Written Answers Nos. 99-113
99. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to support persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence with their household waste disposal charges in view of the fact that more operators are moving towards pay-by-weight contracts. [30380/20]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question 154 of 22nd September 2020. The position is unchanged.
100. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify the situation for persons over 70 years of age who have been approved for SEAI grants to ensure warmer homes and so on and who are now being told they cannot get the work done, as over-70s are deemed at risk according to HSE guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30404/20]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. In 2019, €39.8 million was allocated to the Scheme with over 3,000 homes upgraded. Budget 2020 announced a budget allocation for the scheme of €52.8 million. This represents the biggest ever budget for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
Earlier this year, in line with public health and Government guidelines in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, all works under SEAI funded schemes were advised to pause for a period of time. On June 29th, and again on July 20th, SEAI advised that works in homes that could be classified as lower risk under the scheme could resume, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for reopening society and business and Return to work safely protocol. The aim at all times was to minimise the risks for the homeowners and property occupants, contractors, their employees and the wider community.
On October 8th SEAI issued updated guidance for contractors working on the Warmer Homes Scheme and the Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme. This guidance is informed by the Government's Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. It also takes into consideration the inherent vulnerability of energy poor homes and their occupants, in particular the impacts of inadequate heat on health, wellbeing and general quality of life.
SEAI have advised that retrofit works may proceed where a contractor has fully assessed the risks and is fully satisfied that they can complete the works while complying with the guidelines set out in the Return to Work Safely Protocol. Contractors providing works under the scheme are responsible for undertaking a thorough risk assessment in order to minimise the risks for themselves, their employees, the property occupants and the wider community. The Health and Safety Authority is responsible for monitoring to ensure that workplaces comply with the National Protocol.
SEAI also state that prior to commencing, and throughout each upgrade, all public health guidelines must be considered when assessing employee, homeowner and occupant risks, within the working environment. Also, prior to commencing any home visit or works, contractors must secure any relevant consents and confirmations in writing from homeowners and property occupants.
The full guidance from SEAI can be found at https://www.seai.ie/covid-19-notice/
101. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the Climate Action Plan 2019 in view of the delays to electric vehicle manufacturing caused by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30470/20]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan sets out a pathway for the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) over the next decade based on an analysis to identify key emissions abatement technologies. It is widely expected that, over the next number of years, the combination of improvements in technology, reductions in vehicle purchase prices, increasing driving ranges and model availabilities, coupled with Government incentives and new investment in the recharging network will maintain the current positive policy environment under which electric vehicle sales have risen steeply in recent years.
There are currently over 23,500 electric vehicles currently under taxation in Ireland. At the end of 2017, there was under 3,800 electric vehicles in Ireland. This increase represents a six-fold increase over 3 years. Furthermore, though the registration of new cars has fallen this year compared to 2019, the number of new electric vehicles purchased so far this year is already ahead of the number of new electric vehicles purchased last year.
The Government is fully committed to supporting the roll out of EVs so as to ensure we meet our ambitious commitments as set out in the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan. In this regard, following yesterday's Budget, I expect to allocate €36.5 million next year, including a €9.5m contribution from the Carbon Tax, to further enable the roll out of electric vehicles and related charging infrastructure. In addition to the continuation of vehicle grants and home and public charging, the SEAI will also be introducing new and additional support measures for destination chargers for locations such as hotels, shopping centres or places of employment. A new EV marketing campaign will be launched by the SEAI to assist citizens in making informed choices on the environmental and economic benefits of driving an electric vehicle.
In addition, under Budget 2021, €15 million has been earmarked by the Department of Transport to support taxi and hackney drivers in scrapping their older vehicles and replacing them with electric alternatives. The scrappage scheme will be open for taxis and hackneys reaching their maximum permissible age limit in 2020/21. Details of the scheme will be released shortly.
102. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of An Post's restructuring plans with particular regard to the reduction in sorting and collection offices is concerned. [30489/20]
View answerOperational matters relating to the Post Office Network, including plans for sorting and collection office facilities, are a matter for the Board and management of An Post and not one in which the Minister has a role.
103. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he has reviewed trends in the use of postal services since 28 March 2020; and if the trends point to a need to review An Post's current strategy (details supplied). [30490/20]
View answerAs Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications I have responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post, 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 statutory framework underpinning An Post.
My officials meet regularly with An Post and I understand that the company is currently preparing a new Strategy Statement.
I should point out, however, that operational matters and the review or development of commercial strategies for the company are matters for the board and management of An Post and are not ones in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function.
104. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications when a fresh call will be made for projects under the Climate Action Fund; and if the criteria will be different than the last occasion. [30508/20]
View answerThe Climate Action Fund was established on a statutory basis with effect from 1 August 2020, following on from the enactment of the National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Act, 2020. The Climate Action Fund will be resourced from proceeds from the levy paid to the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) in respect of relevant disposals of petroleum products, after the funding requirements of NORA have been met. In the region of €500 million is expected to accrue to the Climate Action Fund to 2027 as a result of this legislative change. This will ensure that substantial funding is available to progress future calls of funding.
In terms of a further calls, preparations are underway to launch a second call for applications for support from the Climate Action Fund in December this year. The scope of the call, and associated criteria and terms and conditions, are being finalised. The design of this call is being informed by information gathered in the “Expression of Interest” process earlier this year and from lessons learned from the first call. My Department is seeking to offer greater clarity and support to potential applicants aimed at increasing the number of successful bids and the quality of the applications that may be supported in the next round. To assist in this regard, my Department will engage further with interested parties, through our website, as part of the next funding call.
105. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the cost of the proposed road widening of the R605 between Kinsale and Innishannon by Cork County Council; his views on same in view of the shortfalls in local government budgets; if an environmental impact assessment has been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30424/20]
View answerThe 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 State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Cork County Council received an allocation of €45,000 under the Safety Improvement Grant for proposed works on the R605 between Kinsale and Innishannon. My Department understands that this project will not be progressed this year.
Cork County Council, as the road authority, has overall responsibility for the implementation of the scheme. I would suggest that contact is made with the Council directly in order to establish the Council's future proposals in respect of this project.
106. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport his views on aligning the regional airports programme with EU criteria so that both Shannon and Cork airports can access capital supplied along with aligning the national aviation policy with Project Ireland 2040 to strengthen the role of airports as key strategic assets for balance regional development. [30468/20]
View answer114. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport his plans to provide Shannon Airport access to airport capital expenditure funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30506/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 114 together.
Historically, the Government's Regional Airports Programme, has targeted aid at Ireland's smallest airports - those airports that typically handle less than 1 million passengers.
As a result, Shannon and Cork airports have always been ineligible for support under the Programme.
However, in recognition of the devastating effects of Covid, Budget 2021 has provided capital funding of €10m under a new one year Programme which both Shannon and Cork airports will be eligible for in 2021. This funding, which will be focused on safety and security related projects, will go some way towards protecting the cash position of these companies as they deal with the crisis.
I should point out that airports, like Shannon and Cork, are also benefitting from the unprecedented general horizontal supports provided by Government. These supports include wage subsidies, waiver of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities. A number of these supports have been extended in line with recommendations from the Task Force for Aviation Recovery.
Finally, it is intended that further measures will be included in the forthcoming National Economic Plan.
107. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if an exemption will be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30542/20]
View answerThe change referred to by the Deputy relates to a Statutory Instrument (S.I. No. 673/2019) which came into force in December last year implementing EU Directive 2017/159 which aims to improve working and living conditions for fishermen. The Regulations apply to fishing vessels 15m in length or over in order to comply with the EU Directive. It is important that all fishing vessels are manned by a suitably qualified skipper to ensure the safety of the vessel and all of those on board.
I understand that the gentleman in question has been in contact with the Marine Survey Office directly on this matter who are the enforcement body with regard to these Regulations and that engagement is on-going.
108. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if he will recommend an extension of the timeframe allowable for medical reports in respect of driver licence renewals (details supplied). [30385/20]
View answerTruck and bus drivers, people over 70 years of age, and people who have an identified or specified illness, are required to submit a medical report when applying for a driving licence or learner permit. This medical report must be dated not more than one month prior to the date of application to ensure that the most up-to-date assessment of the applicant is provided.
It is not my intention to make a legislative change to lengthen the applicable time period of the medical report at this time.
As part of the measures put forward to cater for issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, regulations were introduced to provide for the removal of the requirement for persons over 70 years of age, who do not have an identified or specified illness, to provide a medical report when applying for or renewing a driving licence beginning on the 20 March and ending on 31 December 2020.
109. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30399/20]
View answerI am aware of the serious difficulties, which the Deputy has raised, arising for Irish licensed travel agents and tour operators in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and the catastrophic collapse of overseas travel and tourism. This sector is among that category of businesses that have not been able to reclaim any meaningful level of lost business over the last 6 months. It is in response to this situation - which is impacting on many viable businesses across the country - that the Budget contains historic levels of State support for the SME sector in the form of wage supports, financial grants, and waived commercial rates. Taken together, I would be hopeful that these unprecedented measures will help safeguard the travel sector through the difficult months ahead so that they will be ready to trade fully again when the worst of this pandemic has passed.
110. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated for an earlier appointment to renew a driver licence for work purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30455/20]
View answerAll appointments for driving licence renewals must be made through the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). My Department has no access to the scheduling procedure.
Any queries in relation to driving licences or urgent cases can be addressed to the NDLS customer service at 076 1087880 or by emailing info@ndls.ie.
111. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if a driver needs to have a public services card to renew an expired full driver licence; if he can recommend the way in which a person who does not have a public services card can get an appointment with the National Driver Licence Service, NDLS, and have a renewal application finalised; if the case of a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30456/20]
View answerA person does not need a Public Service Card to apply for a driving licence. A person can apply in person at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centre and present photographic ID, evidence of PPSN, evidence of address and evidence of residency entitlement for verification. The Public Services Card (PSC) satisfies this requirement as this information has already been provided and verified by another Government department, and so can be used instead.
All applications for a driving licence must be made through the NDLS, which resumed services in June, following the closure of the centres due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. All appointments must be booked in advance as it is not possible to facilitate any walk-ins due to the social distancing requirements and in the interest of protecting the staff and customers. This, of course, has led to an increase in the demand for appointments.
The RSA is working with their providers to see how they can increase capacity while adhering to the return to work protocol and protecting public health. Work is also continuing to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types in a manner that does not undermine the existing legal framework. A verified MyGovID account, for which a PSC is required, is needed to access the online system to ensure sufficient identity authentication.
112. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if public buses and trains should have windows locked to an open position in view of the importance of ventilation in combatting Covid-19. [30485/20]
View answerThe Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that are to carry on. I would like to thank operators and staff for their continued dedication to providing this vital service in such challenging times.
A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the continued operation of services during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures across the network.
My Department is engaging directly with the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to these measures and the NTA is co-ordinating the response of public transport operators.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
113. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport the status of plans for the provision of a public bus service in Ennis, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30505/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
