Written Answers Nos. 102-122
103. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes in the Dublin Fingal constituency that are awaiting connection to appropriate broadband under the National Broadband Ireland roll-out plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47548/22]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including over 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 16 September 2022, over 331,000 premises are design completed and over 91,000 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 80,000 premises passed across 23 counties and available for immediate connection. Construction is underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. NBI has advised that 1,315 premises in County Dublin are passed with a highspeed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection.
The network rollout for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is divided into 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) across the country. The DAs typically extend to an area of approximately 25km in radius and in total they cover 96% of Ireland’s landmass. The architecture of the network design is specifically based on the design of the NBI network coming from the eir exchanges or the metropolitan area networks (MANs). It is based on an engineering design that allows NBI to reach every premises as quickly as possible working within the confines of how fibre networks are built. Villages; townlands; counties and constituencies may be covered by a number of DAs which means there are differing timescales for high speed fibrerollout across county areas.
Fingal Constituency is covered by 4 DAs. I am advised by NBI that as of August 31st the progress of each DA is outlined below.
|
DA name |
Intervention premises (IA’s) |
Anticipated date for connection |
|
Skerries |
2330 |
September – November 2022 |
|
Lusk |
1050 |
January - June 2024 |
|
Donabate/Portrane |
3700 |
July – December 2024 |
|
Dunshaughlin |
230 |
January 2025 – December 2026 |
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 and connected 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
Further details are available on specific areas within County Dublin 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.
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 720 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 Dublin, 9 BCP’s have been installed to date. Further details can be found at: nbi.ie/bcp-locations/
In County Dublin, 6 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/
104. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes in the Dublin Fingal constituency that have had smart meters installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47549/22]
View answerThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is coordinating the National Smart Metering Programme (NSMP) and is working with ESB Networks (ESBN) to oversee the installation of over 2.3 million meters by 2025, and in the process make available new products and services to energy consumers. The meter rollout is taking place on a phased basis, with ESBN currently installing smart meters for customers with 24 hour meters. These are mainly domestic and small commercial customers. The rollout for three phase meters to primarily larger commercial and industrial customers, is expected to begin in early 2023. The overall programme is proceeding well, with approximately 40,000 meters installed monthly and over 930,000 smart meters installed to date. Smart meters are being installed on a regional basis and ESBN will give all customers notice when they are rolling out the meters in their respective regions. However, I understand that any customer wishing to apply for prioritised installation of a Smart Meter can do so by contacting eitherESB Networksor their electricity supplier. In terms of more detailed area specific information on the National Smart Metering Programme, CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
105. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47567/22]
View answerThe unprecedented increase in international wholesale gas prices have continued as a result of the volatility in the international gas market driven by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the on-going war. These gas increases feed directly through to retail electricity prices as the wholesale price of electricity correlates strongly with the price of gas.
As announced in Budget 2023 the Government is making €100 million available to ensure schools are supported in dealing with the energy cost pressures they will face in the months ahead. An additional €10 million will also be provided for further and higher education. While the Department of Education has responsibility for the maintenance and upgrades of schools, including energy related measures, my Department also funds a wide range of energy efficiency and renewable energy supports to public bodies, including schools. These supports are targeted at educating and enabling public bodies to improve their energy efficiency and decarbonise their activities.
These schemes are operated by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and include:
- The Public Sector Schools Pathfinder Programme
- The Energy in Education Programme
- The Public Sector Energy Efficiency Programme
- The Communities Energy Grant Scheme The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) is targeting support for 380MW of installed micro-generation capacity, to contribute to the revised target of up to 5.5GW of solar renewables under the Climate Action Plan and the recent Government agreement on sectoral emissions ceilings. The MSS provides capital grants for both domestic and non-domestic applicants, such as schools, for solar PV installations up to 6.0kW primarily for self-consumption. Grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 and are available through the SEAI. To apply, simply visit www.seai.ie. In addition, the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is now available from most electricity suppliers, offering the opportunity for new and existing micro-and small-scale generators, including schools, to receive payment for excess renewable electricity that they mayexport to the grid.
In line with the National Energy Security Framework (NESF), the Reduce Your Use energy efficiency campaign, is being delivered to public bodies by the SEAI and the OPW. This campaign is focussing on driving behavioural change and implementing a range of measures to lower energy consumption and costs in the public sector, and Government recently approved that all public sector bodies will lead by example in lowering energy consumption and costs by signing up to the campaign.
106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will use the powers within his remit to ensure the timely removal of a vessel (details supplied) that recently sank on the north quay, Drogheda, following years of continued decay; if he will ensure those responsible for the subsequent environmental impact are held to account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47392/22]
View answerThe vessel in question is located within the functional area of Drogheda Port Company and matters in relation to the operation of the Port fall for the consideration of the Harbour Authority. It is understood that the vessel is afloat and alongside. The registered owner of the vessel is responsible for its safe management and operation including environmental protection.
107. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will broaden the age threshold of the young adult Leap card for third level students, in view of the fact that a cohort of students begin third level education at 18 years of age. [47390/22]
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.
The Young Adult Card (YAC) was initially introduced on PSO services in May. Following extensive engagement between my Department, the NTA, and representatives from the commercial bus sector the initiative was broadened to include participating Commercial Bus Operators (CBOs) on the 4th of September. As a result, holders of a YAC or Student Leap Card can now avail of the 50% fare discount on both PSO and CBO services.
In relation to the Deputy's question on the eligibility requirements for the YAC, I am happy to clarify that the NTA are widening the age rules of the Scheme to allow 16, 17, and 18-year-old students in third level education to apply for the Student Leap Card so that they can also avail of the discount. This is in line with the approach that has been taken with mature students who are in full-time third level education.
I am pleased to advise that the NTA have already commenced the technical work on this matter, which is scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks, at which point those third level students aged 16, 17, and 18 will be able to order a Student Leap Card and avail of the discount.
108. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a breakdown of staff requirements in terms of driver numbers in each of three companies (details supplied) in order for them to fulfil their scheduled pubic transport services, in tabular form; the current actual diver numbers in each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47394/22]
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 management and operational aspects of public transport.
The queries raised are operational matters for the individual transport operators, Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland and Bus Éireann. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
109. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if a transport provider (details supplied) is still operating Saturday schedules on Monday-to-Friday services on some routes; the reason this is the case; when this will revert to full service; if he will request the National Transport Authority to provide figures for the total number of cancelled scheduled departures by the provider across all of its services from January 2022 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47395/22]
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 statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to Go-Ahead Ireland, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
110. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is engaging with contractors to ensure a replacement service is provided on the Tullamore to Athlone route (details supplied). [47429/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, while the majority of public transport in Ireland is provided by the publicly-subvented bus and rail services funded through National Transport Authority's (NTA) public service obligation (PSO) programme, the public transport system also includes non-subvented bus services provided on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying size.
I would like to advise the Deputy that the decision taken by Flagline Ltd to withdraw its commuter services from Tullamore to Athlone, are commercial decisions for the company. The Deputy will appreciate that Flagline Ltd, like all other commercial businesses, are responsible for managing its own resources in respect of its commercial services.
The NTA, which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally by way of public transport services contracts, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators, will assess whether Flagline Ltd decision to withdraw their services will give rise to any loss of connectivity. The Authority will also consider whether there is a need to provide additional public service obligation services in the affected areas.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
111. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand the SEAI electric car grant scheme to include second-hand electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47431/22]
View answerI am acutely aware that the cost of electric vehicles remains an issue for many consumers and that supply chain issues globally have also proven difficult. These have been exacerbated by international events.
Ireland is at the beginning of its transition to private electric transport. Within a few years I anticipate there will be a viable second hand market that will provide a more affordable pathway to the purchase of an EV. In addition, the motor industry is planning to bring more affordable electric vehicles onto the market. Notwithstanding this, I am taking steps to accelerate the establishment of a second hand EV market in Ireland.
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. The Group also examined the issue of price parity between EVs and ICE vehicles and found that parity in respect of the Total Cost of Ownership is likely to be achieved later on this decade, driven by falling battery prices and savings due to economies of scale.
In the meantime, in order to support the transition to EVs, the Group 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 and barriers to the adoption of the EVs. It will also examine the creation of a second hand market. This Group will report on its progress to Government in Q4 of this year.
112. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driving test for a person (details supplied). [47434/22]
View answerThe driving test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
Individual cases are a matter for the Authority and the question in relation to this case is being referred to it for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
113. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport the current wait times for diving tests in County Louth; if he plans to facilitate urgently required tests such as the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47436/22]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Information on the driving test waiting times in the Louth area is held by the RSA.
Individual cases are also a matter for the Authority and the question in relation to this case is being referred to it for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
114. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport if there are further supports available to owners of electric vehicles given the escalating cost of electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47463/22]
View answerThe Government's grant scheme for electric vehicles aims to encourage behavioural change and support the Government’s commitment to achieving a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030.
A wide range of supports are provided to incentivise the purchase of EVs which include:
- A grant of €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
- AFHDV 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.
The grant schemes are kept under continuous review to ensure that they are as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort. Notwithstanding the recent increases in the price of electricity, an EV remains much less expensive to run than a petrol or diesel car.
This Department convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. That group comprised senior officials and considered regulatory, financial, and taxation policies to help drive a significant ramp-up in passenger EVs and electric van sales. The recommendations of the EVPP Working Group were approved by Government and the full report is now available online.
In order to support the transition to EVs, the Group 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 disincentive fossil-fuelled vehicles will also be necessary. A cross departmental committee has been established to implement the recommendations and is due to report on progress in Q4 this year.
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 initiatives have been launched with further information available at: www.gov.ie/zevi
115. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving test passes and fails since January 2022 to date as a percentage, in tabular form. [47480/22]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service and the compiling of driving test statistics are the responsibility of 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 has not been received within ten days.
116. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been giving to reducing the cost of retaking a driving test with the Road Safety Authority in view of the considerable cost of taking a driving test multiple times and the significant cost-of-living challenges many persons are facing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47481/22]
View answerWhile I appreciate that the process of obtaining a driving licence has a cost, the fee charged for this service is the same whether it is a first or repeat test. In the context of the current cost-of-living challenges it should be noted that the fee charged for the national driving test has remained static and has not increased since 2011.
It should also be noted that the driving test is the means to determine the competency of a driver and to test his or her ability to operate a vehicle and manoeuvre it safely on our roads. It would, therefore, not be appropriate to offer a reduced fee to a driver if they have failed to meet the criteria and have to take the test again.
117. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person must go back to the start when they want to add another category to their driving licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47533/22]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have 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.
118. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of the private bus service that transported passengers from the midlands towns of Moate and Clara to the larger towns of Athlone and Tullamore; and if he has considered that as the Bus Éireann route 20 Dublin to Galway service ceased in 2020, the residents of these towns have been left with no access to a bus service, either public or private. [47593/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, while the majority of public transport in Ireland is provided by the publicly-subvented bus and rail services funded through National Transport Authority's (NTA) public service obligation (PSO) programme, the public transport system also includes non-subvented bus services provided on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying size.
I would like to advise the Deputy that the decision taken by Flagline Ltd to withdraw its commuter services from Tullamore to Athlone, are commercial decisions for the company. The Deputy will appreciate that Flagline Ltd, like all other commercial businesses, are responsible for managing its own resources in respect of its commercial services.
The NTA, which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally by way of public transport services contracts, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators, will assess whether Flagline Ltd decision to withdraw their services will give rise to any loss of connectivity. The Authority will also consider whether there is a need to provide additional public service obligation services in the affected areas.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
119. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the progress of the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan, and, in particular, the improvements that have been made in counties Longford and Westmeath. [47594/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, including in counties Longford and Westmeath, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
120. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on his work to agree or impose a levy on industry to contribute to the cost of defective block and building remediation. [47350/22]
View answerThe Government decision taken on 30 November 2021 regarding the Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme, agreed a number of actions to help address the defective blocks issue. One of those proposed actions was that a levy was to be put in place to raise in the region of €80m a year, and it is that levy to which this question refers.
As I outlined in my response to a previous question by the Deputy on this topic (PQ 32021/22) it was my intention to update the Dáil on how this matter has progressed at the time of Budget 2023/Finance Bill 2022.
As the Deputy will be aware, I provided further information on the defective concrete blocks matter in my Budget speech yesterday in regards to the proposed levy.
Further information on that levy will follow in the context of Finance Bill 2022.
121. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his Department's recent public consultation on the implementation of the pillar 2 minimum tax rate; the next steps he expects to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47403/22]
View answer122. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his Department's recent public consultation on the implementation of the pillar 2 minimum tax rate; the next steps he expects to take in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47483/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together.
Ireland signed up to the two Pillar solution to address the tax challenges brought about by the digitalisation of the economy, agreed by the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS, in October 2021 (the ‘OECD agreement’). The decision to join the global agreement was not taken lightly, and I firmly believe this agreement brings a unique opportunity to reframe the international taxation architecture which has largely remained in place for almost a century.
My long-standing position is that the international tax system needs to adapt to keep pace with changes in how business is conducted internationally. This is a global issue which requires global action to solve. The OECD agreement is designed to bring long-term stability and certainty to the international tax framework.
My Department received 12 responses to the public consultation in relation to the Pillar Two minimum tax rate, and it is intended that the responses will be published shortly. The consensus from the responses received was positive. A general desire was expressed that Pillar Two would be introduced in as certain and straightforward a way as possible and that any opportunity is taken to simplify the tax rules in its implementation. It was also generally recognised that the implementation of Pillar Two in Ireland will be a major practical challenge.
The Inclusive Framework agreed and published Pillar Two Model Rules on 20 December 2021. An accompanying Commentary was published on 14 March 2022. The Commentary, which provides detailed technical guidance on the application of the Model Rules, is intended to promote a consistent and common interpretation of the rules across jurisdictions and taxpayers.
Pillar Two technical work remains ongoing at the OECD. Such work includes the drafting of further technical guidance, the design of a standardised information return to be filed by in-scope groups annually, and the development of a peer review process which will verify that jurisdictions have correctly implemented the rules.
An EU Minimum Tax Directive has been proposed to provide for co-ordinated implementation of the Pillar Two across all Member States, and I expect that unanimous agreement will be reached on the Directive later this year.
The proposed Directive provides for an implementation deadline of 31 December 2023 and work will be ongoing in my Department over the next year towards that deadline. It is expected that this will include further stakeholder engagement, through public consultations and/or Feedback Statements, all of which will be signalled publicly on my Department’s website.
