Bernard Durkan
Question:183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the steps he plans to take to reduce dependency on plastic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25545/20]
View answerEnvironmental Policy
Questions (183)
Written answers
On 4 September this year I launched the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. This Plan contains ambitious measures for dealing with plastic packaging and single use plastic and details how the amount of single use plastic cups and food containers that are currently placed on the Irish market will be significantly reduced. By July 2021, I will ban a range of single use plastic products from being placed on the market, including straws, plates and cutlery and polystyrene food and beverage containers, in line with the requirements of the Single Use Plastics Directive. The Plan also sets out a clear roadmap for the introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, following on from the commitment in the Programme for Government. The first step in this process will be a public consultation on the design options for such a system and this will be launched in the coming weeks.
The Waste Action Plan also commits to a range of measures to reduce packaging waste. These include steps to make all producers of packaging subject to an extended producer responsibility scheme and thus liable to 80% of the costs associated with the waste management of the packaging they place on the market. My overall ambition is to significantly reduce the amount of plastic packaging placed on the Irish market and to ensure that by 2030 all such packaging is 100% recyclable. .
National Broadband Plan
Questions (184, 186)
Bernard Durkan
Question:184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the expected progress in the delivery of nationwide high speed, high quality broadband over the next five years; the way in which this will contribute to the creation of job opportunities in both rural and urban Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25546/20]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the extent to which the provision of broadband in all areas nationally is progressing; if he anticipates the provision of services to the blank spaces between services within a reasonable time with particular reference to National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25548/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 186 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. As of 15 September, design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 21 counties and steady progress is being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed to date. This activity is increasing week on week and NBI expects to have completed some 120,000 surveys by the end of the year. This activity involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The laying of fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December this year.
The NBI deployment is expected to be substantially progressed over the next five years with the majority of premises in the intervention area expected to have access to high speed broadband by that time.
Commercial deployment is also progressing with industry investment in telecoms network over the past 5 years of c.€3bn.
The National Broadband Plan has delivered significant employment opportunities with NBI directly employing approximately 140 staff and opportunities for employment will increase as NBI expands its activities. Over 500 people are now working on the National Broadband Plan either directly or indirectly. Design subcontractors (4site, Actavo and Entegro) are working on behalf of NBI and further employment is being provided by build subcontractors (including KN Group, Actavo, TLI and Secto). Nokia are partners with NBI in providing active equipment for the project and ENET are providing infrastructure and services.
Aside from the employment opportunities created from the project itself, the improved connectivity provided by delivery of the NBP has the potential to enhance growth prospects of small and micro businesses and create opportunities for remote working and driving business efficiencies, all of which serve to diversify the rural economy and create further employment opportunities.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 144 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills for schools.
Based on information available at the 15 September, I can advise that the following is the number of premises per County that have been surveyed. I understand that surveying has recently commenced in other counties and will have commenced in all counties by year end.
|
County |
No of Premises surveyed to date) |
|
Carlow |
3,544 |
|
Cavan |
3,738 |
|
Cork |
12,858 |
|
Galway |
6,809 |
|
Kerry |
6,549 |
|
Kildare |
2,818 |
|
Kilkenny |
2,557 |
|
Laois |
2,459 |
|
Leitrim |
1,280 |
|
Limerick |
4,075 |
|
Longford |
1,050 |
|
Louth |
5,825 |
|
Mayo |
4,891 |
|
Monaghan |
4,355 |
|
Roscommon |
3,591 |
|
Sligo |
2,513 |
|
Tipperary |
4,206 |
|
Waterford |
6,183 |
|
Westmeath |
4,109 |
|
Wexford |
3,745 |
|
Wicklow |
4,715 |
|
Total |
91,870 |
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Questions (185)
Bernard Durkan
Question:185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he is satisfied that carbon emissions throughout the EU are measured equally with a view to ensuring that the more developed countries in the EU do not have the advantage over expanding economies such as Ireland with a view to an evenly spread advantage or disadvantage throughout the EU and noting in particular the relatively low rate of heavy carbon emitting industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25547/20]
View answerWritten answers
The next ten years are critical if we are to address the climate crisis which threatens our safe future on this planet. The Programme for Government commits to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 - a 51% reduction over the decade - and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Specifically in relation to the EU's existing 2030 target to reduce greenhouse gases by 40%, the Climate Action Plan 2019 sets out the policies and measures to underpin Ireland's contribution to the overall EU-wide ambition.
The 40% greenhouse gas target is implemented by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR). The EU ETS limits emissions from more than 11,000 heavy energy-using power stations, industrial plants and airlines, while the ESR sets out binding annual greenhouse gas emission targets for Member States which concern emissions from most sectors not included in the EU ETS, such as transport, buildings, agriculture, small industry, and waste. In Ireland, our ETS sector accounts for 25% of our emissions, with the remaining 75% in the non-ETS sector. This compares to an EU average of 39% ETS and 61% non-ETS.
Following agreement reached in late 2017, the revised ETS Directive (EU) 2018/410 sets out the arrangements for Phase IV (2021-2030). Ireland recognises the importance of the ETS as the EU’s main tool for reducing industrial emissions and engaged proactively on a number of issues, including on carbon leakage, to ensure that the revised provisions took account of the Irish context.
The ESR sets targets for Member States based on GDP per capita and the cost-effectiveness of domestic emissions reductions within individual Member States. The final agreement sets Ireland a target of 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. Ireland’s relatively small ETS sector was one of a number of key factors taken into account when setting this target, and the associated mitigation options that have been made available to Ireland towards complying with our ESR obligations.
It is important to recognise that the European Commission has just presented its plan to increase its ambition to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, from its existing target of 40% to at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. This level of ambition for the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. It is intended that the 2030 target will be enshrined in the EU Climate Law. The European Parliament and the Council have been invited to confirm this 55% 2030 target as the EU's new Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, and to submit this to the UNFCCC by the end of this year. Legislative proposals to implement the new EU 2030 target will be presented by June 2021, and additional effort will be asked of all Member States, including Ireland.
Ireland has supported increased climate ambition at EU level through the European Green Deal, while asserting the importance of cost-effectiveness and fairness across Member States in pursuit of increased ambition. My Department is fully engaging with the European Commission in this work to ensure Ireland contributes appropriately, while ensuring that our national circumstances are reflected in the outcome.
Question No. 186 answered with Question No. 184.
Public Transport
Questions (187)
Bernard Durkan
Question:187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the way in which the cost of producing electricity here compares with other countries throughout Europe with particular reference to maintaining competitiveness throughout industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25549/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government commits to providing the reliable supply of safe, secure and clean energy in order to deliver a phase-out of fossil fuels. This means Ireland must deliver on its commitment to reach 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and that this must be planned and delivered in a cost-effective way that minimises costs to consumers. The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland’s (SEAI) report on Electricity and Gas Prices in Ireland (July – December) 2019 sets out the breakdown of electricity prices based on energy & supply, network costs, renewable taxes, capacity taxes, environmental taxes and other costs. Section 4.1.6 on page 40 of the report provides a breakdown of costs to non-households (business). Table 28 shows the breakdown of these costs for all EU member states in terms of cent per kilowatt hour. The report is available online at https://www.seai.ie/publications/Price-Directive-2nd-Semester-2019.pdf.
The SEAI, in their Energy in Ireland – 2019 report (Table 23, Page 58), show that electricity prices to Irish industry fell by 5% in real terms between 2015 and 2018. The fuel mix for electricity generation is one factor that has a key bearing on the variation in the price of electricity. In the EU, Ireland has a high overall dependency for electricity generation on fossil fuels, at 70%.
Since 2015, energy prices in Ireland have increased by 2.5% in real terms, compared with an average increase of 0.6% in OECD Europe member countries, and a 7.9% increase in the United States over the same period based on data from the International Energy Agency (IEA). In 2018, overall energy prices in Ireland were 2% higher than in 2017, compared with an increase of 4% in OECD Europe and a 7% increase in the U.S.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (188)
Niamh Smyth
Question:188. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of the matter regarding the National Broadband Plan [25577/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Question refers to a premises which is located 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 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). The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
As of 15 September, design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 21 counties and steady progress is being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed to date. This activity is increasing week on week and NBI expects to have completed some 120,000 surveys by the end of the year. This activity involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The laying of fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December this year. NBI provides a facility for any premises within the AMBER area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/).In Cavan, 3,738 premises have been surveyed to date and network designs completed to deliver the new fibre network. NBI crews have started initial works for the build in townlands outside Cavan town including Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, and Caughoo. Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 144 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills for schools. In Cavan, the public will be able to benefit from this service at locations across the county such as Drumavaddy, Templeport, Cornafean, Mullahoran, Glengevlin and Bunnoe Community Centres. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
I understand that there can be instances where premises remain unconnected although close to premises that are passed by eir’s fibre network. eir’s rural deployment of high speed broadband is a commercial undertaking and, as such, decisions regarding the areas and premises served are made by eir. My Department has no role in the matter and has no statutory authority to intervene in decisions of commercial operators as to where they build infrastructure and provide services. Throughout rural Ireland, eir’s fibre deployment is primarily focussed on towns and villages and the premises on their outskirts. Where that network ends is where the National Broadband Plan in effect commences to ensure that nobody is left behind. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
Public Transport
Questions (189)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:189. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of halving all public transport fares and for providing free public transport to all persons in full-time education. [24756/20]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Cycling Policy
Questions (190)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:190. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of constructing one covered bike shelter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24910/20]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport 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, including some bike shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Cycling Policy
Questions (191)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:191. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of cycling officers employed in local authorities nationwide; the estimated cost of employing one cycling officer for one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24911/20]
View answerWritten answers
In line with the objectives of the National Cycle Policy Framework my Department works closely with local authorities in relation to relevant matters, particularly in relation to cycling promotional activities. This interaction involves working with a network of appropriate officials across all 31 local authorities in co-ordinating activities and allocating funding to support the local authorities' work in promoting Bike Week (which is underway this week) and other active travel activities. Arrangements for the formal designation of relevant officials within local authorities, including their grading and associated pay level, are primarily a matter for each of those organisations as the responsible employer.
More generally, the Deputy will be aware the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future calls for a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland and commits to an increased multi-annual budgetary allocation of some €1.8 billion for active travel over the lifetime of the Government. Complementing that increased investment I also wish to see a renewed focus on active travel within local authorities, including the employment/recruitment of suitably qualified personnel to progress active travel work, and offering support to local authorities in the design of active travel infrastructure through the establishment of regional design offices.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department is currently developing proposals to deliver upon these specific commitments, as well as the other commitments contained within the new Programme for Government .
Road Network
Questions (192, 193)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:192. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the total spend on roads in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24913/20]
View answerDarren O'Rourke
Question:193. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the road projects that were funded in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24914/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by Exchequer road grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. In the case of the four Dublin Councils, the arrangements in place since 2015 for the retention of Local Property Tax means that these Councils are required to largely self-fund their road programmes.
In relation to Exchequer grants on roads in each of the years 2016 to 2019, details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
The 2020 regional and local road allocations were announced on 21st January 2020. The table below outlines the grants paid out to the end of August this year.
|
Local Authority |
Spend to end August 2020 |
|
Carlow |
€1,581,102 |
|
Cavan |
€4,895,924 |
|
Clare |
€4,662,196 |
|
Cork City |
€1,849,594 |
|
Cork County |
€14,733,849 |
|
Donegal |
€7,771,702 |
|
Dublin City |
€14,300 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
€0 |
|
Fingal |
€0 |
|
Galway City |
€544,272 |
|
Galway County |
€12,282,903 |
|
Kerry |
€8,179,271 |
|
Kildare |
€4,951,375 |
|
Kilkenny |
€7,314,240 |
|
Laois |
€4,050,011 |
|
Leitrim |
€3,503,826 |
|
Limerick |
€11,143,445 |
|
Longford |
€4,005,275 |
|
Louth |
€1,451,249 |
|
Mayo |
€11,921,943 |
|
Meath |
€4,834,370 |
|
Monaghan |
€1,992,698 |
|
Offaly |
€2,972,432 |
|
Roscommon |
€4,471,609 |
|
Sligo |
€9,104,270 |
|
South Dublin |
€0 |
|
Tipperary |
€15,505,208 |
|
Waterford |
€7,390,656 |
|
Westmeath |
€3,984,561 |
|
Wexford |
€8,932,274 |
|
Wicklow |
€2,636,816 |
|
Totals |
€166,681,371 |
In relation to road projects funded in 2019, my Department's grant booklets outline details of grant allocations and payments to each local authority under the grant programmes operated by my Department. For the Deputy's information, the main grant programmes currently in operation are:
Restoration Maintenance (RM): The purpose of the RM grant is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The purpose of restoration maintenance is to maintain the asset before it requires improvement.
Restoration Improvement Grant (RI): The RI grant programme is the main road strengthening programme and caters for surface restoration, pavement overlay works, complete road rehabilitation works and for drainage works where required.
Discretionary Grant (DG): Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works. However Councils are requested to prioritise projects which involve strengthening works, remedying road defects, winter maintenance and drainage works.
Bridge Rehabilitation (BR): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.
Safety Improvement Works (BS): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake safety improvement works.
Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) facilitates community involvement in repair and improvement of roads.
Drainage Programme: The purpose of this grant is to promote network resilience.
A pilot scheme has been implemented to provide assistance to local authorities specifically for the maintenance of Former National (FN) roads.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific and Strategic road improvement grant programmes. Instead it considers projects on a case by case basis taking into account the availability of funding and the outcome of project appraisals.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the requirements of the Public Spending Code Guidelines and necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII are best placed to advise on the total spend on National Roads from 2016-2019 and to date in 2020.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
National Vehicle and Driver File
Questions (194)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:194. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of licensed State-owned vehicles on the NVDF in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of hybrid and electric vehicles in those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25288/20]
View answerWritten answers
The number of licensed State owned vehicles licensed (with current motor tax) on the NVDF as at 31 December 2018, 2019, and 31st August 2020, broken down by fuel type, is provided in the tabular table. This includes both electric and hybrid vehicles.
|
Fuel Type |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 (Aug) |
|
Petrol |
428 |
431 |
424 |
|
Diesel |
7,961 |
8,238 |
8,090 |
|
Electric |
45 |
61 |
97 |
|
Gas |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Petrol/Electric |
7 |
15 |
19 |
|
Ethanol/Petrol |
13 |
11 |
11 |
|
Petrol/Plug in Hybrid Electric |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total State Owned |
8,457 |
8,760 |
8,644 |
|
Overall Total Number of Vehicles Licensed |
2,717,722 |
2,805,839 |
2,826,769 |
Road Traffic Accidents
Questions (195)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:195. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the methodology used to calculate road collisions; if it includes data from An Garda Síochána and insurance companies; if other data is included; if near misses are included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25479/20]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to start by stating, respectfully, that it would have been helpful if the Deputy could have been clearer about which collisions he is concerned with and for what purposes. There are many types of road collision, from minor incidents causing only slight material damage to incidents in which a number of people are fatally injured. In general, for policy and implementation purposes, it is fatal and serious injury collisions that are of most concern to public authorities.
As the question indicates, the Garda Síochána produces analysis of road traffic collisions (RTCs) arising from their enforcement and public order duties; Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and local authorities do so in their role as road authorities; and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) does so in relation to fatal injury collisions for educational, policy and research purposes.
I understand that the Garda record data in respect of RTCs on PULSE, and that data from PULSE records of collisions are forwarded to the RSA. This data may include Garda opinion in respect of the causation factors.
Each year, the Safety Section of TII carries out a collision analysis of the entire national road network, in compliance with the EU Road Infrastructure Safety Management (RISM) Directive. The purpose of this exercise is to identify locations that have high concentrations of collisions.
The absence of sites from the locations identified in the analysis exercise does not preclude a road authority from submitting a feasibility report to TII for safety improvement works at other locations on the national or secondary road network. For example, there may be additional information available to the road authority or there may be unreported collisions at a location that TII is unaware of.
If a road authority wishes TII to consider proposals it is required to:
- carry out an analysis of the collision history at the location;
- design an appropriate scheme to deal with the safety issues identified;
- carry out an economic appraisal of the proposal;
- fully cost the scheme and prioritise the scheme in relation to other works being proposed by the road authority.
Assessments are carried out by the Safety Section of TII -
- under the HD15 programme, which identifies accident clusters, and
- under the HD17 programme (carried out under the European Directive) involves route assessments
If the Deputy is more interested in precise methodology, perhaps he could specify which body’s work interests him, which categories of collisions he is concerned with, and the relevant policy aspects.
Motor Tax
Questions (196)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:196. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated annual yield for motor tax projected for 2021; the yield in each of the past five years; the way in which the funds were allocated; and his plans for allocation of the funds in 2021. [25652/20]
View answerWritten answers
Gross motor tax receipts for the years 2015 to 2019 are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Gross Motor Tax Receipts |
|
2015 |
€1,124,351,805 |
|
2016 |
€1,051,632,444 |
|
2017 |
€1,021,442,924 |
|
2018 |
€981,935,777 |
|
2019 |
€964,349,811 |
Gross motor tax receipts to the end of August 2020 were €656.3m. Receipts for the year as a whole are projected to be in the order of €930m. Receipts for 2021, in the absence of any Budget changes, are predicted to be in the order of €920m.
Prior to 2018, receipts from motor tax were paid into the Local Government Fund. Allocations from the Fund were a matter for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and are set out in the Local Government Fund annual accounts, which are available on the Department of Housing website at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/archived/archived/current?query=local%20government%20fund%20accounts
Since 1 January 2018, receipts from motor tax have accrued to the Exchequer and are paid into the Central Fund. Issues from the Central Fund are used in the day-to-day running of the State and it is, therefore, not possible to link specified revenue to specific expenditure.
Driver Test
Questions (197)
Michael McNamara
Question:197. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the current level of driver tests being carried out per week compared to this time in 2019; when normal testing levels will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24692/20]
View answerWritten answers
Specific details on numbers of tests are an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this part of the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
As you can appreciate, Covid 19 has had a profound effect on the delivery of services. The Driver Test service has seen its weekly capacity reduced significantly in order to comply with occupational and public health requirements. As an example, due to the additional hygiene and sanitation procedures that are now absolutely necessary, each testing slot now takes a much longer time to complete. In addition to this, the number of testers working in any centre at the one time has to be reduced to ensure physical distance rules can be complied.
My Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA who are examining ways of increasing the number of tests within the current health constraints. Both my Department and the RSA remain committed to adhering to the guidance of the public health authorities on how to protect employees and customers from COVID-19.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Road Projects
Questions (198)
Ged Nash
Question:198. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport when the feasibility study on the proposed Julianstown bypass, County Meath will commence; when the process will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24694/20]
View answerWritten answers
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.
The main focus of expenditure under the National Development Plan (NDP) is on the maintenance and renewal of the regional and local road network and implementation of the 12 regional and local road projects identified for development, subject to necessary approvals, in the NDP. Some limited provision is being made in the capital budget for the appraisal of a pipeline of upgrade projects. This is intended to cover the appraisal of projects for future development, if possible.
In relation to the appraisal of possible measures to manage traffic in the vicinity of Julianstown, the Department understands that Meath County Council intends to carry out an origin-destination information gathering exercise to obtain a clear indication of the traffic movements and patterns in and around Julianstown. The Council intends that the data collected from this exercise will inform a wider transport study for Drogheda and East Meath area that Meath County Council proposes to carry out in conjunction with Louth County Council as part of a future Joint Urban Plan. I suggest that the Deputy might contact Meath County Council to ascertain the current position regarding the collection of origin to destination data in view of the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the exercise. The Council should also be able to provide an update regarding the implementation of the traffic management measures proposed for the Julianstown area.
It should be noted that all proposed projects must now comply with the revised Public Spending Code published in December 2019. An important change to the Public Spending Code is the introduction of a requirement for a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for all projects with an estimated expenditure of €10 million or more. The SAR is now a key deliverable at the first decision stage in the project appraisal process.
The purpose of the Strategic Assessment Report is to examine the rationale for a proposed project and to ensure the strategic alignment of projects with Government policy, including the National Planning Framework and National Development Plan. The SAR is also an important step in the project lifecycle in that potential alternatives for an intervention are assessed and identified for further appraisal should the project progress to the Preliminary Business Case phase of the appraisal process. Once completed, a SAR needs Departmental approval.