Written Answers Nos. 161-171
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which high-speed, high-quality broadband is being made available in Kilteel, County Kildare with particular reference to customers who may be on an urgency list due to their employment in specific regard to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31643/22]
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 am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 10 June 2022, construction is complete or underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. Over 67,800 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 23 counties, with over 60,400 premises passed across 22 counties and available for immediate connection. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is in line with projections with some areas exceeding expectations. In County Kildare, NBI has advised that 1,214 premises are available to order or pre-order and 796 premises are passed with a highspeed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Kildare 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.
NBI has advised my Department that network build works are still ongoing in the area and are forecast to be ready for connection in Quarter 3 of 2022. Individuals who register with NBI will receive regular updates on progress regarding the delivery of the network in the area referred to.
NBI has made recent improvements to their website to enhance the provision of information to Oireachtas members. NBI has now completed a suite of changes, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) in all 26 counties. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie .
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. Some 617 BCP sites have been installed by NBI to date 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. In County Kildare 3 BCP’s have been installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
In County Kildare 4 schools have been installed by NBI to date 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/.
162. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a home that previously had some home energy efficiency work carried out is disqualified in cases in which a new home owner seeks to improve the energy efficiency of the home from applying for a new SEAI grant; if the SEAI has specific rules or regulations relating to same, such as the time that has lapsed since the previous grant, the BER rating that was achieved through the previous work, the type of work previously undertaken and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31697/22]
View answer163. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if all homes that have had some energy efficiency work carried out under SEAI grants are excluded from any further support from the SEAI; if the statistics are available on the work that has been carried out to date that demonstrate the energy efficiencies that have been achieved in terms of reduced CO2 emissions and improved BER ratings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31698/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together.
Earlier this year, the Government approved a package of supports aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions.
The supports included a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which offers increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump (up from the current level of 30-35%). Under the SEAI home energy upgrade schemes, the general principle applies whereby grant funding can only be issued once per measure per property.
However, under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, a homeowner may be permitted to avail of a second grant for a measure where it is recommended in the One Stop Shop Home Energy Assessment to achieve the B2 and heat pump target. In cases where the OSS determines through the Home Energy Assessment and Heat Loss Indicator assessment that a second wall insulation is required to meet the heat pump requirement, then grant support for a second measure is permitted as follows:
- Internal Wall Insulation is eligible where cavity has previously been funded.
- External wall insulation is eligible where either cavity or internal wall insulation has been funded.
In addition, as part of the package of supports approved by Government, reforms have also been made to the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme whereby applications may now be accepted from qualifying homeowners who previously received supports under the Scheme, but who could still benefit from deeper upgrade measures (revisits). This means that homeowners of properties built and occupied before January 1993 and have a pre-works BER of E, F or G will not be precluded from applying for a second time for qualifying works not previously carried out on their properties.
With regard to the specific information sought by the Deputy, the SEAI advise that under the residential and community energy efficiency schemes there was a carbon emissions saving of 38.8 ktCO2 in 2021, of this 21.6 ktCO2 relates to residential buildings. The most recent data available from SEAI shows carbon savings of 8.11 ktCO2 across the residential energy efficiency schemes to date this year.
Officials of my Department will provide the Deputy with a separate table setting out data on the improved BER ratings per SEAI Scheme for 2021 and 2022 year-to-date.
164. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that operate in direct contact with members of the public have policies in place for members of the public to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur on the property of his Department or each public body and agency under his remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31741/22]
View answer165. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit have policies in place for employees to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur involving other employees or members of the public on the property of his Department or public body and agency that operate under his remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31760/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
My Department is committed to providing an inclusive and safe work environment for all colleagues. Our Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 23, is underpinned by the values set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan and is committed to human rights, equality and anti-discrimination. A key action for 2022 arising from this is Ag Obair Le Chéile. This is a comprehensive action plan to develop my Department's people, culture and organisation to deliver, improve and transform the Department.
My Department has in place a number of safeguards for both our staff and members of the public who must attend our offices for services.
The Civil Service has a robust Dignity at Work Policy that promotes respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace and provides the framework for my Department to examine complaints of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment in the workplace.
My Department also operates under Circular 19/2016 Civil Service Disciplinary Code. The purpose of this Code is to set out the arrangements for dealing with disciplinary matters in the Civil Service. It is also to ensure that all civil servants are aware that if there is a failure to adhere to the required standards of conduct, work performance and attendance, the disciplinary procedure set out in this Circular will apply. This procedure will be initiated where a concern arises about the conduct, work performance, and/or attendance of a civil servant. This procedure will provide a fair and efficient process for dealing with any such concern. This Code applies to all civil servants other than new entrants serving in a probationary capacity. The Guidelines on the Management of Probation in the Civil Service provides the mechanism to address performance issues with new entrant staff.
These central Civil Service policies are publicly available on the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform's website.
I have asked the bodies under the aegis of my Department to provide the information requested for their organisations directly to the Deputy.
166. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking to provide broadband for a home (details supplied). [31773/22]
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 am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 10 June 2022, construction is complete or underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. Over 67,800 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 23 counties, with over 60,400 premises passed across 22 counties and available for immediate connection. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is in line with projections with some areas exceeding expectations. NBI has advised that over 8,800 premises in County Cork are passed with a highspeed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection. The Department has engaged intensively with NBI in respect of NBI bringing additional contractors on board to increase momentum in the delivery of the NBP network and the Department understands that NBI is at an advanced stage in this process. However, the primary focus must be on addressing the delays which have arisen and ensuring that the build programme gets back on track and is building momentum month on month.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork 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.
NBI has made recent improvements to their website to enhance the provision of information to Oireachtas members. NBI has now completed a suite of changes, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) in all 26 counties. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie .
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. Some 617 BCP sites have been installed by NBI to date 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. In County Cork 24 BCP’s have been installed to date. The site at Clogagh Community Hall, which is now connected with high speed broadband, is located approximately 10.9km from the premises referred to in the Question. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
In County Cork 50 schools have been installed by NBI to date 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/.
167. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport the details of the car and driver expenses in his Department that were claimed by junior and senior Ministers in 2021, in tabular form. [31392/22]
View answerIn my role as the Minister for Transport, I have not submitted any claims for driving or car expenses in 2021. The Minister of State for Transport Hildegarde Naughton has made the following mileage claims in 2021 -
- JANUARY 2021 €45.24
- FEBRUARY 2021 €600.19
- MARCH 2021 €1,515.77
- APRIL 2021 €1,397.46
- MAY 2021 €911.71
- JUNE 2021 €1,101.26
- JULY 2021 €971.13
- AUGUST 2021 €730.84
- SEPTEMBER 2021 €1,096.75
- OCTOBER 2021 €651.29
- NOVEMBER 2021 €914.76
- DECEMBER 2021 €487.82
168. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will address questions (details supplied) in relation to the delay in NCT services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31368/22]
View answerAs the operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, I have referred that part of the Deputy's question relating to the publishing of performance metrics to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
With respect to the Deputy's question regarding test extensions, EU Member States are required to carry out periodic roadworthiness inspections on motor vehicles at specified regular intervals.
Under Regulation 3(2) of the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415/2017), which sets out the applicable dates for periodic testing, the initial test due date for a vehicle is determined using the date of registration of that vehicle and subsequent test due dates fall on anniversaries of that date. Accordingly, all test due dates are predetermined based on the date of registration of a vehicle and any NCT certificate issued in respect of a vehicle is only valid up to the test due date that falls after that certificate was issued.
Ireland, like all Member States, is obliged to adhere to the specified minimum intervals between roadworthiness inspections. Permitting the validity of roadworthiness certificates to be extended without inspection would place the State in breach of our obligations under European law and may negatively impact road safety should the vehicle in question be unsafe to drive.
169. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of a hackney licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31388/22]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including SPSV licences, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have, therefore, forwarded your correspondence to the NTA for consideration and direct reply. Please advise this office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
170. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details on discussions within his Department on the possible reduction of motorway toll charges for motorists struggling to pay for the current cost of living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31391/22]
View answer174. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek a full detailed assessment of the total cost to the Exchequer of a potential buy-out of the M1 toll contract; the total time remaining for the 30-year contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31501/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 174 together.
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
Toll revenue is a very important source of revenue for TII and is used to fund essential services including the operation and maintenance of the primary and secondary road network; Dublin Tunnel, the Jack Lynch Tunnel; and TII’s Motorway Control Centre.
In addition, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) toll concessions on the national road network are also under the remit of TII. However, the toll revenue generated by these toll roads is collected by the PPP concessionaire and generally funds the construction debt as well as the operation and maintenance of the road itself.Therefore, because of the criticality of tolling revenue streams for the smooth functioning of our roads network and access tunnels, the fact that PPP toll concessionaires own the revenue collected on those tolls, and TII’s statutory obligations, TII are not in a position to introduce any additional exemptions.
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.
171. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate a matter in regard to a driver test (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31405/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the statutory body responsible for the operation of the national driving test. As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational issue for the RSA, it would not be appropriate for me to comment.
