Written Answers Nos. 58-77
58. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the community benefit funds established under the renewal energy generation projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11744/23]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the flagship Government policies to help deliver on the target set out in the Climate Action Plan 23 of 80% renewable electricity by 2030. All projects successful in RESS auctions are required to establish a Community Benefit Fund (CBF) for the wider economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of the local community. The CBF contribution is set at €2 per MW hour of electricity.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates a CBF national register. A map of registered projects including further information and contact details of individual funds can be found on the SEAI website at: Search Community Benefit Fund National Register Map | SEAI.
Only projects that were successful in RESS auctions are subject to the terms and conditions of the RESS, including providing Community Benefit Funds and registering with the SEAI. Other renewable projects which are not in receipt of RESS support may have their own separate community benefit funds in place.
59. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when fibre broadband will be extended to a property (details supplied). [11753/23]
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 24th February 2023, over 129,400 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 26 counties, with over 118,600 premises passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. NBI has advised that 5,247 premises in County Waterford are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection. As of 28th February 1,068 premises have been in connected in County Waterford.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Waterford 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.
The network rollout for the NBP is divided into 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) across the country. These are typically 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 and counties may be covered by a number of DAs which means there are differing timescales for the rollout across county areas.
Each DA creates a ‘fibre ring’ which is essential to ensure reliability, robustness and resilience. Critical to the success of the network, NBI’s fibre rings are built with back-ups, ensuring that in the event of one fibre cable being disrupted, the whole network continues to perform, protecting customer experience. Each fibre ring that NBI deploys is designed in a way that is non-discriminatory, meaning that as the rollout progresses, it may pass relatively urban areas at the same time as passing some of the most remote premises within the intervention area. The design utilises existing infrastructure to a very significant degree.
The NBP network build that started in 2020 is scheduled to be completed by 2027. NBI advise that the premises referred to in the question is at a status of “Pending Survey”.
Surveys are needed to establish the condition of existing poles and ducts, to ascertain whether repairs are needed. NBI’s contractors walk the fibre route to inspect infrastructure and gather detailed information on local conditions and this work is on-going. Further steps are then required prior to fibre build and connections including:
- Survey results fed back to NBI’s design teams who then develop detailed designs for each of the 227 Deployment Areas for submission to the Department for “Approval to Proceed” with fibre build;
- Repair/activities (“Make Ready”) carried out to ensure existing infrastructure is sufficiently prepared to pass the premises with fibre;
- Installation of and connection to electronic equipment in each Local Exchange building;
- Laying of the physical fibre along the poles and ducts;
- Fibre build quality checks, network testing and handover within NBI;
- Upload of specific fibre build details by premises to computer systems within NBI, enabling retail service providers to make connection orders visible on their respective systems which in turn allows premises’ owners to place orders.
- On completion of network build works customers can then place an order and request a connection to be scheduled with the retail service provider of choice.
NBI have created 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: nbi.ie/reps
Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high-speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 24th February 2023, 871 SCP sites (282 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 589 schools) have been installed 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 Waterford all 4 BCP’s have been installed. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/ . In County Waterford 15 schools have been installed 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/
60. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a message on the Electric Ireland website about the use of the March Government credit in which it advises that, if one has an outstanding balance on one’s account prior to 1 March, one cannot use the Government credit against this balance; if he will instruct the CRU to inform Electric Ireland that there are no caveats on this credit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11772/23]
View answerBudget 2023 included an Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) is being credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT). The first two payments have already been made to accounts and suppliers began crediting the third payment to accounts on 1 March. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion.The payments apply to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2). The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure it can be administered automatically and without an application/approval process.
Suppliers are now crediting the third payment to electricity accounts. I understand that in Electric Ireland's case bills issued from the 3 March will identify the payment. For bills issued before this date the third payment will appear on the next bill. The legislation underpinning the Scheme requires that the third payment is credited by suppliers to accounts between 1 March and 30 April.
61. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the upcoming European Union reform of the electricity market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11899/23]
View answerThe European Commission launched a public consultation into electricity market reform on 23rd January. Ireland submitted a position paper on the 13th February which can be accessed at gov.ie
( www.gov.ie/en/publication/9d196-european-commission-public-consultation-on-reform-of-electricity-market-to-support-a-clean-and-affordable-energy-transition/ )
While we are supportive of reform, we should not depart from the competitive principles of our market design, which would undermine the cost-effective decarbonisation of our energy system, jeopardize affordability and risk security of supply. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to look at the market design with a view to improving it particularly in context of increased renewables. We need to strike the right balance in relation to investment opportunities to accommodate increasing renewable penetration, as well as flexibility signals for storage, demand side response and back up generation technologies.
It is critical that market design and energy market contracts operate so that consumers receive the full direct benefit of low-cost renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
The Commission has indicated that it will publish a proposal around 16th March, which we welcome.
63. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department is liaising with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and IDA Ireland to ensure that business energy costs can be reduced through the EU reform of the electricity market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11901/23]
View answerThe European Commission launched a public consultation into electricity market reform on 23rd January. Ireland submitted a position paper on the 13th February which can be accessed at gov.ie
(www.gov.ie/en/publication/9d196-european-commission-public-consultation-on-reform-of-electricity-market-to-support-a-clean-and-affordable-energy-transition/ ).
While we are supportive of reform, we should not depart from the competitive principles of our market design, which would undermine the cost-effective decarbonisation of our energy system, jeopardize affordability and risk security of supply. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to look at the market design with a view to improving it particularly in context of increased renewables. We need to strike the right balance in relation to investment opportunities to accommodate increasing renewable penetration, as well as flexibility signals for storage, demand side response and back up generation technologies. It is critical that market design and energy market contracts operate so that consumers receive the full direct benefit of low-cost renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. The Commission has indicated that it will publish a proposal around 16th March, which we welcome.
In the three week time-frame provided for responding to the consultation, the Department engaged widely with a range of stakeholders including industry and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment through its participation in the Energy Security Emergency Group. As this reform programme develops, we intend to continue to engage widely with stakeholders.
64. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has plans to introduce a tyre recycling scheme for farmers similar to the scheme that operated in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11956/23]
View answerThe Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for tyres was introduced in 2017 and is operated by Circol ELT. Under the scheme, any tyres which have incurred the ‘Visible Environmental Charge’ are collected free of charge by Circol ELT through registered waste collectors. In 2018, €700,000 in State funding was spent removing tyres which had collected on farms prior to the introduction of the EPR scheme. I have no immediate plans for a further scheme. It is important to ensure that any such interventions do not undermine the successful operation of the national compliance scheme, which it is intended will ultimately extend to truck and agri tyres in due course.
65. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 28 February 2023, the legislative basis on which a firm (details supplied) manages the scheme; if other companies can tender for the management of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11957/23]
View answerThe Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, as amended, provide the legislative basis for the operation of an approved body in this sector. Part IV of the Regulations outlines how any organisation can apply to become an approved body.
Currently, Irish Farm Films Producer Group (IFFPG) is the sole approved body operating a farm plastics scheme under the regulations.
66. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the Independent Review of Energy Security, being undertaken by a person (details supplied), will be finalised; when he will make the report publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11990/23]
View answerI engaged Mr. Dermot McCarthy, former Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach and to the Government, to conduct an independent review into the circumstances requiring emergency measures to be introduced to secure electricity supply over the coming winters. Mr. McCarthy's engagement, along with the terms of reference for the review, were noted by Government at its meeting on 14 June 2022.The review was conducted under the following terms of reference: to identify factors which have contributed to the capacity shortfall, including the possible role of the growth in demand for data centres and the associated policy; to identify factors which contributed to any underestimation of the risk of capacity shortfall; to identify factors associated with the respective roles and responsibilities, which may have contributed to this situation; to identify learning, which may be relevant to strengthening policy, capacity, governance and operational effectiveness in this area; and to identify any further technical analysis, which may be helpful in this regard.
The independent review by Mr Dermot McCarthy as to how the present situation has arisen has been received and is under consideration by my Department. This review will be brought to Government shortly as part of a wider energy security package and will be published thereafter.
67. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if there are any plans going forward to update the policies on the powers the local authority has in relation to the parking of camper vans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11988/23]
View answerUnder Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, each local authority may make bye-laws for the control and regulation of parking on public roads in its own functional area. The making of bye-laws is a reserved function of the elected members of the council and I have no role that process.
I have no plans to amend the powers of local authorities in this matter.
68. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine the CIÉ superannuation scheme 1951 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11644/23]
View answerIssues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.CIÉ have advised that the Group’s two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), are currently not in compliance with the Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) as defined in the Pensions Act 1990.As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to the schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term.In relation to the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to proposed changes to the 1951 scheme which is being considered by my Department in conjunction with NewERA. The deputies may also be aware that the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days and the outcome from the Hearing is expected in the coming months.The additional questions raised by the Deputy in relation to the 1951 scheme are matters for CIÉ. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's questions to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
69. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on quality audits at NCT centres by centre and quarter/month for 2022, and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11645/23]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query 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.
70. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE staff by job title working in the railway accident investigation unit and air accident investigation unit as of 2 March 2023; the number of vacancies by job title in both RAIU and AAIU; and when each of these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [11694/23]
View answerThe Deputy is referred to the tables below:
|
AAIU Staff |
WTE Staff 2nd March 2023 |
Vacancies 2nd March 2023 |
Vacancies to be filled |
|
Air Accident Inspectors including Chief Inspector |
7 |
2 |
Competition completed by PAS December 2022 for up to 2 Inspectors of Air Accidents (Operations).Filling of vacancies to be organised between Dept of Transport HR and PAS. |
|
Administration Staff |
3 |
0 |
N/A |
|
Total |
10 |
2 |
2 |
|
RAIU Staff |
WTE 2nd March 2023 |
Vacancies 2nd March 2023 |
Staff due to retire 2023 |
|
Rail accident investigators including Chief Investigator |
6 |
0 |
2 |
|
Administration Staff |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total (current) |
7 |
0 |
- |
|
Total (end 2023) |
5 |
0 |
- |
71. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE staff by job title working in the finance department of Iarnród Éireann as of 1 March 2023. [11695/23]
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 of the number of WTE staff working in the finance department of Iarnród Éireann 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.
72. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport in relation to the major delays experienced by those trying to complete their full driving license test, if he will ensure that a healthcare worker is able to do their test urgently; the steps being taken to tackle these delays (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11734/23]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases.
I believe the RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process, such that those who are eligible and have been waiting the longest are offered a test first. Urgent tests are only available to applicants who are employed by the HSE, a private hospital or the emergency services where the candidate would need to drive as part of their job (not including commuting to their place of work). Information on who can apply for an emergency test is available at www.rsa.ie/services/learner-drivers/the-driving-test/faqs
On the broader issue of delays, the driver testing service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand which is 28% up on 2021 figures and 27% up on 2018 pre Covid-19 pandemic figures.
The current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include an increase in learner permits in circulation, increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test and an increase in Approved Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers.The RSA conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver testing service in 2022, following which my Department sanctioned an increase in the permanent driver tester headcount from 100 to 130.
Deployment of these successful candidates is almost complete and has been focused on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists.Given the continued backlog, demand and capacity of the driver testing service was further reviewed in late 2022 and early 2023. My Department is actively engaged with the RSA in evaluating this subsequent request for additional resources at the present time.
73. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered extending the validity of NCT certification to two years instead of one year to relieve the pressures and backlog in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11735/23]
View answer81. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will look at reviewing changes in the NCT system (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11912/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 81 together.
Under European Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers, Ireland, like all Member States, must comply with the minimum specified intervals for carrying out such inspections. This is given effect in Irish law by the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (SI 415/2017), as amended.
Regulation 3(2) of the 2017 Regulations provides that the initial test due date is determined by a vehicle's registration date and subsequent test due dates fall on anniversaries of the registration date. Accordingly, any certificate issued for that vehicle will be valid up to the test due date after the certificate is issued, not 12 months, or 24 months as relevant, from the date of testing.
Member States cannot unilaterally postpone test due dates to match the date of testing, and so extend the validity of certificates, without a derogation from the EU Commission. The only time a derogation has been granted to EU States was under Regulation (EU) 2020/698 , in direct response to the Covid crisis in 2020, when test centres were closed to prevent the spread of the virus. Under this derogation, a permanent change to the date of testing was applied to certain vehicles in 2020 following the suspension of testing under the Road Traffic (National Car Test) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. Certificates for vehicles which had the extension applied are also valid only to the next test due date.
Permitting the validity of NCT Certs to be extended without inspection would place the State in breach of our obligations under EU law and may affect road safety, should the vehicle in question be unsafe to drive.
I am 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. In the majority of cases, vehicle owners on the priority waiting list are provided with an appointment within 30 days.
74. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport the current waiting time for driving tests for County Waterford; the number waiting; the reason for the delay; the steps he is taking to address the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11752/23]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred the specific part of the Question in relation to the Waterford testing centres 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.
On the broader issue of delays the RSA is endeavouring to eliminate the backlog in Driver Testing. The service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand which is 28% up on 2021 figures and 27% up on 2018 pre Covid-19 pandemic figures. I am told that the current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include an increase in learner permits in circulation, increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test and an increase in Approved Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers. The RSA conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver testing service in 2022, following which my Department sanctioned an increase in the permanent driver tester headcount from 100 to 130. Deployment of these successful candidates is almost complete and has been focused on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists.Given the continued backlog, demand and capacity of the driver testing service was further reviewed in late 2022 and early 2023. My Department is actively engaged with the RSA in evaluating this subsequent request for additional resources at the present time.
75. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to respond to issues raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to the Drogheda driver test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11769/23]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred this 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. However I would also like to assure the Deputy that a customer may undertake a test in any centre regardless of the county they complete their driving lessons.
76. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons on waiting lists for a driving test at each test centre nationwide; the average waiting time nationally at present for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11802/23]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred this 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.
On the broader issue of delays the RSA is endeavouring to eliminate the backlog in Driver Testing. The service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand which is 28% up on 2021 figures and 27% up on 2018 pre Covid-19 pandemic figures.I am told that the current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include an increase in learner permits in circulation, increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test and an increase in Approved Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers.The RSA conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver testing service in 2022, following which my Department sanctioned an increase in the permanent driver tester headcount from 100 to 130. Deployment of these successful candidates is almost complete and has been focused on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists.Given the continued backlog, demand and capacity of the driver testing service was further reviewed in late 2022 and early 2023. My Department is actively engaged with the RSA in evaluating this subsequent request for additional resources at the present time.
77. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding committed to each local authority under the safety improvement scheme in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023. [11839/23]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
As regards the amount of funding provided to each local authority under the Regional and Local Road Programme's Safety Improvement Scheme for each of the years 2019 to 2022, details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
As regards 2023, the allocations booklet will be lodged to the Oireachtas Library shortly. Details of the 2023 regional and local road grant allocations are available at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/2381e-626-million-for-regional-and-local-roads-announced/.
As 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 maintenance and improvement 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 these projects.
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.
