Written Answers Nos. 121-134
121. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any progress has been made in securing payment for those who were connected to the microgeneration pilot scheme (2009 – 2014) who are continuing to export excess electricity back into the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41661/23]
View answerI understand that during the lifetime of this Microgeneration pilot scheme, ESB Networks (ESBN) collected export data for 907 Meter Point Registration Numbers (MPRNs). During the pilot, data from import/export meters from those MPRNs were provided to suppliers.
However, in order to facilitate and support the new Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff scheme developed by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in line with the requirements of the recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) and the Renewable Energy Regulations 2022 (SI 76 of 2022); ESBN worked with industry stakeholders via the Microgeneration Working Group to develop a new Interim Retail Market Microgeneration (IRMM) solution, which was required to facilitate the remuneration of renewables self-consumers for their excess exported electricity .
As part of this, the legacy microgeneration pilot scheme was transitioned to be consistent with the IRMM solution and a decision was made by CRU that metered export data from the 2009 pilot scheme import/export meters, could no longer be provided to suppliers for the purposes of the CEG.
Details on those participants of the initial scheme who are now being paid based on either deemed export or validated smart meter export data, are a matter for each individual and their electricity supplier; and are not publicly available.
122. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the health services provided to members of the Defence Forces includes covering the cost of getting a second medical opinion if requested by the patient or the doctor, should the need arise; if Defence Forces personnel will be given the option of a free eye test under the PRSI scheme should they have the contributions rather than the military optician; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41039/23]
View answerThe military authorities advise that all decisions relating to referrals for medical opinions of personnel are based on clinical requirements and the medical facts of individual cases. Personnel may elect to undertake an eye test under the PRSI scheme where their contribution class and history permit.
123. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Bills prepared by his Department in the 33rd Dáil to date; the number and title of those Bills that included a Regulatory Impact Assessment; the title of the RIAs published by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41585/23]
View answerBills from my Department are drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on foot of a general scheme prepared by the Department which has been approved by Government.
Since the commencement of the 33rd Dáil to-date my Department has published one Bill entitled the ‘Civil Defence Bill 2023’. The Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) associated with this Bill was entitled 'Civil Defence Bill 2022 - Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA)'. The Civil Defence Act 2023 was signed by the President on the 26th June 2023.
Two other Bills published prior to the commencement of the 33rd Dáil, were also enacted during the 33rd Dáil, namely the Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 and the Defence Forces (Forensic Evidence) Act 2022. As the legislation in both cases focuses on the Defence Forces only and does not apply to the ordinary citizen or to business generally it was considered that formal RIA's were not required. Notwithstanding this, my Department applies the principles set out in the RIA Guidelines issued by the Department of the Taoiseach where appropriate.
My Department is currently progressing the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023.
124. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport his views on the analysis of the breakdown of underspend by the Department of Transport contained in the fiscal monitor report of August 2023, conducted by the Parliamentary Budget Office (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41264/23]
View answerDeputy,
The analysis of the breakdown of spend by my Department contained in the fiscal monitor report of August 2023, conducted by the Parliamentary Budget Office accurately reflects the Departments status at the end of August 2023.
Reasons for expenditure occurring in quarters other than originally anticipated include:
1. The contract award for the signalling element of the Cork Commuter Rail project was signed on 30th June, delaying payment by circa two months.
2. Some work at Colbert station was briefly postponed resulting in an underspend in the first half of the year. The 2023 activity was reprofiled for the similar overall total, with timings changed for key construction components to Q3 and early Q4.
3. A second milestone payment for DART+ fleet is due in Q3 to bring expenditure back on profile.
4. Expected Kishoge station works deferred for a short period.
5. New Regional Commuter and BusConnects fleet was received in May and are under inspection prior to acceptance. Another bus acquisition will be made later this year and a major payment is expected to be processed at the end of Q4.
I expect expenditure to return profile over the remaining months of 2023.
125. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport for a breakdown, figures and details of semi-State CEO remuneration and benefit details, broken down under five specific headings (details supplied) for each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [41556/23]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my previous replies to him in July 2023, in relation to remuneration and benefits for CEOs of agencies under the aegis of the Department of Transport, where most of the information requested has already been provided.
As the information requested by the Deputy is retained by the agencies, for completeness I have referred your question to them for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
126. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport the average wait times for driving tests in eight testing centres (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40959/23]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driving Test service. Consequently, the detailed information for each test centre requested is held by them.
I have referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
127. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport with regard to Kerry Airport which is vital to Kerry tourism, and where we urgently need more flights to Kerry airport to connect other parts of the EU; if there any plans in the near future to ensure this would happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41003/23]
View answerGovernment recognises the important role regional airports play in their areas and in regional development. As such, Kerry Airport has received almost €20 million in exchequer support under the Regional Airports Programme over the past 10 years. This support is targeted at safety and security related operations and activities to ensure the airport remains regulatorily compliant. In turn, this best ensures that there are no associated regulatory impediments to the operation of scheduled air services.
While passenger numbers at Kerry Airport were significantly impacted due to COVID-19, a 96% recovery was seen last year. Current passenger forecasts are for an even stronger than expected recovery, with 2023 levels tracking ahead of 2019.
However, the operation of any scheduled air service is a commercial decision for airlines, in consultation with airports and other market actors, based on commercial viability and other operational factors, and I have no role in such commercial decisions.
128. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on additional funding being made available for Connecting Ireland to ensure that as passenger numbers are growing on our public transport services, capacity is being optimised through additional service provision, as evidenced by the oversubscription on the 874 route from Hacketstown to Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41011/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local Link services, delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that funding for TFI Local Link services in rural areas has increased from €12 million in 2016 to €43 million in 2023. The funding allocation for the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services is €10 million in 2023. This has provided for the recently introduced Town services in Carlow. I am currently in discussions with Cabinet colleagues regarding funding for public transport services next year, including for Connecting Ireland, which will be announced as part of Budget 2024.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of new services, including in County Carlow, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you regarding route 874. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
129. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Transport the reason that people are being turned away on bus services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41032/23]
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of those services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.Further, the bus services referred to by the Deputy are commercial bus services and as such responsibility for the operation of those services is a matter for the company.As the NTA is also the licensing authority for the commercial bus sector, I have also forwarded the Deputy's question, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
130. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the waiting time for NCT tests in each test centre in September 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; the waiting time for those on the priority list in each test centre in September 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will report on his representations to the National Car Testing Service in relation to long waiting times in certain areas. [41041/23]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response with the information requested has not been received within ten days.
Department officials were meeting with the RSA on a weekly basis for much of the last year. The improvements in the NCT service to date mean that such regular meetings are no longer necessary. However, the Department continues to work closely with the RSA on NCT provision and the RSA continues to provide weekly updates. Monthly meetings will continue as part of RSA governance, and where pressing issues arise, meetings will be held promptly and urgently.
131. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport whether public service bodies who have outreach services delivered by employees using their personal cars are obliged to count the carbon impact of these journeys in their carbon impact; whether there are initiatives in place to facilitate the switch of this necessary mileage to electric vehicles; if there is a role for a centralised scheme to promote such shifts across the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41053/23]
View answerPublic sector energy performance is reported on and published in the Annual Report on Public Sector Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency Performance. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manage the reporting process on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The 2022 report is available at www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/public-sector/monitoring-and-reporting/public-sector-results/.
As set out in that Report, the energy consumption associated with business travel is not within the scope of the 2030 energy efficiency target or the 2030 emissions targets. However, public bodies are obliged to report annual data on business travel to SEAI for the years 2021 onwards. Business travel occurs when people travel from one place of work to another place of work as part of their work duties. In the context of Public Sector emissions, Climate Action Plan 2023 included Action PS/23/3, led by the SEAI, to develop a standardised approach for scope 3 measurement and reporting leading to an agreed approach for monitoring GHG emissions and wider climate action.
Arrangements applying to motor mileage rates for civil servants are a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Circular 16/2022: Revised Motor Travel Rates sets out the revised motor travel rates effective 01 September 2022 and takes account of Action 59 of the Climate Action Plan 2021 (CAP 21) to “Devise and agree revised mileage rates structure that reflects changing driving patterns including increased used of EVs and hybrids” . Under the revised Circular a dedicated rate is introduced for Electric Vehicles (EVs).
With a target of 4.74MT CO2 abatement by 2030, fleet electrification in transport is the single biggest policy lever within the Climate Action Plan. The vast majority of this abatement (4.19MT) comes from private and commercial vehicles. The programme of work to deliver this fleet electrification and abatement is managed and co-ordinated by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), an Office within the Department of Transport. Much of the investment in the switch to electric transport will come from the private sector. However given the very high ambition of national targets, Government intervention and supports will be essential to deliver the 2030 target of 4.19MT reduction in CO2 – this reduction in emissions will happen naturally in a business as usual model, but not until at least 2035 without additional Government action.
The private transport electrification programme (decarbonisation) has a budget allocation under the NDP of just under €1bn to 2030.
Current financial supports from ZEVI, and where applicable with support from the Department of Finance, for the transition to electric vehicles and for the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure include:
• A purchase grant for battery electric vehicles of up to €3,500 (BEVs);
• A Home Charger purchase grant scheme - up to €600;
• VRT relief of up to €5,000 for the purchase of BEVs;
• Benefit-in-Kind tax relief for battery electric vehicles;
• eSPSV grant scheme – a grant for taxi drivers to make the switch to an EV;
• AFHDV grant scheme – a grant for HDVs to bridge the gap between a zero emission vehicle and a fossil fuel vehicle;
• Low rate of annual motor tax; and
• Tolling reductions of 50% for battery electric vehicles and 25% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
The table below shows the number of EV sales (in absolute terms, and as a proportion of overall car sales) since 2019. As part of stakeholder engagement, a targeted campaign to support uptake and achievement of electric vehicles targets is being progressed for wider release in Q4 this year.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 (May) |
|
Total EV |
4,788 |
6,505 |
16,537 |
23,356 |
19,603 |
|
% of Total Market |
4.1% |
7.4% |
15.8% |
22.2% |
25.8% |
Looking beyond measures to incentivise the transition to electric vehicles, the Public Sector Climate Action Strategy 2023 – 2025 (available at www.gov.ie/pdf/ file=assets.gov.ie/255652/721b0c02-ab0d-4c6d-8bfc-14f9cc5085c4.pdf#page=null ) requires public sector bodies to actively encourage the use of sustainable transport modes for essential business-related trips, and to seek to acquire the National Transport Authority’s Smarter Travel Mark, which requires organisations to demonstrate robust communications, policies, facilities, incentives and supports in favour of sustainable business travel.
132. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority will sanction additional capacity on a bus route in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41056/23]
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
133. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport what procedures are in place to ensure that people living in apartments and duplexes in estates with management companies can have a charging point installed at their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41077/23]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. The new national charging infrastructure strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the period out to 2025 was published in January this year.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well assists in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
There are a number of ZEVI initiatives under development and in place which will help facilitate charging for those without a driveway or dedicated charger, including the Apartment Charging Grant. This grant is for dwellings which do not have access to a driveway such as apartments, duplexes and mixed developments. Management companies can apply for up to 80% funding for infrastructure costs when installing an EV charging system in multi-unit residences. Further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland and how to apply for the apartment charging grant is available at www.gov.ie/zevi .
I am pleased to note that since the apartment charging scheme opened, there have been forty one applications with a request for the installation of 214 charge points and 1013 parking spaces to be made EV ready.
134. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if there are any proposals to put in proper stops along our motorways (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41092/23]
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 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you as to the latest status with regard to Motorway Service Areas.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
