Written Answers Nos. 139-158
139. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has finalised the energy poverty report; when the report will be published and made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30990/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to increasing the carbon tax by the amount of €7.50 per tonne per annum to reach €100 per tonne by 2030, and to using a portion of the additional revenue generated to provide targeted social welfare increases and other initiatives to prevent fuel poverty amongst low-income families.
My Department is undertaking a programme of work with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to examine the distributional benefits of utilising carbon tax receipts, including the impact of retrofitting on alleviating fuel poverty. As part of this programme of work, and on foot of a specific commitment in the Programme for Government, the ESRI published a report, 'Carbon taxes, poverty and compensation options,' on 13 October. The report identified a series of targeted direct social protection payment interventions and examined the effect of each on the incomes of lower income families. In addition to raising the level of carbon tax by €7.50 per tonne, the Government has committed, in Budget 2021, to significant increases in a targeted package of social protection supports. These supports were selected to address the impact of the increased carbon tax, as identified by the ESRI. The specific measures are:
- an increase to the Qualified Child Payment of €2 per week for children under 12, and €5 per week for children over 12;
- an increase in the Living Alone Allowance of €5 per week; and
- an increase to the Fuel Allowance of €3.50 per week.
The total cost of these interventions is expected to reach an estimated €153.5m in 2021. This will be part-funded by receipts from the increased carbon tax of €48m, with the remaining €105.5m cost to be funded by general Exchequer receipts.
Further information on these is measures is available on www.budget.gov.ie.
140. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will adopt at the European Council the position of Irish MEPs and that of the European Parliament on the EU climate law, which sets an ambition of at least a 60% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030; if he will support the European Parliament’s position; and the implications that has on the Programme for Government’s ambition of 51% emissions reduction by 2030. [31125/20]
View answerThe EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050. This objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal and in line with the EU’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement. The European Commission has just presented its plan to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, 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 both the 2030 and 2050 targets will be enshrined in the EU Climate Law. Parliament and 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 fully supports the enhanced ambition at EU level to increase the EU 2030 target to at least 55% emissions reduction as set out in the Commission’s EU 2030 Climate Target Plan, and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To this end, Ireland is one of 12 countries who have signed a joint statement ahead of the European Council in October on strengthening EU climate ambition and agreeing on increasing the 2030 climate target to “at least 55 percent” this year.
The Programme for Government sets out significant increased climate ambition for Ireland, committing to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 and to achieving net zero to emissions by 2050, the latter being consistent with the EU 2050 ambition. The next iteration of the Climate Action Plan will set out, on an economy-wide basis, how the 2030 ambition in the Programme for Government might be achieved. A subset of that Plan will ultimately deal with Ireland’s contribution to the EU 2030 target and any increased ambition in a revised Effort Sharing Regulation, the framework which sets Member States’ emissions reduction targets for 2030.
In addition, the purpose of the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill which is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny is to strengthen the governance structure in supporting Ireland's response to climate breakdown. The Bill will:
- Set the 2050 decarbonisation target in law.
- Provide for the adoption of five-year carbon budgets, setting maximum emissions by sector.
- Strengthen the role of the Climate Change Advisory Council, including in relation to proposing appropriate carbon budgets.
141. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane as mentioned in a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31154/20]
View answerThe Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at its 21st Session in Paris in 2015, invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to provide a special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways.
The IPCC Special Report, published in 2018, increased understanding of the global carbon budgets for that goal and distinguished the importance of reaching and sustaining net-zero global anthropogenic CO2 emissions, while concurrently achieving deep reductions in non-CO2 gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. The report provides modelled emission pathways consistent with the 1.5°C goal. While the global carbon budget is focused on CO2 as the main driver of global warming, the report also enhanced understanding of the required emission reduction pathways for other major greenhouse gases. In pathways limiting global warming to 1.5°C with limited or no overshoot, the report shows CO2 emissions reduced to net zero by 2050. However, this report also points out that non-CO2 emissions, including methane, while being reduced, will not reach net zero globally.
Thus, the scientific consensus is clear, we must reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 to ensure we protect our planet and our country from the most severe impacts of global warming. This Government is committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. A key aspect of delivering upon this commitment will be enacting a 2050 target in law through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020. The Bill also defines how five-year carbon budgets will be set, including sectoral decarbonisation target ranges, ensuring every sector must contribute towards meeting this target through agreed policies, actions and measures.
The development of appropriate carbon budgets for Ireland will be informed by science and the expert advice of the Climate Change Advisory Council who will propose carbon budgets to the Minister.
The Bill provides that any plans or strategies to achieve the carbon budgets and 2050 target will acknowledge the special economic and social role of agriculture and the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane. While, as acknowledged, it is not necessary for biogenic methane emissions to reach net zero, nor would this be an attainable goal, the agricultural sector has an important role to play in reducing emissions as far as is technologically possible, and to contribute to carbon sequestration and fossil fuel displacement. Land use offers significant potential to sequester additional carbon and constitutes an opportunity both for farmers and for rural areas. This potential will be fully explored to curb the emissions, as well as to create jobs and diversify farmers’ income. The Government will evaluate the potential for contributions towards our climate ambition from land-use improvements, and set in train the development of a land-use plan based on its findings.
142. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the retrofitting schemes presently available for old houses and following budget 2021; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31224/20]
View answerThe SEAI operates a number of energy efficiency upgrade schemes on behalf of my Department. These schemes include partial grants for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as schemes that provide free energy efficiency improvements for people who are in receipt of certain welfare payments. Information on the grant levels available by scheme is available from the SEAI on 1850 250 204 or their website at https://www.seai.ie/grants/.
The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, including our homes, with targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years.
SEAI grant schemes will be a central element of the Government’s approach to achieving our national retrofit targets. Budget 2021 provided €221.5 million in capital funding for residential and community retrofit programmes next year to be funded by my Department through the SEAI. This represents an additional €100 million, or 82% increase, on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever in the budget for the schemes. A further €65 million has been provided for retrofitting the social housing stock through the Vote of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Of the €221.5 million allocated to my Department:
- €109 million is allocated to provide free upgrades for lower income households;
- €112.5 million will be spent on expanding existing SEAI grant schemes and introducing new schemes, including
- The National Retrofit Scheme (B2 package scheme) which will facilitate the deeper renovation of homes to BER B2. A second strand of the National Retrofit Scheme will support One-Stop-Shops, Residential Service Providers, Employers, Financial Institutions, registered Housing Associations and Local Authorities who wish to participate in delivering energy efficiency upgrades to homes. The first call for projects under this scheme was launched on 25 September;
- A new Heat Pump Ready Homes Scheme targeting homes that are suitable for the installation of heat pumps with grant incentives;
- A new Community Activation scheme focused on supporting small-scale, capacity-building projects, pilots and feasibility studies and in particular supporting Sustainable Energy Communities.
It is estimated that next year, in total, SEAI residential and community schemes will deliver over 29,000 retrofits including approximately 8,000 to a B2 level and support over 8,500 direct and indirect jobs.
143. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will increase the ring-fenced funding for community projects under the renewable electricity support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31439/20]
View answerIt is my intention that communities all over the country should be able to generate electricity and reap the benefits in their own localities from the sale of that electricity. In that regard, I aim to ensure the delivery of approximately 100 community electricity generation projects by 2030.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) will be the main driver in the delivery of this objective. Last month I announced that seven community projects had filled the allocated community capacity in the first commercial auction under the scheme. In future onshore RESS auctions, there will be additional capacity allocated to the community category and I expect that only fully community-owned projects will be eligible.
In order to ensure an adequate pipeline of such projects I have allocated an additional €3 million in capital funding in Budget 2021 for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to stimulate locally-owned community energy projects. This funding will enable SEAI to deploy a range of capacity-building supports including information dissemination, trusted intermediary and advisor services, and financial supports such as enabling grants.
The SEAI has commenced assessing the next wave of community projects through the Sustainable Energy Community network. The initial call has already identified circa 20 of the more mature projects for immediate support. A further wave of projects has been identified for later support. Already SEAI has set up a dedicated telephone number, email address and website resources to facilitate further community empowerment.
144. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the roll-out of the national broadband plan will be expedited; if rural areas of County Kildare will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31445/20]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.
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 13 October, design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 24 counties and steady progress is being made with over 103,000 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. In County Kildare, surveys have been completed in areas including Naas, Johnstown and Kill.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 in Cork. 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/).
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. As of 13 October 2020, some 164 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 51 of these are now connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. It is anticipated that 275 BCP sites will be connected by the end of the year. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
BCPs locations due for installation in Kildare include Backgate Lodge, Kilkee Demesne, Castledermot and Crookstown Further Education and Training Centre. BCPs installed and waiting connectivity include Lullymore Heritage Park and Bigstone Community Hall.
In addition some schools will be provided with high speed broadband through the BCP Programme, for educational use only, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Education and Skills. A number of schools in Kildare including Saint David’s National School, Killashee, Naas and Rathmore National School, Rathmore West, Naas will be connected to high speed broadband as part of the BCP initiative. My Department will work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP.
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network. The extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible. The Covid 19 pandemic has also highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. This is reflected in the commitments in the Programme for Government where delivery of the National Broadband Plan will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working. The Programme for Government has committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19.
145. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the national broadband plan involves the laying of fibre broadband lines in areas that are already served; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31460/20]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.
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 approximately 70,000 to 100,000 premises will be passed each year thereafter which will result in over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
Since 2013, my Department has engaged in an extensive process of mapping broadband availability in Ireland in order to identify areas which have no existing or planned Next Generation Access networks. A mapping consultation was conducted in 2019 to conclude the NBP mapping exercise to determine the final scope of the Intervention Area before contract award. The mapping exercise identified the areas where intervention is needed and where no private investor has demonstrated a concrete plan to invest commercially in high speed broadband in the near future. The mapping exercise confirmed the scope of the Intervention Area for the purposes of the contract with NBI.
NBI is now contracted to deploy high speed broadband within the Intervention Area. NBI deployment will maximise the re-use of existing infrastructure predominantly through the existing eir pole and duct network and the State owned Metropolitan Area Networks co-location sites.
146. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the timeline and key benchmarks for rolling out the national broadband scheme in view of the requirement that more persons work from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31466/20]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. 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 approximately 70,000 to 100,000 premises will be passed each year thereafter which will result in over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
As of 13 October, design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 24 counties and steady progress is being made with over 103,000 premises surveyed to date. This activity is increasing week on week and by year end, NBI expects to have completed some 120,000 surveys. 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 in Cork.
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. As of 13 October 2020, some 164 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 51 of these are now connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. In addition some schools will be provided with high speed broadband for educational access only through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Education and Skills. My Department will work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the schools to be connected over the term of the NBP. It is anticipated that 275 BCP sites will be connected by the end of the year.
Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network. The extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible. The Covid 19 pandemic has also highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities.
This is reflected in the commitments in the Programme for Government where delivery of the National Broadband Plan will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working. The Programme for Government has committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19.
147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the retrofit plans announced in budget 2021 including the target completions, the total budget, the source of this funding and the cost per house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31480/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, including our homes, with targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years.
Budget 2021 provided €221.5 million in capital funding for residential and community retrofit programmes next year to be funded by my Department through the SEAI. This represents an additional €100 million, or 82% increase, on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever in the budget for the schemes. This €100 million increase in allocation is funded through carbon tax revenue.
Of the €221.5 million allocated to my Department
- €109 million is allocated to provide free upgrades for lower income households;
- €112.5 million will be spent on expanding existing SEAI grant schemes and introducing new schemes, including:
- The National Retrofit Scheme (B2 package scheme) will facilitate the deeper renovation of homes to BER B2. A second strand of the National Retrofit Scheme will support One-Stop-Shops, Residential Service Providers, Employers, Financial Institutions, registered Housing Associations and Local Authorities who wish to participate in delivering energy efficiency upgrades to homes. This scheme was launched on 25 September last;
- A new Heat Pump Ready Homes Scheme targeting homes that are suitable for the installation of heat pumps with grant incentives;
- A new Community Activation scheme focused on supporting small-scale, capacity-building projects, pilots and feasibility studies and in particular supporting Sustainable Energy Communities.
It is estimated that next year, in total, SEAI residential and community schemes will deliver over 29,000 retrofits including approximately 8,000 to a B2 level and support over 8,500 direct and indirect jobs.
The amount of the grant provided per home will depend on the starting point of the home in question, the scheme the household is eligible for and the grant applied for.
A further €65 million has been provided for retrofitting the social housing stock through the Vote of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It is estimated that this funding will result in 2,400 retrofits to B2 or cost optimal equivalent though the final number is dependent on the initial condition and dwelling type.
148. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the proposals in place for upgrading the junctions at which they intersect with roads (details supplied); if funding was provided to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for works in relation to the design or upgrade of these junctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31237/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of these projects.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
149. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport if legislation will be introduced to deal with the problem of noise emanating from motorbikes particularly at night-time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31277/20]
View answerThe Deputy may be advised that legislation governing acceptable levels of noise from vehicles is already in place. Under Section 29 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Use and Equipment of Vehicles) Regulations (S.I. No. 190 of 1963), all vehicles with a combustion engine must be fitted with an exhaust silencer or other suitable device for reducing, to a reasonable level, the noise caused by the escape of exhaust gases from the engine.
Furthermore, Section 34(2)(e) of the same Regulations states that such silencers must be properly maintained in good and efficient working order. Section 85(1)(a) states that a person shall not use or permit to be used, a vehicle that causes excessive noise as a result of defect, lack of repair or adjustment of the vehicle or its any of its equipment. The enforcement of road traffic legislation is a matter for the Garda Síochána.
150. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport if a test for motorbikes will be introduced similar to the NCT to deal with the problem of exhaust noise particularly at night-time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31278/20]
View answerThe introduction of periodic roadworthiness testing for motorcycles is optional under Article 2 of Directive 2014/45/EU. In general, road traffic accidents that are caused by motorcyclists do not occur as a result of the condition of the motorcycle itself. Accidents are usually caused by improper driver behaviour such as excessive speed or alcohol consumption. Accordingly, for reasons of proportionality the State has not introduced mandatory periodic roadworthiness inspections for motorcycles and measures to reduce the number of road traffic accidents involving motorcycles take place by way of educational awareness campaigns.
With regards to the Deputy's concerns over exhaust noises, I would remind him that under Section 29 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Use and Equipment of Vehicles) Regulations (S.I. No. 190 of 1963), all vehicles with a combustion engine must be fitted with an exhaust silencer or other suitable device for reducing, to a reasonable level, the noise caused by the escape of exhaust gases from the engine.
Section 34(2)(e) of the same Regulations states that such silencers must be properly maintained in good and efficient working order. Section 85(1)(a) states that a person shall not use or permit to be used, a vehicle that causes excessive noise as a result of defect, lack of repair or adjustment of the vehicle or any of its equipment. The Garda Síochána are responsible for the enforcement of road traffic legislation.
151. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to self-employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31327/20]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV vehicle standards and age limits, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
152. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when official notification from his Department will issue to an organisation (details supplied) in regard to a grant under the jobs stimulus funding for active travel and climate change adaptation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31647/20]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (RLR) 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.
Following the Government announcement of the July Jobs Stimulus Plan eligible local authorities funded under the Department’s regional and local road maintenance and renewal grant programmes were invited to apply for funding under the Active Travel and Climate Change Adaptation measures.
On the 31st August Galway County Council received notification that a total allocation of €2,688,095 under Active Travel measures had been approved. This includes an allocation of €40,000 for improved crossing facilities at Clonbur.
153. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30935/20]
View answerThe scheduling of candidates’ driving tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and as Minister, I have no power to intervene in individual cases.
My Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA as they deal with the increased demand for their driver testing service since operations resumed following its temporary closure due to the COVID emergency. In addition to this, due to the social distancing requirements, normal daily capacity is considerably reduced. This means that customers will experience longer waiting times than was the case before the service was suspended. The public’s patience and understanding in this regard is requested.
It is my understanding that those who had appointments cancelled due to Covid 19 are being prioritised in the first instance. Priority then will be given in order of application date. While there is some capacity for urgent test slots, the Road Safety Authority (RSA)'s capacity to make these available in all cases will be limited. Therefore, initially those who are frontline healthcare workers will be deemed eligible for an urgent test slot. This approach for prioritising customers will be kept under review as the RSA moves through the service resumption.
154. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driving test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30936/20]
View answerThe scheduling of candidates’ driving tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and as Minister, I have no power to intervene in individual cases.
My Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA as they deal with the increased demand for their driver testing service since operations resumed following its temporary closure due to the COVID emergency. In addition to this, due to the social distancing requirements, normal daily capacity is considerably reduced. This means that customers will experience longer waiting times than was the case before the service was suspended. The public’s patience and understanding in this regard is requested.
It is my understanding that those who had appointments cancelled due to Covid 19 are being prioritised in the first instance. Priority then will be given in order of application date. While there is some capacity for urgent test slots, the Road Safety Authority (RSA)'s capacity to make these available in all cases will be limited. Therefore, initially those who are frontline healthcare workers will be deemed eligible for an urgent test slot. This approach for prioritising customers will be kept under review as the RSA moves through the service resumption.
155. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 209 of 6 October 2020, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that none of the fully licensed drivers, such as instructors, parents or guardians, that he referred to in the reply are allowed shelter, use toilets or hand washing facilities at the RSA driving test centres; and if his further attention has been drawn to that fact that this is in stark contrast to NCT centres that have set up to allow persons to wait in a socially distant and safe manner indoors in their centres. [30940/20]
View answerI am aware of the recent closure of washing facilities and waiting rooms at driving test centres due to current public health restrictions.
Operational arrangements at test centres, including the availability of waiting and washing facilities, are a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I understand from the Authority that, given the rise in confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country and the general tightening of public health restrictions more generally, the current policy is unlikely to be relaxed in the near future. These protocols have been developed on the basis of the general Return to Work Safely Protocol agreed by employers and unions and also based on guidance from the relevant public and occupational health authorities. I am sure that the Deputy would not wish a public sector employer such as the Road Safety Authority to put in place arrangements which were at variance with such guidance.
156. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if assistance will be provided in securing a driver test for a person (details supplied) to enable them to continue to work. [30946/20]
View answerThe scheduling of candidates’ driving tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and as Minister, I have no power to intervene in individual cases.
My Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA as they deal with the increased demand for their driver testing service since operations resumed following its temporary closure due to the COVID emergency. In addition to this, due to the social distancing requirements, normal daily capacity is considerably reduced. This means that customers will experience longer waiting times than was the case before the service was suspended. The public’s patience and understanding in this regard is requested.
It is my understanding that those who had appointments cancelled due to Covid 19 are being prioritised in the first instance. Priority then will be given in order of application date. While there is some capacity for urgent test slots, the Road Safety Authority (RSA)'s capacity to make these available in all cases will be limited. Therefore, initially those who are frontline healthcare workers will be deemed eligible for an urgent test slot. This approach for prioritising customers will be kept under review as the RSA moves through the service resumption.
157. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the date on which a person (details supplied) will receive a driver test. [30956/20]
View answerThe scheduling of candidates’ driving tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and as Minister, I have no power to intervene in individual cases.
My Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA as they deal with the increased demand for their driver testing service since operations resumed following its temporary closure due to the COVID emergency. In addition to this, due to the social distancing requirements, normal daily capacity is considerably reduced. This means that customers will experience longer waiting times than was the case before the service was suspended. The public’s patience and understanding in this regard is requested.
It is my understanding that those who had appointments cancelled due to Covid 19 are being prioritised in the first instance. Priority then will be given in order of application date. While there is some capacity for urgent test slots, the Road Safety Authority (RSA)'s capacity to make these available in all cases will be limited. Therefore, initially those who are frontline healthcare workers will be deemed eligible for an urgent test slot. This approach for prioritising customers will be kept under review as the RSA moves through the service resumption.
158. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 9 September 2020, when he was informed of a disclosure (details supplied); the reason this disclosure was not made before the person’s appointment; if he has replaced the person; the reassurance the he can give to the families of the four air crew who died that this report will be published in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31062/20]
View answerThe Chairperson of the Review Board wrote to me on 22 September 2020 on the matter of disclosure regarding its technical assessor. This issue was not known prior to the appointment of the technical assessor to the Review Board.
Following the recusal of the technical assessor from the Review Board and following legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General, I have established a new Review Board to re-examine certain findings of the draft Final Report of the investigation into the accident involving Rescue 116 at Black Rock, Co Mayo on 14 March 2017. The Board has been established in line with Regulation 16 of Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents) Regulations 2009 and I have appointed Senior Counsel Patrick McCann as the Chairperson and sole member of the Review Board.
Under the provisions of the 2009 Regulations, the Review Board is entirely independent in its work and the timeframe for the Board to carry out the re-examination is a matter for the Chairperson to determine.
