Written Answers Nos. 263-276
263. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he will indicate the total number of new public chargers installed by the ESB and by local authorities over the past four years; their overall power capacity; and how this compares for the target which he believes will be required by 2025 [35270/23]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years.
In July 2022, I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. A suite of new grants and initiatives have been launched and further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
In January this year, 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.
Power required by 2025
The Strategy seeks to increase the country’s Publicly Accessible Charging capacity by close to 300% by 2025. In addition, we will ensure charging infrastructure is available on the Ten-T network and nationwide including remote areas and areas that will have high seasonal attractions. There are now many charge point operators active in the Irish market and there is evidence that there are a growing number of charge points being delivered that are both publicly accessible and at destinations such as hotels where charging would be available to their clients.
ZEVI funded chargers
ZEVI has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland. A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
Destination Charging is a strong priority this year. In addition to a general scheme to be launched in Q4, a number of bespoke schemes are also in advanced stages of development, including
• A Shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which is expected to install up to 200 fast chargers
• An EU Just transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers
These circa 300 sites, in addition to those under other destination schemes currently planned will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
ZEVI is also working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme will also be launched 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.
ZEVI is also working closely with other stakeholders in the development of a national delivery plan for en-route charging later this year.
Commercially funded chargers
In addition to schemes directly launched by ZEVI, there is a strong growth in the provision of private sector charging projects which aim to facilitate charging at all levels, from destination and residential to ultra-rapid and high-powered charging, such as is required along major routes and for heavy duty vehicles.
With an investment of €10 from the Climate Action Fund and a matching €10M from ESB, ESB ecars are rolling out fast charging hubs and fast charge points across the country. Their program is as follows:
• 50 charging “hubs” throughout Ireland which can charge between 3-8 vehicles simultaneously, 23 of which have been delivered
• Replacing 50 existing standard chargers with fast chargers, 40 of which have been delivered
• Replacement of over 200 other standard to increase reliability of service
Current position
There are approximately 2,100 charge points in Ireland. The Department of Transport does not yet hold exact numbers of public EV charging points in Ireland in particular locations, as these are owned and operated by private chargepoint operators. Once Local Authorities' EV infrastructure strategies are complete, the Department will have an accurate statement of charge points per county.
As the Deputy's question relates to ESB eCars charge points specifically, I have forwarded your question to ESB eCars for direct reply. Please contact my office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
Since 2019, ESB has been working on the upgrading of our sites with the latest technology and bringing High Power Charging hubs across Ireland. We have to date upgraded
• 250 AC stations providing 500, 22kW Charging Outlets
• Upgraded 42 existing AC sites with Fast Charging, these are 50KW DC and 22kW AC or in more recent sites, 100kW Fast charging with simultaneous fast charging of two EVs
• 30 Sites with High Power / Fast Charging Hubs facilitating up to 3 EV simultaneous charging at a rate of 150kW to 50kW
• 2 Sites with High Power / Fast Charging Hubs facilitating up to 4 EV simultaneous charging at a rate of 150kW
• 2 Sites with High Power / Fast Charging Hubs facilitating up to 8 EV simultaneous charging at a rate of 300kW to 150kW
264. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport to update on progress to the consultation with the Data Protection Commissioner about issuing a direction under section 8 of the Road Safety Act 2006 to allow for the flow of collision reports. [35278/23]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority is responsible for providing several essential services, including the provision of driver testing, and the promotion of road safety through education and public awareness campaigns. The RSA is the body with statutory responsibility for preparing our National Road Safety Strategies. As the RSA is a centre of expertise nationally on road safety, and provides advice to the Department as well as to other relevant agencies, it is essential for the RSA to be able to conduct research and analysis, and provide data to relevant bodies such as Local Authorities, and An Garda Síochána.
In order to perform its functions, it is essential that the RSA has a legal basis behind the sharing of data. Collision data is required to enable Local Authorities target funding appropriately, for example providing funding to accident blackspots. The RSA receive collision data from An Garda Síochána.
A review into the basis for sharing of data by the RSA has been underway. The issue will therefore have to be resolved in a way which enables the RSA to gather all the data it needs, and to ensure that it can share necessary information with other relevant bodies.
My Department is engaging with the Data Protection Commissioner, the RSA, and An Garda Síochána on this matter with a view to resolving the issues as soon as possible.
265. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport what the specific benefit-in-kind payments within Bus Éireann relate to (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35381/23]
View answerAs 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 raised by the deputy in relation specific benefit-in-kind payments within Bus Éireann is an operational matter for Bus Éireann.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
266. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide clarity on six points concerning data provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35408/23]
View answerAs 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 issues raised by the deputy is an operational matter for Dublin Bus.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
267. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the waiting lists for driver tests, by test centre, in tabular form. [35432/23]
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 the 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.
268. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he can seek further details on whether the BIK payments for both vehicles and health in a company (details supplied) were paid for by the employee or if it was in addition as part of the employment contract and added into their total remuneration; if he will provide more details on health payments of nearly €12,000 per annum; what this relates to at such a high cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35463/23]
View answerFollowing my 5 July reply in relation to PQ 33062/23, information on The Shannon Airport Group as requested by the deputy is outlined below.
Benefit in Kind
The payment of benefit in kind for vehicle and health insurance is a matter for the employee. The CEO of The Shannon Airport Group discharges benefit in kind personally.
Health Insurance
In reference to the request for clarification on details of the amounts paid to the CEO, Health Insurance for The Shannon Airport Group CEO in the following amounts were paid: €9,701 (2020), € 11,759 (2021), €11,148 (2022) and €11,140 (2023).
269. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport the number of cruise liners that have visited each port in Ireland in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35475/23]
View answerThe number of cruise ships that have visited and berthed at individual ports in Ireland in the last ten years is set out in the following table:
|
Irish Ports |
Statistic |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2022 |
|
Bantry Bay |
Cruise Ships Visits |
6 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
9 |
11 |
9 |
|
Castletownbere |
Cruise Ships Visits |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
Cruise Ships Visits |
6 |
4 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
3 |
6 |
65 |
|
Dublin |
Cruise Ships Visits |
100 |
86 |
93 |
109 |
127 |
150 |
158 |
23 |
|
Shannon Foynes |
Cruise Ships Visits |
4 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
Galway |
Cruise Ships Visits |
5 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
9 |
10 |
14 |
|
Killybegs |
Cruise Ships Visits |
6 |
10 |
9 |
13 |
12 |
15 |
11 |
21 |
|
Cork |
Cruise Ships Visits |
64 |
52 |
57 |
57 |
68 |
93 |
100 |
81 |
|
Tralee Fenit |
Cruise Ships Visits |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
Cruise Ships Visits |
19 |
16 |
18 |
14 |
12 |
18 |
17 |
24 |
There was a complete cessation of cruise visits to Ireland in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Further statistics in relation to cruise are available on the CSO website at: data.cso.ie/.
Cruise visits to ports are a day-to-day operational matter for the individual port companies, with commercial arrangements being made directly between the port company and the cruise company. Enquiries in relation to whether a port can accommodate a particular cruise ship visit must be made directly by the cruise company to the individual port concerned.
The schedules for upcoming cruise visits are published on the individual port websites.
270. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport to outline the internships, apprenticeships and graduate schemes run by his Department and public bodies under the aegis of his Department. [35495/23]
View answerMy Department facilitates internships for 3rd level students, upon request from third level institutes.
In 2022 my Department launched a Transition Year Program. The aim of the programme is to engage and educate students about the workings of the Irish Civil Service, allowing them to gain valuable insights into the various career opportunities, roles and functions within the service and our department. By offering work experience placements, we aim to inspire and empower the next generation to consider careers in the public service while also building strong relationships with our local communities.
My Department will be engaging and partaking in the Public Service Apprenticeship Recruitment Plan and has provided observations on the Action Plan being developed by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
My Department does not currently run any schemes for internships, apprenticeships and graduates.
I have asked the aegis bodies to respond directly to you on this matter and if you do not hear from them within 10 days you should contact my office.
271. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 5 July 2023 and the details provided in respect of the IAA and Irish Air Navigation, if he can provide clarity on matters (details supplied). [35521/23]
View answerFollowing my 5 July reply in relation to PQ 33062/23, information on IAA and IANS as requested by the deputy is outlined below.
IAA reply
Covid deductions
In 2021, in response to COVID-19, staff salaries above a certain threshold were reduced. In response to a recommendation of the Internal Disputes Resolution Board, and approved by the AirNav Ireland Board, a lump sum payment, equivalent to the deducted amount in 2021 of €19,340, is expected to be paid in 2023, consistent with all other employees whose pay was reduced in 2021.
Benefit in Kind
The original market value of the company car, leased in 2019, is €49,721. BIK is calculated at 30% of the value of the car for the purposes of CEO remuneration disclosures, namely €14,916 per annum.
In the norm, BIK, in this case the private use of a company car, is subject to payroll taxes (PAYE, PRSI and USC). Because the CEO has an electric vehicle with an original cost below the Revenue approved exemption threshold of €50,000, there was no assessment to BIK taxes in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Therefore, no payroll taxes were paid by the CEO in respect of his company car in those years. In 2023, the Revenue approved exemption threshold was amended to €45,000. As this was below the original cost of the vehicle by €4,721, the taxable benefit in 2023 to the CEO has been assessed as €1,062 (€4,721 x 22.5%).
The taxable benefit of €1,062 will be subject to payroll taxes which will be deducted from the CEO’s salary.
IANS reply
Covid deductions
In 2021, in response to COVID-19, staff salaries above a certain threshold were reduced by 9.75% in January to November. In response to a recommendation of the Internal Disputes Resolution Board, subject to approval by the IAA Board, a lump sum payment, equivalent to the deducted amount in 2021 is expected to be paid in 2023 to all employees whose pay was reduced in 2021. This will apply to the new IAA Chief Executive of IAA post vesting who was an employee at the time.
Benefit in Kind
Not applicable to new Chief Executive IAA post vesting.
272. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 5 July 2023, if he can provide further clarity and a breakdown on the requested information (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35585/23]
View answerFollowing my 5 July reply in relation to PQ 33062/23, information on the daa as requested by the deputy is outlined below.
Other’ payment
This related to payment of c.26 days annual leave (6 days carried forward from 2021 and 20 days for 2022). The majority of the balance was accrued during 2022 when the CEO was unable to take leave given the challenges being faced by the business at Dublin Airport throughout 2022.
Bik medical
This relates to a benefit paid for by daa as part of the CEO’s contractual entitlement. The payment is classified as a Benefit in Kind and the CEO paid all required employment taxes associated with this benefit.
Bik car
The value of €35K p.a. relates to the amount calculated per Revenue guidelines in determining the annual value upon which the recipient of a company car should pay Benefit in Kind. The CEO paid all relevant employment taxes based on the value calculated. The vehicle purchased by daa in 2019 and upon which the calculations are based was a Range Rover.
273. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if the Government will reduce taxation on hydrotreated vegetable oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35176/23]
View answerThe Department of Transport has responsibility for the obligation on suppliers of road transport fuel to include a certain percentage renewable transport fuel in that supply, including HVO used in road transport.
Supporting the supply of renewable energy in transport, the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2023-2025 published by the Department of Transport sets out the pathway to the achievement of Climate Action Plan targets; biofuel targets of E10 (Ethanol) in petrol and B20 (biodiesel equivalent) in diesel by 2030. This will support our EU obligations under the Renewable Energy Directives and Fuel Quality Directive.
Furthermore, the Department of Transport made regulations on the 31 March 2023 to authorise the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) to issue additional Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) certificates for specified renewable transport fuels, including HVO, to incentivise their supply.
Vegetable oil from oilseed rape could be used as a feedstock for the production of HVO. The Department of Agriculture, Food, and Marine (DAFM) inform me the production of oilseed rape is supported through various measure under the EU Common Agricultural Policy and that they (DAFM) also invest significant resources in the trialling of oilseed rape varieties to identify superior varieties under Irish conditions which will ultimately contribute to increased profitability at farm level.
274. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance the number of renters availing of the renter's tax credit in 2022 and to date in 2023, with a breakdown by county and an average credit paid in each county. [35359/23]
View answerThe Rent Tax Credit, as provided for in section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997), was introduced by the Finance Act 2022 and may be claimed in respect of qualifying rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025.
I am advised by Revenue that the Rent Tax Credit statistics currently available refer only to claims by PAYE taxpayers for the 2022 tax year and the 2023 tax year to-date. Data on claims by self-assessed taxpayers is not yet available as these taxpayers’ returns are generally submitted later in the year. The statutory filing date for the 2022 tax return for self-assessed taxpayers is 31 October 2023.
Claims in respect of the 2022 year of assessment can be made by PAYE taxpayers by submitting an Income Tax return for that year. For claims relating to 2023, PAYE taxpayers have the option of claiming the rent tax credit due to them either as rent is incurred or at the end of the year through their Income Tax return. Due to the manner in which current year claims are made, I am advised by Revenue that data on average claim amounts made with respect to the tax year 2023 are not yet available.
Rent Tax Credit claims made are on a ‘taxpayer unit’ basis. A taxpayer unit is either an individual with any personal status who is singly assessed or a couple in a marriage or civil partnership who have elected for joint assessment.
I am further advised that over 266,120 Rent Tax Credit claims have been made by 238,066 taxpayer units up to and including 9 July 2023, consisting of:
(i) 197,435 taxpayer units that made claims for 2022 only,
(ii) 28,054 taxpayer units that made claims for both 2022 and 2023, and
(iii) 12,577 taxpayer units that made claims for 2023 only.
Data for claims relating to PAYE taxpayers for 2022, including the average paid in each county for claims in respect of 2022, are set out by county in the table below.
|
County |
Number of Taxpayer Units claiming in respect of 2022 up to 9 July 2023 |
Average Value of Claim in respect of 2022 made up to 9 July 2023 |
|
Carlow |
2,038 |
571 |
|
Cavan |
1,799 |
593 |
|
Clare |
2,750 |
575 |
|
Cork |
25,706 |
558 |
|
Donegal |
2,787 |
583 |
|
Dublin |
107,054 |
545 |
|
Galway |
16,386 |
546 |
|
Kerry |
3,350 |
566 |
|
Kildare |
7,911 |
578 |
|
Kilkenny |
2,338 |
569 |
|
Laois |
1,732 |
579 |
|
Leitrim |
729 |
560 |
|
Limerick |
11,098 |
565 |
|
Longford |
1,288 |
580 |
|
Louth |
2,944 |
574 |
|
Mayo |
3,176 |
566 |
|
Meath |
4,032 |
586 |
|
Monaghan |
1,495 |
568 |
|
Offaly |
1,796 |
581 |
|
Roscommon |
1,447 |
582 |
|
Sligo |
2,639 |
551 |
|
Tipperary |
3,804 |
575 |
|
Waterford |
4,309 |
560 |
|
Westmeath |
3,268 |
589 |
|
Wexford |
3,493 |
584 |
|
Wicklow |
2,652 |
590 |
|
Not yet available |
3,468 |
554 |
|
Total |
225,489 |
- |
275. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance how many landlords have availed of the tax credit to retrofit their rental properties in 2022, q1 2023 and in q2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35402/23]
View answerA new tax incentive was introduced in Finance Act 2022 for small-scale landlords who undertake retrofitting works while the tenant remains in situ, which has the aim of attracting and retaining small-scale landlords in the private rental sector. This measure is provided for in section 97B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
The provision is intended to provide for a deduction of certain retrofitting expenses incurred by landlords on rented residential properties in calculating their Case V rental profits. The expenses that qualify for deduction are those in respect of which the landlord has received a home energy grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It should be noted that the expenses incurred must be in respect of the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025. Furthermore, the maximum amount of tax deduction that can be claimed is the lesser of the qualifying expenditure incurred or €10,000 and a landlord is only entitled to claim the relief on a maximum of two of his/her rental properties.
The deduction operates in the same manner as any other permitted rental deductions. However, unlike other rental expenses, it will not be deducted for the year in which it is incurred. Instead, the deduction will be claimed against the rental income of the year following that in which the expense was incurred. For example, expenses incurred on retrofitting works in 2023 should be included in calculating rental profits for 2024 and may be claimed by a landlord on their income tax return for that year. As such, relief under this measure will be claimed for the first time in 2025, in respect of the 2024 tax year.
Income tax returns for 2024 are not due until Q4 2025 and as such, Revenue has advised me that it is not currently possible to provide information on the take-up of the deduction for retrofitting expenditure.
276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of winnings from prize bonds in the past twelve months; the extent to which this corresponds with the previous twelve-month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35557/23]
View answerI am advised by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) who manage State Savings that the below table shows both the total amount of Prize Bond winnings from a monetary and volume perspective from July 2021 to June 2022, and from July 2022 to June 2023.
|
- |
€ prizes |
# prizes |
|
July 2021 – June 2022 |
15,382,250.00 |
225,137 |
|
July 2022 – June 2023 |
16,696,450.00 |
250,142 |
