Written Answers Nos. 180-194
180. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has considered implementing a leasing scheme for electric small public service vehicles or large public service vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23986/22]
View answerProviding a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. Electrification will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the Climate Action Plan and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 945,000 EVs on our roads by 2030. This target is challenging but indicates the scale of the transformation that is needed across all sectors if Ireland is to achieve its climate targets in the coming years.
The Department supports the uptake of eSPSVs through the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme. A grant of up to €10,000 to support the purchase of a BEV in the taxi/hackney/limousine sector with an additional €2,500 available for those choosing to make their vehicle wheelchair accessible. Those scrapping older, more polluting, or high mileage vehicles are now eligible for double the normal grant if they make the switch to electric. The Scheme is funded by the Department and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs. €15m was allocated in 2022 to support SPSVs to switch to electric.
In addition, to promote the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty sector, and to assist road transport companies to transition from fossil fuels, the Department launched a new Alternatively-Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme in 2021. The Scheme supports the purchase of new large vans, trucks, buses and coaches.
The Scheme, which is administered by TII, is intended to help bridge some of the difference in purchase price between conventional heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and those powered by alternatively-fuelled power-trains that offer environmental benefits over standard diesel vehicle technologies, and that would not otherwise have been bought.
To accord with EU State Aid rules, grant levels under the Scheme are calculated as a percentage of the difference in price between a conventionally-fuelled diesel HDV and its alternatively-fuelled equivalent. Maximum grant levels for eligible vehicles depend on the size of the company or enterprise applying for the grant, and on the fuel-type of the vehicle that the applicant wishes to buy.
€3m was allocated to this scheme in 2021 and given the excellent response to the initiative, a further €3m was allocated this year.
My Department convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. This Group considered a variety of regulatory, financial, and taxation policies to accelerate EV adoption and recommended that the generous suite of EV supports already in place in Ireland should be retained until at least end-2022. Additional measures to further incentivise EVs and/or disincentivise fossil fuelled vehicles will also be necessary. Cost-effective, targeted policy supports should continue to be developed and strengthened over the coming years.
An Implementation Group has been established to progress the recommendations and consider further potential measures to drive the adoption of the EVs. This Group will report on its progress to Government in Q4 of this year.
In addition, work is underway to establish Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland as a matter of priority. This office will co-ordinate the implementation of existing and future EV measures and infrastructure. Our objective is to develop and refine cost-effective, targeted policy supports over the coming years.
Innovations that provide reliable solutions for people willing to transition to electric vehicles are to be welcomed, particularly if they provide options for people who might be unable to purchase a new vehicle.
181. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if his Department plans to revise the current public service vehicle licensing scheme to allow operators to lease large public service vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23987/22]
View answer182. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will change the public service vehicle requirements in order to facilitate commercial bus operators to make the transition to electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23988/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.
The need to review and reform the Large Public Service Vehicle (LPSV) licensing regime is recognised by my Department. An analysis undertaken a number of years ago that indicated the potential for streamlining the licensing process.
Due to work priorities relating to Brexit and the impact of the COVID pandemic, however, the Department has not been in a position to make further progress for the past year or two. However, the Department is now re-engaged on this matter and is aiming to progress the development of a roadmap later this year for streamlining the inspection and licensing regime in the long term.
The ultimate aim will be to streamline the LPSV licensing regime and to eliminate duplication across the various testing regimes. Following the work already carried out in terms of the proposed reform, it is expected that primary legislation will be required.
My Department has commenced engagement with relevant agencies in relation to this issue and will be engaging further with stakeholders in the near future.
The issues raised by the Deputy will be examined and considered in the context of this review.
184. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance the cost of implementing the fuel grant for those who qualified for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme over the past four years in tabular form; the estimated additional cost of raising the fuel grant by 10, 20 and 50 cent per litre for all fuel types given the current uptake of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23964/22]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the cost of the Fuel Grant for Members of the Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Scheme from 2018 to 2021 is provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Cost €m |
|
2021 |
8.1 |
|
2020 |
9.9 |
|
2019 |
10.4 |
|
2018 |
10.1 |
The Fuel Grant is currently paid at a set rate of €0.602 per litre of petrol , €0.495 per litre of Diesel and €0.106 per litre of LPG up to an annual maximum of 2,730 litres in respect of a driver or passenger, and up to 4,100 litres in respect of an organisation.
The additional cost of increasing the grant by 10c, 20c and 50c for all fuel types based on the most recent consumption figures for 2021 would be in the region of €1.5m, €3.1m and €7.7m respectively.
185. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance if his attention was drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has been negatively impacted by the €5 increase in living alone allowance in Budget 2022 as in this case it resulted in a tax deduction of €8 per week as their State pension and occupational pension now exceeds €18,000 per annum; the steps he will take to assist those people that have been negatively impacted by the increase in living alone allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23999/22]
View answerWhere a person is in receipt of payments from the Department of Social Protection (DSP), and has an additional source of income such as an occupational pension, the mechanism used to tax payments from the DSP, is by reducing the person’s annual tax credits and rate band to take account of the amount of their taxable DSP payments. This ensures that their weekly payment from the DSP is paid gross to the recipient, while their weekly/monthly occupational pension paid by their pension provider will have any tax due on the DSP income and on the occupational pension deducted from it.
In addition, it is important to point out that if a person is aged 65 or over, they may avail of the annual age exemption limits. Section 188 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997) provides for these exemptions and associated marginal relief. Where the age exemption applies the claimant’s income will be exempt from income tax in that year.
The age exemption applies for any year of assessment where an individual is aged 65 years or over and his or her total income does not exceed €18,000. Where an individual is a married person or civil partner and is jointly assessed to tax, the age exemption will apply where either individual is aged 65 or over and where the couple’s total income does not exceed €36,000. The relevant income thresholds may be increased further if the individual has a qualifying child. The thresholds are increased by €575 in respect of both the first and second child, and €830 in respect of each subsequent child.
Marginal relief may be available where the individual’s or couple’s income exceeds the relevant exemption limit but is less than twice that amount. Where marginal relief applies the individual or couple is taxed at 40% on all income above the exemption limit to a ceiling of twice the exemption limit. Once the income exceeds twice the exemption limit marginal relief is no longer available and the individual pays tax under the normal tax system. It should be noted, however, that where the individual’s income is greater than the exemption limit but below twice that limit, the taxpayer is always given the benefit of the more favourable treatment as between the use of marginal relief or the normal tax system of credits and bands.
I am aware that, depending on a person’s circumstances, increases in weekly DSP payments may result in higher tax deductions from a person’s occupational pension and a reduced weekly/monthly net occupational pension. However, over the course of a year as a result of the increased payment, a person’s combined net income from their occupational and State pensions after the increase will always be higher than it was before the increase.
For clarity, Budget 2022 included an increase of €5 per week in the State Pension and €3 per week increase in the Living Alone Allowance. In general, an increase of €8 per week in DSP income would mean an increase of approximately €1.60 per week in tax deducted from a weekly occupational pension (the same weekly increase of €8 would be €32 per month and would result in an additional €6.40 per month being deducted from the occupational pension).
However, Budget 2022 included a significant tax package amounting to a cost of €520 million. This included a substantial income tax package comprising of an increase of €50 in each of the main tax credits – personal tax credit, employee tax credit and the earned income credit – from €1,650 to €1,700. An increase of €1,500 in the income tax standard rate band for all income earners was also introduced. Further details can be located at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/publication/7e491-taxation-measures/.
Having regard to the fiscal demands and pressures facing the State in 2022, it would not have been possible to increase all tax credits and reliefs and remain within the fiscal parameters. However, it is worth pointing out that the age exemption limits are at a level which compares favourably with the tax treatment of the generality of taxpayers.
I am advised by Revenue that they have communicated directly with the Deputy in relation to the taxpayer in question on this matter.
I am further advised by Revenue that on review of the records of the person concerned, they are paying less tax on their private pension in the current year than in 2021. This is due to the combination of the increased DSP payments announced in Budget 2022 and the increased personal and PAYE tax credits for 2022, which reduce the amount of tax the person is due to pay on their income. The tax deducted from their private pension in 2022 is currently €6.62 per month as opposed to €8.02 per month, as was the case in the latter half of 2021. Taking the increase in the DSP pension and the reduction of tax from the private pension into consideration, the taxpayer’s net monthly income has increased in 2022.
Additional guidance on a range of other tax credits and reliefs, such as the age tax credit, that may be available for individuals over 65 years of age can be found in Tax and Duty Manual Part 15-01-26, which can be located at the following link – Tax and Duty Manual: www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-15/15-01-26.pdf.
186. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he has plans to increase the funding available for disabled drivers for the purchase of a new car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24044/22]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme 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 car must be purchased before applying for VRT and VAT relief, as applicable to the category of adaptations made to the vehicle.
The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons who meet one of six 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.
I gave a commitment that a comprehensive review of the scheme, to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities, would be undertaken.
In this context I have been working with my Government colleague, Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. We are both agreed that the review should be brought within a wider review under the auspices of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, to examine transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities.
This the most appropriate forum to meet mutual objectives in respect of transport solutions/mobility supports for those with a disability.
The NDIS working group, chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte, with officials from both my Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as well as others, held its first meeting on the 26th January 2022. A stock-taking exercise of existing transport and mobility schemes currently supporting people with disabilities is ongoing ahead of the next meeting of the group. The issue was also discussed at the most recent meeting of the NDIS Steering Group on April 13th, which included input from stakeholders.
My officials will continue to work closely with officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, to progress this review, and on foot of that will bring forward proposals for consideration.
I cannot comment on any potential changes to the scheme in advance of these proposals.
187. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on discussions of the options identified in a feasibility study (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23981/22]
View answerLocal flooding and coastal erosion issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the Office of Public Works, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
Under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.opw.ie.
The Office of Public Works has provided €203,485 funding for a feasibility study, which was carried out by Mayo County Council. The feasibility study report was completed in September of last year. That report estimated the cost of the works for the South Mayo Flood Relief Scheme at €6.4m – significantly outside the criterion for Minor Flood Mitigation Works (which currently stands at €750,000).
The report indicated that the majority of the benefits from the proposed scheme would be to roads and access. Mayo County Council were advised in February this year to develop a joint proposal for the scheme with the Department of Transport and to subsequently meet with OPW to review the joint proposal.
A meeting with OPW has recently been proposed by Mayo County Council to progress this issue and this request is currently being considered by OPW.
188. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the meeting between her Department and a representative from an organisation (details supplied) on 3 May 2022; the learnings that were derived from this meeting; the actions that will follow from the meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24020/22]
View answerI am aware of the meeting my officials held with the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
The issues raised relate primarily to the manner in which social welfare schemes assess income from other sources. It is important to emphasise that eligibility for social welfare supports is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection and I do not have any statutory function in that regard.
However, I can assure the Deputy that the issue of disabled artists participating in the basic income scheme it is a matter which I take seriously.
The pilot scheme is a three-year research programme to examine the impact a basic income style payment could have on artists and creative arts workers and their creative practice. A key research question will be the impact such a payment could have on artists with disabilities.
I was determined since the outset of the BIA pilot scheme that artists with disabilities would be in a position to participate in the scheme to the greatest extent possible within the legislative framework to ensure the research captured the experience of disabled artists. To that end bilateral engagement has been ongoing between my Department and the Department of Social Protection, to get agreement that the payment will be treated as earnings from self-employment and can be taken into account in earnings disregards that applies to many social welfare payments including Disability Allowance. That means that the basic income for the arts will be treated like any other income a person on social welfare earns from employment.
The actual impact of the Basic Income on a person's welfare entitlements will depend on each individual’s circumstances, applicants will need to engage with the Department of Social Protection on the matter.
The Department of Social Protection published a guide to the Interaction of the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme with DSP Payments (www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd818-interaction-of-the-basic-income-for-the-arts-pilot-scheme-with-dsp-payments/#) on Gov.ie on 13 April to assist all applicants for BIA in receipt of DSP supports including those with disabilities.
The Department of Social Protection has also undertaken to engage directly with disabled artists who are selected for the pilot to help them understand the impact accepting the payment would have in their individual circumstances.
189. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he received a submission from Limerick City and County Council on the pyrite mediation scheme including the home of persons (details supplied); when he will make a determination on the submission that the Limerick City and County Council made; and when it is likely that the new scheme will be in force. [23898/22]
View answerI brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on the 30 November 2021. It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn.
I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.
My Department recently received a submission from Limerick City and County Council seeking inclusion in the Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme. This submission is currently being considered. A meeting to discuss the submission and help progress its consideration took place between officials from my Department and the local authority on the 10 May 2022.
The Government in its decision of the 30 November, 2021 on the revised scheme agreed that I may, with Government approval, extend the scheme beyond the counties of Donegal and Mayo to additional counties, where the evidence supports such an extension. I expect that my Department will be in a position to make a recommendation to Government in this regard in the coming weeks.
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. It 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. The owners of dwellings located within Limerick City and County Council are eligible to apply for remediation works under the scheme.
190. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the review for exemptions for educational and community buildings to obtain planning permission to install solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23911/22]
View answerI refer to the answer of Question 381 of 10 May 2022, the position remains the same.
191. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the-up-to-date position for funding and the location of a sewer at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23929/22]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Irish Water, and is approved through its own internal governance structures.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
192. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the housing plan for an area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23931/22]
View answerHousing plans for specific settlements are a matter for each local authority in the first instance, as the planning authority for general housing and as the housing authority for social and affordable housing in the area under their remit.
As part of Housing For All and under Circular 32/2021, I requested all local authorities to develop a Housing Development Action Plan detailing their plans for Social and Affordable housing in each of their municipal districts, divisions and settlements. These plans have been reviewed by my Department and each local authority will publish their final plan on their own website before the end of Q2 2022.
193. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has been contacted by the owners of thatched buildings many of which have a particular heritage value who are unable to secure insurance for their buildings; his views on whether this poses a threat to the future conditions of these buildings; his plan to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23935/22]
View answerI am aware of the challenges facing owners of thatched buildings in respect of securing insurance for their homes. Both Heritage Ireland 2030, the new national heritage plan, and A Living Tradition, the new vernacular architectural heritage strategy, contain actions to address the issue of insurance of protected structures, including thatched buildings. Officials in my Department are currently establishing a thatch steering group to address this question, amongst others.
Action 6 of A Living Tradition is to ‘enhance the protection and conservation of historic thatched roofs’. Work is currently underway to establish the facts of the situation: which companies are prepared to provide insurance; the affordability of such premiums; and, the terms and conditions of such policies for owners. Through dialogue with the insurance sector, this study will seek to understand what providers perceive as the issues in insuring such buildings. It will also gather statistical evidence on the perceived risks associated with thatched buildings, as well examining models in other jurisdictions, so as to engage constructively with the sector in an informed way. The views of owners will also be sought, as well as those of the Central Bank, which is responsible for the prudential supervision of such undertakings authorised in Ireland, and other relevant bodies.
My Department is committed to investing in the preservation and continued use of thatched homes so that they remain a living part of our heritage and community life into the future. To this end, my Department oversees a number of schemes to assist in the conservation of protected structures such as thatched cottages. These include the dedicated Renewal or Repair of Thatched Roof Grant Scheme as well as the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund. Guidance for owners of thatched properties can also be found in my Department’s Advice Series.
194. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on his plans to further the recommendations of the report commissioned by his Department from a person (details supplied); the funding that will be made available on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23956/22]
View answerIn December 2019 a scoping exercise on Kilmainham and Inchicore was carried out by Retired Assistant Garda Commissioner Dr Jack Nolan. This report was commissioned by my Department with respect to the broader needs of the Inchicore-Kilmainham area from a strategic social and community perspective.
The final report issued to all relevant line Departments who engaged in the scoping exercise. In respect of the recommendations regarding sustainable housing, I am advised that the recommendations are informing Dublin City Council's considerations in advancing the Emmet Road development.
It is a matter for the Council to identify priorities and submit proposals for funding to my Department. However, I can confirm that, subject to the normal criteria, funding is available from my Department to support the delivery of social and cost rental housing.
