Written Answers Nos. 1000-1019
1000. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the warmer home scheme is taking up to 18 months to have applications processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2854/20]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the defined eligibility criteria.
In 2019, €39.8 million was allocated to the Scheme with over 3,000 homes upgraded. Budget 2020 announced an allocation for the scheme in 2020 of €52.8 million. This represents the biggest ever budget for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
Notwithstanding this increased budget for the scheme, the current very high level of demand directly impacts waiting times, with the duration between applying for the scheme and having works carried out currently averaging at 18 months. Applications for the scheme are processed on a first come first served basis. The Climate Action Plan includes a commitment to review ways to improve how current energy poverty schemes target those most in need, including how to reduce waiting times. This review is nearing completion.
1001. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures being taken to assist county councils to deal with incidents of illegal dumping and fly tipping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2882/20]
View answerOn 30 December 2019 I announced that my Department will prepare a radical new waste strategy which will focus on tackling waste, including taking further measures to crack down on illegal dumping.
The new waste strategy will build on a lot of work which is already underway. My Department has introduced a range of measures to target illegal dumping and strengthen waste enforcement generally. These include:
- The provision of an annual waste enforcement grant of €7.4 million to support the recruitment and retention of 150 local authority waste enforcement personnel across the country;
- The establishment of Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities to support and co-ordinate local authority action at a cost of €1 million per annum;
- The establishment of a National Waste Enforcement Steering Committee, which facilitates the deployment of co-ordinated multi-agency responses to illegal waste activity across the regions.
In addition, my Department has developed the Anti-Dumping Initiative to encourage local authorities to work in partnership with community organisations to identify high-risk or problem areas, develop appropriate enforcement responses and carry out necessary clean-up operations. Since 2017, funding of €6.3 million has been made available which has supported approximately 700 projects across all 31 local authority areas, remediating blackspots, while equipping local authority waste enforcement officers with the latest technologies available to tackle this problem. Details of the projects supported per local authority area are available on my Department’s website at: https://dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/waste/enforcement/anti-dumping-initiative/Pages/AntiDumpingInitiative.aspx
A further €3 million will be allocated to this initiative in 2020 in order to continue to support communities around the country in their efforts. The criteria for the selection of projects is currently being finalised and will be communicated to local authorities shortly.
1002. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of an application for a licence (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to concerns of the local community; his plans to address same; when a decision is likely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2896/20]
View answer1005. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if issues raised in correspondence forwarded to his Department by members of the local community in an area (details supplied) will be taken fully into account in the processing of a prospecting licence application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2956/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1002 and 1005 together.
The company in question applied to my Department for a Prospecting Licence for Prospecting Licence Area (PLA) 1142 in January, 2019. The applicant requests consent to prospect for minerals in a number of townlands in County Cavan. The application for a prospecting licence is seeking consent to prospect for minerals only. It is not an application to mine, which is a totally different activity in terms of its scale and impact and is subject to a number of separate statutory consents, including planning permission, an Integrated Pollution Control licence and a mining lease or licence, as appropriate.
Following assessment of the application, the intention to grant the prospecting licence for PLA 1142 was published in the Anglo Celt and made available on my Department’s website on 4 December, 2019 and invited submissions on the proposed award. The consultation period was open for 30 days.
This prospecting licence application is under consideration by my Department, which is assessing the submissions received, including those received from communities. These submissions will be considered as part of the final decision making process concerning this application.
1003. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the progress by Inland Fisheries Ireland on the CARE project; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local groups are of the view that IFI (details supplied) is not making sufficient progress in this matter and that progress can be made soon in this project in order to prevent funding returning to the EU if not utilised. [2900/20]
View answerI refer to the reply to question no 1120/20 of 15 January last.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is one of a number of partners in the CARE project referred to by the Deputy. In that regard, I had provided a comprehensive update to the Deputy of the significant progress made by IFI on those project components relating to fisheries matters for which they have responsibility. I am now providing a further update on progress on these components made by the IFI team in the six weeks since the last report.
Updates on the significant other work components, within the remit of various Local Authorities and Agencies, should be sought from the bodies concerned or from the lead partner, Donegal County Council . The project is funded via the EU INTERREG Programme and matters relating to EU funding are for the lead partner.
1004. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of fibre broadband to the home of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2904/20]
View answerThe government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland. It is vital that we ensure the people of rural Ireland have the same opportunities as the people in our towns and cities.
The Deputy's question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
Work has already begun and a deployment plan will be made available by NBI shortly. All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset.
Approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs), including schools, library hubs and local sports halls in every county in Ireland, including County Cavan, will be connected to high speed broadband this year, to enable communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband. 11 BCPs are planned for deployment in Cavan. The planned BCP locations are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie. It should be noted that some BCP locations may be subject to change.
The BCPs have been specifically selected by the local authorities so that they can provide public Wi-Fi and other facilities to support mini digital/enterprise hubs to the local community in advance of the main NBP deployment. Broadband Officers in each Local Authority were tasked with consulting with local communities and business to find the appropriate mix of locations to reap the maximum benefits.
All BCPs will have a free public Wi-Fi connection, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass approximately 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed.
With regard to the fibre installation close to the premises mentioned in the Question, eir’s rural deployment of high speed broadband is a commercial undertaking and not part of the planned State Intervention network. It is not funded by the State and is not planned, designed or directed by my Department in any capacity. The decision as to what areas and premises are served was made by eir internally and on a commercial basis. My Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that process.
Question No. 1005 answered with Question No. 1002.
1006. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which persons and-or not for profit organisations can sell solar energy into the national grid that is surplus to their own requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2962/20]
View answerThe Government's Climate Action Plan identifies how Ireland will achieve its 2030 targets for carbon emissions, and puts us on a trajectory which would be consistent with net zero carbon emissions by 2050. A key part of the Plan is a move to 70% renewable electricity by 2030.
Action 30 of the Climate Action Plan commits to the delivery of a framework for micro-generation from renewable technologies including solar photovoltaic (PV), micro-wind, micro-hydro and micro combined heat and power (CHP) with a view to commencement of a support scheme by 2021, at the latest, to ensure that renewables self-consumers can sell excess electricity they produce back to the grid, whilst ensuring principles of equity, self-consumption and energy efficiency first are incorporated.
The working group for Micro-Generation stakeholders, chaired by my Department, has been formed and a detailed work programme is underway. The main steps necessary to facilitate the feeding of excess electricity generation into the national grid are detailed in the Working Group Terms of Reference, available here .
The proposed supports mechanisms will be outlined in a public consultation in 2020 and a suitable support payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all micro-generators by 2021.
1007. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a person (details supplied) cannot avail of broadband in view of the fact that broadband is supplied to the person's area and to other residents on the person's road. [3062/20]
View answerThe government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland. It is vital that we ensure the people of rural Ireland have the same opportunities as the people in our towns and cities.
The Question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
Work has already begun and a deployment plan will be made available by NBI shortly. All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset.
Approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs), including schools, library hubs and local sports halls in every county in Ireland, including County Westmeath, will be connected to high speed broadband this year, to enable communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband. 12 BCPs are planned for deployment in Westmeath. The planned BCP locations are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie. It should be noted that some BCP locations may be subject to change.
The BCPs have been specifically selected by the local authorities so that they can provide public Wi-Fi and other facilities to support mini digital/enterprise hubs to the local community in advance of the main NBP deployment. Broadband Officers in each Local Authority were tasked with consulting with local communities and business to find the appropriate mix of locations to reap the maximum benefits.
All BCPs will have a free public Wi-Fi connection, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass approximately 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed.
With regard to the fibre installation close to the premises mentioned in the Question, eir’s rural deployment of high speed broadband is a commercial undertaking and not part of the planned State Intervention network. It is not funded by the State and is not planned, designed or directed by my Department in any capacity. The decision as to what areas and premises are served was made by eir internally and on a commercial basis. My Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that process.
1008. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the budget allocation for the national cyber security centre in each of the years 2018 to 2020; and the number of staff in the centre as of 28 February 2020. [3192/20]
View answerThe annual budgetary allocation for the National Cyber Security Centre was €3m in 2018, €4m in 2019 and is €4m for 2020. At the end of February 2020, the NCSC had a team of 24 people.
1009. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to improve the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3229/20]
View answerThe Government is investing, in a sustained way, in electric vehicle charging infrastructure right across the country. The measures that have been put in place are significantly supporting the development of Ireland’s charging network, both public and private. The network will increase very significantly in the years to come and this will alleviate access issues and ensure that everyone has good access to a well-developed and modern charging network. Already €10 million has been committed from the Climate Action Fund to promote the charging network and this has leveraged another €10 million investment from ESB. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers (150kW chargers), each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers (50kW charger), which may replace existing 22 kW chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers (22kW chargers) to more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points.
There are also commitments in the Climate Action Plan to develop more analysis and plan ahead accordingly for the period up to 2030 to ensure that Ireland’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure can keep pace with expected increases in demand. This work is already underway and will be supported by a number of Government Departments.
The current policy has already identified that home charging should be the most cost-effective method of charging, followed by on-street public charging and then destination charging. Charging while at home accounts for around 80% of electric vehicle charging in Ireland and it is best practice, internationally, to promote home charging as the most common and cheapest form of charging. Combined with a public charging network, Ireland’s home charging network will help sustain and service the growth in electric vehicle numbers. Many elements of charging are already being supported by the Government, from generous grants for families and their homes to supports for local authorities and public chargers.
The Government’s interventions are also spurring private investment and I expect over the coming years that Irish and international companies will very significantly expand their charging networks nationwide.
1010. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if tenders have been issued or consultants engaged to help facilitate the feeding of electricity generation of private residences or commercial premises into the national grid. [3255/20]
View answerThe Government's Climate Action Plan sets out how Ireland will achieve its 2030 targets for carbon emissions, and puts us on a trajectory which would be consistent with net zero carbon emissions by 2050. A key part of the Plan is a move to 70% renewable electricity by 2030.
Action 30 of the Climate Action Plan commits to the delivery of a framework for micro-generation from renewable technologies with a view to commencement of a support scheme by 2021, at the latest, to ensure that people can sell excess electricity they produce back to the grid, whilst ensuring principles of equity, self-consumption and energy efficiency first are incorporated.
A Microgeneration Working Group, chaired by my Department, has been established and a detailed work programme is underway examining the main steps necessary to facilitate the feeding of electricity generation of private residence or commercial premises into the national grid. No tenders have been issued or consultants engaged in this regard.
1011. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if sanction will be given for an increase for pensioners in the RTÉ superannuation pension scheme; the details of requests he has received to sanction such an increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3336/20]
View answerAs Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have responsibility for the governance of RTÉ to ensure the company is fully compliant with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies and the governance functions included in the legislative and regulatory framework for broadcasting.
The RTÉ Superannuation Scheme is a funded, contributory defined benefit scheme, established under legislation and sponsored by RTÉ. The scheme is managed by a board of trustees who have responsibility for overseeing the schemes’ operations, including the investment of the schemes’ assets.
The proposal for a 1% pension increase was submitted to this Department seeking Ministerial approval and consent, as required under the governing legislation. The proposed increase was proposed and agreed to by RTÉ Trustees and RTÉ Management.
Section 85 of the RTÉ Superannuation Scheme provides for authorisation of increases from time to time; this matter is for determination by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The proposed pension increase for RTÉ Pensioners was the subject of detailed engagement with between my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, NewEra, RTÉ and the RTÉ pension scheme trustees. A decision will be communicated to all parties shortly.
1012. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of fibre broadband at locations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3419/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland. It is vital that we ensure the people of rural Ireland have the same opportunities as the people in our towns and cities.
The question refers to a list of premises provided by a constituent whose own premises, as well as all those on the list, are located in the AMBER area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
Work has already begun and a deployment plan will be made available by NBI shortly. All counties will see premises passed in the first two years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset.
Approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs), including schools, library hubs and local sports halls in every county in Ireland, including County Cavan, will be connected to high speed broadband this year, to enable communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband. 11 BCPs are planned for deployment in Cavan. The planned BCP locations are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie . It should be noted that some BCP locations may be subject to change.
The BCPs have been specifically selected by the local authorities so that they can provide public Wi-Fi and other facilities to support mini digital/enterprise hubs to the local community in advance of the main NBP deployment. Broadband Officers in each Local Authority were tasked with consulting with local communities and business to find the appropriate mix of locations to reap the maximum benefits.
All BCPs will have a free public Wi-Fi connection, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass approximately 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed.
With regard to the fibre installation close to some of the premises mentioned in the Question, eir’s rural deployment of high speed broadband is a commercial undertaking and not part of the planned State Intervention network. It is not funded by the State and is not planned, designed or directed by my Department in any capacity. The decision as to what areas and premises are served was made by eir internally and on a commercial basis. My Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that process.
1013. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number and average amount of grants drawn down via the better energy homes scheme in 2019. [3491/20]
View answer1014. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of households that have benefitted from the warmth and well-being pilot scheme; the average cost per home; and his plans to expand the pilot scheme to areas outside of Dublin 8, 10, 12, 22 and 24. [3492/20]
View answer1015. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of households that have benefitted from the SEAI deep retrofit pilot scheme; and the average cost per home. [3493/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1013 to 1015, inclusive, together.
The Government’s Climate Action Plan commits to reviewing and redesigning the existing grant schemes to ensure alignment with Government climate objectives and value for money. The Plan also sets an ambitious target of 500,000 energy efficiency retrofits by 2030. Achievement of this target will be supported by the Project Ireland 2040 allocation of €3.7 billion as well as the range of measures identified in the Plan.
To deliver our Climate Action Plan target of 500,000 housing upgrades by 2030, we will develop a new retrofitting delivery model. Our plan will:
- Group homes in the same area together to drive down cost
- Start with social homes owned by the local authorities, but will embrace privately owned homes in the wider community
- Develop smart finance options (e.g. loan guarantee models)
- Introduce easy pay back models (e.g. through your utility bill)
Budget 2020 provided €20 million to commence this process, starting with groups of social homes in the Midlands to be upgraded at the same time. Private homeowners will be encouraged to participate through the provision of SEAI grants. The selection of the Midlands to start rolling out this plan is ideal because of the structural changes occurring there.
A cross-Departmental Taskforce that will drive the achievement of the Climate Action Plan target has been established. Development of the new model is being informed by the experience from existing schemes in Ireland including the Warmth and Wellbeing and Deep Retrofit Pilot schemes as well as best practice in other jurisdictions and extensive stakeholder consultation and engagement.
Government currently funds a number of grants and support schemes that are helping homeowners and businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The budget for these schemes in 2020 is €146 million (capital and current), which is a record level of funding.
The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides fixed grants covering approximately 30% of the cost of works being carried out by a homeowner. Grants are provided for a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heat pumps, heating controls, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER). Grants range from €300 for attic insulation up to €6,000 for external insulation of a detached home. Full details of the amounts available towards each measure are available on SEAI’s website: www.seai.ie/grants. In 2019, 18,531 homes received energy efficiency grants through this scheme with an average grant amount per home of €1,238.
The Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme is aiming 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. Since 2016 1,244 homes have received free upgrades to their homes, including attic and wall insulation, window and door replacement and heating system upgrades where needed. According to SEAI, the average cost per home completed to date is €22,800. An independent analysis is being carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with the Health Service Executive.
The Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme was launched in 2017 as a time bound pilot to investigate the challenges and opportunities of deep retrofit in Ireland. The scheme closed for applications in July 2019. To date 325 homes have all been upgraded to an A3 Building Energy Rating. According to SEAI, the average capital cost of works per home completed to date is €54,047. Government funding of 50% of the cost (including project management and consultancy costs) was made available (with uplift to 95% of the cost for those at risk of energy poverty). The average grant paid was therefore €31,778 per home completed. Initial findings from the pilot are available on SEAI's website: https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/deep-retrofit-grant/key-findings/
1016. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the package of measures available to SMEs and other commercial businesses to mitigate against greenhouse gas emissions. [3494/20]
View answerThe Government's Climate Action Plan published in June 2019 sets out, for the first time, how Ireland can reach its 2030 targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also put Ireland on the right trajectory towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The enterprise sector will play a pivotal role in our ability to meet these targets. The Climate Action Plan establishes ambitious targets for the enterprise sector and commits to a range of actions which will reduce the sector’s emissions.
A strong carbon price will drive decarbonisation, with the EU Emissions Trading System providing this for the majority of the enterprise sector’s emissions (c. 68%), with carbon tax providing a price signal for the sector's non-ETS emissions.
Actions and measures in the Climate Action Plan which develop our energy system will directly impact the decarbonisation of our enterprise sector, including the target for 70% renewable electricity by 2030. These actions will also present new areas of opportunity for industry, such as the development of offshore renewables and introduction of new technologies. The plan includes a set of actions to ensure our enterprise agencies prioritise decarbonisation as part of their strategies. It includes actions to ensure the agencies play a key role in the development of sectoral networks in key industry sectors needed to drive the decarbonisation of our society and economy.
A key role is identified in the Climate Action Plan for my Department, with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s support to drive decarbonisation through measures to enable businesses reduce their energy use and emissions. Measures currently in place include:
- The Excellence in Energy Efficient Design programme;
- The SME Programme;
- The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat;
- A range of supports to companies in the Large Industry Energy Network;
- The Community Grant Scheme.
The Climate Action Fund will support initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland's climate and energy targets and a call for expressions of interest from the fund was made on 31 December 2019.
1017. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the review of the BAI children’s commercial communications code; if he has received a copy of the review of the effectiveness of the code to date; if there has been correspondence with his Department and the BAI on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3573/20]
View answerThe Broadcasting Act 2009 provided for the establishment of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) as the independent regulator responsible for the oversight of compliance in relation to broadcast content in the State.
Section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 requires the BAI to draw up, and from time to time revise, Broadcasting Codes on the standards and practice to be observed by Broadcasters and to provide for related compliance matters.
The Children's Commercial Communications Code was developed by the BAI in line with Section 42. Under this section, the question of revising a broadcasting code is also a matter for the BAI and as such, I, as Minister, have no function in this matter.
I have not received any correspondence from the BAI in relation to this issue.
1018. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the funding for the proposed Narrow Water Bridge between County Louth and County Down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2778/20]
View answerA commitment to undertake a review of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project is included in the Fresh Start Agreement with a view to identifying options for its future development. A draft Outline Business Case relating to a Bridge at Narrow Water has been developed by the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure and is being reviewed in advance of consideration by new Ministers, North and South.
The draft Business Case considers the Narrow Water Bridge in light of developments with respect to the proposed Newry Southern Relief Road since 2016.
Pending future decisions on the project, there is no specific allocation of funding for a Narrow Water Bridge scheme.
1019. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if discussions have taken place within his Department on providing funding for the east-west link road and rural roads in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2892/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.
In relation to the East West link, this year I again allocated €100,000 to Cavan County Council to enable the Council to continue their work in undertaking an appraisal to assess the extent to which the scheme or elements of it can be justified in terms of the Public Spending Code and the Common Appraisal Framework. Preparation of an appraisal is the responsibility of the Council. Following the completion of this appraisal work the possible funding of future upgrade works would be dependent on a number of matters including the outcome of the appraisal, Government policy and the availability of funding.
Regarding funding for rural roads, the 2020 grant allocations were announced in January and the details are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklet which is available in the Dáil Library.
