Written Answers Nos. 112-131
113. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific planning enforcement measures in place with respect to the quarry sector; if he plans to introduce new planning and enforcement measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32221/21]
View answerUnder planning legislation, enforcement of unauthorised development is a matter for the relevant planning authority, which can take action if a development does not have the required permission, or where the terms of a permission have not been met.
There are extensive enforcement provisions provided for in Part VIII of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), with a view to ensuring that works pertaining to permitted developments are carried out in accordance with the planning permission granted and any associated conditions and that no unauthorised development takes place, including in relation to quarries. In addition, any person or a planning authority may seek a court order under section 160 of the Act in relation to unauthorised development with a view to ensuring that the development works in question are not carried out or continued.
Provision for the recoupment of costs arising from enforcement action taken by planning authorities is provided for under section 154 of the Act. Section 154(5)(b) provides that an enforcement notice shall require that such steps as may be specified in the notice be taken within a specified period, including, where appropriate, the removal, demolition or alteration of any structure and the discontinuance of any use and, in so far as is practicable, the restoration of the land to its condition prior to the commencement of the development.
Section 154(5)(c) further provides that if the steps specified in the enforcement notice are not taken within a specified period (not being more than 6 months), the planning authority may enter on the land and take such steps and may recover any expenses reasonably incurred by them in that behalf.
Furthermore, section 154(5)(d) provides that an enforcement notice shall require the person or persons served with the notice to refund to the planning authority the costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the authority, including costs incurred in respect of the remuneration and other expenses of employees, consultants and advisers.
Section 154(7) further provides that if required, any expenses reasonably incurred by a planning authority may be recovered as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction from the person or persons on whom the notice was served. Alternatively, the costs incurred by a planning authority may be secured by charging the land under the Registration of Title Act, 1964, or where the person on whom the enforcement notice was served is the owner of the land, an instrument vesting the ownership of the land in the authority subject to a right of redemption by the owner within five years.
Section 156 sets out the penalties that may be applied in relation to non-compliance with specific sections of the Act. In this connection, 156(1) provides that a person who is guilty of an offence shall be liable, on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £10,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or to both. It further provides that a person who is guilty of an offence shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £5,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both. Under section 156(2) of the Act, where a person is convicted of an offence and there is a continuation by him/her of the offence after his/her conviction, he or she shall be guilty of a further offence on every day on which the contravention continues and for each such offence shall be liable.
Accordingly, as indicated, there are already extensive enforcement powers available to planning authorities in relation to non-compliance with planning legislation. This planning legislation is in compliance with EU law and applies to all forms of development, including the operation of quarries. Under section 157(4)(AA), enforcement action may be taken against unauthorised quarrying at any time.
Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case, including an enforcement issue, with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
While I do not envisage that any further actions are required in relation to planning enforcement at this time, I will continue to keep this matter under review.
114. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the new measures that are required to ensure the construction sector is regulated in view of the issues that have arisen in terms of building defects with both pyrite and Mica; the initiatives he plans to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32222/21]
View answerFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the very stressful circumstances which the owners and residents of buildings face when defects occur in their homes.
I believe that the ongoing building control reform agenda, with its many initiatives, already provides a comprehensive roadmap for embedding a culture of real compliance within the construction industry. The reform agenda includes:
- Amendments made to the Building Control Regulations;
- Establishment of a shared services National Building Control Management Project; and
- The ongoing development of new legislation through the Building Control (Construction Industry Register Ireland) Bill
Specifically relating to product legislation, since 2013, the Construction Products Directive (CPD)- 89/106/EEC has been replaced by the Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (CPR). It sets out rules for the marketing of construction products in the EU. Where a construction product covered by a harmonised standard is being placed on the EU market, the CPR requires the manufacturer to draw up a ‘declaration of performance’ and affix a ‘CE’ marking to the product. In order to do so, manufacturers must test and declare the performance of their construction products using a common technical language prescribed in the harmonised standard.
The manufacturer is responsible for compliance with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and in particular for the Declaration of Performance/CE marking of the construction product he/she is placing on the market, having full knowledge of the raw material (as is legally required by the CPR via the relevant harmonised European Standards) and having regard to the end product’s suitability for use in construction works in accordance with the relevant Standard Recommendations published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).
Under the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No.225 of 2013), each of the building control authorities have been designated as the principal market surveillance authorities for construction products that fall within the scope of the CPR, within their administrative areas. In addition, Dublin City Council has been appointed as a competent authority for the carrying out of market surveillance functions across the country and has created a Market Surveillance Unit within Dublin City Council-National Building Control Office, (DCC-NBCO). Building control authorities will liaise with DCC-NBCO national market surveillance unit to support compliance with the CPR and to determine appropriate action on enforcement matters, as they arise.
The National market surveillance programme 2021 provides specific details on the market surveillance of construction products and outlines a market surveillance campaign led by DCC-NBCO, which has recently commenced, to perform risk assessments of selected quarrying and pit operations, follow-up inspections, sampling and testing as appropriate to ensure compliance with the CPR.
Separately, the Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of building defects and provides for an examination of defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing report, "Safe as Houses".
In this context, I established a working group to examine defects in housing. The group’s terms of reference have recently been adopted and include:
1. Examine defects in housing having regard to the recommendations in Item 4 “Addressing the legacy of bad building and poor regulation” in Chapter 4 of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government report - ‘Safe as Houses? A Report on Building Standards, Building Controls and Consumer Protection’ .
2. Establish the nature of significant, wide-spread fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 – 2013 in Ireland through consultation with affected homeowners, homeowner representative organisations, owners’ management companies, relevant managing agents, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals, industry stakeholders, insurance providers, mortgage providers and other relevant parties. Including such matters as;
- Identification and description of defect,
- Nature of defect – design, product, workmanship,
- Non-compliance with building regulations or actual damage,
- Severity/risk to life or serviceability of dwelling,
- Period of construction affected,
- Type of dwelling affected,
- Location of dwellings affected.
3. Establish the scale of the issue – estimate number of dwellings affected by the defects identified including those already remediated.
4. Consider a methodology for the categorisation of defects and the prioritisation of remedial action.
- In the case of defects with fire safety implications, consider how the framework for enhancing fire safety in dwellings can be applied to mitigate the risks arising from fire safety defects pending the remediation of defects and the Code of Practice for Fire Safety Assessment of Premises and Buildings, which is currently being developed by National Directorate of Fire and Emergency Management.
5. Suggest mechanisms for resolving defects, in the context of the legal rights, duties and obligations of developers, builders, building professionals, insurers, mortgage providers, building control authorities, fire authorities, owners’ management companies, owner occupiers, renters and landlords, including:
- Technical options for the remediation of dwellings,
- Efficient means of carrying out work,
- individual dwellings or whole building approach
- routine maintenance/refurbishment or remediation
- Structures or delivery channels needed to facilitate resolution – advice and support.
6. Evaluate the potential cost of technical remediation options.
7. Pursue options on possible financial solutions to effect a resolution, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to identify options for those impacted by defects to access low-cost, long-term finance.
8. To report to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the Examination of Defects in Housing.
115. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost to date for pyrite remediation; the projected cost into the future; the average remediation cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32223/21]
View answerThe pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” applicable to dwellings, which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave. The full conditions for eligibility under the Scheme are available on the Pyrite Board’s website at www.pyriteboard.ie.
€20m was provided under Budget 2021 to cover the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme in 2021. This allocation will facilitate the remediation of some 300 additional dwellings in 2021 and is a clear signal of the continuing importance attached by Government to addressing the issue of significant pyritic damage in private dwellings. This will bring to approx. €166m the total funding provided under the scheme since 2014.
The latest figures available indicate that 2,889 applications have been received under Scheme and, so far, 2,413 dwellings have been included. A further 108 applications have been validated and referred to the Housing Agency for the Assessment and Verification Process, 108 applications are at the initial Application and Validation Process and 260 applications were not successful. Of the 2,413 dwellings included, the works in respect of 2,148 are complete with the rest at various stages of progress.
It is projected that approx. €62.5m will be required under the scheme between 2022 and 2026. Projected expenditure is under constant review and is updated regularly. It is unlikely that applications will cease entirely post end-2026 but its expected they will reduce at a gradual rate over time.
The average all in cost of remediation of dwellings under the Scheme ranges from €65,000 to €70,000 per dwelling.
116. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of quarries that are operating without the benefit of planning permission; if he has reviewed this with all planning authorities; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32224/21]
View answerPlanning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website, at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/9e4ee-get-planning-statistics/.
The data collected relates to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority. However, the data is not broken down by reason for the grant or refusal of permission, including in respect of quarries. Furthermore, the data does not include quarries that are operating without the benefit of planning permission. Unauthorised quarries are an enforcement matter for the relevant planning authorities and information in this regard may be sought directly from the individual planning authorities.
In addition, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical office, compiles and makes available detailed data on a number of planning related issues including permissions granted and completions by development type and county. Data is available at the following link on the CSO website: https://www.cso.ie/en/statistics/construction/planningpermissions/.
117. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of residential properties purchased by real estate investment trusts by county in each of the years 2013 to 2020, in tabular form. [32243/21]
View answer118. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new residential property units constructed by real estate investment trusts by county in each of the years 2013 to 2020, in tabular form. [32244/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together.
My Department does not collect data in relation to the ownership or construction of individual housing units purchased and sold in the housing market.
I understand that data published by market commentators indicates that approximately 15,500 units were owned by investment trusts at the end of 2020, making up less than 1% of over 2 million homes in Ireland.
119. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units by type, such as, house, apartment, flat and so on, that are owned by each local authority in each of the years 1991 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [32245/21]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2009, local authorities are responsible for the management and of housing stock in their ownership and my Department does not hold the details requested by the Deputy.
Statistics relating to social housing stock have been published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Performance Indicator Reports. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock in local authority owned properties. Reports for 2014 to 2019 are available on the NOAC website at the following link:
https://noac.ie/?search=advancedPublications&categories=Performance+Indicator+Reports&year=
120. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units by type, that is, house, apartment, flat and so on, that are leased from private entities by each local authority in each of the years 1991 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [32246/21]
View answerWhile the Government’s objective is to focus strongly on local authority led build activity, long term leasing is an important option available to local authorities to supplement delivery and secure high quality social housing on a long term basis.
The social housing leasing programme, which began in 2009, allows local authorities and approved housing bodies to lease suitable properties from private owners for periods of up to 25 years.
Local authorities lease dwellings taking account of local need, the suitability of dwellings, sustainable communities considerations and value for money. These properties are allocated to households on the social housing waiting list. As such, the type and size of dwelling leased, and the allocation of those dwellings, is a matter for the relevant local authority having regard to its most recent housing needs assessment.
Data on social housing leasing delivery, funded by my Department, in respect of all local authorities to end Q1 2021 is published on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
121. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of any or all proposals from local authorities to proceed with housing schemes which cost €6 million or less and do not require Departmental approval by local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32304/21]
View answerAll social housing projects, like all publicly funded construction projects, must comply with the Government’s Public Spending Code and Capital Works Management Framework and therefore require prior approval by my Department.
The table below provides data on social housing projects under €6 million submitted by local authorities under the Single Stage approval process.
|
Local Authority |
Projects |
Units |
|
Carlow |
14 |
40 |
|
Clare |
4 |
8 |
|
Cork County |
7 |
15 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
12 |
|
Fingal |
1 |
11 |
|
Galway County |
1 |
1 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
10 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
10 |
|
Laois |
4 |
10 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
9 |
|
Louth |
6 |
16 |
|
Mayo |
7 |
25 |
|
Meath |
4 |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
6 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
1 |
|
South Dublin |
1 |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
2 |
7 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
1 |
123. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the RAS scheme was discontinued; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that recipients who had been receiving the payment for years, were not included on local authority housing lists but now as the payment has been axed they are in a situation in which they need social housing urgently but have to be added to the bottom of the list despite the fact that they technically have been in the support system for extended periods of time. [32326/21]
View answerThe Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) has not been discontinued and remains a significant part of the suite of social housing options currently available across the country. It has been an important contributor to social housing supply since its introduction on a pilot basis in 2005 and continues to be delivered by all local authorities, who source accommodation from the private market and Approved Housing Bodies.
Under the terms of RAS, local authorities retain the responsibility to source alternative accommodation for a household accommodated under the RAS scheme, should the dwelling that the household is living in become unavailable. In such circumstances, it is a matter for the local authority to secure suitable alternative accommodation for the household. Another option is for households in RAS properties to source alternative accommodation themselves, independent of the local authority. Once the local authority is satisfied that proposed accommodation meets the needs of the household and conforms to standards for rental accommodation, the property may be brought into the RAS scheme.
The Housing Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2009 gives legislative recognition to rental accommodation availability agreements, which underpin RAS, as a form of social housing support. Consequently, since 1 April 2011, RAS tenants are considered to be in receipt of social housing support and should not generally remain on housing waiting lists for new applicants for social housing. Recognising that tenants housed through RAS prior to this change might have had reasonable expectations with regard to retaining access to traditional local authority rented accommodation, guidance issued from the Housing Agency in 2011 recommending that there should be a special transfer pathway for pre-2011 RAS tenants to other forms of social housing support. This arrangement effectively allowed those households to be designated as a ‘transfer’ applicant and to maintain their position for allocation as they had on the main waiting list.
All tenants allocated RAS accommodation post 1st April 2011 were informed at the time of offer and allocation that, as RAS tenants are considered to be in receipt of social housing support, their housing need is being met and that they will no longer remain on the main social housing waiting list.
However, it was recommended that allocation schemes also provide a ‘transfer pathway’ for new RAS tenants, whereby households in RAS have access to the transfer list in the same way as tenants in local authority accommodation. Where a vacant property arises, it is a matter for individual housing authorities, in accordance with their allocation schemes, to determine whether the allocation is made to a household on the main waiting list, or to a transfer applicant, such as a household from RAS, and the method of such allocation. It is open to housing authorities to specify in their allocation schemes the proportion of allocations which will be reserved for transfers, and within this, how many may be reserved for households seeking transfers to other forms of social housing support.
124. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the directives that have been issued to local authorities in relation to housing inspections as restrictions across society are lifting. [32327/21]
View answerThe Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. With very limited exemptions, these apply to all private rented accommodation. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties, regardless of tenancy type, comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
Given the need for inspectors to enter tenants’ homes, Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have impacted on the inspection of all rented dwellings. The City and County Management Association’s (CCMA) Local Authority Resilience and Recovery Plan for living with Covid-19 (October 2020) and its subsequent Local Authority Services Frameworks for Future Covid-19 Pandemic Response (January and May 2021) do not permit rental inspections. This is in order to protect tenants, landlords and rental inspectors.
The CCMA Business Continuity Working Group met recently to discuss the further phased re-opening of local authority services in line with the most recent government guidance and planned easing of restrictions. Housing inspection services were discussed by the group. Following the Business Continuity Working Group meeting, a draft updated version of the CCMA Local Authority Services Framework for Future COVID-19 Pandemic Response document was sent to the CCMA for consideration. Its approval is awaited. Once approved, this framework will be circulated to all local authorities.
125. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funds from the social housing budget returned unspent to the Exchequer from his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form. [32490/21]
View answerMy Department's Appropriation Accounts which are published by the Comptroller and Auditor General set out the full details of expenditure for the relevant years and can be found at https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/ by clicking on "Appropriation Accounts".
Summary details of the Allocations and Final outturn of expenditure for the years 2017-2020 are set out below:
|
Vote 34 - DHLGH |
REV Allocation |
Final Outturn |
Deferred Surrender – capital carryover |
Amount Surrendered to Exchequer |
Amount related to Programme A - Housing |
|
2020 |
€5,444m |
€5,217m |
€214m |
€12.5m |
€2.7m |
|
2019 |
€3,937m |
€3,897m |
€33.5m |
€6.5m |
€0 |
|
2018 |
€3,331m |
€3,317m |
€0 |
€13m |
€0 |
|
2017 |
€2,027m |
€2,023m |
€0 |
€4m |
€0 |
Under Section 91 of the Finance Act, 2004, all or part of any unspent appropriations for capital supply services may be carried over for spending in the following year.
In 2019, unspent capital balances from the Urban Renewal & Regeneration Fund and the Land Development Agency amounting to €33.5m was carried over into 2020. The balance of €6.5m was surrendered to the Exchequer.
In 2020, as a result of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the construction sector there was a total surplus amounting to some €226.5m arising from unspent allocations in respect of the capital elements of Programmes A (Housing), B (Water), D (Planning) and F (Heritage) of which €214m was carried forward to 2021 while the remaining balance of €12.5m was surrendered to the Exchequer.
126. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of electric or hybrid vehicles purchased by his Department in 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32856/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Electric Vehicles Purchased |
Hybrid Vehicles Purchased |
|
2020 |
2 |
0 |
|
2021 |
0 |
0 |
127. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a person (details supplied) would need to enter mandatory hotel quarantine on return to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32135/21]
View answerThe current requirement to quarantine for 14 days in a designated facility is designed to ensure that further new Variants Of Concern are not imported to Ireland. The aim of Mandatory Hotel Quarantine is to protect the progress which has been made in Ireland in suppressing Covid-19, and the achievements of the vaccination programme which is currently being rolled out. Guidance on all the requirements and measures in place for persons arriving in Ireland following international travel is available on www.gov.ie.
All passengers travelling from Designated States must pre-book a place in Mandatory Hotel Quarantine prior to departure. Passengers must produce evidence of this booking to board flights to Ireland and also present this evidence to Immigration officials on arrival. This applies even if only transiting through a Designated State and even if remaining airside.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is not the responsible authority on the operation of Mandatory Hotel Quarantine, which is a matter for the Department of Health. There is an option to lodge an appeal on arrival based on personal circumstances and this will be heard within 24 hours. However, this is only granted in very limited circumstances.
The Department continues to strongly encourage citizens to consult with the latest travel advice and Government guidance before undertaking any travel to or from Ireland at this time and continues to advise citizens that the list of Designated States is subject to change at short notice from the Department of Health.
The Department of Health has a Mandatory Hotel Quarantine helpline which can advise in more detail for exemptions and proof for exemptions. The helpline is open Monday – Friday 9am- 5pm +353 1 613 1744.
More information on Mandatory Hotel Quarantine and Designated States can also be found on the www.gov.ie website.
128. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will raise this matter with his EU colleagues and at the United Nations. [32316/21]
View answerI note with concern reports regarding an outbreak of Covid-19 in Jau prison in Bahrain and reports of the death of Mr Husain Barakat.Ireland urges all States to safeguard the human rights of prisoners and detainees, including provision of healthcare services, as set out in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Mandela Rules. Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels. Our active participation at the UN Human Rights Council is particularly important in that regard. Ireland has raised the human rights issues in Bahrain at the Human Rights Council in the form of national statements and through support to EU Statements. Ireland also engages on the issue of human rights in Bahrain through the European Union in other fora. At the most recent EU-Bahrain Human Rights Dialogue in February 2021, issues of concern were raised by the EU including rule of law, prison conditions, right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of association, death penalty, torture and the impact of Covid-19 on the human rights situation.
Ireland will continue to monitor developments in Bahrain, and to call on the Bahraini Government to deliver on its stated commitment to make progress in relation to human rights.
129. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of electric or hybrid vehicles purchased by his Department in 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32850/21]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs purchases motor vehicles to facilitate the functioning and operations of Headquarters and its Missions abroad. The Department is committed to procuring vehicles with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle. Under the Department’s official vehicle management policy, and in line with our Green Foreign Ministry policy, new and replacement vehicle purchases must now comply with our objective of minimising our carbon footprint. Factors like pollutant emissions, fuel efficiency and noise levels are taken into account when evaluating vehicle specifications. The option of procuring electric vehicles is considered initially. Following that, the consideration of hybrid options is evaluated. However, it should be noted that some our Missions operate in difficult environments where security, road infrastructure and health and safety issues will be a significant factor when deciding on an appropriate official vehicle.
The number of electric or hybrid vehicles purchased in 2020 and to date in 2021 is detailed below:
|
Year |
Number of Electric or Hybrid Vehicles Purchased |
|
2020 |
8 |
|
2021 to date |
2 |
130. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the number of enlisted and non-enlisted personnel currently under active service within the Naval Service. [32149/21]
View answerThe military authorities advise that, as of 30th April 2021, the latest date for which such data is available, the strength (whole time equivalent) of the Naval Service was 895 personnel.
This is comprised of 162 Officers and 733 enlisted personnel.
131. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Defence the number of electric or hybrid vehicles purchased by his Department in 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32838/21]
View answerThe acquisition of new equipment and the upgrading of equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for the Defence Organisation. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process.
In this context the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas. Budget 2021 provides a Capital allocation of €131m for investment in Defence equipment and barracks infrastructure and will enable continued investment in major equipment platforms such as Defence Forces vehicle fleet. The increased capital funding for 2021 builds on increased levels of capital expenditure totalling €392m over the years 2018 – 2020.
Certain purchasing is carried out by the Defence Forces directly under delegation of financial responsibility which permits the Defence Forces to procure a wide range of goods and services directly, this includes the purchasing of non-armoured vehicles.
I am advised by the military authorities that the Defence Forces vehicle fleet currently consists of approximately 1,700 individual vehicles of different types and configurations. Of this number there are currently forty one (41) electric powered vehicles (EVs) and three (3) hybrid vehicles. Thirty of these vehicles were purchased in the last 2 years with 8 more to be delivered later this year.
The table below gives the full breakdown of the forty four vehicles by vehicle type and year of purchase.
Table 1: Breakdown of Defence Forces electric and hybrid vehicles by vehicle type and date of purchase for the years in question
|
Year of Purchase |
EV - Saloon |
EV - Buggy |
|
2020 |
8 |
11 |
|
2021 |
8 |
1 |
|
Total |
16 |
12 |
The Defence Forces maintain two fleets of vehicles; the military fleet and the administrative fleet. The military fleet, which consists of military specific vehicles such as armoured vehicles, trucks and off-road SUVs, comprises approximately 55% of the fleet. The administrative fleet are vehicles that can be purchased commercially such as saloon, stores vehicles and minibuses. They comprise approximately 45% of the Defence Forces fleet.
In line with Government policy in relation to the Clean Vehicle Directive, the Defence Forces are committed to procuring vehicles that have reduced carbon emissions.
Due to the specific nature and requirements of the military fleet of vehicles and the locations where they are likely to operate, these vehicles are Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) type and will be replaced, as required, with fossil fuel ICE vehicles for the reasons outlined above. The Defence Forces, however, endeavours to replace these ICE vehicles with more energy efficient models where possible. For example, the new SUV and Troop Carrying Vehicle (TCV) fleets will be replaced with EURO 6 compliant engines which will result in a 50% reduction in emissions compared to the older EURO 3 engines which they replace.
The Defence Forces has committed to replacing the administrative fleet with energy efficient (green vehicles) as the technology allows. To date the investment in energy efficient vehicles as outlined in Table 1 above amounts to €1.2m inclusive of VAT. The Defence Forces has committed to spend a minimum of 6% of the vehicle replacement budget on EV starting in 2020 and a minimum of 8% in 2021, with a commitment to increase investment by a minimum of 2% of budget each subsequent year. Already in 2021 the Defence Forces have taken delivery of eight (8) EV saloons and an electric buggy. A further eight (8) EV stores vehicles have been ordered with delivery expected by year end.
The Corps of Engineers have also invested in supporting infrastructure with the installation of 19 EV chargers across 16 Defence Forces locations to sustain the enlargement of the Defence Forces Electric Vehicle fleet into the future.
I am satisfied that, with these new acquisitions and the planning for future clean vehicle procurements, the Defence Forces will continue to have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
