Written Answers Nos. 115-135
115. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the status of a passport application (details supplied) as the applicant's travel date is imminent and all requested additional supporting documentation has been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47064/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the applicant 6 October 2023, documentation was received 13 October 2023. The documents received were not as requested and a second request for the correct supporting documentation was issued to the applicant on 23 October 2023. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received.
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.
116. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review a foreign birth register application by a person (details supplied); if, given the extensive additional supporting documents that needed to be provided with this application, he can confirm that his Department has now received everything required to have this application processed at the earliest convenience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47066/23]
View answerForeign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for the application were requested from the applicant's parents on 27 May 2023. The FBR team have been in regular contact with the applicant's parents and have advised them of all outstanding documents required, including a new application form and photographs. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received by the Passport Service.
117. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the issue of a crackdown on oil pipeline protestors in Uganda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47068/23]
View answerThe East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), also known as the Uganda-Tanzania Crude Oil Pipeline, is a joint venture project between Uganda and Tanzania, as well as a number of international investors. Announced in 2016, the construction is now planned to begin in the coming months. The pipeline would be the first of its kind in Uganda. Those supporting it claim that its construction and operation will be of major social and economic benefit to the people of Uganda and Tanzania. The project has also faced opposition from environmental and civil rights groups focused on the potential impact on established livelihoods and sensitive ecosystems.
The reported handling of the recent demonstrations in Uganda against the EACOP is a matter for concern. Our Embassy in Kampala, along with EU and other partners, is following the issue closely. The Embassy and partners have underlined with the Ugandan authorities the fundamental importance of the freedom to participate in public debate and peaceful demonstrations.
Ireland’s engagement in Uganda is based on our international development policy, A Better World, and guided by the Government’s Strategy for Africa to 2025. In line with these strategies, Ireland’s development and cooperation work in Uganda focuses on helping the furthest behind first. Through our programme, we have had a strong emphasis on promoting peace and security and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Through the Embassy in Kampala, we are supporting local civil society organisations, human rights defenders and NGOs.
118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 28 March 2023 and the issues raised by this Deputy in the debate relating to the need to ensure all householders benefit from the forthcoming energy credits, if he will ensure the issues highlighted in that debate are addressed; that customers of certain energy suppliers should not have to seek support from community welfare officers towards energy costs and should be able to avail of the energy credit schemes announced in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46421/23]
View answerThe Budget package includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €412.83 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €137.61 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - December 2023, January/February 2024 and March/April 2024. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.007 billion.
The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2). The previous two schemes used the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure payments could be administered automatically and without an application/approval process. However, under Scheme III, usage levels will be assessed to ensure that payments are withheld in relation to low usage electricity accounts identified by the distribution system operator, to prevent the payment from being applied to vacant houses. There will be a review process to ensure the payment is not withheld from vulnerable customers or people with financial hardship meters.
Following implementation of the previous two schemes, my Department became aware of a cohort that did not receive payment under Schemes I & II. This relates to properties that receive electricity through a “submeter”. This situation occurs where an existing dwelling has been divided for the purposes of accommodating additional people and provides an independent meter for this accommodation. Examples of this situation would include a secondary suite, or house being modified to contain further distinct units than for which it was initially purposed.
The Submeter Support Scheme is being introduced to ensure that €412.83 (exclusive of VAT) is credited to each such account, in three payments of €137.61 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - December 2023, January/February 2024 and March/April 2024.
Complementary measures to support traveller households on Local Authority sites will also be established and DECC will engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) in relation to this measure.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department of Social Protection can make Additional Needs Payments (ANPs) to help meet expenses, such as energy costs, that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
Applications for ANPs can be made by completing a SWA1 form which is available in all Intreo Centres and Social Welfare Branch Offices and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. Alternatively, if a person has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.
119. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the review of Inland Fisheries bylaws, which are in force for ten years or more, and their continued application, will be commenced, considering his statement on 28 September 2023; what the terms of reference for the review are; what parties will be part of the review; if current Inland Fisheries bylaws will be stress-tested vis-à-vis the EU Habitats and Water Framework Directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47076/23]
View answer122. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the review into the Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 will commence, considering that both bylaws protect and conserve invasive and non-native freshwater fish in Lough Corrib SAC, which is completely at odds with Ireland’s legal obligations under the EU habitats directive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47127/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 122 together.
As I recently advised to the Deputy on 28 September 2023, my Department, in consultation with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) will carry out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application.
This review is being undertaken in conjunction with the proposed introduction of the Western Lakes Management Plan which IFI has, at my request, managed specifically for the 7 Western Lakes, including Lough Corrib, in the context of the Programme for Government.
This review process has recently commenced, and Inland Fisheries Ireland are currently reviewing the Western Fisheries Region Conservation of Trout Byelaw No. 840, 2008. An amending draft Byelaw on the Clare River has gone through the mandatory Public Consultation process, and I am awaiting a report of the findings of the process from IFI.
Other older bye-laws eligible for review - including Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 - will be examined in due course. The review process, will, of course, take into account relevant legal acts of the European Union.
120. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when pension payment will commence from his Department to a person (details supplied). [47088/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department can find no record of employment for the named individual with respect to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications . I would ask the Deputy if more detail on this individual's employment history could be provided to my Department, a more thorough search of records may be possible.
121. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the standards that apply to radiation emissions from telecommunication masts; if different standards apply where they are in close proximity to residential areas, and if the standards applied are updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47120/23]
View answerI have no direct role or function in relation to the issue raised by the Deputy. This is primarily a matter for telecommunication operators, operating on a commercial basis and subject to relevant planning laws.
These operators are regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation, ComReg. ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions and its role includes the monitoring of compliance by authorised operators with terms and conditions, including with respect to non-ionising radiation levels.
The relevant guidelines are those of the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection, ICNIRP (2020), and ComReg’s most recent report on its measuring of Non-Ionising Radiation levels at licensed transmitter sites can be found on its website www.comreg.ie.
The Environmental Protection Agency recently completed a study on Radiofrequency EMF in public spaces in Ireland. This report looked at typical levels of exposure that people experience in everyday environments in Ireland. All results obtained were low and well below current exposure limits recommended in by ICNIRP. This report is available on the EPA’s website at www.epa.ie.
123. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of WTE staff in the National Cyber Security Centre as of 12 October 2023; and the estimated number of staff that will be in place at NCSC by 31 December 2023. [47154/23]
View answerThe WTE number of staff in the NCSC as of 12 October 2023 is 56.
The NCSC has sanction for up to 62 staff in 2023. The Department, through the Public Appointments Service, has recently completed a recruitment competition for Cyber Security Specialist with vacancies to be filled from this panel in 2023 and 2024. In addition, recruitment for the post of Chief Technical Officer is ongoing.
A recruitment competition for Cyber Security Responders will launch in November/December 2023.
124. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of persons currently in training to become a qualified air traffic controller; and when each of these persons will qualify, in tabular form. [47153/23]
View answerThe military authorities have advised that the number of personnel currently undertaking Air Traffic Controller (ATC) training, and their expected training completion dates, is as below.
|
No of Personnel |
ATC Qualification |
Estimated date of completion |
|
1 Officer |
Tower |
Q3 2024 |
|
1 Officer |
Tower |
Q4 2024 |
|
1 Enlisted* |
Radar |
Q4 2024 |
*The military authorities advise that both enlisted personnel and officers are qualified Air Traffic Controllers upon completion of tower training. However, while further training in radar is an optional qualification enlisted personnel may undertake, it is mandatory for Officers.
125. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport if the safe routes to school project will be open again for new applications in 2023-24; what resources are in place to address road safety at our primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47067/23]
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 selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting, and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions. This should help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school. The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority and An Taisce's Green Schools is co-ordinating the programme.
Invitations to express interest were sent to all primary and secondary schools in the country, and 931 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June 2021 that they were selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme, while a further 108 schools were announced for Round 2. It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme, and if not selected in Rounds 1 and 2 will be selected for forthcoming rounds.
Given the pipeline of projects due for completion, there are no plans for an additional call for schools to join the SRTS programme currently. Some schools outside the SRTS Programme are included in wider Active Travel projects if they are in the vicinity of these works. I would therefore recommend that any school not currently registered with the SRTS Programme to contact their local authority in relation to potential funding in this area.
In addition to the SRTS programme, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have commenced a number of initiatives with the aim of teaching children road safety in an age-appropriate way which helps shape their attitude to road safety and how they behave as they grow and progress through the various stages of being a road user.
Campaigns such as Cycle Right, in conjunction with my own Department and Cycling Ireland, Be Safe! and Lets Go! among others, are resources developed for both teachers and students containing both practical and helpful road safety guidelines covering various modes of transport.
126. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Bus Éireann on the need to move a bus stop (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47072/23]
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 national 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.
127. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the role of his Department in ensuring that SI 224/1973 - Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, is being upheld and enforced; if his Department has records of any breach of this statutory instrument; if so, to provide the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47083/23]
View answerUnder the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory, without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport.
My department operates a robust system, in consultation with other Government Departments, whereby applications may be made to seek an exemption from the prohibition of the carriage of munitions of war, it is well known and understood by air operators.
Furthermore, the State's Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), an internationally adopted standard, contains details of regulations, procedures, and other essential information regarding the operation of aircraft in Ireland, and provides details on the carriage of munitions of war and the requirement for operators to seek an exemption to permit such carriage.
In addition, the State's flight authorisation process for both scheduled air services and non-scheduled flights draws operators’ attention to the separate application process should there be an intention to carry such munitions of war on commercial flights.
Article 8 of the aforementioned Orders provides that where an aircraft, whenever it appears either to the Minister for Transport or a person authorised by the Minister, is intended or likely to be flown from any place in the State in a manner that would contravene this order, the Minister for Transport or that person so authorised may give the pilot-in-command such instruction or to take such steps so as to prevent the flight.
To date, such an appearance of intention or likelihood of contravention has not occurred.
128. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full and comprehensive update on a proposed project for County Mayo (details supplied); what meetings have taken place in relation to this project; the stage this project is at now; if funding has been sought for same; when he expects a decision to be made on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47090/23]
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 planning, design and construction 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 on the status of this project.
The N84 Ballinrobe bypass project was not included in the list of routes in the most recent update of the NDP in 2021.
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.
129. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the reason a VAT number is required to tax a vehicle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47091/23]
View answerThe rates of motor tax for goods vehicles apply to vehicles which are '...constructed or adapted for use and used for the conveyance of goods, or burden of any other description, in the course of trade or business...'.
In order to verify that a vehicle meets these criteria, the first taxing of a goods vehicle by a vehicle owner must be done at the owner's local motor tax office. Article 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 provides that a motor tax office shall only issue a licence if it is satisfied that the licence applied for is the appropriate for the vehicle specified.
For this purpose, motor tax offices should, in addition to the Goods Only Declaration Form RF111A, seek supporting documentation from the vehicle owner, which can include but is not limited to:
• evidence of registration for VAT;
• a Tax Clearance Certificate;
• a commercial motor insurance certificate;
• a copy of their “Notice of Tax Registration Form”.
130. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if grants are available for the purchase of e-bikes, particularly for older people who would like to avail of this form of transport but who cannot cycle without an e-bike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47093/23]
View answerMy Department is continuously exploring ways to encourage the uptake of cycling as a mode of transport and it is evident that the popularity of e-bikes is rising. Our National Sustainable Mobility Policy examines the different behavioural change measures that can be explored to promote modal shift away from private car use and towards zero-emission transport modes such as walking, cycling and e-biking.
The Programme for Government commits to “widening the eligibility of the Bike to Work scheme”. The Deputy will be aware that in Budget 2021, my colleague, the then Minister for Finance, increased the thresholds for the Cycle to Work scheme to enable the purchase of e-bikes and more recently the thresholds were increased again in a recent Budget to accommodate the purchase of cargo bikes and e-cargo bikes.
My Department is also continuing to undertake research into other additional measures which could be introduced to promote modal shift and encourage uptake of electric bikes across all demographics as part of the annual Budgetary process. Potential schemes such as grants, tax reliefs or similar schemes will be considered and discussed with relevant stakeholders including the Department of Transport as part of this process.
131. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline his plans, and those of the Dublin Airport Authority, to develop an appropriate bus and coach area for users of the airport that will include fully accessible toilets, a tourist information office and a roof covering for waiting commuters. [47094/23]
View answerAs the deputy will be aware, daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport.
Accordingly, I have forwarded your request to daa for a direct response. If a response is not received within 10 days, please contact my private office.
132. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the actions his Department is taking, in consultation with the National Transport Authority, to improve public transport connectivity to and from Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47123/23]
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 in relation to improving public transport connectivity to and from Shannon Airport, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days
133. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will initiate discussions with Bus Éireann concerning its service from the South East Technological University (details supplied); if he will support this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47124/23]
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.
134. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the top six most popular Dublin Bus routes, by passenger numbers per direction, in 2022, and for the first nine months of 2023, in tabular form. [47146/23]
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 question raised by the deputy in relation to the top six most popular Dublin Bus routes, by passengers numbers per direction, in 2022 and for the first nine months of 2023 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.
135. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann having the facility to accept card payments; and the amount spent to date on this project. [47147/23]
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 ticketing technology.
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.
