Written Answers Nos. 182-191
182. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on a load line survey application for the Hebble Sand dredge ship in Drogheda and if a certificate or exemption has been issued; and if so, the expected date of removal of the ship from the River Boyne. [28906/23]
View answerThe decision to apply for a survey, and its timing, rests with the ship owner, who must then make the necessary arrangements to facilitate both safe access onboard and the MSO’s survey requirements.
The MSO does not have any enforcement powers to require the removal of the ship. Following the completion of any survey and the issue of a certificate any decision to leave the port is a matter for the shipowner, the Master and appropriate local authorities.
183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport how much of the active fund has been drawn down by local authorities overall, in 2022 and then in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [28970/23]
View answerAs 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 allocation of funding at project level and oversight of the delivery of these projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
184. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has any plans to install an EV charging point in Templemore, considering the closest charging point for electric vehicles in this town is in Roscrea, almost 20 km away, and these points often have queues for charging vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28974/23]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
In January, I launched the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.
A range of new destination charging infrastructure schemes are being developed this year which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme will also be launched by ZEVI for Local Authorities to provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home. In addition to this we will be working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years
ZEVI have held meetings with Tipperary County Council in recent weeks to engage with and to assist the Council to develop their EV Infrastructure strategies. This process is current and will include the provision of funding and guidelines to the authorities for strategy development, an element of which will relate to the formulation of suitable strategies for catering to the charging requirements across the county (including Templemore) and for those without access to their own charger (households without off-street charging capability and those living in Multi Unit Dwellings) in line with the National EV Infrastructure Strategy.
185. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance if an individual who paid €750 in private healthcare for a minor medical procedure can claim this payment back against their taxes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28961/23]
View answerI am informed by Revenue that section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for tax relief in respect of health expenses incurred for the provision of health care.
Section 469 defines health care as the prevention, diagnosis, alleviation or treatment of an ailment, an injury, an infirmity, a defect or a disability.
For the purposes of tax relief health expenses are expenses in respect of the provision of health care and may include the following:
• doctors’ and consultants’ fees;
• diagnostic procedures carried out on the advice of a practitioner;
• maintenance or treatment in a hospital or nursing home provided the expenses are necessarily incurred in association with the services of a practitioner or refer to diagnostic procedures carried out on the advice of a practitioner; and
• drugs or medicines prescribed by a practitioner.
A practitioner is defined in the section as "any person who is:
• registered in the register established under section 43 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007,
• registered in the register established under section 26 of the Dentists Act, 1985, or
• in relation to health care provided outside the State, entitled under the laws of the country in which the care is provided to practice medicine or dentistry there".
Taxpayers in receipt of PAYE income can claim relief on their health expenses in one of the following ways:
• in-year, using the Real-Time Credit facility; or
• after the end of the year, by completing an Income Tax Return.
Income tax registered customers can claim the tax relief on their Form 11 annual tax return.
Based on the limited information provided it is not clear if the required conditions for tax relief are met.
Depending on the individual's circumstances and provided the relevant conditions for the tax relief are met, an individual may be entitled to recoup some element of the cost of a procedure, if covered by private health insurance. In such circumstances, it would be the excess not recouped from the insurance provider that would qualify for tax relief.
Detailed guidance on qualifying health expenses (to include the claims process) is available on Revenue’s website, available at www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-15/15-01-12.pdf.
186. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance to clarify if the ‘net spending’ rule referenced in Stability Programme Update 2023 includes tax changes, for example, including any tax reducing measures within the quantum of spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29022/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Government first set out its medium-term framework for the public finances in the Summer Economic Statement in July 2021. This framework, which anchors net spending growth to the trend growth rate of the economy, set ‘core’ expenditure growth at 5 per cent over the period to 2025.
The spending rule is calibrated on the basis of ‘net’ spending i.e. spending net of discretionary taxation measures. Accordingly, the expenditure ceiling would be different – higher or lower – if the Government introduced discretionary tax changes.
This approach was calibrated to ensure that windfall revenues are not used to fund permanent expenditure commitments, while still allowing for continued investment in our public services and maintaining the very high levels of capital expenditure set out in the National Development Plan.
In the Summer Economic Statement 2022, in recognition of the far less benign inflationary environment, the spending rule was temporarily adapted to allow for a larger increase in expenditure as Government responded to the cost of living challenge.
Government will confirm the fiscal parameters for Budget 2024 in this year’s Summer Economic Statement, which will be published over the coming weeks.
187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to indicate based on scientific evidence available the full extent of climate change alleviation projects needed to address the issues of flooding throughout the country; the extent of his proposals to deal with the issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29043/23]
View answerIt is likely that climate change will have significant impacts on flooding and flood risk in Ireland due to rising sea levels, increased rainfall in winter, more heavy rain days and more intense storms. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has been preparing to adapt to these projected climate changes.
The National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme undertook detailed assessments of flooding and its impacts for 300 communities potentially at risk from flooding. These communities are home to approximately two-thirds of the population, and 80% of properties potentially at risk in Ireland from rivers and seas.
The evidence provided by the CFRAM Programme supports the Government’s €1.3bn planned investment to complete 151 flood relief schemes through the National Development Plan as part of Project 2040. Since the launch of the Flood Risk Management Plans in May 2018, the number of flood relief schemes under design and construction, by the OPW in partnership with Local Authorities, has trebled to some 98 schemes. Together with the 53 schemes already completed or substantially completed, this means that the OPW and Local Authorities have completed, or are now actively working on, projects to protect 80% of those properties to be protected in this decade.
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/.
The CFRAM Programme included an assessment of the flood risk that could arise in the future due to climate change. The two climate change scenarios adopted by the CFRAM are in line with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and national research, and include a sea level rise of up to 1 metre by the year 2100. These assessments are kept under continuous review by the OPW.
The OPW programme of flood relief schemes is taking account of climate change in their design and construction to facilitate adaptation that may be necessary in the future for the scheme to continue to provide protection.
As the lead agency with responsibility for Flood Risk Management, the OPW developed the Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan that was approved by Government in October 2019. The overall aim of the Plan is to promote sustainable communities and support our environment through the effective management of the potential impacts of climate change on flooding and flood risk.
To deliver on this goal, the OPW has identified the following adaptation objectives:
• Enhancing our knowledge and understanding of the potential impacts of climate change for flooding and flood risk management through research and assessment
• Adapting flood risk management practice to effectively manage the potential impact of climate change on future flood risk
• Aligning adaptation to the impact of climate change on flood risk and flood risk management across sectors and wider Government policy.
The OPW has identified a number of actions under each of these objectives, in the areas of flood risk prevention, protection, and preparedness and resilience, as well as in further research and capacity building. Current activities that are ongoing include a national risk assessment of future as well as current flood risk; pilot Scheme Adaptation Plans being prepared for both new and existing flood relief schemes; liaison with the Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs); and research into the impacts of climate change on short-duration, intense rainfall events and on fluvial flood flows.
The Government established an Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by the OPW and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is supported by a Technical Working Group. The Group will submit its scoping report to Government for its consideration shortly.
188. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW will help with an issue of erosion on a river (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28953/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and Flood Relief schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995 as amended. The area in question does not form part of an Arterial Drainage Scheme.
The problem of riverbank erosion is a matter for the Local Authority and/or the riparian owner concerned. Any proposed works or measures should be undertaken in consultation with the Local Authority, Inland Fisheries Ireland, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
189. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware that insurance companies are using incorrect maps in an area (details supplied); if he is aware that these incorrect maps, indicating a flood plain, are resulting in properties being denied flood cover; if there is a mechanism to ensure that these insurance companies are alerted to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28964/23]
View answerThe Department of Finance has overall responsibility for policy matters in relation to insurance, including flood insurance.
The Office of Public Works (OPW), through its Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, carried out the largest ever flood risk study in Ireland to date, which assessed 80% of properties at risk from Ireland’s main causes of flooding. The OPW Flood Maps, that show the flood risk for 300 communities, are a key output of the study together with 29 Flood Risk Management Plans, with the proposed flood relief measures to address the flood risk in each community.
The Flood Maps are available to the public at www.floodinfo.ie. However, it is important to note that they are community based maps. The maps were not designed to designate individual properties at risk. Therefore they do not show individual properties and they do not identify if a property close to an extent is, or is not, within an area at risk of flooding. The maps show the probable extent of flooding based on future projections.
The Disclaimer and Conditions for Use of OPW Flood Maps on www.floodinfo.ie includes a provision that users of the website must not use the Flood Maps, or any other content of the website for commercial purposes. As such, the Disclaimer prevents insurance companies from using the flood maps generated by the OPW. The insurance industry has its own flood modelling tools for assessing the level of risk that it is willing to underwrite in relation to individual properties. It has highlighted to the OPW that it does not use the OPW Flood Maps to inform its flood modelling. The decision on whether to offer insurance, the level of premiums charged and the policy terms applied are matters for individual insurers. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case-by-case basis. Consequently, the Government cannot interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as reinforced by the EU framework for insurance (Solvency II Directive).
The OPW has a role to assist insurance companies to take into account the protection provided by completed flood defence schemes. In this regard, the OPW has a Memorandum of Understanding with Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry. This Memorandum sets out principles of how the two organisations work together to ensure that appropriate and relevant information on these completed schemes is provided to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding. While the Memorandum does not guarantee the availability of flood insurance, Insurance Ireland members have committed to take into account all information provided by the OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within the protected areas.
Insurance Ireland, the representative body for insurance providers in this country, operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be contacted at 01 676 1914 or feedback@insuranceireland.eu. Similarly, Brokers Ireland, the representative body for insurance brokers in Ireland, has access to a wide range of providers and products, and can offer advice for customers when sourcing cover. Brokers Ireland can be reached at 01 661 3067. Furthermore, where an individual considers that they have been treated unfairly, they have the option of making a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO can be contacted either by email at info@fspo.ie or by telephone at 01 567 7000.
190. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the visitor numbers to each visitor attraction operated by the Office of Public Works for each month in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29000/23]
View answerThe 2022 visitor numbers to each heritage site managed by the OPW are shown in the following table. The visitor numbers include data from people-counters which provide data on either an annual or quarterly basis. It is, therefore, not possible to give a full breakdown of visitor numbers by month.
|
Site Name |
Total 2022 |
|
Altamont |
114,175 |
|
Anne's Grove |
6,811 |
|
Áras |
1,521 |
|
Ardfert Cathedral |
9,526 |
|
Athenry Castle |
12,534 |
|
Askeaton Castle |
799 |
|
Aughnanure Castle |
28,041 |
|
Ballyhack Castle |
Closed |
|
Barryscourt Castle |
Closed |
|
Battle of the Boyne/Oldbridge Est |
415,016 |
|
Blasket Visitor Centre and Viewing point |
43,348 |
|
Boyle Abbey |
6,425 |
|
Brú na Boinne (incl Newgrange & Knowth) |
109,439 |
|
Cahir Castle |
70,692 |
|
Carrowmore |
29,236 |
|
Casino Marino |
6,443 |
|
Castletown House & Parklands |
958,921 |
|
Céide Fields |
22,396 |
|
Charles Fort |
86,704 |
|
Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre |
11,430 |
|
Clonmacnoise |
94,677 |
|
Custom House |
14,976 |
|
Derrynane House and Parklands |
288,267 |
|
Desmond Castle |
Closed |
|
Desmond Hall (Desmond Castle Newcastle West) |
25,928 |
|
Doe Castle |
34,370 |
|
Doneraile Park |
485,000 |
|
Donegal Castle |
55,476 |
|
Dublin Castle |
371,858 |
|
Dún Aonghasa |
119,893 |
|
Dungarvan Castle |
9,768 |
|
Dunmore Cave |
Closed |
|
Durrow Abbey |
1,446 |
|
Emo Court - Parklands and House |
350,000 |
|
Ennis Friary |
11,032 |
|
Famine Warhouse |
600 |
|
Farmleigh Estate |
316,786 |
|
Ferns Castle |
5,138 |
|
Gallarus Castle |
19,591 |
|
Garinish Island |
63,027 |
|
Glebe House and Gallery |
39,337 |
|
Glendalough Visitor Centre & Monument |
335,853 |
|
Grianan of Aileach |
16,592 |
|
Hill of Tara VC and grnds |
169,488 |
|
J F Kennedy Arboretum |
137,419 |
|
Jerpoint Abbey |
20,938 |
|
Kells Priory |
29,121 |
|
Kilkenny Castle & Parklands |
1,418,171 |
|
Kilmacurragh Gardens |
139,960 |
|
Kilmainham Gaol |
254,768 |
|
Listowel |
8,847 |
|
Loughcrew |
14,286 |
|
Main Guard |
2,801 |
|
Maynooth Castle |
26,505 |
|
Mellifont Abbey |
26,256 |
|
National Botanic Gardens |
390,000 |
|
Newmills Corn and Flax Mills |
1,604 |
|
Ormond Castle |
4,791 |
|
Parke's Castle |
14,849 |
|
Pearse Museum |
17,759 |
|
Pearse's Cottage |
19,292 |
|
Phoenix Park Visitor Centre |
2,013,211 |
|
Portumna Castle |
33,527 |
|
Rathfarnham Castle |
9,713 |
|
Reginald's Tower |
27,910 |
|
Reginald's Tower - French Church |
1,533 |
|
Rock of Cashel |
278,803 |
|
Roscrea Heritage and grounds |
9,712 |
|
Ross Castle |
86,324 |
|
Scattery Island |
4,758 |
|
Skellig Michael |
14,197 |
|
Sligo Abbey |
27,367 |
|
St. Audoen's Church |
19,150 |
|
St. Marys Abbey |
Closed |
|
St. Mary's Church, Gowran |
1,311 |
|
Swiss Cottage |
31,353 |
|
Tintern Abbey |
18,121 |
|
Trim Castle |
110,913 |
|
Hore Abbey |
59,017 |
|
Dowth |
19,852 |
|
Rock of Dunamase |
45,215 |
|
Fota Arboretum & Gardens |
135,775 |
|
Blasket Island |
12,000 |
|
Arbour Hill Cemetery |
66,104 |
|
Grangegorman Military Cemetery |
20,904 |
|
Iveagh Gardens |
333,540 |
|
St Stephen's Green |
3,967,597 |
|
Irish National War Memorial Gardens |
459,097 |
|
Total |
15,096,931 |
191. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department is aware of or has sanctioned the use of poisons on land at Castletown Estate, Celbridge, where there are new signs that have never appeared before stating that a particular area of the lands (details supplied) where there are protected species of birds/wildlife, is poisoned; if his Department has ensured that legal pesticides were used and that the landowners are licensed and trained to lay poison on the land; if the records are appropriately maintained in line with pesticide regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29020/23]
View answerWe will respond directly to the Deputy.
