Written Answers Nos. 460-476
460. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number or percentage of employees in his Department and in the agencies under his aegis with intellectual disabilities; his plans to increase this number to promote and support the employment of persons with intellectual disabilities as outlined in the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17482/19]
View answer461. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department and the agencies under his aegis track the numbers of employees they have with an intellectual disability; his plans to do so in order to help set targets and increase workplace opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities, such as those outlined in the national disability inclusion strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17499/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 461 together.
In order to ensure that positive action in employing staff with a disability is part of general practice throughout the public service, there is a system to monitor compliance with these legal obligations, overseen by the National Disability Authority.
My Department is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity for all staff and supports the “Code of Practice for the Employment of People with Disabilities in the Civil Service”, published by the Department of Finance in 2007. The latest statutory report under the Disability Act 2005 by my Department for end of 2017, reported that 3.1% of staff in head-count terms, and 3.27% in whole-time equivalents, have disclosed a disability. My Department currently meets the 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities as set by the 2005 Disability Act. There are no employees in my Department who have declared an intellectual disability.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
462. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the fact that Bord Gáis is threatening customers who oppose the installation of smart meters because of health concerns with disconnection of supply and large reconnection fees. [17549/19]
View answerMy officials have raised this matter with Bord Gáis Energy and also engaged with other key stakeholders in the national smart metering upgrade, namely ESB Networks and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Bord Gáis Energy has been unable to find any evidence of the issue raised by the deputy but are happy to further investigate should additional information become available.
Like all equipment, meters for measuring gas or electricity use require replacement over time and as older brands and models cease to be available, newer technology enables improvements in services and greater efficiencies in meter reading. The Smart Meter Upgrade is being coordinated by the CRU, and ESB Networks are responsible for rolling out smart electricity meters. Smart meters are the next generation electricity meters and will replace older mechanical meters. When fully operational, smart meters will bring benefits to the consumer, the environment and the economy.
The upgraded smart meters are safe and will comply with all necessary requirements and international standards. Health authorities around the world, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have assessed the scientific evidence and there are no established health effects from smart meters which use similar technology to that used in your mobile phone.
Gas Networks Ireland is running a replacement programme for gas meters which has been ongoing for a number of years. This is a programme that sees the replacement of older meters with digital next generation meters. This programme is not part of the national smart metering programme, under which the roll out of smart ready electricity meters will commence this autumn.
Should the Deputy or her constituent be unhappy with any engagement with an energy supplier, the CRU operates a complaint process. CRU would advise that the customer first raises a complaint directly with the energy supplier, but if dissatisfied with the outcome they can escalate the complaint to CRU. The following link provides useful information on how customers can log a complaint with the CRU: https://www.cru.ie/home/complaint-form/energy/
463. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the residents of a road (details supplied) will be provided with a broadband supply under phase one of the national broadband plan. [17556/19]
View answerThe specific premises and area referred to by the Deputy are all 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. I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.
The Deputy makes reference to the proximity of a commercial deployment of high speed broadband to the premises in his question. This deployment is part of eir's roll out of high speed broadband to 300,000 predominantly rural premises, in line with a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.
eir’s rural investment in high speed broadband is an entirely commercial undertaking. Although the deployment is monitored under the terms of the Commitment Agreement, it is not funded by the State and it is not planned, designed or directed by my Department in any capacity.
Decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the roll out and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis. I have no statutory role or function in such commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services. Neither is it possible to prevent an operator from investing in a particular area, under State Aid Guidelines.
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 Local Authority 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.
464. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the roll-out of charging points for electric cars announced recently; the assistance available to rural filling stations to provide these charging points to ensure nationwide availability of these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17565/19]
View answer465. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the location of each of the new electric car charging hubs to be located in County Clare as part of his proposal to fund more than 50 high power charging hubs nationwide on motorways and national road sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17657/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together.
Providing adequate charging infrastructure is critical to ensure continued growth in electric vehicles.
Home charging is the most cost-effective way to charge an electric vehicle and is the primary method of charging for the majority of electric vehicles both internationally and in Ireland. A Government grant of up to €600 is available, via the SEAI, to the purchasers of new and second-hand electric vehicles to support the installation of home chargers.
There are currently over 650 standard public charge points and 78 fast chargers as a part of the ESB eCars network. In addition there are public chargers provided by local authorities, retail outlets and private companies.
Under the first call for applications from the Climate Action Fund, I approved funding of up to €10 million to support ESB eCars to develop a nationwide, state-of-the-art electric vehicle fast charging network. This project successfully completed the assessment stage and the validation stage is now underway. The project includes the installation of 90 high-power chargers each of which will be capable of charging two vehicles simultaneously, upgrading 50 existing standard chargers to fast chargers and replacing over 250 existing standard chargers with next generation high reliability models. A provisional map of the planned network, showing indicative locations of charging hubs, was developed by ESB eCars and has been published on my Department’s website.
ESB eCars is currently identifying the most appropriate locations for the chargers to be sited. The sites will be identified using the latest software mapping techniques, taking account of information on current charge point usage, traffic volume, accessibility, amenities and grid capacity at the sites.
Businesses, including service stations, can avail of Accelerated Capital Allowance for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This scheme enables businesses to invest in energy efficient equipment, including electric charging infrastructure, and write down the cost of such equipment in the year of purchase rather than over 8 years.
The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is in the process of transposing the latest revisions to the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive which, by March 2020 at the latest, will set the following requirements:
- New residential buildings (and those undergoing major renovation) with more than ten parking spaces will be required to install ducting to provide for the future installation of charge points in all parking spaces.
- New non-residential buildings (and those undergoing major renovation) with more than ten parking spaces will be required to install at least one charge point and ducting to provide for the future installation of charge points in at least one in every five parking spaces.
- From 2025, all non-residential buildings with more than twenty parking spaces will be required to install a minimum number of charge points.
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.
467. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if funding is available for elderly persons for domestic boiler replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17688/19]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates a number of energy efficiency upgrade schemes on behalf of my Department. The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides partial grants for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades. Grants for domestic fossil fuel boiler replacement are not available under this Scheme. However, grants are available for renewable heating systems such as heat pumps and solar thermal.
Free energy efficiency improvements are also available for people who are in receipt of certain welfare payments. Heating systems can be installed under these schemes in circumstances where no heating system exists and a technical survey of the property determines that a new system is required.
Information on these schemes are available from the SEAI on 1850 250 204 or their website at https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/
In addition to potential SEAI scheme assistance, the Deputy may wish to contact the relevant Local Authority and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to ascertain whether the individual concerned is eligible for other supports.
468. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the conditions for inclusion in REFIT 3 require the existence of full planning permission for the form of electricity generation to be subsidised. [17689/19]
View answer469. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if REFIT 3 approval has been granted for the co-firing of biomass and peat at the west Offaly power plant; and if all of the conditions of the REFIT 3 scheme, including the holding of planning permission, have been met. [17690/19]
View answer470. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if REFIT 3 approval has been granted for the co-firing of biomass and peat at the Lough Ree power plant; and if all of the conditions of the REFIT 3 scheme, including the holding of planning permission, have been met. [17691/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 468 to 470, inclusive, together.
The terms and conditions for the REFIT 3 Scheme are available on my Departments website and includes definitions of the terms used.
https://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/REFIT3TermsandConditionsJuly2013.pdf
Under the terms and conditions of the Scheme “full planning permission” refers to planning for the construction of the appropriate electricity generating plant at the site. All successful applications to the scheme, including the co-firing plants, were deemed to have met this requirement prior to a letter of offer being issued.
As the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot discuss the specific details of individual applications for support under the REFIT 3 Scheme.
471. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether despite relatively poor attendances at the national angling forum it is good practice to hold and facilitate meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17834/19]
View answer472. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the letter of resignation from the chairperson of the national angling forum was received. [17835/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 472 together.
As advised in Question No. 229 of 27 March 2019, there are legitimate concerns regarding the low attendance from stakeholders at meetings of the National Inland Fisheries Forum which has led to perceptions of sub-optimal delivery on the Forum’s business. It is particularly difficult for the Forum to deliver on its business when it is not achieving its established quorum to underpin its recommendations and inputs to the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).
In this regard, I would emphasise that following the last review of the Forum’s operation the quorum was reduced to 20 members. This lower quorum was in place as the Forum entered its second iteration in October 2017 and, despite this modification, challenges in meeting even this lower level of participation persist.
In that regard, I refer to question No. 492 of 9 April when I indicated the potential need for further review of the Forum to address the impact of continued poor attendance by stakeholders.
A letter of resignation from the Chair was received in my Department on 19 January 2019. The process to appoint a new Chair is in hand and as indicated it is expected that meetings will resume when that process and any review of the Forum’s operation is complete.
473. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to publish the broadcasting (amendment) Bill; the reason for the delay in publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17837/19]
View answerThe Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 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 Bill published by end June.
474. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grants available to promote sustainable transport to school, such as walking and cycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17350/19]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware my Department provides funding for cycling and walking under a number of different programmes and schemes, of which the two principal ones are now the Smarter Travel/Sustainable Urban Transport programme and the Cycling & Walking programme.
Included in the Smarter Travel/Sustainable Transport programme are behavioural change programmes designed at promoting sustainable transport, one of which is the Green Schools Travel programme. My Department provides funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for the delivery of this programme. Participating schools create an action plan and set travel targets with the ultimate aim of increasing the number of pupils walking, cycling and using more sustainable means of transport on the school run. Funding for bike parking for participating schools is also provided for under this programme.
My Department also provides funding for cycle training for primary school children, which is delivered under the "Cycle Right" training programme. "Cycle Right" training, which was rolled out in 2017, was delivered to 20,000 primary school children in 2018 and the programme will expand further in 2019 with 25,000 primary school children expected to take part this year.
475. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of incidents involving cars and pedestrians at a location (details supplied) in each of the years 2017 and 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17351/19]
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.
476. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the potential impact a hard Brexit will have on cancer patients in County Donegal seeking to access care at a hospital (details supplied) or travelling to Dublin from Northern Ireland, in view of the fact that they will require a green card for their car insurance to travel to Northern Ireland in their own vehicle; if a fast-track service for a green card will be arranged for those who cannot wait for the waiting period of one month for a green card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17435/19]
View answerFirst of all, I should emphasise that it remains my view and that of the Government that the best way for Brexit to be implemented is through ratification of the deal agreed between the EU and the UK. Among other matters, this would remove the possibility that Green Cards might be needed for cross-border travel. Green Cards are documents which can be required as proof of motor insurance for international travel - they are not insurance policies.
There are 48 countries which are part of the Green Card system, including all EU Member States. The EU Motor Insurance Directive provides that no Green Cards are necessary when travelling between Member States. When the UK leaves the EU it will cease to be a Member State, and if there were to be a hard Brexit, the default position is that Green Cards would be required for EU-registered vehicles travelling to the UK and for UK-registered vehicles travelling to the EU.
If a no deal Brexit were to occur, it would still be possible under the terms of the Motor Insurance Directive for the EU Commission to declare that UK-registered vehicles did not need a Green Card to enter the EU. The requirement for such a decision - that the motor insurance bureaux of all Member States request it - has been met, but the Commission has yet to make a decision, and is unlikely to until the UK becomes a third country.
In the meantime, and in preparation for the possibility of a no deal Brexit, the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) and the insurance industry have for some time been preparing for the introduction of Green Cards. The MIBI has overall responsibility for the system, and issues Green Cards to insurers and brokers, who in turn issue them to their customers.
I understand from my discussions with the MIBI and Insurance Ireland that individual companies have adopted different approaches to the issuing of Green Cards. Some are issuing them to all customers, some are issuing them automatically to customers in Border areas and on request to others, and some are issuing them only on request. The issuing of the Cards began last month, in order to be ready for the original deadline of 29 March 2019.
While neither I nor my Department has any role in the process of issuing Green Cards, I believe that the insurance companies and the MIBI have behaved responsibly in working to ensure that Green Cards would be available to all who might need them.
The fact that the Brexit deadline has now been extended further means that, if the outcome were to be a no deal Brexit, there would be no reason for anyone to have difficulties in obtaining Green Cards in time.
