Written Answers Nos. 175-182
175. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason for the delay in bringing forward secondary legislation to facilitate CCTV cameras to counter illegal dumping as provided for under the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. [14548/23]
View answerThere is no delay to introduction of the necessary legislation.
Sections 22 and 33 of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 require that the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) prepare and submit draft codes of practice to the Minister for Environment, Climate & Communications for approval, for the purposes of setting standards for the operations of CCTV and other mobile recording devices in order to deter environmental pollution and to facilitate the prevention, detection and prosecution of both littering and illegal dumping offences.
The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) are currently working on the preparation of these codes of practice. Once approved, local authorities will then be in a position to initiate litter and waste enforcement measures involving the GDPR compliant use of technologies such as CCTV.
176. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a post-enactment review has been completed for each piece of legislation passed by his Department from 2018 to 2022, in tabular form. [14577/23]
View answerThe information requested in the Question is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
|
Legislation |
Year |
Post Enactment Reports Completed |
|
Telecommunications Services (Ducting and Cables) Act |
2018 |
In preparation |
|
Radiological Protection (Amendment) Act |
2018 |
The Post Enactment Report was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas in July 2019 and is available on the Oireachtas Library website here: opac.oireachtas.ie/AWData/Library3/CCAEdoclaid110919_143205.pd |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Act |
2020 |
No |
|
Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act |
2021 |
No |
|
Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act |
2022 |
Enacted 21/07/22 - Review not due yet |
|
Eirgrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Act |
2022 |
Enacted 07/07/22 - Review not due yet |
|
Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Act |
2022 |
Enacted 29/10/22 - Review not due yet |
|
Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act |
2022 |
No |
|
Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures and Miscellaneous Provisions Act |
2022 |
Enacted 15/10/22 - Review not due yet |
177. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has given approval to a request by a company (details supplied) for pension increases for its pensioners payable from July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14582/23]
View answerI refer the reply to Question No. 13058/23. The request was approved on the 15th March 2023.
178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the underuse of the 2022 Active Travel budget according to figures released by the National Transport Authority; if analysis has been carried out of its under-utilisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14441/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government has committed to an investment of approximately €360 million per annum in cross-Government funding for walking and cycling up to 2025. This includes the Active Travel Programme delivered by the National Transport Authority, as well as TII's Greenways Programme and other smaller infrastructure and behavioural change interventions across my Department and other Departments.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. As mentioned above, funding is administered through the NTA, who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
In 2022, just under €290 million was allocated to the NTA’s Active Travel Infrastructure programme. This funding was allocated across all local authorities in Ireland, with over 1,000 active projects providing improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. While a number of issues slowed delivery in 2021 leading to an underspend, these were addressed in 2022 leading to the successful investment of all allocated funding on Active Travel projects. The NTA and local authorities managed to achieve, and indeed exceed, delivery and spending targets with almost €310 million invested in walking and cycling infrastructure projects in 2022.
In order to mitigate any potential for underspend and meet the €290m target, the NTA over-allocated to each local authority by a significant amount based on their experience and view of credible projects for delivery. Over-allocation will continue in 2023 but to a lesser amount, due to the increase in delivery pace and the progress of a number of projects to construction and finalization stage this year, leading to more certainty of target achievement.
Noting the NTA's role in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the 2023 Active Travel budget and current data on uptake by local authorities, campuses and hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14442/23]
View answer180. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the 2023 Active Travel budget and resources to support uptake and implementation by local authorities, campuses and hospitals. [14443/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
With regard to the resources provided to Local Authorities to assist in the development and implementation of selected projects, my Department previously announced funding for up to 248 new posts in local authorities to expand walking and cycling facilities all over the country. Following discussions with local authorities and the National Transport Authority (NTA), I wrote to the County and City Management Association (CCMA) in January 2021 confirming an allocation of a higher figure of 282 posts around the country. This figure was subsequently revised once again in April 2021 to 320 posts, given the required increase in capacity particularly in local authorities outside the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and the regional cities which did not previously have an Active Travel Programme in place.
As of 1 March 2023, 241 of these positions have been filled in local authorities around the country. Recruitment has been slow due to a number of factors including shortages in the labour market, however my Department is monitoring this closely, together with the NTA. This significant increase in resourcing reflects the €1.8 billion in funding committed to walking and cycling over the planned lifetime of the Government. The additional staff will be dedicated to delivering and promoting Active Travel in Ireland and will work across design, communication, community liaison and construction oversight.
Noting the NTA's role in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed reply in relation to the 2023 Active Travel budget uptake. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
181. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details as to how the gradual reduction announced in Budget 2023 in the grant towards the purchase of electric vehicles will be implemented; if vehicles ordered prior to July but not received by customers until after this date will be eligible for €5,000 relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14467/23]
View answerIreland now has a buoyant demand for electric vehicles; 2022 saw an 81% increase in registration of EVs compared to the previous year (CSO). As of end December 2022, there were 73,574 electric vehicles on Irish roads. This year we are also seeing the arrival of newer EV models on the Irish market that are lower in cost.
The Government's investment strategy for electric vehicles will therefore begin a rebalance towards supporting EV charging infrastructure starting this year. This change aligns with similar polices in other European nations, where countries including Norway, Germany and France have begun to curb their vehicle subsidies and refocus their investments in this sector towards provision of charging infrastructure.
As such, it is now appropriate to amend the current Electric Vehicle Grant scheme. The current maximum grant of €5,000 will remain in place until June 30 2023, with a new maximum limit of €3,500 applying from the 1st of July.
It is important to emphasise that Government support for the transition to EVs remains a key action in meeting our climate targets.
Many elements of the existing electric vehicle grant system remain unchanged. Vehicle incentives for businesses will stay the same and the SEAI will continue to administer the commercially bought EVs and large panel vans grants at current levels.
The small public service vehicles (SPSV) grant for taxi and hackney drivers administered by the NTA was renewed in February, while the Alternatively Fuelled Heavy Duty Vehicle Purchase Grant Scheme, managed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, has also remained unchanged.
In addition, there is no change to the existing generous VRT relief which is available to a maximum of €5,000 to purchasers of electric vehicles up to the selling price of €40,000, with a reduced scale for vehicles up to the selling price of €50,000.
182. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details on whether a load line survey application has been applied for with respect to the hebble dredge ship which is long overdue to be removed from the River Boyne in Drogheda following its sinking in 2022; if he will provide any further details with regard to projected dates of removal and any details regarding the application and certification that is required prior to release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14379/23]
View answerRegarding this particular vessel, whilst it is lying inoperative in the port of Drogheda, it falls to the owner and to Drogheda Port Company, in whose area the vessel is located, to address any issues that arise. Any proposal or schedule to move the vessel are matters for the owner of the vessel to address. Before a vessel proceeds to sea it is required to undergo a Load Line survey. It is the responsibility of the vessel owners, or agents acting on their behalf, to apply for and ensure that vessels under go such surveys and the Marine Survey Office is not in a position to comment as to whether an owner has made an application.
