Thursday, 19 Oct 2023

Written Answers Nos. 162-172

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (162)

Paul Murphy

Question:

162. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he is taking every action possible to evacuate Irish citizens from Gaza, including children (details supplied). [45955/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Consular officials in Dublin, our Representative Office in Ramallah and our Embassy in Tel Aviv are aware of the case and are providing extensive consular assistance.

Passport Services

Questions (163)

Steven Matthews

Question:

163. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45972/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application is within the current turnaround times and has not yet reached its issue by date.

I encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient online service, which is now used by more than 90% of applicants worldwide.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (164)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

164. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on recent statements by the President of the European Commission in support of Israel's breaches of international law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46046/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I unreservedly condemn the attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October. The deliberate and systematic targeting of civilians can never be justified. The taking of hostages, including young children and the elderly is unconscionable and I call for them to be released immediately. I concur with the statements of President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in this regard. Israel’s right to defend itself must be done within the parameters of international humanitarian law.

The EU has an established and common position on the unfolding situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. On 15 October, the European Council reiterated the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times in line with International Humanitarian Law and the importance of the provision of urgent humanitarian aid.

The EU remains committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution through reinvigorated efforts in the Middle East Peace Process. We underline the need to engage broadly with the legitimate Palestinian authorities as well as regional and international partners who could have a positive role to play in preventing further escalation.

Housing Schemes

Questions (165, 166)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

165. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a grant available for a person under the age of 60 years for the replacement or upgrade of an oil boiler and copper cylinder, outside of the housing adaptation grants as these are for people over 66 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45949/23]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

166. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a grant available for a person under the age of 60 years for the replacement or upgrade of an oil boiler and copper cylinder, outside of the housing adaptation grants provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45950/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together.

My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.

SEAI grants for homeowners are focused towards those measures which will be most effective in reducing energy use and our carbon emissions. There is no SEAI grant available for replacement oil boilers or copper cylinders. However, grant support is available for installing heat pumps in place of fossil fuel heating systems. 

There are other grants and schemes available from Government that could be of assistance where there is an urgent need for home repairs. This includes the Department of Social Protection (DSP) Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices.

Question No. 166 answered with Question No. 165.

Bord na Móna

Questions (167)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

167. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the policy of his Department in relation to redundancies in Bord na Móna; the number of redundancies proposed; whether these will be all voluntary redundancies and whether it will be open to all existing staff members to apply as Bord na Móna moves away from its original core business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45960/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

Bord na Móna is an independent commercial semi state company currently transitioning from its traditional peat-centred business towards being a leading climate solutions company.

All employment matters, including matters such as redeployment, redundancies and recruitment are a matter for the Board and Management of Bord na Móna and not one in which I, as Minister, have any statutory function.

I have asked Bord na Móna to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Active Travel

Questions (168)

Thomas Gould

Question:

168. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport whether he will instruct the NTA to engage with an organisation (details supplied) on issues arising from the MacCurtain Street active travel scheme. [45808/23]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As 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 selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.

It is therefore a matter for the NTA to engage with the relevant stakeholders in relation to various projects being progressed, however officials in the Department of Transport will raise this matter with the NTA during regular bilateral meetings.

Road Safety

Questions (169)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

169. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport the reason why, at a time when road traffic deaths are on the rise again, BoxyMo supervisory type insurance which could prevent at least 100, and possibly up to 200 road traffic accident deaths per year, and has been in use in Ireland for over ten years, is not made mandatory and rolled out nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45880/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Under Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, motor insurance is required to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place. Individuals may purchase a motor insurance policy from any of the insurance companies that operate in Ireland. The type of cover and the terms and conditions of products are a matter to be agreed between the individual and the insurance company. This is a private contractual issue, that I as Minister for Transport have no role in.

While I am deeply concerned about the rise in road fatalities, I am not in a position to mandate the sale of a particular insurance product provided by an individual insurance company.

Tax Rebates

Questions (170)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

170. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if a motorist can receive a refund on their motor tax in a scenario (details supplied). [45882/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1992 to 2014 outlines the procedures for refunds of motor tax, including where a vehicle has been stolen and has not been recovered by the owner.

Motor Tax Form RF120 must be completed and submitted to the vehicle owner's local motor tax office, run by the local authorities. The form must be witnessed and stamped by a member of An Garda Síochána. A minimum of 3 unexpired whole calendar months must be left on the disc.

Taxi Licences

Questions (171)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

171. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the taxi licensing system in view of dropping numbers and a lack of services particularly in rural towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45914/23]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.

The NTA introduced a Local Area Hackney (LAH) pilot scheme last January, in 21 designated areas, for which applications closed on 28 February. It is a one-year grant-aided pilot programme, administered by the NTA, that aims to assist in the provision of part-time local hackney services in designated rural areas which cannot support a full-time taxi or hackney operation. With this pilot service, rural communities across Ireland will be given the opportunity to have a part time local area hackney service available to them. 

41 applications were received for 15 areas. At end August 2023, provisional grant offers had issued to selected candidates in those 15 areas. Two candidates (Castlepollard and Roundwood) are now fully licensed, operating, and the grant is being paid monthly to both.   

The NTA is monitoring the performance of the successful applicants to guide their decision on whether or not to launch a new scheme in 2024. 

The LAH is a private hire category of SPSV that was created following the Taxi Regulation Review in 2012.  The purpose of the LAH is to offer a SPSV service in a rural community where existing transport services do not serve the needs of the community. The LAH can meet the demand for these services but it cannot displace any existing SPSV services.

The LAH licence is restricted to a specified geographical area surrounding a named village or townland. The area is specified on the licence and it is that community which is the sole focus of the service. Any individual from a local area is welcome to apply to the NTA for a LAH licence, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 22 of S.I. No. 33 of 2015 - Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015.    

I have referred your question to the NTA for further information and direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Driver Licences

Questions (172)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

172. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties fully qualified HGV drivers from outside the State (details supplied) are experiencing in obtaining an appointment with the National Driver Licence Service in order to get an Irish HGV driving licence; if he has plans to further resource the National Driver Licence Service in order to expedite this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45980/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I have been informed by the Road Safety Authority that there are no issues with availability for appointments in National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres. NDLS centres across the country have an average of 86.13% free capacity availability for appointments next week and very few booked appointments for the coming six weeks. Therefore, my department has no plans to further resource the NDLS regarding appointment capacity at this time.

The exchange of foreign licences is managed through the NDLS. According to the NDLS, 1,827 South African driving licence exchange applications have been received in 2023 to end August. The average processing time for applications in 2023 is 18 working days.

There can be a variety of reasons for delays in applications, such as outstanding information that is required from the driver, for example, medical/eyesight report, the physical Driving licence, ID, proof of residency entitlement.