Written Answers Nos. 191-210
191. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the dairy sustainability Ireland initiative and the sustainability support and advisory programme; the number of advisers employed in both programmes; and the allocated budget in each year of the programmes. [10180/19]
View answerThe Agricultural Support & Advisory Programme (ASSAP) is an innovative Government/industry initiative running from 2018 to 2021. It is a well structured, collaborative initiative, involving a range of stakeholders, including the wider community, to facilitate improvements in water quality. The ASSAP involves a resource of 30 Agricultural Sustainability Advisors, 20 of whom are funded by Government and 10 by the Dairy Industry. These Advisors will promote on-farm best practice to farmers in 190 ‘Areas for Action’, identified by the EPA, where the status of the water is at risk of deteriorating. Farmers can avail of this service within the ‘Areas for Action’ on a voluntary basis.
All advisors have now received comprehensive training from the EPA and Teagasc to ensure a common approach. The process of engagement with both the wider communities and with farmers in these areas is now well underway. Community meetings are taking place in the ‘Areas-for-Action’ to update people on developments in the local areas.
Projected expenditure for the 20 Sustainability Advisers and 3 Overhead Personnel being financed by Government are as follows -
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Total Annual Cost € |
1,686,207 |
1,741,284 |
1,868,844 |
192. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the low emissions slurry scheme will interact with pillar 1 payments. [10181/19]
View answerLow Emissions Slurry equipment is recognised as contributing to reducing ammonia emissions and increasing the efficiency of nutrient recycling in slurry systems. It is identified as a key mitigation option in reducing the climate impact of Agriculture under the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve.
The Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment Scheme (LESS) under TAMS II provides grant assistance to farmers for purchasing LESS equipment. This programme is provided for under the 2014 - 2020 Rural Development Programme and is jointly funded by the European Union and the National exchequer. There are specific terms and conditions applying to this scheme, however it does not interact with pillar 1 payments.
The new CAP (2021-2027) negotiations are ongoing and progressing towards the agreement of final regulations for the new CAP. Details regarding requirements under the new CAP will not be available until this process is concluded. Under those Regulations, Ireland will then draw up a CAP Strategic Plan setting out our national programme.
193. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the beef environmental efficiency pilot scheme by the closing deadline by county in tabular form; and if the deadline will be extended to allow more applications from suckler farmers. [10182/19]
View answer194. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cows registered with the beef environmental efficiency pilot scheme by the closing deadline by county in tabular form. [10183/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
Applications from 18,536 herd owners have been received for the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot. As calves born up until 30 June 2019 are eligible, a final figure for eligible calves is not yet available.
I have not extended the deadline for applications. An application window of three weeks was provided for the initial expression of interest. The Pilot was designed to be as accessible to farmers as possible. The application process was straightforward and the pilot contains only one measure. I expect that all of the available funding will be utilised.
The Breakdown by county of applications of expressions of interest can be seen in the table below:
|
County |
Number of applications |
|
Carlow |
259 |
|
Cavan |
887 |
|
Clare |
1,453 |
|
Cork |
1,365 |
|
Donegal |
888 |
|
Dublin |
53 |
|
Galway |
2,015 |
|
Kerry |
948 |
|
Kildare |
212 |
|
Kilkenny |
509 |
|
Laois |
497 |
|
Leitrim |
626 |
|
Limerick |
594 |
|
Longford |
554 |
|
Louth |
175 |
|
Mayo |
1,739 |
|
Meath |
441 |
|
Monaghan |
624 |
|
Offaly |
450 |
|
Roscommon |
1,094 |
|
Sligo |
780 |
|
Tipperary |
818 |
|
Waterford |
277 |
|
Westmeath |
582 |
|
Wexford |
448 |
|
Wicklow |
305 |
|
Total |
18,593 |
195. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason only 2.82% of the €25 million allocated under the National Strategy for Angling Development 2015-2020 has been drawn down to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10066/19]
View answer196. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the National Strategy for Angling Development 2015-2020 in view of the poor draw down of funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10067/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
The National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) is the first comprehensive National framework for the development of our angling resources. Within an overarching conservation ethos and focus, the National Strategy sets out three strategic objectives for angling:
- To make angling accessible and attractive through information, infrastructure and support.
- To develop tourism through the promotion of our angling resource.
- To recognise angling as a key leisure and recreation pursuit.
To date, my Department has provided €2 million directly for capital projects under NSAD and a further €537,000 has been provided under the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development The Salmon Conservation Fund and Midland Fisheries Fund, both sustainably funded from licence and permit income, are managed in parallel with the NSAD. For clarification, the total funding available to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to date is €3.437 million across all aspects of fisheries development, which are to be delivered under the umbrella of NSAD.
Projects with an investment of €1.473 million have been completed to date, representing some 43% of the available funding. Of this, €1.275 million has already been drawn down and a further €200,000 is due for drawdown shortly.
Drawdown of funds under NSAD, as with other grant-aided programmes involving public funds, is subject to all governance, environmental and other project requirements. In addition, the environmental and habitats window for undertaking fisheries works is short and often dictates the need for staged work and the delivery of projects over a number of years. It was always expected that delivery could take up to a three year period which reflects the often complex nature of fisheries projects.
My Department has separately funded project officers for IFI to promote capacity building and a collaborative approach within the sector and to address shortfalls in expertise within voluntary organisations delivering projects. The officers engage with these groups to progress projects through governance and into delivery phase.
To date, all calls for projects under the NSAD €2 million capital works element have been oversubscribed and IFI are concentrating on delivery of existing approved projects before additional project calls can be considered. I have commended IFI on its delivery of NSAD and other investment schemes so far and would point to the following milestones, which demonstrate significant progress:
- Funding has been has been allocated to 174 fisheries development and management projects nationwide;
- 45% of the projects have been completed to date;
- Angling access has been upgraded in 78 locations with a further 22 due for completion in 2019;
- Over 20 Information and Education initiatives supported, introducing approximately 1000 people to angling and informing visiting anglers. This provided equipment to the value of €60,000 to angling events, signage, marketing and promotion;
- Riparian enhancement, conservation and regeneration work completed on river channels;
- Anti-poaching equipment purchased and installed;
- 10 organised angling events funded to encourage positive social inclusion in communities;
- Over 5,000 hours of engagement and communication from IFI local staff and Projects Office to provide mutual support, information, assistance and advice.
- In respect of 2019, an additional €393,000 has been allocated to IFI to fund initiatives to promote increased participation in angling by young people and novice anglers.
197. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 498 of 19 February 2019, the timeline for the provision of annual support for those caring for vulnerable persons with a condition such as lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of domestic waste. [10090/19]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 497 of 26 February 2019. The position is unchanged.
198. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the 2017 draft net salmon fishing licences for the Loughros More estuary, Owenea and Owentocker rivers remain valid; if the holders of these licences would have an entitlement to fish should the Owenea and Owentocker rivers reopen for fishing of this nature in the near future; the process for the application and issuing of licences for draft net salmon fishing on the Loughros More estuary should the rivers reopen for fishing in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10125/19]
View answerLicences for commercial fishing, including draft net fishing, are issued annually only in respect of those rivers which are deemed open to commercial fishing by way of having a harvestable surplus sufficiently in excess of the conservation limit for that river and its genetically unique stock. In that context, licences are valid for the statutorily defined commercial fishing season during the year of their issue. They are public licences and do not confer any property or other rights on the holder.
However, annual licensing is based on the most recent track record in the fishery of the participants/applicants as set out in the relevant annual statutory provisions. Consideration of such track records can obviously only reference the years in which the rivers were open to harvest and the closure of a river does not impact the issuing of licences in this manner.
199. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he plans to present legislation to amend the Broadcasting Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10140/19]
View answerThe proposed amendment to the Broadcasting, Act 2009 is currently at an advanced drafting stage. My Department continues to work closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in order to progress this work with a view to having the Broadcasting Bill published in Q2 this year.
200. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the litter and waste budget for each local area authority in the past ten years, in tabular form. [10172/19]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department as the budget is a function of the local authority. The Local Government Act 2001, as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, provides the legislative basis for the budget process. The budget is developed in a phased process involving input from the Chief Executive, the municipal district members and the Corporate Policy Group. The adoption of the budget is a reserved function of the local authority. Each local authority budget is prepared in the context of a corporate plan, with financial resources allocated to strategies supporting the objectives of the corporate plan for the forthcoming year.
Waste Management costs for local authorities may include landfill operation and aftercare, operation of recovery and recycling facilities, waste management planning, waste regulation, monitoring and enforcement, as well as litter management and street cleaning.
However, data in relation to litter expenditure by each Local Authority on street/road cleaning, litter warden services, and litter public awareness initiatives, for the years 2010 to 2016 is publically available on my Departments website at the following link:
https://dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/waste/litter/Pages/Local-Authority-Litter-Fines-and-Expenditure-Statistics.aspx.
Furthermore, the costs of waste enforcement are directly supported by my Department under the Local Authority Enforcement Measures Scheme. This scheme, which has been in place since 2004, facilitates local authorities to:
- carry out a verifiable programme of waste enforcement activity and associated work plan by each local authority;
- deal with national waste enforcement priorities; and
- send a strong signal to unauthorised waste operators or dumpers that a robust waste enforcement presence will continue to be maintained.
Below are details of the current waste enforcement grant allocation to each Local Authority under this scheme:
|
Local Authority |
Allocation € |
|
Local Authority Enforcement Measures Scheme |
|
|
Carlow County Council |
165,000 |
|
Cavan County Council |
278,000 |
|
Clare County Council |
403,000 |
|
Cork City Council |
180,700 |
|
Cork County Council |
455,000 |
|
Dublin City Council |
982,000 |
|
Donegal County Council |
202,000 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
480,000 |
|
Fingal County Council |
220,000 |
|
Galway County Council |
72,000 |
|
Galway City Council |
50,000 |
|
Kerry County Council |
68,000 |
|
Kildare County Council |
121,000 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
153,000 |
|
Laois County Council |
164,000 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
74,000 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
377,000 |
|
Longford County Council |
200,000 |
|
Louth County Council |
130,000 |
|
Mayo County Council |
156,000 |
|
Meath County Council |
259,000 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
219,000 |
|
Offaly County Council |
295,000 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
136,373 |
|
Sligo County Council |
176,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
130,000 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
211,000 |
|
Waterford County Council |
303,000 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
175,000 |
|
Wexford County Council |
236,885 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
360,000 |
|
Total Enforcement Grant: |
7,431,958 |
201. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the available grants to develop interactive software that will provide open data on litter. [10173/19]
View answerMy Department is responsible for ensuring that the policy, statutory and regulatory framework is in place to tackle the challenge of litter nationally. The operation and enforcement of the framework is principally a matter for each Local Authority. The National Litter Pollution Monitoring Survey (NLPMS) is undertaken nationwide annually by Local Authorities. It provides a detailed overview of the litter pollution situation nationally, based on surveys undertaken by individual Local Authorities which are then, with the financial support of my Department, collated into a national report. The most recent results, for 2017, are available to the public on www.litter.ie .
The data obtained from the NLPMS helps Local Authorities to provide more effective litter management planning for their areas, to assess the effectiveness of their litter management strategies, and to ensure the optimum allocation of resources to tackle litter. It provides vital information to the Department on the national picture regarding litter pollution. The results demonstrate that the percentage of areas surveyed deemed to display a high level of cleanliness increased from 48% in 2002 to over 79% in 2017 (latest available data).
The methodology used by Local Authorities to gather litter data, including within the context of the NLPMS, is largely a matter for Local Authorities themselves. However, I am aware that a number of Local Authorities already use technology to gather litter data and, based on their experience, that it does offer the potential to reduce the administrative and time burden in carrying out this important task. I welcome the use of emerging technologies in this context where such benefits arise, and my Department is currently considering the scope for the wider use by Local Authorities of such technology for litter data collection, in consultation with a number of Local Authorities.
202. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter in relation to coach parking in Dublin city centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10022/19]
View answerAs stated in my reply to the Deputy's Question of yesterday, 27th February, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the Coach Park referred to by the Deputy.
As indicated yesterday the Deputy's question has been referred to the NTA for direct reply.
Dáil Question 200 27th February 2019:
To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority has a designated preferential daily rate in the Dublin city coach park to facilitate all day parking for operators of multiple services vehicles providing scheduled licensed public service into Dublin in view of fact that Dublin City Council are proposing a charge of €9 in all coach parking locations throughout Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter
Reply:
As 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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the Coach Park referred to by the Deputy.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
203. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure that the MetroLink project is completed in the most efficient and effective manner and is not terminated at Charlemont but developed as a comprehensive northside and southside public transport initiative. [10023/19]
View answer209. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the plans for the southern section of the proposed MetroLink project will be clarified; if an upgrade to metro standard of the Charlemont to Sandyford section of the existing Luas green line would necessitate the replacement or removal of sections of the existing tracks for an extended period; his views on whether the Luas green line is already close to capacity and that by increasing the frequency of trams on this route as it now exists this would result in unacceptable disruption to city centre traffic; if the cancellation of the Charlemont to Sandyford section of MetroLink will jeopardise further expansion of the Luas network to Bray and Finglas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10152/19]
View answer210. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected cost of the metro north and south project; the amount spent to date; when the project will be fully completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10177/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 203, 209 and 210 together.
As the Deputies are aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are developing revised proposals for public consultation in relation to a "Preferred Route" of the proposed MetroLink.
This "Preferred Route" follows on from last year's public consultation on what was known as a "Emerging Preferred Route", a public consultation which gave rise to much public commentary, particularly regarding a number of different local areas across the city.
In developing their revised proposals the NTA and TII are seeking to develop a new cross-city public transport corridor via the airport and out to Swords and, in doing so, increase capacity on the Luas Green Line. In trying to achieve that ambition they are also listening to the views of the public, including those living along the Green Line, as regards what level of disruption is acceptable to deliver the increased capacity the Line needs.
It is a matter for the NTA and TII to bring their revised proposals forward for public consultation and I look forward to hearing the public's views on the "Preferred Route" when it is published in the coming weeks.
The Deputies are right to note the importance of timely and cost effective delivery of projects such as this, and those issues are obviously important matters for consideration as the project moves onto this next phase of consultation.
The Deputies will appreciate that development of a business case for the project is contingent upon the selection of a "Preferred Route". Under the Public Spending Code, a business case will be submitted to my Department in due course for consideration in line with the requirements of the Code. I am informed by the NTA that expenditure to date on the project totals €9 million.
204. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the RSA will consider issuing two methods to notify applicants of driver test dates or use reminders in order to minimise no shows or communication breakdowns such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10054/19]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
205. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be implications for motorists (details supplied) post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10096/19]
View answerCurrently all Irish motor vehicles travelling within the EU are covered by the terms of the EU’s Motor Insurance Directive. This allows motor vehicles to travel freely between the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain as well as within other EU countries.
If the UK leaves the EU with a transition period, there should be no immediate change in the position regarding travel. If the transition period is followed by a lasting arrangement which allows for travel under the current terms, there will be no further changes. Should a no deal Brexit occur, the UK (including Northern Ireland) will no longer be party to the Motor Insurance Directive. This means that a Green Card will be required to demonstrate to the authorities in Northern Ireland and Great Britain that valid motor insurance cover is in place for those vehicles, and vehicles from the UK coming to the State will likewise require a Green Card as proof of insurance. However, even in the case of a no deal scenario, the EU Commission would be able under the Motor Insurance Directive to declare that vehicles entering the EU from the UK would not require a Green Card. It would be a matter for the UK authorities to determine whether they required a Green Card for Irish vehicles. My Department continues to liaise with the European Commission on this issue.
As part of necessary contingency preparations, the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) has advised that, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Green Cards will be begin to be issued to affected policyholders in March 2019 and policy holders are advised to contact their insurers a month in advance of their expected travel date. This is an example of prudent advance planning by the MIBI and the wider insurance sector.
The Green Card is used as proof of insurance. The Department understands that the vast majority of Irish motor insurance policies already include cover for travel in the UK. In such cases drivers will continue to be insured to drive in the UK even in a no-deal Brexit. However, they will need to carry the Green Card as proof of insurance if no other agreement is reached with the European Commission in the meantime.
Not all policies may include such cover in the event of a no-deal Brexit. In that eventuality, drivers who may be travelling to or through Northern Ireland or Great Britain should check their motor insurance policies and, if in doubt, check with their insurers that such travel would be covered.
206. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review an article (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10097/19]
View answerThe information contained in the article is correct. Further information is available on the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) website at www.ndls.ie/faq.html.
207. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Brexit will have an impact on the way in which a document (details supplied) is viewed in Northern Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10098/19]
View answerThis is a matter for the relevant authorities in the Northern Ireland jurisdiction.
I am advised that information is available on the UK government website at www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-to-drive-in-the-eu-after-brexit.
208. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the planned upgrade works to the N17 route between Knock, County Mayo and Collooney, County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10110/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
