity being undertaken across Government as well as in the local government sector to implement both the National Mitigation Plan and National Adaptation Framework.
In January 2018, the Government announced the provision of €10m to the local authority sector to establish four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs). The Climate Action Regional Offices are being operated by a lead local authority in four different regions grouped according to shared climate change risks. The establishment of these offices will enable a more coordinated engagement across the whole of government and will help build on the experience and expertise which exists across the sector.
Section 15(2) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 provides that a relevant Minister may give a direction to a relevant public body requiring it to submit a report specifying the measures it has adopted to have regard to, in the performance of its functions,
· the most recent approved national mitigation plan, national adaptation framework, or approved sectoral adaptation plans;
· the furtherance of the national transition objective; and
· the objective of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change in the State.
I have not issued directions to any relevant public body in the context of section 15(2) of the Act.
514. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the broadband scheme will be rolled out in a location (details supplied). [2640/19]
View answerThe premises referred to by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP. This intervention is the subject of an ongoing procurement process. 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 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. 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.
515. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will publish the airline costs for his Department for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2687/19]
View answerMy Department has a contract in place for the provision of foreign travel services, which was sourced under the Office of Government Procurement travel management services framework. Only essential travel is undertaken and the number of officers travelling on official business is kept to a minimum.
In 2018, total expenditure by my Department on airline costs, amounted to €279,306. For comparison purposes staffing levels in the Department have increased by 21% since 2016 with an increase of 43% in airline costs for the same period. This reflects the expanded remit of the Department since 2016 which now includes climate and environment functions which have significant international commitments.
516. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will publish the cost of newspapers in his Department in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2704/19]
View answerMy Department buys a limited number of newspapers and in 2018 spent a total of €14,900. This includes on-line subscriptions which reduces the requirement for paper editions and the associated costs.
518. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position with regard to the initial instalments under the support fund for former commercial eel fishermen and women which were due to have been paid to approved applicants by 31 December 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2844/19]
View answerThe Government’s Eel Support Scheme fund is available to all persons who were the holder of a commercial public eel licence or an eel fishing permit from the ESB in the 2007 season (the base year). The 5 reckonable years for payments under the scheme are 2003-2007. This requires that an application is made by the former licence holder. The fund is administered by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) A tax free sum may be paid to licence or permit holders in respect of each of the five reckonable years for which they were a licence or permit holder. A further taxable payment may be made to licence or permit holders in respect of the average of their catches, based on State held records, during the five reckonable years.
Letters of Offer to applicants, based on verification of the records held by the State in respect of each applicant, are being issued and this process is expected to be finalised this week. A key element of offers is to outline clearly the need for recipients to make a tax return to the Revenue Commissioners in relation to the taxable element of the scheme. Payment will issue once the applicant has accepted the offer.
519. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent by each local authority in 2018 on cleaning up illegally disposed waste. [2863/19]
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.
520. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to address climate change by reducing the carbon emissions of public lighting in view of the fact that the majority of public lighting is powered by sodium vapour bulbs which are extremely energy inefficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2933/19]
View answerThe national project to upgrade our public lighting is a flagship initiative under the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy. The project objective is to support local authorities in replacing traditional lamps with the more efficient LED technologies now available – and achieve the resultant energy efficiency and climate benefits as well as maintenance cost savings. The Project is being led by the Local Authorities through the County & City Management Association (CCMA). My Department is playing an active role in supporting this project including through its membership of the project's national Steering Group.With the business case now in place the project is moving into the implementation phase – which will be managed by the RMO (Roads Management Office) a shared service for the Local Authorities. I understand that it is envisaged that the first of the regional tenders for upgrade works will issue in 2019, with the aim of having retrofit works underway in the first region in Q1 of 2020. The project was also successful in the competitive process for funding support under the Government's Climate Action Fund first call for proposals and allocated €17.47million.
521. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 16 January 2019, the percentage of new buildings that have an A2 energy rating as required by the nearly zero energy building standard requirements; the percentage of public buildings owned and leased by the State are fully compliant with the standard requirements as of the end of 2018; the mechanism by which compliance with the building standards and EU legal requirements are monitored; and his views on whether the State is compliant with the standard requirements. [2935/19]
View answerThe Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is responsible for the Building Regulations. The NZEB performance for new dwellings will be typically equivalent to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A2. The draft regulations and accompanying technical guidance to implement NZEB are expected to be signed into law shortly. Accordingly the A2 performance requirement is not currently in place. Under the current building regulations a typical dwelling is built to an A3, and based on CSO data 98% of all new buildings are now built to an A3 BER.
With regards to new buildings owned and occupied by Public Authorities, in December 2016 the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government issued a letter to all public service bodies advising them of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requirement for all new buildings owned and occupied by public authorities to achieve NZEB performance after 31st December 2018. The implementation of the NZEB requirement in public buildings is the responsibility of the relevant bodies and I am advised that at this time that the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government does not have figures available on the percentage of NZEB in place in the public sector. However it should be noted that all buildings, public and private, which commence construction after 1st January 2019 must be NZEB under Part L of the Building Regulations and the compliance of these buildings is monitored and enforced under Building Control Regulations.
Under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014, primary responsibility for compliance of works with the requirements of the Building Regulations, rests with the owners, designers and builders of buildings. Enforcement of the Building Regulations is a matter for the 31 local building control authorities, who have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Acts and who are independent in the use of their statutory powers. This applies to all buildings – including those owned and occupied by public authorities.
522. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has met formally with a person (details supplied) since his appointment as Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3016/19]
View answerAs a matter of course, as Minister, I meet, from time to time, with the Chairs and CEOs of bodies under the aegis of my Department. I can confirm that I have formally met the individual referred to in the question.
523. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration has been given to allow some flexibility in cases in which small sections of certain roads are not included in the roll-out of efibre (details supplied). [3044/19]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. 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.
With regard to the deployment of infrastructure by Eir in the area referred to by the Deputy, this is part of that company’s ongoing rural fibre rollout.
Eir’s rural investment in high speed broadband is an entirely commercial undertaking, and not part of the planned State Intervention network. Although the deployment is monitored under the terms of a Commitment Agreement signed between the company and my Department, it is not funded by the State and it is not planned, designed or directed by my Department in any capacity.
The selection of what premises are to be served under Eir’s deployment is an internal and commercial decision for that company. My Department has no statutory authority or function to intervene in the company’s commercial decisions, nor in any decisions relating to the roll out and siting of infrastructure throughout Ireland by service providers operating in a liberalised market.
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. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements.
524. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the research conducted into the impact of automation on those that drive for a living. [2301/19]
View answerResearch on the effects of automation on drivers is a cross cutting theme and as such falls under a number of government departments, agencies and research institutions such as universities. These include the Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI). Much research is also being conducted internationally such as through the European Union.
DBEI has responsibility for sectoral issues in the economy. In particular, it provides the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) with research and secretariat support. I understand that this Group recently published a report entitled "Digital Transformation: Assessing the Impact of Digitalisation on
Ireland’s Workforce", which, inter alia, looks at the impact on transport - to which the Deputy may be referring, and may be found at http://www.skillsireland.ie/Publications/2018 .
My Department is principally involved in all matters related to road traffic law and the regulation of such vehicles. My Department is working with industry stakeholders, other Government departments and state agencies to develop guidelines for testing of autonomous vehicles on public roads in Ireland. These will be supported by a National Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) Roadmap and Plan as well as a National Strategy for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
525. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Irish applications to the EU Connecting Europe Facility in each of the years 2014 to 2018; the successful applications granted funding; and the monetary value to date of same. [2411/19]
View answer537. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Irish applications to the Motorways of the Sea EU funding source in each of the years 2014 to 2018; the successful applications granted funding; and the monetary value to date of same. [2412/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 537 together.
A total of 19 Irish transport projects have been selected under the 2014-2017 EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) calls for funding. During this period, Irish applicants submitted a total of 28 eligible CEF applications for transport projects. This includes projects also involving other Member States, for funding for multi-beneficiary actions, which I have further detailed below. Three transport-related CEF funding applications of relevance to Ireland were submitted as part of the 2018 CEF call for proposals. These applications are currently being evaluated and assessed by the European Commission, with a decision to be made in the first half of 2019.
CEF funding is allocated in the form of grants awarded to successful applicants following competitive calls for proposals, which are published on the website of the European Commission. Each call has specific funding priorities and explicit criteria for activities that are eligible for funding under that individual call and calls vary from year to year.
Irish beneficiaries have to date received over €90.1 million for projects on Ireland's Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) Network. This figure includes funding where Irish project promoters have successfully joined with project promoters across other EU Member States. These would include successful applications for the deployment of Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) and road transport projects with other Member States, which includes studies on the harmonisation of interoperable intelligent transport systems (ITS) and cooperative Intelligent transport systems (C-ITS). The ports of Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes have all been successful in applying for and obtaining CEF funding.
Motorways of the Sea is considered a horizontal priority of CEF and constitutes the maritime pillar of CEF. It is a separate and smaller funding stream under the overall CEF allocation, and it aims to promote green, viable, attractive and efficient sea-based transport links which are integrated into the entire transport chain.
There have been two successful Irish applications for Motorways of the Sea funding. These were both joint applications for funding made with entities in other Member States.
Details of all Irish successful proposals for CEF funding, including successful Motorways of the Sea proposals, are available on the website of the European Commission.
Finally, I wish to state that my answer to this question is with regard to transport projects only. CEF is a funding instrument for the Trans-European Networks (TEN) of the EU, in the fields of transport, digital, and energy. All matters pertaining to digital and energy CEF applications and funding are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment.
526. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has raised the issue of the ownership of Rosslare Europort with his UK counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2425/19]
View answer527. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the operational model of Rosslare Europort by a non-port company is in the State’s best interests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2585/19]
View answer528. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the issue of the ownership of Rosslare Europort has been raised with his UK counterpart in view of the threats of Brexit and the need to develop ports here to ensure businesses can access markets. [2590/19]
View answer532. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it is appropriate that Rosslare Europort has a different ownership structure to other ports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2338/19]
View answer553. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has addressed the issue of the ownership of Rosslare Europort with his UK counterpart in view of the need to develop ports here. [2594/19]
View answer557. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the continued control and operation of Rosslare port by Iarnród Éireann is an appropriate model in view of the need to develop ports here. [2598/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 526 to 528, inclusive, 532, 553 and 557 together.
Rosslare Europort is unique among the State-owned ports, as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts but is instead operated on commercial basis as a division of Iarnród Éireann. Technically, the port forms part of the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours Company, which is a 19th-century joint-venture company, consisting today of Iarnród Éireann on the Irish side and Stena line on the Welsh (Fishguard) side.
The status of the port, and whether its current status potentially inhibits its development, was considered in a strategic review, commissioned by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants. Their report concluded that the creation of an independent port authority would be extremely difficult, given the port's complex legal structure. Instead, it was recommended that the port remain in public ownership and that the possibilities for increased private sector involvement be investigated.
In order to assist Iarnród Éireann's overall consideration of how best to move forward, the company then engaged consultants to assess market interest. The assessment was largely positive in terms of the potential for increased private sector investment in the port; however, it did identify possible implementation issues due to the complicated legislative basis of the port.
Following that assessment, the Department sought and received detailed advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the matter. That advice identified a number of legal issues with any such proposal and those issues remain under consideration by the Department.
The Minister is satisfied that Rosslare Europort as a division of Iarnród Éireann is effectively managing operations at the port and looking at the potential of the Port to develop further and take advantage of any new opportunities. The port is targeting growth and new business opportunities, and recently received the approval of the Iarnród Éireann Board for a strategic plan to grow the port’s business. This includes investment plans for up to €25 million in customer facilities and port infrastructure, port assets, and new technology. The Port is engaging with a number of potential new shipping customers to supplement existing operators and offer greater choice to freight and passenger business. Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort briefed my Department late last year on the company's plans for strategic development of the Port over the coming years.
I have met individually with my UK counterpart, Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling, to discuss Brexit matters on three occasions since mid-2017. I most recently met the Secretary of State, at his request, in Dublin on 8 November last. Our discussion fully respected the mandate of the EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator, Michel Barnier. The Secretary of State outlined key areas of concern for the UK in relation to transport.
While I did not specifically raise the issue of ownership of Rosslare Europort with the Secretary of State, I set out the importance of continued transport connectivity between Ireland and the UK, including in relation to ports, aviation, road transport, and cross-border rail services. I stressed the importance of finalising the Withdrawal Agreement, highlighted the importance of the UK landbridge for Ireland as a route to European markets, and the need for Irish trade to move efficiently through ports.
I stressed that as regards the future EU-UK relationship, Ireland wants to see the closest possible relationship between the EU and the UK, across a range of areas including transport. At the same time, I re-iterated the importance of preserving the integrity of the EU’s Single Market and that the EU’s regulatory autonomy is respected.
I recognise that Brexit will have implications for a number of key ports and airports, and Rosslare continues to work closely with my Department and a range of other relevant Government Departments and Offices in preparing for the additional border controls that will arise from Brexit. In this context, my Department has met Rosslare Port management on a number of occasions over the past year, most recently last week, about the infrastructure requirements of the Port in connection with Brexit. My Department has also been meeting ferry and shipping companies regarding their plans for dealing with the challenges of Brexit.
