Written Answers Nos. 153-172
153. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of Enterprise Ireland funding totalling €1,759,226 allocated to Clare County Council in 2018 for the development of the Clare Maritime Economic Zone project for Cahercon, Kildysert; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2726/22]
View answerRegional enterprise development and sustainable job creation is a key policy priority of mine and the Government and is a core element of the National Development Plan.
My Department plays a very strong part in implementing that policy goal through a variety of policy initiatives and investments in the regions.
Through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, the Border Enterprise Development Fund and the Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme, my Department through Enterprise Ireland, has approved over €126m in funding for 79 regionally impactful projects for the benefit of enterprises/industry sectors across the regions.
Clare County Council were approved funding of €1,759,226 under Call 2 of the Regional Enterprise Development Fund in 2018 to support the development of a Maritime Enterprise Zone. The proposed project was initially on an identified site in Cahercon, Kildysert, Co. Clare.
I have been advised by Enterprise Ireland that subsequent to the grant approval and detailed examination of this site by the promoters, it was established that the renovation costs necessary to develop the planned facilities would be multiples of the originally forecasted costs. These increased costs meant the project was no longer viable as envisaged in Cahercon. As a result the promoters sought alternative options for the delivery of this project.
I can advise the Deputy that the promoters have currently identified a site in Kilrush to locate the planned training activities, while the marine research facility option will primarily remain in Cahercon, which has a jetty on the site. The promoters have plans to deliver this solution in 2022 and are putting in place a strategy to secure the additional funding necessary to underpin the project, with potential additional funding provided by Clare County Council and a possible further application to be made to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
Enterprise Ireland have advised that they are continuing to work with the promoters to ensure the delivery of this project.
154. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA jobs created in 2020 and 2021 for each local authority area in tabular form. [2732/22]
View answerIDA Ireland reported a record-breaking year for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) employment in 2021, with total employment in IDA client companies now standing at 275,384, up from 258,558 last year. Growth in the regions was particularly buoyant with 53% - 133 projects of the 249 investments won going to regional locations and employment growth recorded in every region of the country.
Job losses remained at a relatively modest level relative to the size of the overall portfolio resulting in an extremely strong net employment growth, with a 16,826 net increase.
The strong growth in regional investment was supported by IDA Ireland’s property programme. A robust property and infrastructure ecosystem can be the key differentiator in winning FDI projects, as evidenced by the record regional results achieved under IDA’s Winning 2015-2019 strategy.
The 2021 figures show a pattern of sustained, robust growth in FDI investment and FDI-related employment over a continuous period of more than ten-years. The results in 2021 represent a strong start to IDA’s new 2021-2024 strategy, Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth, which seeks to further enhance FDI’s place at the centre of a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive Irish economy.
The number of IDA jobs created in 2020 and 2021 for each Local Authority area is not available, however the number of jobs created by County is shown in the table below:
|
County |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Cavan |
30 |
94 |
|
Donegal |
39 |
1,360 |
|
Leitrim |
50 |
129 |
|
Monaghan |
92 |
30 |
|
Sligo |
288 |
387 |
|
Dublin |
12,202 |
15,153 |
|
Kildare |
919 |
609 |
|
Louth |
355 |
558 |
|
Meath |
212 |
130 |
|
Wicklow |
217 |
69 |
|
Clare |
821 |
650 |
|
Limerick |
787 |
1,140 |
|
Tipperary |
167 |
346 |
|
Laois |
42 |
21 |
|
Longford |
49 |
186 |
|
Offaly |
109 |
151 |
|
Westmeath |
179 |
381 |
|
Carlow |
115 |
178 |
|
Kilkenny |
91 |
133 |
|
Waterford |
449 |
777 |
|
Wexford |
209 |
285 |
|
Cork |
4,065 |
3,416 |
|
Kerry |
69 |
50 |
|
Galway |
1,469 |
2,536 |
|
Mayo |
271 |
178 |
|
Roscommon |
120 |
110 |
155. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Enterprise Ireland supported jobs created in 2020 and 2021 for each local authority area in tabular form. [2733/22]
View answerEnterprise Ireland (EI) does not record data by local authority area. However, jobs data is recorded on a county basis.
The table below illustrates the jobs created by EI supported clients in each of the years 2020 and 2021, by county.
Table: Jobs created in Enterprise Ireland clients 2020 and 2021 by County
|
County |
2020 Job Gains |
2021 Job Gains* |
2020 & 2021 Job Gains |
|
Carlow |
319 |
524 |
843 |
|
Cavan |
280 |
338 |
618 |
|
Clare |
493 |
545 |
1,038 |
|
Cork |
2,309 |
2,339 |
4,648 |
|
Donegal |
261 |
370 |
631 |
|
Dublin |
6,216 |
6,562 |
12,778 |
|
Galway |
555 |
1,056 |
1,611 |
|
Kerry |
206 |
434 |
640 |
|
Kildare |
372 |
507 |
879 |
|
Kilkenny |
255 |
578 |
833 |
|
Laois |
201 |
198 |
399 |
|
Leitrim |
23 |
87 |
110 |
|
Limerick |
890 |
980 |
1,870 |
|
Longford |
190 |
129 |
319 |
|
Louth |
459 |
745 |
1,204 |
|
Mayo |
247 |
502 |
749 |
|
Meath |
532 |
740 |
1,272 |
|
Monaghan |
244 |
548 |
792 |
|
Offaly |
176 |
350 |
526 |
|
Roscommon |
81 |
154 |
235 |
|
Sligo |
116 |
371 |
487 |
|
Tipperary |
638 |
735 |
1,373 |
|
Waterford |
807 |
659 |
1,466 |
|
Westmeath |
185 |
261 |
446 |
|
Wexford |
232 |
355 |
587 |
|
Wicklow |
209 |
275 |
484 |
|
Grand Total |
16,496 |
20,342 |
36,838 |
*Data reflects employment in clients following a review and revision of the Enterprise Ireland client base in 2021.
156. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to an issue (details supplied) in relation to the introduction of anti-dumping duties on iron and steel fasteners imported from China. [2756/22]
View answerUnder the EU Treaties, competence for International Trade Policy, known as the Common Commercial Policy, and including Trade Defence, is vested in the European Commission under Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. In exercising this competence, there are a variety of supporting Committees and Working Parties through which the Member States and the Commission engage, including on Trade Defence measures.
An "anti-dumping" investigation allows the Commission to determine whether goods being imported into the EU are being sold below the price charged in the domestic market of the producing country, i.e. being dumped on the EU market to the detriment of EU producers. During the investigation process, the Commission endeavours to engage with all stakeholders including exporters, importers and user interests to gain a broad understanding of the supply chains of the product(s) concerned and the, on occasion, competing interests of producers and
users in order to reach a balanced outcome that defends Union producers from unfair competition while ensuring that users and importers can continue to source goods from a wide variety of producers, including other third country producers.
"Definitive" anti-dumping investigations, such as in the case identified by the Deputy, are dealt with by the Trade Defence Instruments Committee, which is convened by the European Commission. Voting on definitive measures is conducted by way of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) and the imposition of measures requires a qualified majority in favour of the proposal. To reach the qualified majority threshold, 55% of EU Member States (15) representing at least 65% of the total EU population must vote in favour of a measure. In this regard, however, I must emphasise that all aspects of the consultations within the Trade Defence Instruments Committee, including the votes of individual Member States, are confidential.
My Department, as part of its role in assessing Commission trade defence investigations proposals, engages with domestic producers, local importers and users, where identified, with the aim of assessing both the impact of dumping on the Irish market including the impact the proposed trade defence measures may have on users and importers of the product in question.
Decisions regarding Ireland’s position on specific trade issues are considered through a prism of a number of policy considerations with a balanced position sought as they relate to issues of trade policy, such as Union producer, user and consumer interests. Furthermore, while Ireland continues to support an open, rules-based trading environment, at the same time, we also need to ensure that agreed multilateral trade-rules are applied uniformly, with full transparency to ensure that wider EU commercial interests are protected, and that EU industry is not unfairly disadvantaged as a result of third country trade practices that distort the EU market. Equally, measures must be proportionate in rebalancing the market and be deployed carefully and on a strong evidential basis. In this regard, I am confident that this approach allows for a methodical and comprehensive assessment of the facts of a case while taking into account the interests of users and importers and the general interests of the Union.
Specific to the case in question, the Trade Defence team in my Department has received representations from several interested parties. The representations provided information such as the status of Irish manufacturing of the product, concerns regarding the inflationary impact of proposed trade defence measures, the lack of alternative sources of supply and the impact COVID-19 has had on the ability of Irish and European importers to source material elsewhere. So, I wish to assure the Deputy, that these inputs have been included as part of my Department's overall assessment of the European Commission’s proposal. Moreover, Member States have been asked to submit their opinion on the case to the Trade Defence Committee by the 19th January with the final outcome of the Trade Defence Committee’s assessment to be published in the Official Journal of the EU. While I must reiterate that individual Member State positions are confidential, my Department fully understands the interests that several importers have brought to our attention and the implications for them of a positive decision by the EU's Trade Defence Instruments Committee.
Finally, I wish to advise that a separate Commission investigation - but related to the trade defence case in question – may be conducted to assess whether market conditions in the Union at present permit the suspension of measures for a period of up to 9 months should a decision be taken that definitive duties be imposed. The suspension of measures is permitted in cases where current market conditions do not reflect the market conditions in place during the Commission's "investigation period". Supply-chain issues and higher pricing as a result of COVID-19 having a negative impact on the availability of a range of products in the EU market is well understood by my Department. Therefore, if such an investigation is conducted by the Commission which results in a recommendation to suspend the imposition of measures - were such definitive measures carried - the Trade Defence team will assess the recommendation based on the Commission's report and the information received from industry to date. In this regard, my Department's Trade Policy Unit is happy to remain engaged with industry representatives and are contactable at trade@enterprise.gov.ie.
157. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a schedule of the amount of Public Service Obligation levy collected since it was introduced to date under the headings of domestic customers, small commercial customers and medium and large customers; the way in which this levy is redistributed when collected; if he is satisfied that all funds are used for their intended purposes when allocated; and the way in which he ensures compliance with same. [2689/22]
View answerThe Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy is charged to all electricity final customers in Ireland and is collected from customers by electricity suppliers. The PSO levy is a vital policy support for the development of renewable electricity and to enable Ireland reach national and EU renewable energy and climate targets. The money raised from the levy is paid, via suppliers, to qualifying generators eligible for support under a number of Government schemes including the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) schemes. For customers connected to the electricity distribution system, the PSO Levy collected by electricity suppliers is passed to the Distribution System Operator (DSO) and then from the DSO to the Transmission System Operator (TSO). For transmission-connected customers the levy is passed directly to the TSO. The TSO then pays out the appropriate PSO Levy amounts, as instructed by the CRU, to the relevant market participants.
The legal basis for the PSO levy and its method of calculation are set out in regulations made under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and the Public Service Obligations Order 2002 (S.I. 217 of 2002). Under this legislation, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is responsible for the calculation of the levy each year and ensuring that the scheme is administered appropriately and efficiently.
The CRU requires that the annual submission of claims from supply companies for the recovery of PSO related costs be accompanied by an independent auditor’s report. In addition, the DSO and the TSO are required to provide an annual certification to the CRU regarding the collection of the PSO Levy.
The table below sets out the total annual PSO levy since 2011 and provides a breakdown of how the PSO levy was allocated across the three different customer categories:
|
PSO period |
Total levy (€M) |
Domestic (€M) |
Small non-Domestic (€M) |
Medium/Large commercial (€M) |
|
11/12 |
€92.12 |
€39.5 |
€10.14 |
€42.73 |
|
12/13 |
€131.24 |
€56.49 |
€14.72 |
€60.03 |
|
13/14 |
€210.89 |
€86.92 |
€22.92 |
€101.09 |
|
14/15 |
€335.44 |
€130.26 |
€38.36 |
€166.82 |
|
15/16 |
€325.25 |
€122.32 |
€36.12 |
€166.81 |
|
16/17 |
€392.42 |
€144.21 |
€41.72 |
€206.48 |
|
17/18 |
€471.90 |
€189.85 |
€54.09 |
€227.95 |
|
18/19 |
€209.29 |
€87.37 |
€24.74 |
€97.08 |
|
19/20 |
€176.46 |
€72.18 |
€21.31 |
€82.97 |
|
20/21 |
€393.13 |
€166.22 |
€40.20 |
€186.70 |
|
21/22 |
€263.70 |
€111.75 |
€28.20 |
€123.76 |
The latest CRU Decision on the PSO Levy for the period October 2021 to September 2022 period is available at: www.cru.ie/cru-publishes-public-service-obligation-levy-for-2021-2022.
158. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to support small shop owners who are facing increasing electricity and utility costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2797/22]
View answerRecent price rises are driven primarily by rising international gas prices where Ireland is a price taker. The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the matters raised by the Deputy, is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999. The CRU is an independent statutory regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions to the Oireachtas.In line with long standing policy on deregulating price setting, CRU ended its regulation of retail prices in the electricity market in 2011, and in the gas market in 2014. Given that prices are no longer regulated, they are set by all suppliers as entirely commercial and operational matters by them. Each such company has its own different approach to pricing decisions over time, in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base.The policy position of successive Governments, has been that competitive energy markets result in greater choice for consumers and businesses, in terms of suppliers, products and prices and to support competition to drive down prices. Data from approved price comparison sites shows that consumers can make significant savings by switching energy suppliers. In terms of supports for small business owners, the supports - focussed more towards SME’s - are the following:
- Support Scheme for Energy Audits. It supports SMEs with a €2,000 voucher towards the costs of a professional energy audit.
- The Communities Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme. It makes grant funding available for community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area.
- Training (SEAI Energy Academy), information and advisory service, access to energy auditing services and case studies of best practice.
Full details on these and other supports are available are available at www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/.
159. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the grant supports available to small shop owners who wish to make their premises more environmentally sustainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2798/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by 2030. Budget 2022 provided for €202 million in funding to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the operation of a range of schemes aimed at supporting homeowners as well as communities to upgrade their buildings and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage, thereby reducing fossil fuel usage, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The Communities Energy Grant scheme (CEG) supports community-oriented projects based on cross-sectoral, partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types across public, commercial and community buildings, including the retail sector, with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.
A new call for CEG projects for 2022 will issue from the SEAI shortly. More information on the Community Energy Grant scheme, including details of Project Co-ordinators, is available on the SEAI website or SEAI may be contacted directly on 1850 927 000 or by e-mail at bec@seai.ie.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he hopes to approve vital roadbuilding projects in order to improve connectivity and meet the demands of the expanding economy at local and national level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2856/22]
View answerExchequer funding under the National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP) will facilitate continued protection and renewal of our national roads infrastructure, including motorways, and will also allow for the development of a number of new roads projects in line with Government policy. Approximately €5.1 billion of exchequer funds are earmarked for new national road projects across the lifetime of the NDP. This funding will, among various objectives, contribute to the achievement of two key National Strategic Outcomes under the National Planning Framework - enhanced regional accessibility as well as compact growth. The greater part of this funding will become available in the latter half of the Plan; €4 billion will come on stream in the second half of the decade, with €1.1 billion earmarked for the period 2021 - 2025.
Taking this funding profile into account, it is necessary to prioritise the available funding in order to achieve the key outcomes of the NDP as it applies to the development of the national roads network. To this end, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) prioritised funding allocations for 2022 to achieve the following outcomes:
1. Maintenance of existing national road assets, helping to maintain them to a safe and robust standard;
2. Progression of projects currently under construction and those close to construction, such as the N5 Westport to Turlough project and the Dunkettle Interchange upgrade;
3. Progression of the three major projects pre-Decision Gate 2 in the Public Spending Code (PSC), namely the N6 Galway Ring Road, N21/N69 Foynes to Limerick and M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy projects;
4. For projects further back in the development pipeline, prioritise any remaining funds for projects that provide for local bypasses/"'Town Centre First"/Compact Growth.
This builds on the large-scale investment in national roads that has taken place over the last 20 years, which has greatly improved regional connectivity.
As regards regional and local roads, the original NDP identified 12 strategic road improvement schemes for development, subject to necessary approvals. To date 6 of these schemes have been completed and following approval last year the construction of 3 of the larger schemes is underway, i.e. the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road, the Athy Southern Distributor Road and the Shannon Crossing, Killaloe Bypass and R494 Upgrade scheme. Planning and design work is continuing on the remaining schemes.
161. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a list of cities and towns that are under consideration for the introduction of bike sharing schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2683/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport generally. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and active travel infrastructure, allocating the funding provided by my Department at project level and working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. This includes the projects mentioned by the Deputy, namely the Bike Share Scheme.
Noting the NTA's responsibilities in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
162. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the status of road projects and improvements (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2684/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 improvement 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 and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the current status of the N84 and N5/N26/N58 projects and improvements in your area.
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.
For regional and local roads, the primary focus of investment under the NDP is on the protection and renewal of the network. Funding under the NDP will allow the Department to continue to provide significant grant support to eligible local authorities, including Mayo County Council, for a range of protection and renewal programmes including road pavement resealing and strengthening works, bridge rehabilitation projects, climate adaptation and safety measures and drainage works together with community involvement schemes on less trafficked roads.
Targeted road improvement schemes will also be funded. In this context the Department has provided funding for the road re-alignment and bridge replacement scheme at Glenisland on the R312 which was completed recently.
As regards further projects on the R312, any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific/Strategic Grant Programmes are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Department's Capital Appraisal Framework (CAF). Given the limited funding available for road improvement works, it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
My Department has received a Specific Grant application from Mayo County Council for further works on the R312. This application is under consideration as part of the 2022 grant assessment process and allocations will be notified to local authorities shortly.
163. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed traffic calming works on the N60 at Breaffy, County Mayo; if further consideration will be given to reducing the speed limit to 60kph through Breaffy village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2685/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 management 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 and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you regarding the status of the proposed traffic calming works on the N60 at Breaffy, County Mayo.
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.
164. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the status of rail projects (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2686/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network including the projects referred to by the Deputy is a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance.
Noting its responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
165. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the process for creating a new rail spur adjacent to an existing railway for private companies wishing to use rail for freight purposes; if policies are in place as part of the Rail Freight 2040 Strategy to encourage increased direct access to the rail network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2687/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The development of the rail network and the use of same by private companies for freight purposes is a matter in the first instance for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ).
Noting its responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
166. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport when the backlog in driving test waiting lists will be cleared. [2704/22]
View answerCovid 19 has had a profound effect on the delivery of the Road Safety Authority’s (RSA) driving testing service. In particular, both Covid-related staff absences and cancellations have impacted on service delivery.
That said, every possible measure is being put in place to ensure that the maximum number of customers can be served while complying with Covid public health guidance. To meet the demand for tests, approval has been given to significantly increase the capacity of the service through the recruitment and extension of a number of existing driver tester contracts. This, and the introduction of a new booking system for tests, have had a noticeable impact on reducing Covid waiting list backlogs.
The RSA is continuing to monitor the impact of Covid on waiting lists as they work through the Covid backlog and are in the process of conducting a medium to long term review of the resources needed to further enhance the driving test service. It is anticipated that the results of this review will be available in the first of quarter of this year.
167. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the status of the development of the West Clare Railway Greenway in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2764/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. It will be important that any proposed Greenway have the support of the relevant Local Authority as funding is provided by TII to Local Authorities. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
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.
168. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport when the proposed new national electric vehicle infrastructure strategy will be published; if County Clare will benefit from additional electric vehicle charge points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2765/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Ireland has set an ambitious target of 936,000 EVs on our roads by 2030 that reflects the scale of the transformation needed to achieve its climate targets in the coming years. Under the National Development Plan €1bn has been allocated to specific carbon reduction measures, including vehicle electrification.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A national charging infrastructure strategy is being developed which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030. My Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders to inform this work and it is envisaged that the strategy will be published for consultation in early 2022.
Preparations are underway to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles. This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles. It will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure.
In terms of existing supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme continues to be available during 2021 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. My Department is reviewing the Scheme at present to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort. I would be very happy to consider any applications from Clare County Council under this scheme.
I am also aware that a report was published by the CCMA on the provision of guidance to local authorities on the provision of charging infrastructure. The document is available for viewing online at www.lgma.ie/en/publications/general-publications/local-authority-electrification-of-fleet-and-ev-charging-guidance.pdf
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Charging at home is the most convenient and cheapest way to recharge. Targeting the installation of smart home chargers is a priority as we look to moving towards more energy efficient and sustainable ways to charge. A grant is available from the SEAI for those individuals seeking to install a home charger. Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for apartments to open in the near future.
There is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging, and workplace charging.
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
Further details on the progression of this project can be found at esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.
My Department is also developing a new scheme which will support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as hotels, visitor centres and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
169. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the date he expects the youth travel card scheme to go live; and the progress the NTA has made to expand the eligibility of the scheme to include private bus and coach operators in order to avoid the exclusion of young persons living outside large urban areas in which public transport is not readily available. [2839/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares; however, I do have responsibility for public transport policy and overall funding and as such, I was delighted as part of Budget 2022, to secure €25m to provide for the introduction of a youth travel card (YTC).
The YTC will allow any person nationwide who is between 19 and 23 years old to avail of an entitlement for discounted travel costs and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount to an average of discount of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts. The Authority has commenced work in relation to the implementation of the new fares structures for young adults, and this includes examining how to integrate private operators into the scheme.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
170. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of the properties held by NAMA and leased to the OPW which were subsequently disposed of either through selling of loan books or through placing owners in receivership since NAMA was established. [2705/22]
View answer171. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of meetings between NAMA and the OPW in respect of taking on leases and or ownership of properties that were within the control of NAMA since NAMA was established. [2706/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 171 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, NAMA does not typically own or sell properties, rather NAMA owns loans for which properties act as security. Secured properties remain in the ownership and control of their registered owners, or appointed receivers where applicable. These parties are responsible for all matters relating to the management of secured properties, including engagement with State agencies who may have an interest in the property.
I am advised by NAMA that its debtors and receivers have engaged with the OPW on numerous occasions regarding properties which were secured to NAMA. In some cases, this engagement resulted in secured assets being leased or sold to the OPW by the debtor/receiver however, NAMA, as mortgage holder, was not directly involved in any engagement between the parties. Under sections 99 and 202 of the NAMA Act 2009, NAMA is unable to divulge confidential information regarding NAMA debtors or their assets, or transactions in which they are involved. It is therefore not possible to identify the particular assets which were leased or sold to the OPW as to do so would identify the owners as NAMA debtors. In the event that there was a sale of any loans secured by property leased to the OPW, I am advised that this would not have impacted the ownership or tenancy of the secured property.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, I am advised that NAMA, following reasonable searches of its records, has identified meeting with the OPW on at least two occasions in relation to assets which were secured to the Agency:
- In respect of one of these assets, which was subject to litigation between the debtor and OPW, NAMA met with the OPW and Department of Housing in January 2012 at the request of the Department of Finance to see if the litigation could be resolved. The matter was subsequently resolved between the debtor and the OPW after High Court proceedings.
- In respect of another Dublin city centre property secured to NAMA, NAMA and the appointed receiver met with the OPW in October 2015. At that time, the OPW owned the adjoining property and the engagement related to the submission of concurrent planning applications for the two adjoining properties.
172. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications for disabled driver VAT relief in each of the years 2017 to 2021; the number of successful applications; the number of appeals consequently lodged; the number of successful appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2716/22]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) provides relief from VRT and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.
The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons who also meet one of six specified medical criteria, as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer (SAMO) or a Board Medical Certificate issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant. In the event that a PMC is not granted by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer an appeal may be made to the independent Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA) who operate out of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.
The number of applications for a Primary Medical Certificate and the number of those that were successful are a matter for the Department of Health. The below table outlines the number of appeals heard and of those, that were successful and unsuccessful.
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
|
New appeals |
680 |
674 |
684 |
204 |
382 |
|
Number of Appeals Assessed |
401 |
386 |
424 |
116 |
148 |
|
Number of Successful Appeals |
12 |
20 |
9 |
4 |
12 |
|
Number of Unsuccessful Appeals |
389 |
366 |
415 |
112 |
136 |
*260 appeals outstanding at 01/2017
**Appeal hearings were lower than usual for 2020 due to both public health considerations and the Supreme Court Case in June 2020. Appeal hearings resumed in early 2021 following an amendment to the Finance Bill to provide for the existing medical criteria in primary legislation which, following the approval of the Finance Act 2020, allowed assessments to recommence.
***2021 appeal hearings have also been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
