Written Answers Nos. 193-215
193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will commit to supporting the Shannon liquified natural gas project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5987/22]
View answerThe Government Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas was approved by Government and published in May 2021. The policy statement provides that, pending the outcome of a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems, that is currently being carried out by the Department, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with. While a project involving an LNG terminal may also include gas-fired generation, it is still an LNG terminal and, therefore, it would not be appropriate for the project to be permitted or proceeded with pending the outcome of the review. The review is expected to complete later this year. The findings of the review will be submitted to Government. I am aware of the planning application including the Shannon LNG terminal, which has been made to An Bord Pleanála. In this regard, I have written to An Bord Pleanála setting out Government policy in relation to that application - which is that it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with at this time.
194. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a household (details supplied) will be able to avail of e-fibre broadband. [6001/22]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention. I appreciate peoples frustration when they are living close to a fibre network, owned by a commercial operator, but cannot obtain a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 31 January2022, almost 296,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway, with over 154,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that premises are connected in 16 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow and over 54,500 premises are available to order and pre-order across 21 counties. In County Longford surveying is complete in the Deployment Area of Lismacaffrey, which includes the premises referred to, and pre-works are underway in the Deployment Area of Longford, with over 6,000 premises surveyed to date and over 3,000 premises under construction.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Longford through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond. This has resulted in some changes to timeframes for connection for end users.
Given the scale and complexity of delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the NBP, I am advised that any dates provided by NBI on its website are based on the best available information at the time and may be subject to change. NBI has recently published details of its full deployment schedule on its website, www.nbi.ie, which enables all premises within the intervention area to have an anticipated service activation date range.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 31 January 2022, 469 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s are installed at Streete Parish Park & Community Hall (approx. 8km from the premises referred to), Abbeyshrule Airport, Colmcille GAA Club, Moyne Latin School, Aughine Community Centre, Corlea Heritage Center, Carrickedmond GAA Club, Ballymore Shamrocks GAA Club and Mullinalaghta Community Center. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Fermoyle National School, Naomh Guasachta National School (Bunlahy), Scoil Mhuire, Aughnagarnon, Naomh Earnain National School and Muckerstaff National School have been installed by NBI for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
195. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the agencies under the remit of his Department; the amount that has been spent on all Covid-19-related consultancy contracts by his Department and agencies under his remit in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the amount paid for each consultant; and the reason for the consultancy. [6036/22]
View answerSince the beginning of the pandemic, my Department has spent €15,293 on one Covid-19 related consultancy contract. The details requested are shown in the table below.
|
Consultant |
Type of Consultancy |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 (To Date) |
Total |
|
Quadra Consulting |
Health & Safety Consultancy |
€8,947 |
€6,346 |
- |
€15,293 |
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
196. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that the €100 electricity credit scheme will be accessed by Traveller families living on halting sites who pay for their electricity through the local authorities; if families that are sharing accommodation due to overcrowding will also get access to this credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6082/22]
View answerThe aim of the Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022 is to establish a scheme for the making of a once off payment, in 2022, of an Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment of €100 to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. This scheme is in addition to the Government’s long-standing measures to address energy poverty and the protection of vulnerable customers, and is in addition to the measures introduced in the Budget.The scheme will be operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks), and electricity suppliers. Based on the number of domestic electricity accounts, ESBN will make payments to the individual electricity suppliers who will then make the €100 payments to each domestic electricity account holder that holds an account with them. The scheme will apply to all domestic accounts and will include prepay customers.Where a member of the travelling community holds an account with an electricity supplier, they will receive the credit in the usual manner. In the event that Local Authorities hold the domestic electricity accounts, but traveller families living on halting sites pay their electricity through Local Authorities, this is a matter between the family and the Local Authority. Should families have a dispute with their Local Authority, they should bring that up with their Local Authority in the first instance. The Ombudsman can examine complaints relating to Local Authorities.The credit payment will be applied to the account, rather than an individual.
197. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the roll-out of fibre optic broadband to an area (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the timeline for the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6105/22]
View answerThe area mentioned in the question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available 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.Such service providers are operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to roll out services and make specific investments in particular locations.
Since 2016, the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has been a driving force for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide. It has completed over 70 targeted actions to alleviate connectivity barriers, including streamlining regulatory consent processes and continues to tackle issues impeding the rollout of essential telecommunications infrastructure. If the issue impacting the roll out of the new fibre network could be addressed by an improvement in the relevant regulatory framework, or its application, then the Taskforce affords commercial operators a forum to have such issues addressed.
198. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the extension of recyclable material is to now include soft plastics has significantly increased the volume of materials collected as dry recyclables green bin; if he will consider altering the frequency of the green bin collection to accommodate the new arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6150/22]
View answerAs the move to include soft plastics was only introduced in September 2021 it is too soon for any data to be available which would quantify the impact of the measure on the volume of materials collected in the mixed dry recyclable bin. Any such data, when it becomes available, will be published by the EPA who are responsible for the production of our national waste statistics, please see National Waste Statistics | Environmental Protection Agency (epa.ie). Under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 (as amended), all authorised household waste collectors are obliged to collect the dry mixed recyclable bin as least once every fortnight. There are no plans to take measures to alter this frequency of collection.
199. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will bring forward a cyber-security Bill. [6216/22]
View answerIn July 2021 the Government agreed to implement a number of capacity building measures for the National Cyber Security Centre, which is located within my Department. This decision was taken in response to a capacity review of the NCSC commissioned at the beginning of 2021. Amongst other recommendations, the NCSC Capacity Review recommended that the NCSC be provided with a properly established and appropriately scoped mandate, remit and budget through primary legislation. The Government agreed that the General Scheme of a Bill be prepared for Government approval, to establish the NCSC on a statutory basis and provide for related matters including clarity around its mandate. Officials in my Department are progressing this in consultation with other relevant Departments and agencies. In November 2021, the Government agreed a number of measures to enhance the security of electronic communications, including 5G networks. As part of the initiatives, the Government held a consultation on the Electronic Communications Security Measures (ECSMs), which are a detailed set of technical and organisational measures that providers of public electronic communications networks and publicly available electronic communications services will be required to implement. The security measures contained in the ECSMs will be provided with a legislative basis through the transposition of the European Electronic Communications Code. The consultation on the ECSMs concluded at the end of January and the responses are currently being reviewed.
Primary legislation will also be introduced which will provide for the assessment of the risk profile of providers of electronic communications network equipment and, if required, to designate certain vendors as being high risk. The legislation will also provide for certain parts of electronic communications networks to be designated as being critical and certain powers which would ensure that high risk vendors would not be used in our critical electronic communications networks. This legislation will be drafted in consultation with relevant Departments and Agencies.
200. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will be travelling abroad for St. Patrick’s week 2022 on official visits; and if so, the location he is scheduled to visit. [6231/22]
View answerThe Government is in the process of finalising the programme to mark St Patrick’s Day around the world.
201. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a response will issue to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to payment for excess power generated by household PV panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6302/22]
View answerThe Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland allowing them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid at a competitive market rate.My Department is at an advanced stage of transposing Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive into Irish law and it is envisaged that this will be achieved in the coming weeks. This will give effect to the above-mentioned articles and allow for the commencement of export payments to micro- and small-scale generators by their suppliers.Following a public consultation, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG on 1 December 2021 which outlines the interim arrangements, including eligibility criteria and the remuneration methodology. The CRU has decided upon a competitive market-based approach to the setting of this tariff, as well as a number of provisions to ensure that its implementation aligns with the National Smart Metering Programme.It is envisaged that initial payments or credits from suppliers will be available after June of this year and the CRU has requested that suppliers communicate their decision on when initial CEG payments will be made to customers at the earliest opportunity. The supplier may offer back-payments in the form of a credit to an account, if this approach is considered to be the most appropriate. The CRU also expects back-payments to be communicated clearly to customers of each supplier.Furthermore, a tax disregard of €200 was introduced in Budget 2021 in respect of personal income received by households who sell residual renewable electricity, which they generate, back to the grid.
202. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he received a high-level plan in relation to the preservation of the great western lakes of Corrib, Carra and Mask as primarily salmonid fisheries; when he intends making a decision on this plan; if primary or secondary legislation will be required to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6318/22]
View answerI refer to Question No. 180 of 19 January last. The Plan referenced includes the lakes referred to in the Question.
203. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to allocate funding to local authorities across the country to support and facilitate the removal of old tyres from farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6528/22]
View answerThe Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for tyres was introduced in 2017 and is operated by Repak ELT. Under the scheme, any tyres which have incurred the ‘Visible Environmental Charge’ are collected free of charge by Repak ELT through registered waste collectors.In 2018, my department provided €700,000 towards the removal of farm stockpiled tyres which predated the introduction of the EPR scheme. This fund was fully expended, assisting farmers across the State. There are no immediate plans for a further scheme. It is important to ensure that any such supports do not undermine the successful operation of the national compliance scheme.
205. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when high speed broadband will be available at a location (details supplied). [6711/22]
View answer206. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when high speed broadband will be available in an area (details supplied). [6760/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together. I propose to take Question Nos. 205 and 206 together.
The Questions refer to premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
I appreciate people’s frustration when they are living close to a fibre network, owned by a commercial operator, but cannot obtain a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 31 January2022, almost 296,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway, with over 154,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that premises are connected in 16 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow and over 54,500 premises are available to order and pre-order across 21 counties. In County Westmeath pre-works are underway in the Deployment Areas of Athlone and Delvin and main works are underway in the Deployment Area of Mullingar, with almost 9,000 premises surveyed to date, almost 6,000 premises under construction and over 1,000 premises now available to pre-order.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Westmeath through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond. This has resulted in some changes to timeframes for connection for end users.
Given the scale and complexity of delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the NBP, I am advised that any dates provided by NBI on its website are based on the best available information at the time and may be subject to change. NBI has recently published details of its full deployment schedule on its website, www.nbi.ie, which enables all premises within the intervention area to have an anticipated service activation date range.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 31 January, 469 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s are installed at Clonkill Hurling Club (approx. 5.7km from the premises at Fennor and 7km from the premises at Williamstown), Castledaly Community Centre, Streete Parish Park & Community Hall, Whitehall Community Centre, Milltown Emper Community Centre and Ballycomoyle GAA Club. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Naomh Micheal, Scoil Náisiúnta Bhride, Dalystown National School and Scoil Náisiúnta Aodha Naofa have been installed by NBI for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
207. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if successful applicants under the Just Transition Fund have been issued with funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6764/22]
View answerThe Government remains committed to a just transition in the Midlands region and has dedicated significant funding to supporting workers, companies and communities affected by the closure of the peat-fired power stations and the end of peat extraction by Bord na Móna.
To date, my Department has finalised grant agreements with 55 National Just Transition Fund projects. The total value of projects in delivery is approximately €30 million, with €20.5 million of this to be provided by the National Just Transition Fund. These projects have reported that they will create an estimated 154 direct jobs and 932 indirect jobs.
Up to 25% of the approved grant amount, in the form of prefunding, may be available to certain projects, particularly in the community and voluntary sector, that may require funding to initiate their projects. In general, however, payments of grant assistance from the Just Transition Fund are based on vouched expenditure by projects, in line with Government policy in relation to the management of, and accountability for, grants from Exchequer funds. To date, approximately €1.5 million has been paid to approved projects.
My Department is working with a small number of remaining applicants with a view to finalising grant agreements with these projects in the coming weeks. Further information on approved projects is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund.
208. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with a company (details supplied) in relation to the service from Kerry to Dublin given the timetable is not suitable for persons travelling to Dublin for daily work trips; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5821/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware a Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service operated between Kerry and Dublin prior to Stobart Air’s entering into voluntary liquidation in June. At that time an airline made an offer to operate on this route but with no subsidy from the State. On foot of this, this route has operated commercially since 28 July 2021.
As a PSO is no longer imposed on the Kerry-Dublin route, the operation of this route is a commercial matter for the airline providing the service.
Outside of Public Service Obligations, the operation of air routes is a decision for airlines, oftentimes decided in consultation with airports and other market actors. My Department has no direct role in such a commercial matter.
209. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had with Irish Rail to encourage more passengers onto the rail system in the context of the Climate Action Plan; if he has discussed with Irish Rail its plans to increase the frequency of trains operating between Rosslare Europort and Connolly Station, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5830/22]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
I will shortly publish a new Sustainable Mobility Policy which will set out a strategic framework to 2030 for active travel and public transport to support our requirement to achieve a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of this decade.
The new policy will include measures to enable and encourage more people to make the switch to more sustainable modes of travel, including rail. I am also happy to note that the construction of an additional 41 InterCity rail cars is ongoing with delivery of these carriages expected to commence this year allowing for enhanced services across the rail network when introduced into service in 2023.
In relation to the question on the frequency of trains operating between Rosslare Europort and Connolly Station, Dublin, this issue is an operational matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore 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.
210. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine an issue with a bus service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5927/22]
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 operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally including decisions in relation to BusConnects changes and also for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and shelters.
I have, therefore, forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the possible restoration of the 66a bus service to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
211. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport when the Shannon Crossing project works will commence; and the expected duration of the contract. [5985/22]
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 State road grants.
The Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and the R494 improvement scheme is one of the limited number of strategic regional and local road improvement schemes being undertaken under the National Development Plan.
Implementation of the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and the R494 improvement scheme is the responsibility of Clare County Council. My Department gave approval to the Council in late December 2021 to award the main construction contract for the scheme.
I understand that the anticipated contract duration is 33 months.
212. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has made an executive decision on the community involvement scheme 2022; if so, when an announcement will be made; and when it is expected to open for applicants. [5992/22]
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 local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The purpose of the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) is to facilitate local community participation in the repair of local roads. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme.
Towards the end of 2021, my Department invited local authorities to submit applications for Community Involvement Schemes (CIS) for another two year programme for the period 2022/2023. While community contributions in the range 15% to 30% had been required up to 2021 depending on the mix between works and monies, the contribution rate is being reduced to a minimum of 10% for monetary contributions and 20% for works contribution for the 2022/2023 round of funding.
The allocations for CIS will be announced in the coming weeks as part of the general grant allocation process.
213. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport if it is now policy that lights at junctions across the motorway network are turned off further to the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU); if so, the junctions adhering to this policy; the analysis that was carried out by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to ensure that this decision complies fully with all road safety requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5999/22]
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 includes the matter of lighting at motorway junctions.
For further details, 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.
214. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the reason the National Transport Authority moved the bike lane from the Luas Finglas against the wishes of Transport for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6009/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including cycling and walking infrastructure.
Details of decisions made in relation to individual projects are matters for the NTA and, accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
215. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the agencies under the remit of his Department; the amount that has been spent on all Covid-19-related consultancy contracts by his Department and agencies under his remit in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the amount paid for each consultant; and the reason for the consultancy. [6047/22]
View answerDeputy, I wish to confirm that my Department has not engaged consultants relating to Covid-19 in the period 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. I have referred your question to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
