Written Answers Nos. 69-78
69. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he will instruct the National Transport Authority to reply to email communication (details supplied) regarding the proposed bus gate on Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin 6 under the plans for the Rathfarnham to City Centre Core Bus Corridor. [28770/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In both of those areas there have been significant developments since this Government came into office, with last year's publication of a new Sustainable Mobility Policy and its five-year action plan providing strong policy support to the continued expansion and enhancement of bus services. I am also delighted to say that this strong policy support has been backed up by increased levels of Exchequer funding, which is supporting the roll-out of initiatives such as BusConnects Dublin.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects Dublin. With regard to the specific scheme referred to by the Deputy, I have been informed by the NTA that the closing date for making submissions to An Bord Pleanála has been extended from 20th June 2023 to 15th August 2023.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
70. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport to ensure that the Bus Éireann Routes 236 and 237 incorporate a stop in Ballinhassig County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28809/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
71. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport if he was consulted regarding the announced increase in toll charges from 1 July 2023; if he intends to intervene in relation to the charges given the financial pressures experienced by households at the current time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28815/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the setting of tolls is a statutory function of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). As such, there is no formal consultative role for me as Minister in relation to tolls.
The "maximum toll" for each tolled scheme is set in accordance with the relevant scheme bye-laws, based on inflation. In the twelve month period used to calculate maximum tolls for 2023, inflation was obviously a significant issue. That was at the heart of the toll increases which were announced for the M50 and the eight PPP schemes in late 2022. Following this announcement, I directed that Departmental officials engage with TII to develop options that might allow for the suspension of the planned toll increases.
Following this direction, TII commenced engagement with all eight PPP companies and the suspension of these increases was agreed upon for a six month period until the end of June 2023. As this six-month period is coming to an end, the planned toll increases will come into effect in July 2023.
72. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) in County Clare who applied for a driving test 24 November 2022, will be given a date for a driving test; if the unacceptable delays at this test centre will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28863/23]
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.
The RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process, and consequently I understand that those who are eligible and have been waiting the longest are offered a test first.
I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is working closely with the Authority on addressing driver testing waiting times, which is an issue of great concern.
On the broader issue of delays, the service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which is up 28% on 2021 figures. This 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 has reviewed the capacity of the driver testing service to meet demand and following a request for additional resources in March 2023, my Department has given approval for the recruitment of up to 75 driver testers. This is in addition to the 30 testers who were previously sanctioned in July 2022 and which have been fully deployed since the end of March 2023. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to just over 200.
It is expected that once these additional 75 driver testers are recruited, trained, and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will start to reduce from October 2023 and agreed service levels should resume by early to mid-2024. The additional testers will be assigned to fill current vacancies and otherwise allocated to centres with the highest demand for tests. The recruitment process by the RSA is currently under way.
73. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a definition of cannabinoid products as they relate to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of 30 May 2023. [28659/23]
View answerRevenue has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs intended to be smuggled or illegally imported into, or exported from, the State. I am advised that cannabinoids are a diverse group of chemical compounds which can be extracted from the cannabis plant and formulated in to various products, including oils and edibles. Cannabinoids are a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, as amended, but are not defined under the act. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) states that a cannabinoid is defined as follows:
“any of various naturally occurring, biologically active, chemical constituents (such as cannabidiol or cannabinol) of hemp or cannabis including some (such as THC) that possess psychoactive properties.”
The most prominent cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly referred to as THC, which is responsible for the psychoactive effects commonly associated with cannabis use. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, resulting in the euphoric “high” experienced by its users, and is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. Another prominent cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD), which does not produce a psychoactive effect like THC. There are over 100 other known cannabinoids, such as cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC).
Synthetic cannabinoids are laboratory produced compounds designed to mimic the effects of naturally occurring cannabinoids. These synthetic versions are created by altering the chemical structure of the cannabinoids or by developing new compounds that interact with the same receptors in the brain.
I am advised by Revenue that the breakdown of cannabinoid products provided for in response in PQ 214 of 30 May 2023, relate specifically to cannabis edibles, given the context of the question posed.
74. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 229 of 23 May 2023, the average VRT band, and the average emissions from the average car registered in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 for internal combustion engine vehicles only, that is, excluding electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28675/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the average emissions from category A vehicles registered (new and used) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to the end of March 2023 and the VRT band associated with these averages are provided in the table below. These figures relate to internal combustion engine vehicles only. Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and Electric vehicles are excluded.
|
Year |
Average emissions (CO2 g/km) |
Associated Band / (CO2 g/km) |
|
Jan- Mar 2023 |
133.8 |
Band 13 (130 – 135) |
|
2022 |
138.9 |
Band 14 (135 – 140) |
|
2021 |
141.2 |
Band 15 (140 – 145) |
|
2020* |
118.3 |
A04 (111 – 120) |
*Prior to 2021 a different CO2 emissions reference system was in place and therefore the figures and bands are not directly comparable with later years.
75. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that recommendations 7 and 8 from the Film Tax Credit Report from the Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight will be implemented in order to ensure that actors and performers have their copyrights afforded proper protection in line with national and European law. [28831/23]
View answerI am aware of the recommendations made by the Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight as part of its recent examination of the section 481 film tax credit.
In relation to the intellectual property rights of actors and performers, I would note that copyright law falls within the remit of the Department of the Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Notwithstanding this, my officials have engaged with the stakeholders concerned, including representative bodies for actors and performers, to gain an understanding of issues of concern.
Copyright is relevant for many workers in the film sector, including authors, producers and broadcasters in addition to actors, and I have been informed that Screen Ireland has engaged an independent facilitator to meet with key stakeholders to understand the various perspectives of those concerned. Individual stakeholder meetings were held over an eight-week period in March and April of this year and the next phase will progress to group discussions. I look forward to the outputs from this process.
It worth noting that copyright legislation applies regardless of whether it is referenced as part of the application process for section 481 or not. Referencing the legislation as part section of 481 would not afford actors and performers any additional layer of legal protection than they already have under the relevant copyright legislation in its current form.
If there are issues with copyright law as it currently applies, as stated, this is a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
76. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider expanding the rental tax credit for families who pay rent on multiple properties, allowing them to claim a credit for each property, particularly in cases of families who are paying for student accommodation for 3rd level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28832/23]
View answerThe Rent Tax Credit, as provided for in section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, was introduced by Finance Act 2022 and may be claimed in respect of qualifying rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025. The credit is, subject to a number of conditions, broadly available in the following three circumstances:
1. where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of a residential property which he or she uses as his or her principal private residence;
2. where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of a residential property which he or she uses to facilitate his or her attendance at or participation in his or her employment, office holding, trade, profession or an approved course; and
3. where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of a residential property which his or her child uses to facilitate his or her child’s attendance at or participation in an approved course.
Where the claimant could claim the Rent Tax Credit in respect of two or more tenancies (for example, in respect of rent they pay for their own principal private residence and also in respect of the student accommodation in which their child resides), the maximum credit due to him or her will be capped at €500, or €1,000 in the case of a jointly assessed claimant.
In designing tax reliefs, there is always a balance to be struck between providing support to as many people as possible consistent with the overall policy intention behind the measure and ensuring that there is an appropriate degree of control in the management of limited Exchequer resources.
The operation of the Rent Tax Credit will be closely monitored by my Department in conjunction with Revenue in the coming months and the question of whether any further adjustments are needed will be considered in the context of the Budget and Finance Bill process.
Further details in relation to the Rent Tax Credit can be found on Revenue’s website at
www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/rent-credit/index.aspx.
77. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the cost of flood protection works carried out by the Office of Public Works in the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28724/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for leading and coordinating the implementation of localised flood relief schemes to protect Ireland against significant flood risk from rivers and the sea. Since 2018, the Government has committed €1.3bn, to 2030, to deliver some 150 additional flood relief schemes identified as part of the OPW’s Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. A partnership between the OPW and Local Authorities throughout the country has allowed Ireland to treble, to 98, the number of flood relief schemes currently at design, development and construction stages.
The table below provides the total expenditure by year incurred by OPW flood risk management for the years 2018 to 2022.
|
YEAR |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
TOTAL EXPENDITURE |
€64.6m |
€58.2m |
€63.2m |
€55.6m |
€54.6m |
The status of all ongoing flood relief schemes is available at www.floodinfo.ie/.
Information is also available on the aforementioned website in relation to the completed schemes that are providing protection to over 12,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €1.9 billion.
78. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the details of planned flood protection works to be carried out by the Office of Public Works in the next five years; the costs associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28725/23]
View answerIn 2018, to establish those communities that are at risk from significant flood events, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State: the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme studied 80% of Ireland’s primary flood risk and identified solutions that can protect over 95% of that risk. Some 150 additional flood relief schemes were identified through this Programme.
The Irish Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of these flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021- 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with local authorities throughout the country, to treble the number of schemes at design, planning and construction to some 98 schemes at this time. Details of these ongoing schemes are available from the website address provided below.
The implementation of flood relief projects is a very complex process with significant challenges and opportunities to deliver added value beyond the core objective of the project. Designing a technical solution, ensuring a robust approach to the environmental assessments, and meeting other regulatory requirements are essential to both inform the best scheme and to reduce the risk of challenges to a proposed scheme.
In addition to the schemes already underway, under the national programme of investment, work has yet to commence on some 50 Tranche II schemes. The OPW is keen to agree a planned national approach to future schemes that matches return on investment from the available capacity between the local authorities and OPW.
In Spring 2023, senior managers in OPW’s Flood Risk Management team met and discussed with Director of Services of local authorities the experiences and challenges with delivering the flood relief schemes at design, planning and construction. The discussion also considered the opportunities to improve efficiencies and timelines with delivering the next round of schemes.
Arising from and informed by these meetings, on 2 May 2023, I announced that the OPW is piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes in counties Donegal and Kilkenny. The Pilot will better inform the prioritisation of future schemes and the scope of services required from consultants to design and construct flood relief schemes.
In addition to the flood relief schemes noted above, the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme provides funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation or coastal protection works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. This scheme provides 90% funding to local authorities to manage localised flood risk. This scheme can provide temporary measures for at-risk communities pending the delivery of a major flood relief scheme for their area.
Information on the status of flood relief schemes and data on Minor Works is available at www.floodinfo.ie/.
