Written Answers Nos. 179-203
180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that measures to address carbon emissions do not damage the productive agricultural and manufacturing sectors here; if the best practice in other jurisdictions to meet such requirements can be followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46031/22]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was adopted by the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022. On 28 July, the Government approved Sectoral Emission Ceilings for both the first and second carbon budget periods, (i.e. 2021-2025 and 2026-2030), with the exception the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, which will be determined later.
There is target for a 25% emissions reduction for our agriculture sector by 2030. The Climate Action Plan 2021 has outlined how emission reductions can be achieved in this sector in the coming years, which involves offering farmers the means to reduce carbon emissions at farm level by becoming more carbon efficient, while also diversifying toward the production of energy and less carbon intensive practices such as organic farming. These measures, and the extent to which progress is being made, will be reflected in the next Climate Action Plan, which is due to be published by the end of 2022.In the meantime, my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continue to collaborate on reducing our carbon emissions, while also ensuring the security and sustainability of our food production. This is a key opportunity for Ireland to become a world leader in long-term sustainable food production. I remain confident that our family farms will fully exploit the opportunities of this transition without compromising on sustainable food production. To address emissions in manufacturing the Department has engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the sectoral emissions ceiling for industry. This included further reviews of measures set by Climate Action Plan 2021 to ensure that they can deliver the emissions reductions required by the sectoral emissions ceilings and meet other requirements such as technical feasibility and cost effectiveness in terms of their wider economic impacts. We are also working with our State Agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices to provide advisory and financial supports for low-carbon technologies.
183. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed per month in County Louth under the warmer home scheme in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46053/22]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.The monthly breakdown sought in the Question is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and resources. However, SEAI have informed me that the total number of retrofits completed in County Louth to end-August this year, under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, is 48.
186. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if grant aid is available to community centres, GAA clubs and local youth clubs for the installation of solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46056/22]
View answerThe Communities Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme is designed to encourage and support home retrofit, as well as energy efficiency upgrades in commercial, public (including schools), community and voluntary sector facilities. All projects include a community benefit and include a cross-sectoral approach.
The Scheme provides funding for a range of improvements to existing buildings. These include the installation of insulation, heat pump systems, replacement windows/doors, solar Photo-Voltaic technology, energy-efficient lighting, and energy monitors, as well as other energy upgrades.
Demand for the CEG Scheme has been very strong since the launch of this year’s Call for Projects in March. To date, 14 contracts with a grant value of over €35million have been issued by the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) and a further 12 applications are currently under evaluation within the SEAI. All of which points to a strong pipeline of works under the scheme for the remainder of this year and into 2023.
In addition to the CEG Scheme, there are a range of Government supports for the installation of solar PV are available for homeowners and businesses of all sizes.
187. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the current staffing levels of the Department of Transport’s regional offices in Cork; if they have increased or decreased in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45429/22]
View answerThere are currently 10 staff serving in the Cork office of my Department . This has decreased by one in the past twelve months.
188. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he can examine a submission (details supplied); if he can provide feedback on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45479/22]
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 planning, design and construction 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 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.
189. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of moneys returned from the four local authorities in Dublin to his Department, or agencies under his remit by category for each of the years 2019 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45537/22]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable.
Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts, the four Dublin Councils became self-funding for regional and local roads under the main road grant categories from 2015. Accordingly, these Councils do not feature in most of the grant programmes but are eligible for certain grants such as the training and road condition survey grants and may apply for monies under the Strategic Grant programme. In this context provision was made in the original NDP 2018-2027 for the upgrade of the Nangor and Adamstown roads in the vicinity of Grange Castle Business Park and the Department has provided grant assistance for that strategic scheme.
As regards the regional and local road grant funding allocated to the four Dublin Councils in each of the years 2019 to 2021, details of the regional and local road grant allocations to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
As regards the funding drawn down by the four Dublin Councils in each of the years 2019 to 2021, this is reflected in the regional and local road payments booklets which are also available in the Oireachtas Library.
190. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the total number of taxis and hackneys currently operating in County Cork by location, in tabular form. [45558/22]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016.
Accordingly, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
191. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to increase the percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles owned by his Department and state agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit. [45590/22]
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. The transport sector, which accounts for about 20% of Ireland’s overall carbon emissions, must play a central role in the national decarbonisation effort. The national car and van (LGV) fleet accounts for almost 60% of all land transport emissions, and so a transition to low emissions vehicles, including EVs, is a necessary step-change to effect a substantial reduction in transport emissions.
Electric vehicles are an important transport mitigation measure in the 2021 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.
There are 11 commercial and 8 non-commercial agencies under the remit of my Department. Where the CEO of an agency under the remit of the Department has provision in their contract for the use of a car, the Minister stipulates the company vehicle should be an electric vehicle
I have forwarded the Deputies question to each agency for direct response. Please contact my Office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
The Climate Action Plan and the Programme for Government commits to developing and implementing a sustainable public procurement policy, to ensure that what are we buying and building is consistent with our climate ambition.
The Office of Government Procurement has drawn up fixed price procurement frameworks for the supply of long and medium range battery electric passenger cars and vans to public sector bodies. Full details on how to use the framework as well as pricing and supplier contact details can be found on the www.ogp.gov.ie website. These Frameworks will greatly assist Government departments and bodies to purchase electric cars and vans. As battery and recharging technologies develop and a greater range of vehicles become commercially available I expect an increasing number of public bodies to transition to EVs.
The use of EVs within public sector vehicle fleets and the installation of associated EV infrastructure is an important exemplar and market driver, providing the necessary public leadership and raising consumer awareness of EVs.
192. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the parameters of the TaxSaver tickets for public transport in the context of employees working increasingly in hybrid set-ups as the current system benefits those who commute on a daily basis but not other work patterns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45616/22]
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 day-to-day operations of public transport. 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.
In light of the impact of COVID on commuter travelling patterns, and a move away from a regular 5-day commute, the NTA is evaluating the possibility of a new taxsaver commuter ticket. My Department has held discussions with the NTA and also with the Department of Finance on this issue.
Therefore, in view 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.
193. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport has been drawn to concerns related to the Low Emissions Vehicle Toll Incentive as some EV users have experienced difficulty in accessing this reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45625/22]
View answerThe Low Emission Vehicle Toll Incentive (LEVTI) Scheme which offers toll discounts for alternatively fuelled vehicles was introduced in July 2018 and is expected to run until December 31st, 2022 subject to the scheme's terms and conditions. BEV and PHEVs qualify for 50% and 25% toll reductions respectively up to a maximum €500 annual threshold for private vehicles and a maximum annual threshold of €1,000 for commercial vehicles (greater off-peak rates also apply to the M50 toll).
As Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) administer the scheme, I have forwarded your correspondence for direct reply. Please contact my office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 12 July 2022, if the work has now been completed by his Department and the Road Safety Authority to provide for electronic transfer of driver disqualification details from the Courts to the National Vehicle and Driver File; the proposed date for this new system to go live; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45658/22]
View answerThe project that enables electronic transfer of driver disqualifications details from the Courts Service to my Department's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) has now been successfully completed. The Courts Service have started to use the new electronic interface since early September 2022, and this has replaced the manual process.
The new solution will enhance road safety by ensuring that the NVDF reflects the correct driver disqualification status earlier. The sharing of the information electronically will reduce the time taken to update the NVDF with details of driver disqualifications, improve data accuracy because of the reduction in errors due to manual updating of disqualification notifications and driver records; and reduce operational costs for the RSA and the Court Services. It will also enable such information to be shared with An Garda Síochána more quickly.
Enforcement is a critical tool that acts to modify driver behaviour to reduce risk taking and I commend the collaborative working of the Courts Service, the Road Safety Authority and my own officials in successfully delivering this important project.
195. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a schedule of new and or existing stations not in current use that Irish Rail plans to open in each of the years 2022 to 2030. [45662/22]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised by the Deputy regarding the planned opening of new stations is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
196. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if the SEAI purchase grant for EV vehicles will be retained to encourage the purchase of new EVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45738/22]
View answerThe Government provides a wide range of supports to incentivise the purchase of EVs which include:
- A grant of up to €5000 for battery electric vehicles (BEVs);
- Home Charger grant scheme - up to €600;
- VRT relief of up to €5,000 for the purchase of BEVs;
- Benefit-in-Kind tax relief for battery electric vehicles;
- eSPSV grant scheme
- Low rate of annual motor tax; and
- Tolling reductions of 50% for battery electric vehicles and 25% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
On 21st July I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. A suite of new of grants and initiatives have been launched with further information available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
At a policy level, ZEVI will continue to support the need to assist the transition to driving electric. The means to incentivise EV purchases including the provision of grants for vehicle purchase are forming part of the Budget 2023 deliberations between this Department and the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform.
197. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if the grant for electric vehicles extends to local area hackney licence holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45747/22]
View answerThe Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is in place to support the greening of the SPSV, or taxi, sector. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO2 emissions of a sector which typically has very high mileage, and also can positively influence the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.
The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department of Transport 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 enable owners of small public service vehicles, such as taxis, hackneys and limousines, to buy electric vehicles.
The Scheme is available nationwide to persons applying for new SPSV licenses and existing SPSV license holders who wish to upgrade their current vehicle with a replacement EV.
The scheme is currently open for applications.
198. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of increasing the number of Irish Rail security rapid response hubs from nine to 15. [45866/22]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport.
The issue of the costs of increasing the number of Irish Rail security Rapid Response Hubs is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
199. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if assistance will be provided to a person (details supplied) whose taxi license lapsed due to a serious illness and who now wishes to renew the license but is having difficulty doing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45898/22]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016.
Accordingly, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
200. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Road Safety Authority's review of road traffic collision data sharing policies and procedures in light of GDPR requirements. [45913/22]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
201. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the actions that a taxi driver (details supplied) whose taxi licence expired during the pandemic and was not in a financial position to renew it until now can take to have it renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45915/22]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
202. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the current number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by his Department in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [45965/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:
|
Number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by the Department of Transport |
Scheduled Date of Completion |
|
Review of the Transport Management Certificate of Professional Competence Programme |
November 2022 |
|
Study to Devise pathway to deliver an additional 0.9 Mt CO2 reduction in the transport sector by 2030 (CAP 2021 Action 301) |
Q4 2022 |
|
Review of the safety regulatory and infrastructural frameworks for the use of hydrogen as a transport fuel in Ireland and in Northern Ireland (Co-funded with Shared Island Fund) |
Q4 2022 |
|
A Review of Requirements and Constraints on Biofuels in Ireland Arising from RED II and National Targets |
Q4 2022 |
|
Report on the impacts of a biofuel tax policy in Ireland |
Q4 2022 |
|
Health and Safety Assessment of the Wreck ‘MV Alta’ |
Q4 2022 |
|
All Island Strategic Rail Review |
Q4 2022 |
|
Spending Review Paper on Protection and Renewal of the Regional and Local Road Network |
Q4 2022 |
|
The Quality Assurance Process 2019 |
Q4 2022 |
|
Update of the Common Appraisal Framework |
Q4 2022 |
|
Irish Ports Capacity Study |
Q4 2022 |
|
The Quality Assurance Process 2020 |
Q1 2023 |
|
Just resilience and adaptation in Ireland: sectors and regions (Co-funded with the EPA) |
Q1 2023 |
|
Transboundary Climate Risks for Island of Ireland (TCRII) (Co-funded with the EPA) |
Q1 2023 |
|
Study examining the feasibility of developing logistics hubs near urban centres to consolidate and rationalise freight transport |
Q2 2023 |
|
Research Paper on the Economic Cost of Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area 2020-2040 |
Q3-Q4 2023 |
|
DRIFT-HDV: DecaRbonisation Irish HDV FleeT (Co-funded with the SEAI) |
Q1 2024 |
|
Five Year Assessment Report (5YAR) - Writer Support Award – Volume 4 (Realising the benefits of transition and transformation) (Co-funded with the EPA) |
Q4 2024 |
|
An international best practice review of the localised and wider pollutant contribution of large railway hubs on air quality, in large urban centres(Co-Funded with the EPA) |
Q1 2025 |
|
Inclusive Sustainable Cycling (ISCycle): Inclusive E-bike Uptake and Sustainable Use (Co-funded with the SEAI) |
Q1 2025 |
|
TRACT: TRAnsport Behaviour Change Trials (Co-funded with SEAI) |
Q2 2025 |
203. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the backlog in securing an appointment for the NCT; if any measures are being taken to alleviate the pressure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46012/22]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
I am very aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet demand and the delays which vehicle owners have encountered since the start of this year. This is a serious matter. My department has supported any appropriate requests from the RSA for assistance in improving matters that have been received to date. Furthermore, starting this week I have asked the RSA for weekly updates on the NCTS and my officials are meeting weekly with the Authority's senior management to closely monitor their progress in reducing test delays, in addition to normal corporate governance processes.
I am also advised that customers seeking test appointments may contact the NCTS directly, by calling 01-4135992, or may avail of the priority waiting list function via the NCT website, www.ncts.ie. I understand that, in the majority of cases, these vehicle owners are provided with an appointment within 30 days.
