Written Answers Nos. 3-23
3. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) can be processed in advance of their upcoming travel date as all necessary supporting documentation has been received by the Passport Office and it will be the applicant's first time travelling abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23355/23]
View answer4. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) can be processed in advance of their upcoming travel date as all necessary supporting documentation has been received by the Passport Office and it will be the applicant's first time travelling abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23356/23]
View answer6. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will issue to siblings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23430/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 4 and 6 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
5. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to his Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23407/23]
View answerThe Property Management Strategic Framework of the Department of Foreign Affairs, includes the strategic priority of providing a network of safe, secure, sustainable, well-maintained and inclusive workplaces. The provision of high quality facilities for our staff is imperative for supporting the delivery of high quality services and engagement to Irish citizens and other stakeholders. The Property Management Unit of the Department manages 11 buildings, in counties Dublin, Cork and Limerick.
The following table shows the cleaning companies, operating across our buildings, and the amounts paid in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023.
On the basis of a Framework agreement for cleaning services, negotiated by the Office of Government Procurement, Accent was awarded the contract for each of the Departments 11 HQ buildings in 2022. This has allowed the Department to use competitive public procurement standards to deliver, fairness, transparency, integrity, value for money and compliance.
|
Sum of Base Amount |
Accounting Period / Years |
|
|
|
|
HQ Cleaning Services |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Grand Total |
|
GROSVENOR SERVICES |
52,706 |
6,593 |
|
59,299 |
|
ECO SUPPORT |
61,647 |
3,122 |
|
64,769 |
|
ACCENT FACILITIES SOLUTIONS LTD |
467,793 |
717,714 |
209,136 |
1,394,643 |
7. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the refund for a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be issued. [23481/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a refund to the applicants for the Urgent Appointments.
8. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by his Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23577/23]
View answerNo funds have been released by my Department under the Per Cent for Art scheme during the period in question. However, as a Department, we are committed to supporting Irish artists and promoting Irish design throughout our mission network. An allocation has been made in the budget for the Ireland House Tokyo project which is in line with that offered in the Per Cent scheme. The Ireland House Tokyo project has an expected finish date of December 2024.
In addition, the OPW is currently fitting out office accommodation in Dublin City Centre to consolidate three existing Department of Foreign Affairs premises. The Per Cent scheme will apply to this project. My Department will work with the OPW to showcase Irish art and design to the significant number of international delegations and guests that we receive.
9. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts in place to rectify the fault with the passport tracker that has not provided updates since 9 May; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23595/23]
View answerMy Department is currently in the busiest season of the year for processing passport applications, as citizens prepare for their upcoming summer travel plans. Thanks to operational and staffing plans implemented by the Department, the Passport Service is successfully responding to the current high demand, and has issued over 420,000 passports to date this year. All turnaround times are at their target level and there are no backlogs. The Customer Service Hub is responding to over 3,000 queries per day.
Passport applicants can track the status of their passport application online via the Passport Tracker which is available on this website - www.dfa.ie/passporttracking/. The information available on the tracker is an excellent guide as to where an application is in the system.
The tracker provides applicants with an indication of how their application is progressing through the system and gives an estimated issue date based on the current average application processing time. The tracker updates applications intermittently throughout the day where these applications have progressed.
Last week, the tracker experienced an issue which caused a delay in the updating of information on some applications. This issue was resolved on 12 May and the tracker is now operating as normal. This issue has not caused a delay in the processing of applications which continue to issue on time. The Passport Service regrets any inconvenience caused to customers.
I strongly encourage Deputies to advise their constituents of the benefits of applying for their passport online and to check their passports before booking travel. Passport Online is by far the quickest and cheapest way to apply for a passport, and is now used by over 90% of citizens worldwide. I can assure the Deputy that the Passport Service is continuing to work to provide further improvements and efficiencies for customers.
10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated full-year cost of providing a €100 electricity credit to each principal private residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23529/23]
View answerBudget 2023 included an Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) was credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT). Payments were made to domestic electricity accounts in the November/December, January/February and March/April billing cycles at an estimated cost of €1.211 billion based on an estimate of 2.2 million MPRN.
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. The credit was applied automatically to all domestic electricity accounts which were held with suppliers on 27 October 2022, 20 December 2022 and 27 February 2023, as identified by the MPRN.
Based on the previous estimate of 2.2 million MPRN, the cost of providing a net €100 credit (€91.25 credit plus VAT at 9%) to each MPRN would be €220m in total to the exchequer. This takes account of the direct cost to the exchequer plus VAT foregone.
11. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to his Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23405/23]
View answerThe details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below.
|
- |
Five Star Facility Services |
Emerald Facility Services |
Elis Textile Services |
|
2021 |
€97,421 |
€13,253 |
- |
|
2022 |
€106,764 |
€7,913 |
€1,057 |
|
2023 (to end April) |
€40,221 |
€3,422 |
€504 |
12. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by his Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23575/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy for the past 5 year and to date in 2023 is outlined in the table below:
|
Year |
Beneficiary |
Use of Funds |
Amount € |
|
2018 |
- |
- |
- |
|
2019 |
- |
- |
- |
|
2020 |
- |
- |
- |
|
2021 |
- |
- |
- |
|
2022 |
James Winnet |
Sculptures for Kerdiffstown Landfill Remediation Project |
4,767.00 |
|
2023 |
James Winnet |
Sculptures for Kerdiffstown Landfill Remediation Project |
45,550.50 |
The percent for art scheme was included as part of the Kerdiffstown Landfill Remediation project plan. The artwork was commissioned and paid for by Kildare County Council and the cost subsequently recouped from my Department.
13. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities is responsible for protecting customers who use liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and enabling competition and innovation for same; if no, the reason therefore; if he is aware that there is a duopoly in the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23626/23]
View answerThe retail price of LPG is not a matter in which I, as Minister, have any role or function.
Liquid Petroleum Gas, or LPG, is a by-product of oil. The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is no price control on petroleum products in Ireland. Responsibility for the regulation of the natural gas market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which is an independent statutory body.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has specific responsibilities for protecting the rights of consumers.
14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans for St. Bricin’s military hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23393/23]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that the LDA Report on Relevant Public Land published in March 2023 identified St.Bricins facility as a strategic state land site to be used for adaptive re-use of the existing structure to residential use. In that regard, my Department has largely concluded the necessary legal preparatory work to give effect to this transfer.
15. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to his Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23402/23]
View answerBetween January 2021 and August of 2021, the Department had separate cleaning contracts for its various buildings. In 2021, under the OGP Framework, the Department consolidated all contracts under one for a three-year period with Accent Solutions becoming the sole cleaning provider for the Department of Defence.
The table below details the periods for which each cleaning contract existed.
|
Cleaning |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Location |
Provider |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
Renmore |
Bidvest Noonan Ltd |
€21,893.58 |
|
|
|
|
All (5 x locations) |
Accent Solutions Cleaning |
€94,393.09 |
€171,862.98 |
|
€83,790.41 |
|
Office of Emergency Planning |
Ailesbury Cleaning Services |
€12,927.51 |
|
|
|
|
Newbridge / Roscrea |
All Pro Cleaning Services |
€103,885.90 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
€233,100.08 |
€171,862.98 |
|
€83,790.41 |
Note: All includes Newbridge, Renmore, Roscrea and Dublin Offices (2 x locations)
Additional Covid-19 cleaning measures for all buildings were in place for 2021 and ceased in May 2022.
16. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of United Nations peace missions that Ireland has taken part in since 1960; the number of times Ireland indicated it would offer troops for missions that did not go ahead due to the exercise of a veto at the UN by one of the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council; the member involved in each veto; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23467/23]
View answer17. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of proposed United Nations peacekeeping missions since Ireland joined the UN that were supported by Ireland in the General Council of the UN and were ultimately blocked by a veto by a permanent member of the UN Security Council; the countries involved in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23468/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.
Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
Ireland has a proud tradition of participation in UN and UN-authorised peace operations, as the only country with an unbroken record of service in UN peacekeeping missions since 1958. Our peacekeepers are recognised internationally for their expertise and experience.
Under the UN Charter, the UN Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In fulfilling its mandate, the Security Council may adopt a range of measures, including the establishment of a UN peace mission or the authorisation of action by a group of States or a regional organisation, such as the European Union or the African Union.
The five permanent members of the Council can use their veto power to prevent the Security Council from taking decisions, including those related to the mandates of peacekeeping operations. In practice, the threat of a veto by a permanent member, rather than its actual use, is often enough to prevent the Council from taking action.
UN Member States are invited to contribute the personnel required for UN peacekeeping operations. The Government decides on a case-by-case basis whether, when and how to commit Defence Forces personnel to peacekeeping operations authorised by the UN Security Council. Ireland would only take such a decision after a Mission has been established or authorised by the Security Council.
Ireland has consistently opposed all use of the veto. During our most recent Security Council term from 2021-2022, the veto was used on a number of occasions to prevent the Council from taking action on critical issues. In December 2021, Russia vetoed a draft resolution on Climate and Security, an initiative of Ireland and Niger that had the support of 113 UN Member States. Since February 2022, Russia has used its veto power to prevent the Council from taking action to end its illegal war in Ukraine.
In 1999, a permanent member of the UN Security Council vetoed the renewal of the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP). Because the subsequent European Union peace operation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYROM/CONCORDIA) did not have a UNSC mandate, Ireland was unable to participate in that mission.
Ireland plays an active role in UN General Assembly discussions on Security Council reform, through the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiations, where we continue to call for an end to the use of the veto, particularly in cases of atrocity crimes. Ireland was part of a core group of States, led by Liechtenstein, which brought the ‘veto initiative’ resolution that was adopted by the UN General Assembly in April 2022. This now means that, whenever a veto is used, the General Assembly will automatically hold a debate, requiring the Security Council to submit a report, and inviting the Member State which used its veto to make a statement. This was one important step towards enhancing accountability and transparency in Security Council decisions.
Full details of Defence Force deployments to missions overseas since 1958 are listed in the tabular statement below.
THE DEFENCE FORCES CONTRIBUTIONS TO PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS/
TRAINING MISSIONS AS AT 01 APRIL 2023
|
MISSION |
TOTAL |
REMARKS |
FROM |
TO |
|
UNTSO |
632 |
ONGOING |
DEC 58 |
|
|
UNIFIL |
40,085 |
ONGOING |
MAY 78 |
|
|
MINURSO |
210 |
CLOSED |
SEP 91 |
22 |
|
EUTM MALI |
364 |
ONGOING |
MAR 13 |
|
|
MONUC/ MONUSCO |
118 |
CLOSED |
JUN 01 |
Apr 21 |
|
EUFOR (BiH) |
555 |
ONGOING |
DEC 04 |
|
|
KFOR |
2,941 |
ONGOING |
1999 |
|
|
UNDOF |
3,051 |
ONGOING |
JUN 13 |
|
|
Op Sophia |
277 |
CLOSED |
OCT 17 |
APR 20 |
|
Op IRINI |
21 |
ONGOING |
APR 20 |
|
|
MINUSMA |
56 |
CLOSED |
SEP 19 |
SEP 22 |
|
ONUCI |
38 |
CLOSED |
JUN 04 |
MAR 17 |
|
RSM |
14 |
CLOSED |
JAN 15 |
MAR 16 |
|
ISAF |
196 |
CLOSED |
2002 |
DEC 14 |
|
UNMAS |
15 |
CLOSED |
AUG 13 |
SEP 14 |
|
EUTM SOMALIA |
42 |
CLOSED |
APR 10 |
APR 14 |
|
UNSMIS |
6 |
CLOSED |
MAY 12 |
AUG 12 |
|
UNFICYP |
9,655 |
CLOSED |
MAR 64 |
MAY 05 |
|
UNNY |
27 |
CLOSED |
NOV 78 |
OCT 07 |
|
UNIKOM |
69 |
CLOSED |
APR 92 |
MAR 03 |
|
UNMOP |
10 |
CLOSED |
FEB 96 |
DEC 99 |
|
UNSMA |
3 |
CLOSED |
JUL 96 |
OCT 99 |
|
UNSCOM |
5 |
CLOSED |
SEP 97 |
MAR 03 |
|
UNPREDEP |
8 |
CLOSED |
FEB 96 |
FEB 99 |
|
UNOGIL |
50 |
CLOSED |
JUN 58 |
DEC 58 |
|
ONUC |
6,191 |
CLOSED |
JUL 60 |
JUN 64 |
|
UNTEA |
2 |
CLOSED |
AUG 62 |
OCT 62 |
|
UNIPOM |
14 |
CLOSED |
SEP 65 |
MAR 66 |
|
UNEF II |
573 |
CLOSED |
OCT 73 |
SEP 74 |
|
UNDOF |
1 |
CLOSED |
JUN 97 |
AUG 98 |
|
UNIT |
9 |
CLOSED |
JUN 84 |
JUL 88 |
|
UNMOGIP |
2 |
CLOSED |
SEP 87 |
JUN 92 |
|
UNRWA |
2 |
CLOSED |
FEB 88 |
JUN 92 |
|
UNMOGAP |
8 |
CLOSED |
APR 88 |
MAR 90 |
|
OSGAP |
5 |
CLOSED |
MAR 90 |
DEC 94 |
|
OSGA |
2 |
CLOSED |
DEC 94 |
JUL 96 |
|
UNIIMOG |
177 |
CLOSED |
AUG 88 |
MAR 91 |
|
UNTAG |
20 |
CLOSED |
MAR 89 |
APR 90 |
|
ONUCA |
57 |
CLOSED |
DEC 89 |
JAN 92 |
|
ONUSAL |
6 |
CLOSED |
JAN 92 |
MAY 94 |
|
UNAVEM II |
18 |
CLOSED |
JUL 91 |
SEP 93 |
|
MISSION |
TOTAL |
REMARKS |
FROM |
TO |
|
UNTAC |
36 |
CLOSED |
MAR 92 |
NOV 93 |
|
UNMLO-Y |
7 |
CLOSED |
JAN 92 |
APR 92 |
|
UNPROFOR |
29 |
CLOSED |
MAR 92 |
FEB 96 |
|
UNTAES |
10 |
CLOSED |
FEB 96 |
JAN 98 |
|
UNHCR (Y) |
4 |
CLOSED |
DEC 92 |
MAR 93 |
|
UNOSOM II |
177 |
CLOSED |
AUG 93 |
JAN 95 |
|
UNMIH |
6 |
CLOSED |
SEP 94 |
MAR 96 |
|
UNAMET |
3 |
CLOSED |
JUN 99 |
OCT 99 |
|
UNMIK |
20 |
CLOSED |
JUL 99 |
APR 09 |
|
UNMISET |
90 |
CLOSED |
MAY 02 |
MAY 04 |
|
UNMEE |
630 |
CLOSED |
NOV 01 |
JUN 03 |
|
UNTAET |
181 |
CLOSED |
FEB 00 |
MAY 02 |
|
MINUCI |
8 |
CLOSED |
JUN 03 |
JUN 04 |
|
UNMIL |
2,746 |
CLOSED |
NOV 03 |
JAN 08 |
|
UNJLC |
4 |
CLOSED |
JAN 05 |
MAY 05 |
|
SFOR |
636 |
CLOSED |
1997 |
DEC 04 |
|
KFOR FN Element |
58 |
CLOSED |
AUG 07 |
JUL 08 |
|
INTERFET |
44 |
CLOSED |
OCT 99 |
FEB 00 |
|
ARTEMIS |
19 |
CLOSED |
JUL 03 |
SEP 03 |
|
ACEH |
3 |
CLOSED |
SEP 05 |
DEC 06 |
|
AMIS (EU Support) |
7 |
CLOSED |
JUL 04 |
DEC 07 |
|
EUFOR RD Congo |
7 |
CLOSED |
JUN 06 |
JAN 07 |
|
EUFOR TCHAD/RCA |
1,677 |
CLOSED |
OCT 07 |
MAR 09 |
|
MINURCAT |
1,684 |
CLOSED |
MAR 09 |
DEC 10 |
|
EU NAVFOR |
2 |
CLOSED |
JUN 09 |
DEC 09 |
|
TOTAL |
72,219 |
18. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by his Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23572/23]
View answerThere has been no expenditure by the Department of Defence under the 'Per Cent for Art' scheme over the period in question.
19. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on all current National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects under his Department being progressed in Cork South West, including the current status of each project and the planned completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23324/23]
View answerI am pleased to provide an update to the Deputy on Transport projects under the current National Development Plan 2021-2030 impacting the constituency of Cork South-West, as set out below.
Greenways
West Cork Greenway
In 2022, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) provided an allocation of €100,000 to Cork County Council to examine the feasibility of a greenway that would link Cork City to West Cork. A Strategic Assessment Report was commissioned and is nearing completion. This project is at Phase 0 - Scope & Pre-Appraisal of a defined eight phase process.
TII has provided an allocation of €100,000 to Cork County Council to progress this project through concept and feasibility in 2023.
A number of towns are included in the study area including Bandon, Clonakilty, Skibbereen and Schull. A number of possible routes are being examined, including the line of the former railway lines of the Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway, as well as the feasibility of a greenway to incorporate the established EuroVelo 1 route between Clonakilty and Skibbereen.
Progression of this project is dependent upon more detailed feasibility studies, route options assessment, design and environmental evaluation, statutory approvals and funding availability.
South Cork Greenway
In 2022, TII provided an allocation of €100,000 to Cork County Council to examine the feasibility of a Greenway generally along the line of the former railway from Cork to Kinsale. In that regard, a Strategic Assessment Report was undertaken and is now nearing completion. This project is at Phase 0 - Scope & Pre-Appraisal of a defined eight phase process.
TII has allocated a further €100,000 to Cork County Council in 2023 with a view to progressing this project through the concept and feasibility stage.
The proposed study area extends approximately 36km in length and commences at the outskirts of Cork City and on to Kinsale via Crossbarry. An assessment of the potential to use some major rail infrastructure including the Chetwynd Viaduct and Ballinhassig Tunnel is under consideration for this greenway.
Progression of this project is dependent upon more detailed feasibility studies, route options assessment, design and environmental evaluation, statutory approvals and funding availability.
BusConnects Cork
Following an extensive public consultation process, the new BusConnects network was finalised and published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in June of last year.
The draft network will provide an increase of over fifty percent in bus services across the city. Planning for the implementation of the new bus network has commenced and it is expected that the new network will be fully operational by the end of 2024.
A key component of the overall BusConnects Programme for Cork is the implementation of bus priority measures, generally bus lanes, on key bus corridors serving the city. In June of last year, the NTA published detailed proposals for 12 Sustainable Transport Corridors, setting out proposals for bus and cycle infrastructure along those key corridors. Public consultation in relation to these plans ran until early in October 2022, with close to 3,000 submissions received. The NTA reviewed and revised the scheme designs to take account of feedback received. A further round of public consultation on the Preferred Route Options was launched on 30th March and will run until 25th May.
Following on from this, it is hoped to advance proposals for planning consent to An Bord Pleanála in about 18 to 24 months’ time.
Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility
Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan (aka “Connecting Ireland”) is a major national public transport initiative developed by the NTA, with the aim of increasing connectivity, particularly for people living outside our major cities and towns. The programme’s proposed implementation timeline spans five phases across the five years of 2022 to 2026. Connecting Ireland is managed by the NTA with funding from the Department of Transport.
Under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, the NTA plan on rolling out the following new/enhanced services in West Cork for Q2 2023:
• 232 Dursey Sound-Kilcrohane (previously 236a)
270 Skibbereen-Killarney
A further six services are currently planned to be implemented in the Cork Southwest area during the lifetime of the Connecting Ireland programme, subject to the availability of funding and to more detailed planning and design work.
• The 01 – Cork to Tralee (via Killarney)
The 02 – Cork to Skibbereen
The 237a – Mizen Head to Castletownshend
The 237b – Baltimore to Unionhall
The 253 – Dunmanway to Kinsale
The 257 – Extension of Route 257 to Kinsale
Regional and Local Roads Development
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.
Because of the pressures on the regional and local road network, approximately 90% of available Exchequer grant assistance to local authorities for regional and local roads is being directed to maintenance and renewal works rather than for new roads or for road realignments.
The 2023 regional and local road grants were notified to local authorities on the 14th of February and Cork County Council has been allocated a total of €71.3 million this year. Allocations to individual Municipal Districts for the maintenance and renewal of the network is a matter for decision by each local authority.
Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific or Strategic Grant Programmes are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. In 2023 the Department is providing funding to Cork County Council for three Specific Improvement schemes in Cork South-West, namely the R595 Old Court, Skibbereen to Baltimore, R586 Ilen Bridge and R572 Realignment at Adrigole.
Delivery of the schemes is the responsibility of Cork County Council.
Noting the roles of TII and the NTA in the delivery of some of the above projects under the National Development Plan 2021-2030, I have referred your correspondence to both agencies to provide any additional information they may have relating to the relevant projects.
20. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport the provisions that will be put in place following the introduction of E10 petrol to make E5 petrol available for use in small petrol engine equipment, i.e. chain saws, strimmers, pole saws and generators, which will be negatively affected by the use of E10 petrol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23329/23]
View answerThe regulations establishing a minimum 5.5% ethanol in petrol placed upon the market by renewable transport fuel obligation account holders were made on 1 April 2023. In making the regulations consideration was given to the responses received through a statutory consultation on the draft regulations, the impact on fuel prices, and other economic and environmental impacts.
Experience from jurisdictions where E10 and higher ethanol blends have been used widely for a prolonged period of time has not indicated issues of damage to petrol engines as a result of E10 use. Recent analysis published on the website of the US Department of Energy indicates no reliability or operability issues concerning E10, which has been in use in the US since the late 70s.
I understand that the AA has recently issued guidance assuring the use of E10, with advice for the maintenance and use of some older vehicles and equipment, including for use in petrol powered small equipment such as lawnmowers.
With regards continued availability of E5 in Ireland, the regulations will not prevent any independent or specialist fuel supplier from placing an E5 blend of petrol on the market, if sufficient demand exists. Teh new regulations mean that from 1 July, E5 supply will not be eligible for renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) certificates. It is evident from consultation with industry that the vast majority of suppliers do not have the storage or distribution systems to supply both an E5 and an E10 petrol grade at forecourts in Ireland.
The regulations will be kept under review within the context of the development and implementation of the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2023-2025 the draft of which remains open to consultation until 26 May.
21. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport the body that regulates courier companies; and where one goes when they have an issue with those companies. [23330/23]
View answerAccess to the occupation of road haulage operator is regulated by this Department. The Department of Transport's Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit issues licences to qualifying operators who wish to undertake road haulage for hire or reward. All hauliers operating Heavy Goods Vehicles must hold a Road Haulage Operator Licence. In addition, undertakings operating Light Commercial Vehicles for hire or reward internationally must also hold a licence. This cohort of licensed road haulage operators may include some courier companies.
In order to be granted a licence and continue to hold it, a number of requirements as set out in Regulation (EC) 1071/2009 must be met at all times, as follows:
Establishment: The operator must have a stable established premises in Ireland from which it conducts its operations.
Financial Standing: The operator must demonstrate an adequate level of financial standing as set out in the Regulation.
Good Repute: The operator must possess good repute and all relevant persons in the undertaking are subject to Garda vetting
Professional Competence: The operator must have a designated Transport Manager who holds the relevant Transport Management Certificate of Professional Competence.
Apart from the above, the Department does not have a role in regulating couriers in general. If there is an issue relating to the service provided by a specific courier, this may be best addressed via the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, or by taking a claim against the company to the Small Claims Court.
22. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to his Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23417/23]
View answerI can confirm below are the costs incurred by the Department of Transport in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 for cleaning services.
|
2021 |
|
|
Accent Soloutions |
164,414.84 |
|
Aardvark SMC Ltd T/A SMC Group |
1,747.90 |
|
Total |
166,162.74 |
|
2022 |
|
|
Accent Solutions |
207,416.91 |
|
William Needham T/A Everbright Window Cleaning |
11,066.25 |
|
Total |
218,483.16 |
|
2023 |
|
|
Allpro Security Services Ltd |
74,628.74 |
|
NOONAN Services Group Ltd |
8,033.08 |
|
Total |
82,661.82 |
23. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport when works will commence at a location (details supplied); and the estimated cost of this work. [23418/23]
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 Deputy's query regarding the installation of Anti- Slip Floor Mats at Howth Junction/Donaghmede Dart Station 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.
