Written Answers Nos. 8-27
8. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the title of each study, review and research undertaken or commissioned by his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [15995/21]
View answerMy Department administers a very diverse, complex and technical brief across critical and strategic sectors of the Irish economy.
Studies, reviews and research are undertaken by my Department to contribute to project delivery and informed, robust and evidence based policy making.
For details of these for the period covering 2018 to July 2020 I refer the Deputy to the replies to Question No 484 of 3 December 2019 and Question No 168 of 30 July 2020. Details covering the period August 2020 to date are set out in the table below.
|
Title of Study/Review/Research |
Year |
|
External Quality Assurance of Audit Committee and Internal Audit Unit. |
2020 |
|
Capacity Review of the National Cyber Security Centre |
2020 |
|
Preliminary Economic Analysis on achieving 2030 climate targets. |
2020 |
|
Just Transition Commissioner’s Second Progress report. |
2020 |
|
“Carbon Taxes, Poverty and Compensation Options” (ESRI) |
2020 |
|
Review of the Call Handling Procedures of the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) |
2020 |
|
Electronic Communications Research Programme (ESRI) |
2020 |
|
Just Transition Commissioner’s Third Progress report. |
2021 |
|
Technical Analysis to inform a Review of the Security of Energy Supply of Ireland’s Electricity and Natural Gas Systems. |
2021 |
|
Assessment report carried out to provide economic and policy analysis on micro-generation in Ireland. |
2021 |
|
Economic Analysis to inform Climate Action Plan 2021, Long-Term Climate Strategy and related matters. |
2021 |
|
Independent Review of the Stability Report on the Drumgoosat Underground Mine Workings Below and Adjacent to the R179 Carrickmacross to Kingscourt Road, Co. Monaghan- Interim Report and Associated Addendum). |
2021 |
9. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage reduction when the target to reduce GHG emissions to 29.8 GtCO2e by 2030, a 51% reduction relative to 2018, is expressed relative to 1990 and 2005 baselines. [15996/21]
View answerThe 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.
On 23 March 2021, the Government approved the final text of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill. Under this legislation, the first two carbon budgets proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council shall provide for a reduction of 51% in the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions over the course of the first two budget periods ending on 31 December 2030, from the annual greenhouse gas emissions reported for the year ending on 31 December 2018, as set out in the national greenhouse gas emissions inventory prepared by the Agency. The legislation, which is a key commitment in the Programme for Government, will now progress through the Houses of the Oireachtas as priority legislation.
The Environmental Protection Agency report Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions for the years 1990 and 2005 as 54.39 MtCO2eq. and 70.24 MtCO2eq respectively, excluding emissions and removals from land-use. While these years are likely to form the basis of the upcoming changes to the EU Climate Policy Framework, it is difficult to provide direct comparisons to the Programme for Government commitment given that:
- the balance of effort (in achieving the enhanced EU ambition) between the EU-wide ETS and individual Member State targets has not yet been decided;
- many revisions have been proposed to the current architecture; and
- in determining legally binding targets for Member States under the Effort Sharing Regulation, the EU balances technical, economic, equity and political considerations.
10. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the dedicated email addresses for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to contact his Department and bodies under its aegis as outlined in circular 25/2016. [16003/21]
View answerWhen Circular 25/2016 was issued it was brought to the attention of all bodies under the aegis of my Department. State Bodies were requested to provide and maintain a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, and notify/publicise this to Oireachtas members. My officials will again write to all relevant Bodies to remind them of their obligation in this regard.
In relation to Oireachtas members contacting my Department, the email address is customer.service@decc.gov.ie.
11. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number that were accepted as a protected disclosure; the number that were in part or fully examined by a third party or consultancy; the number of protected disclosures under investigation over this time period; and the number that were finalised and the contents accepted and acted on. [16029/21]
View answer12. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 from officials within his Department; the number of officials who made protected disclosures over the period and who are now not working in his Department; and the number of protected disclosures received from retired officials of his Department over the period. [16047/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
Since the Protected Disclosure legislation was introduced in 2014, my Department has received 10 Protected Disclosures as set out in the table below
|
YEAR DISCLOSURE RECEIVED IN MY DEPARTMENT |
NUMBER OF DISCLOSURES RECEIVED |
EXTERNAL OR THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATION |
CURRENT STATUS |
|
2017 |
1 |
Legal advice procured to support Department officials. |
Closed – no evidence of wrongdoing under The Protected Disclosure Act 2014 following investigation. |
|
2018 |
1 |
Legal advice procured to support Department officials. |
Ongoing |
|
2019 |
3 |
Legal advice procured to support Department officials with one case. |
Three closed with only one requiring investigation. No evidence of wrongdoing under The Protected Disclosure Act 2014 following investigation. |
|
2020 |
4 |
Legal advice procured to support Department officials with two cases. |
Two closed requiring no investigation. Ongoing investigation in the remaining two. |
|
2021 |
1 |
|
Closed – no investigation required. |
The Act imposes an obligation to protect the identity of the discloser and in this regard information cannot be given on individuals who have made disclosures.
13. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in providing access to high-speed broadband in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16063/21]
View answerAs previously stated in my reply of 2 December to a Parliamentary Question on this matter, the premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
My Department did, however, raise a query regarding the premises in question with the service provider to get the current status for the location. The service provider has indicated that the premises will be included as part of their fibre network rollout in Celbridge in early 2021. My Department updated the Deputy of this on 12 December 2021.
Complaints about service provision are a matter between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. The individual should contact their service provider directly in the matter for further updates.
14. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the cost to Meath and Westmeath county councils, respectively, of illegal dumping in each of the years 2015 to 2020, in tabular form. [16076/21]
View answer15. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons or companies fined for illegal dumping by Meath and Westmeath county councils, respectively, in each of the years 2015 to 2020, in tabular form. [16077/21]
View answer16. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons or companies convicted of illegal dumping in Meath and Westmeath county council areas, respectively, in each of the years 2015 to 2020, in tabular form. [16078/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 16, inclusive, together.
Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA compiles comparative statistics on local authority performance relating to their waste enforcement activity under the Recommended Criteria for Environmental Inspection (RMCEI) process. Their most recent report for 2019 is available at epa.ie.
Information is also available through the Local Government Management Agency's series of service indicators annual reports which are available at lgma.ie. The Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) Annual Report for 2019, available at werla.ie, also contains useful data regarding actions taken by the wider local authority sector under the Waste Management Act.
While waste enforcement action is a matter in the first instance for local authorities, my Department encourages a multi-facetted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education and, provides significant funding to support the activities of both the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) and the national network of local authority waste enforcement officers.
Questions in relation to the full annual costs of waste enforcement, litter fines imposed and prosecutions taken by individual local authorities should be directed towards those specific authorities.
17. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 13, 17 and 18 of 25 February 2021, when the inquiries referred to will be completed; when this Deputy will be apprised of the outcome; the reason for the delay in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16157/21]
View answerAs previously stated in my reply of 25 February to a Parliamentary Question on this matter, the premises referred to in the Question are located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
While BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so, my Department has, however, raised a query regarding the premises in question with the service provider to get the current status for these locations. The service provider has since requested further information on the premises in order to investigate the matter fully and to ascertain the broadband speeds available to the premises. My Department has recently contacted the Deputy in this regard.
18. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if a ministerial order was signed to extinguish the public right of way which ran under the railway bridge at Ravenswell Road to Bray Harbour, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15971/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
I am advised that the matter raised by the Deputy has been the subject of engagement between Iarnród Éireann and Wicklow County Council. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
19. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the dedicated email addresses for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to contact his Department and bodies under its aegis as outlined in circular 25/2016. [16015/21]
View answerThe dedicated mailbox in operation in my Department for queries from Oireachtas members is oireachtasLiaison@transport.gov.ie. Members are also welcome to contact my Department via my private office.
Regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department, I have referred the question for direct reply. If you do not receive these replies within 10 working days, please contact me private office.
20. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number that were accepted as a protected disclosure; the number that were in part or fully examined by a third party or consultancy; the number of protected disclosures under investigation over this period; and the number that were finalised and the contents accepted and acted on.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16041/21]
View answerThe number of allegations received by my Department which invoked the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 are set out in the table below.. All allegations received are assessed and the appropriate action taken. The table indicates the total number of allegations received, the number of these which were found, following assessment, to be not relevant or not a protected disclosure, the number concluded and the number which remain in progress.
|
Year |
No. of allegations received |
No. not relevant/ not a protected disclosure |
No. concluded |
No. that remain in progress |
Number that were in part or fully examined by a third party or consultancy |
|
2017 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
2018 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
2019 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
2020 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
2021 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
The number referred to a third party for examination/investigation will require verification from hard copy files. This information is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
21. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 from officials within his Department; the number of officials who made protected disclosures over the period and who are now not working in his Department; and the number of protected disclosures received from retired officials of his Department over the period. [16059/21]
View answerOnly one protected disclosure was received from an official in my Department over the period 2017 to date in 2021. There are no officials that made protected disclosures over the period in question that are now not working in my Department and there were no protected disclosures received from retired officials of the Department over the period in question.
22. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the funding provided to Monaghan County Council for local road maintenance and resurfacing in each of the years 2010 to 2020, in tabular form; the allocation approved for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16086/21]
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 Councils’ own resources supplemented by regional and local road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
As regards the funding provided to Monaghan County Council for local road maintenance and resurfacing in each of the years 2010 to 2020, 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.
As indicated in the allocations and payments booklets, grants are allocated by type of grant programme not categories of road. For the Deputy's information an explanation of the purpose of the main Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes is set out below:
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 the repair and improvement of roads.
Drainage Programme: The purpose of this grant is to promote network resilience.
Former National Roads (FN): The purpose of this grant it to provide assistance to local authorities specifically for the maintenance of former national roads.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific and Strategic 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.
The table below outlines the 2021 grant allocations for Monaghan County Council.
|
Monaghan County Council |
|
|
Restoration Improvement |
€6,702,000 |
|
Restoration Maintenance |
€1,121,500 |
|
Supplementary Restoration Maintenance |
€801,000 |
|
Discretionary Grant |
€2,071,500 |
|
Bridge Rehabilitation |
€743,000 |
|
Safety Improvement Works |
€255,800 |
|
Specific Improvement |
€1,350,000 |
|
Strategic Regional and Local Roads |
€100,000 |
|
Speed Limits |
€9,000 |
|
Cycle Signs |
€9,100 |
|
Training Grant |
€53,000 |
|
Former National Roads |
€300,000 |
|
Active Travel |
€272,843 |
|
Climate Adaptation |
€130,775 |
|
Community Involvement Scheme |
€544,000 |
|
PSCI: Survey Support |
€18,000 |
|
CBGM Pilot |
€500,000 |
|
Reclaimed Asphalt Pilot |
€500,000 |
|
Drainage Works |
€524,880 |
|
Total Allocation |
€16,006,398 |
In addition funding applications are currently being sought for climate adaptation measures.
23. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the length of local public roads eligible for maintenance funding within each local authority; the funding allocated to each local authority in 2020 for this purpose in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16087/21]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, 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. Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts, the four Dublin Councils are largely self-funding for works on regional and local roads since 2015 and my Department no longer provides grants to these Councils under the main regional and local road grant categories.
Within the budget available to the Department, grant funding is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible. In this context, grants in the main grant categories are allocated based on the length of regional and local roads within a local authority area of responsibility with additional weighting based on contributing traffic factors in specific areas.
The length of regional and local roads within each local authority that have been used as a basis for maintenance grant allocations with effect from 2020 is set out in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
Regional km |
Local km |
Total km |
|
Carlow |
187,992 |
1,062,079 |
1,250,072 |
|
Cavan |
404,073 |
2,503,646 |
2,907,718 |
|
Clare |
634,231 |
3,478,256 |
4,112,488 |
|
Cork |
1,320,362 |
10,420,451 |
11,740,813 |
|
Donegal |
785,569 |
5,383,828 |
6,169,397 |
|
Galway |
906,520 |
5,625,337 |
6,531,857 |
|
Kerry |
534,738 |
3,918,603 |
4,453,341 |
|
Kildare |
486,993 |
1,970,674 |
2,457,666 |
|
Kilkenny |
422,128 |
2,626,103 |
3,048,231 |
|
Laois |
346,302 |
1,863,742 |
2,210,044 |
|
Leitrim |
333,485 |
1,794,222 |
2,127,708 |
|
Limerick |
540,576 |
3,273,958 |
3,814,534 |
|
Longford |
152,440 |
1,399,716 |
1,552,156 |
|
Louth |
286,445 |
1,212,031 |
1,498,476 |
|
Mayo |
624,764 |
5,612,795 |
6,237,560 |
|
Meath |
577,973 |
2,603,664 |
3,181,637 |
|
Monaghan |
297,452 |
2,155,868 |
2,453,320 |
|
Offaly |
392,610 |
1,696,194 |
2,088,804 |
|
Roscommon |
375,896 |
3,376,993 |
3,752,889 |
|
Sligo |
236,195 |
2,443,127 |
2,679,322 |
|
Tipperary |
898,924 |
4,672,198 |
5,571,123 |
|
Waterford |
438,158 |
2,380,631 |
2,818,790 |
|
Westmeath |
307,042 |
1,900,654 |
2,207,694 |
|
Wexford |
476,996 |
3,003,349 |
3,480,345 |
|
Wicklow |
465,015 |
1,821,763 |
2,286,778 |
|
Cork City |
98,380 |
804,113 |
902,494 |
|
Galway City |
39,244 |
247,168 |
286,413 |
|
Total |
12,570,503 |
79,251,163 |
91,821,670 |
As regards the funding allocated to each local authority in 2020, 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.
24. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the details of the policy of Iarnród Éireann regarding the operation of diesel trains standing idle with engines running for longer than 15 minutes; if this policy is observed; the way it is monitored; if Iarnród Éireann is aware if this is a problem at Heuston Station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16088/21]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
25. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the current supports available to travel agents enabling them to reimburse consumers who do not wish to avail of refund credit notes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16134/21]
View answerThe Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. While travels agents and tour operators have benefitted from many of these central measures there is an understandable concern that the travel trade may experience a more prolonged impact on trading than most of the rest of the economy.
Recognising that, the Government is considering what can be done to continue to support jobs and businesses in the event that restrictions – including on international travel – will remain in place longer than any of us want them to. In that context, Minister Ryan and I recently met with the Irish Travel Agents Association, where the sector made the case for continued financial support. The proposals made by the ITAA are being examined. Further, a new Aviation Subgroup, which I chair and which involves both the ICTU and IBEC, has been established under the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) to examine the key challenges facing Irish aviation now and over the medium term as we being to recover.
The Government remains fully committed to doing everything possible to support all those affected by this terrible virus, including continuing to help businesses survive until such times as they can being to trade again.
As the Deputy is aware, the Refund Credit Note has been an important measure in protecting the cash position of travel firms - who are unquestionably stressed - allowing them to issue notes to the aggregate cash value of around €19M. These notes are State guaranteed, and consumers should have confidence in them. The level of overall consumer protection for people booking travel through licensed Irish travel agents is incredibly strong, and looking forward to more normal times such protection should be something I hope people will reflect on when deciding how to arrange foreign travel.
26. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his role and function in deciding which road projects will be progressed as part of national transport policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16139/21]
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 planning, design and construction 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 - projects of more than €100 million are subject to Government approval.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to bring forward the review of the NDP and use the review to set out an updated NDP for the period to 2030. The review of the NDP will be aligned with the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040.
The review of the NDP is a broad and wide ranging review. It seeks to strengthen the alignment with the National Planning Framework as well as to take into account key developments since the launch of the current NDP in 2018. It will examine developments in the context of each National Strategic Outcome. It will take into account the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. It will also take into account the impacts of "Brexit" and Covid-19 as well as reflect key policy developments in areas such as Climate Change and the completion of Regional, Economic and Spatial Strategies for the three Assembly Regions.
Work is underway within my Department to contribute to this review.
27. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if it remains part of national road transport policy for the eastern bypass to be constructed; if so, when the road will commence through planning approvals processes; if the bypass will be a toll road; if it will proceed by way of a tunnel under Merrion Strand or on a raised platform; when it will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16140/21]
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 planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The "eastern bypass" project is not included within the programme of new projects to be delivered in the current NDP.
I am aware that the statutory Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2036 refers to the possible development of such a road link and calls for the retention of a route corridor in the area. As is required under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (as amended), the Transport Strategy is currently under review by the National Transport Authority, with an initial public consultation period concluding in January and a second public consultation period expected to commence by the early autumn. A revised Strategy will be approved and published by early 2022.
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.
