Written Answers Nos. 117-138
117. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to address delays for driving tests; the number of tests that were cancelled, broken down by quarter in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; what measures a person (details supplied) can take to ensure they are able to take a test as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9056/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the information requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
Regarding driver testing delays, the service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand. Following a request from the RSA for additional resources, last March my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers. This brings the current total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to 205, which is more than double the 100 sanctioned testing posts in June 2022.
The first tranche of new recruits was deployed last September and the national average waiting time for invitation to test has been decreasing since then. By the end of 2023 there was an increase of 41 driver testers across the driver testing service, with additional testing capacity deployed to the geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.
To further assist with reducing waiting times, in October 2023 a change was made to the system to allow any unused slots to be made available for anyone to take up at short notice. If a driving test is cancelled at short notice, the RSA now make this appointment available to the general public on the MyRoadSafety portal.
With regard to compensation for cancelled tests I have been advised that there is a process in place where a person can claim compensation for loss of wages or cost of hire of a vehicle for their test if the RSA cancel within 24 hours. This does not apply if the test is cancelled due to adverse weather.
My Department is continuing to work closely with the Authority to monitor demand and capacity requirements of the driver testing service to ensure it meets the agreed service level of average wait times of 10 weeks, which the Authority expects to achieve by mid-2024.
118. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport when a driving licence will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reason for the delay in issuing this licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9067/24]
View answerMy department does not have access to individual driving licence applications. All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation.
I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.
119. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Transport when work will commence on double tracking the rail line from Athenry to Galway city; the timeframe for completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9068/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may know, Iarnród Éireann has completed a study to assess the feasibility of incremental improvements in train capacity between Galway and Athenry. The outputs of this feasibility study helped inform the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.
The All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades, to 2050, in line with net zero targets in both jurisdictions.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft report was published for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation last July. Double tracking from Athenry to Galway is included in the recommendations in the draft Report.
The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September and submissions are now under review by officials from both jurisdictions. Following this process, it is expected that a final report will be submitted for Ministerial approval and ultimately the approval of the Government, as well as to the Minister for Infrastructure. It is expected that the final Review will be published by the summer.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the proposed double tracking from Galway to Athenry.
Noting their responsibility in relation to the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
120. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the reason why, in the new regulations introduced as a consequence of Covid-19 extending the maximum permissible age for taxis on the road (details supplied), taxis with registration plates dating back to 2015 were not included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9104/24]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Regulations made by the NTA in 2010 first established a maximum permissible age of 10 years for new standard taxis and hackneys. The ten-year rule was adopted in recognition of the need to strike a balance between achieving standards that offer the customer confidence, comfort, and safety, and allowing industry members to operate successfully.
The NTA's extension of age limits during Covid-19 was an emergency measure of a temporary nature, taken in recognition of the particular challenges posed by the pandemic and was specifically aimed at ensuring that no operator would be required to change their vehicle while passenger demand remained low due to the pandemic.
A series of global circumstances in 2022 had, in the NTA’s view, considerably worsened the capability of taxi and hackney licence holders to secure new vehicles. Therefore, the NTA further temporarily extended the maximum permissible age for taxis and hackneys so that no current vehicle licence holder would be forced out of the industry because a replacement vehicle could not be purchased. They did this by introducing Regulations on 18 November 2022, the purpose of which is to amend Regulation 31 (Maximum Permissible Age Requirements) of the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015.
The 2022 Regulations provide for a graduated return to the ten-year age limit, with vehicles whose 10-year limit was originally in 2020 or 2021 now extended to 2025, those whose original limit is in 2022 or 2023 now extended to 2026 and those whose original limit will be reached in 2024 extended to 2027.
The NTA has contacted SPSV licence holders to confirm the new final operation date of their current licensed vehicle. This amendment was made as an exceptional provision and contingency measure, as a result of vehicle supply issues. The NTA does not anticipate introducing any further maximum permissible age extensions.
121. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Transport for an update regarding increased increments for existing retired staff at CIÉ, noting that they have not received any increase since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9130/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to their pension schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term.
As of end December 2022, the Balance Sheet deficit for the two defined benefit pension schemes operated by CIÉ, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), was €396.5m. While the funding position improved during 2022, and the 1951 scheme now meets the MFS, the RWS currently does not meet the MFS and the funding level is marginal and subject to future market volatility.
In relation to RWS, I signed three Statutory Instruments related to the RWS on 6th July 2022, with an operative date of 18th July 2022.
Regarding the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to Labour Court recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by ballot of trade union members in May 2021. This is being considered by the Department in conjunction with NewERA. The Deputy may also be aware that the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days, and the proceedings are next listed for the 24th of April 2024.
Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
122. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will contact Bus Éireann and request it implement bus stops and timetables at the stop in Bailieborough town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9137/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport, whereas it is the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops/shelters nationally. Further the NTA additionally has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in these areas, I have forwarded your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
123. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the timeframe envisaged for the completion of the M11 motorway from Oylegate to Rosslare Europort; when the location of the required motorway service station will be known; when he expects construction to begin; when the motorway will be open to traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9158/24]
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.
I can confirm that €600,000 was allocated for the N11/N25 Oilgate to Rosslare scheme in 2024. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for this project will be kept under review for 2025 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you regarding the status of this project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
124. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 354 of 25 March 2021 and 86 of 7 February 2024, the reason there is no definite plan for implementing the legislation in 2024, given the importance of same in 2014 for the Garda Ombudsman and for an organisation (details supplied) in 2017 and the enacted legislation on it in 2023. [9164/24]
View answerMy Department through the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) maintains a record of the ‘registered owners’ of motor vehicles. While the initial registration of the vehicle (including name and address details of the vehicle owner) is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners, my Department manages all subsequent change of ownership notifications.
The change of ownership service has specific legislative requirements and has a number of service delivery channels – offline (by post) to my Department's offices in Shannon, online for approved motor dealers on the Department's website (www.motortrans.ie ) and at Local Authority motor tax offices (in person or by post).
My Department has now developed a new channel. This online change of vehicle ownership service will enable private vehicle owners record vehicle sales on the NVDF. Private sales would represent up to 500,000 ownership changes per annum, and would, in the main, be notifications currently processed though the postal service at my offices in Shannon. The new service will, for the first time, enable the buyer of the vehicle be identified and verified through their MyGovID account. That verified name will be recorded against the vehicle on the NVDF. The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 1992 (S.I. No. 385/1992) as amended and the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (for the use of MyGovID) provide the legal basis for this service. The service, which will be available on my Department's online motor tax website, www.motortax.ie and on Gov.ie, is currently being tested and it is envisaged that it will be live in Q2 this year.
The use of verified owner mechanisms will also be considered for the other change of ownership service delivery channels. It is important to note however that there are operational challenges in this regard. Change of vehicle ownership requires the consent of both the seller and the buyer of the vehicle, and the process is seller led, as per the legislative requirement. For the offline postal service, currently both parties sign the vehicle registration certificate, and the seller posts the notification to my Department's offices in Shannon for updating on the NVDF. This delivery channel may be a challenge in the context of verifying the new owner, as a buyer of a vehicle may not be comfortable submitting their driver number or PPSN to the seller of a vehicle (as per Sections 4 of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023).
Other touch points of the vehicle lifecycle including registration, motor tax, insurance and vehicle testing will also be examined this year to determine how best owners and vehicles can be uniquely matched, and have their details verified.
125. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will follow up on correspondence to the National Transport Authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9173/24]
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 and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services in County Cavan, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
126. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the position of the Dublin Airport Authority in relation to negotiations with taxi driver representative associations; if the authority has a position of refusing to recognise or consult representative associations of drivers who work in the airport; if so, if such a stance is compatible with Government policy on the rights of workers to be represented by trade unions and representative organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9174/24]
View answerAs the deputy will be aware, daa has the statutory responsibility for the operation, management and development Dublin Airport.
Accordingly, as the issue raised by the deputy is an operational one, 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.
127. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the timeframe for the introduction of BusConnects routes in the Crumlin area, specifically the proposed 82 route which is to replace the current 83 service; the proposed frequency of the new 82 route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9178/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In both the policy and funding areas there have been significant developments since this Government came into office, with the publication of a Sustainable Mobility Policy and its five-year action plan providing strong policy support to the continued expansion and enhancement of bus services. I am also delighted to say that this strong policy support has been backed up by increased levels of Exchequer funding, which is supporting the roll-out of initiatives such as BusConnects Dublin.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects Dublin.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
128. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he will upgrade the 350 bus service in counties Galway and Clare to ensure larger buses are provided and that the frequency of the service is improved to meet the increased demand for public transport by people living in Kinvara, Ballinderreen, Ballyvaughan and Doolin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9197/24]
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 NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
129. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 15 February 2024, if he will provide an itemised breakdown of how funding of €300,000 allocated in December 2022 for Bóthar Dhoirefhearta, Carraroe, County Galway, was spent on this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9222/24]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
In 2022 Galway County Council received an allocation of €300,000 under the Specific Improvement Grant programme for the L1202 Derrartha Road, Carraroe. The scheme was a Safety Improvement Works project with the aim to widen the road to accommodate two way traffic to allow safe movement of traffic. The total expenditure paid to Galway County Council in 2022 for this scheme was €302,039.
In the case of projects under the Specific Improvement Grant Programme, the basis for the drawdown of grants is the claims submitted to the Department via TII’s Payment Reporting System. In this context local authorities are required to submit extracts from their Financial Management System (FMS) as support for claims and the information supplied by Galway County Council in this instance is summarised in the table below.
|
Element |
Expenditure |
Inclusive of |
|
Labour Costs |
€49,680.05 |
Wages, ER-PRSI, Overtime & Allowed Overhead. |
|
Minor Contracts |
€77,112.68 |
Minor Contracts. |
|
Plant & Machinery |
€51,026.87 |
Diesel, Mini Digger, Roller, Trucks, Low Loader, Tractor, Pick Up Truck, Traffic Lights, Tractor & Dump Trailer, Skip Hire, Cutting Tools & Small Hand Tools. |
|
Materials |
€124,219.61 |
Road Signs, Road Making Material, Timber, Nuts & Bolts. |
|
Total |
€302,039.21 |
|
130. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE railway accident investigators employed by his Department in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased during 2024. [9257/24]
View answerThe number of WTE Railway Accident Investigators employed by my department at year end 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024 is outlined below.
|
Grade |
Number of staff Dec 2022 |
Number of staff Dec 2023 |
Number of staff Feb 2024 |
|
Chief Railway Accident Investigator |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Senior Railway Accident Investigator |
3 |
4 |
4 |
As you will see, the numbers have increased in 2023, to support this important work. There are currently no plans to increase this number further in 2024.
131. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if his Department and any relevant agency can update their records and databases to reflect the facts about a vehicle (details supplied) with which the owner is experiencing difficulties in insuring because of misinformation being associated with this vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9305/24]
View answerInsurers provide details of written-off vehicles, and my Department's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) is updated with these particulars. Where written off instances are noted on the NVDF it results in the affected vehicles on the system being generally ‘locked down’ so that no further activity such as changes of vehicle ownership or renewal of motor tax can be recorded. ‘Write offs’ generally refer to vehicles that have been extensively damaged and designated by insurers as being totally or substantially destroyed (Category A and B).
According to the NVDF record, the vehicle in question is not recorded as a Category A or B vehicle, so there are no restrictions on the vehicle on the database itself. I understand that an error was made on the insurers own internal systems (from a previous incident involving the vehicle), where the vehicle status was recorded incorrectly as a Category B. This incident involved two insurance companies and my officials are liaising with both. They have indicated that this correction to the vehicle record will be made as a matter of urgency so that the vehicle owner can get it insured.
My officials have also be keeping the registered owner of the vehicle up to date on the matter, and will continue to do so.
132. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding that has been allocated to County Offaly on an annual basis from central government to Offaly County Council from January 2020 to date for the repair, upgrade and maintenance of roads in the county; the amount spent by Offaly County Council annually during this same period on the county's roads in the local electoral areas of Edenderry, Tullamore and Birr; and what amount, if any, has been returned unspent or used for other infrastructural projects by the council since 2020, in tabular form. [9373/24]
View answer133. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding his Department intends to allocate in 2024 to maintain, repair and upgrade roads in County Offaly in each of the three local electoral areas of Edenderry, Tullamore and Birr; and what plans his Department has to address to the appalling state of the roads throughout the county, particularly in north Offaly, which are among the worst in the State, in tabular form. [9374/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
The payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The payments booklets outline expenditure by type of grant programme. However, for convenience the grant funding provided to Offaly County Council for the maintenance and upkeep of regional and local roads from 2020 to 2023 is outlined in the table below.
|
Offaly |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Allocation |
€11,017,499 |
€12,407,240 |
€14,078,431 |
€14,539,300 |
|
Expenditure |
€11,936,080 |
€13,332,880 |
€14,152,194 |
€14,372,673 |
On 15th February I announced an Exchequer investment of €658 million in our regional and local roads across the State which represents an increase of €32 million over the 2023 allocations, with each local authority receiving an increase in funding for their Restoration Improvement grant.
Offaly County Council received a total allocation of €15,754,150 this year. Decisions regarding allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for each local authority.
In this regard I suggest you contact Offaly County Council directly for details of the allocation of funding for regional and local roads in the Municipal Districts of Edenderry, Tullamore, and Birr.
134. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the location of the data centre or centres used by his Department; the reason it was chosen; the distance it is from his Department's offices; if he will identify the centres used by each agency under his Department's aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9400/24]
View answerThe data centres used by my Department are split between central government (OGCIO) and Departmental locations. The OGCIO’s Managed Desktop and Managed Hosting services use a number of data centres which are ISO 27001 certified and are located across Dublin City and the greater Dublin area. These data centres are Government owned facilities. The government data centres used directly by my Department are also ISO certified and are located in Dublin and County Clare. One data centre in County Clare is housed in the Department's own office.
135. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance the policy rationale within his Department’s cost-rental policies for corporation tax to be charged on LDA cost rents but not AHB cost rents. [8699/24]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that neither the Land Development Agency (LDA) nor approved housing bodies (AHBs) are specifically exempted from corporation tax on rental income. However, as outlined in my reply to the Deputy’s PQ 4840/24 on 1 February, if an AHB has the charitable tax exemption, section 207 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA) exempts from tax rental income “vested in trustees for charitable purposes” to the extent that the income is applied solely for charitable purposes.
Revenue is unable to provide any further information on the taxation of the LDA or AHBs because of its obligation under section 851A TCA to ensure confidentiality of taxpayer information.
136. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if vehicles registered and insured in other countries have full insurance cover in this jurisdiction; the countries, if any, with which Ireland has mutual recognition of motor vehicle insurance cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8786/24]
View answerThe Department of Transport has responsibility for the legislative requirement regarding compulsory motor third party insurance in Ireland. It is also important to note that neither I as Minister for Finance, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can intervene in the provision or pricing of insurance products. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive).
The green card system is overseen in Ireland by the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland, (MIBI), ensures persons who sustain damage and/or injuries in a road traffic accident caused by a vehicle registered outside the State are not disadvantaged.
A green card is a document which acts as proof of motor insurance when travelling internationally. The system predates the European Union, and covers 47 countries, including all EU Member States as well as countries from the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, as well as several countries in the Middle East and some North African countries.
EU motorists travelling to EU countries do not require a Green Card as they are covered by the EU Motor Insurance Directive. There is also no requirement to carry a Green Card in the following non EU countries: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland. In 2021, an agreement was reached under the EU Motor Insurance Directive, resulting in the elimination of Green Card requirements for UK registered vehicles.
The green card system is a fundamental component of international insurance regulation. It ensures compliance with minimum compulsory insurance requirements and safeguards the interest of victims in cross-border accidents. It exemplifies international cooperation in enhancing cooperation in road safety and facilitating smooth cross border travel which is pivotal in promoting a policy framework aimed at promoting harmonised insurance standards and protecting all road users.
Finally, from a consumer perspective, Insurance Ireland recommends re-registering your car and insuring it within the country you are living if residing in a country on a long-term basis.
137. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 104 of 7 February and 220 of 20 February 2024, if he will identify those Irish-registered companies involved directly or indirectly in purpose-built student accommodation, for which the ISIF or a subsidiary thereof holds an equity stake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9334/24]
View answerThe NTMA has informed me that the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) is a commercial investor in a range of businesses, platforms and projects which support the delivery of new homes in Ireland.
These investments are in private market commercial operations, typically featuring a significant quantum of third-party investment that deliver a range of housing tenures including purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
These platforms include the partnership with Harrison Street Europe that was announced in September 2023 to fund regional new build PBSA, ISIF’s investment with Activate Capital which provides lending to the homebuilding sector and has funded a number of new PBSA developments and a long-term funding commitment to Dublin City University to deliver infrastructural improvements including on campus student accommodation.
A summary of these investments by ISIF is shown in the table below.
|
Investment |
ISIF Commitment |
Date of Investment |
|
Activate Capital |
€500m* |
July 2015 |
|
Dublin City University |
€54m |
April 2016 |
|
Harrison Street European Property Partners III |
€25m |
December 2021 |
|
Harrison Street European Property Partners IV |
€75m |
September 2023 |
With specific reference to its investments in Harrison Street, ISIF is an investor in pan-European funds alongside global investors. These funds invest in a series of projects, the underlying structure of which is commercially sensitive and not immediately available to ISIF, therefore ISIF Is not in a position to break-out the format or structure of these investments on a more granular basis.
138. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether renewable electricity generated outside the State, and which was transmitted by means of a guarantee of origin certificate through the fuel mix disclosure process separate from the flow of electricity, is eligible for relief from the electricity tax. [8626/24]
View answerIreland’s taxation of fuel and electricity is governed by European Union law as set out in Directive 2003/96/EC, commonly known as the Energy Tax Directive (ETD). The ETD provisions relating to electricity taxation are transposed into national law in Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Finance Act 2008 (as amended). This legislation provides for the application of an excise duty, in the form of Electricity Tax, to electricity supplied to consumers in the State. Electricity Tax is currently charged at €1.00 per megawatt hour which is one of the lowest excise duty rates on electricity across the EU. Provisional figures for 2023 indicate Electricity Tax yield of €4.24 million, up from €3.5 million in 2022.
Section 63(1)(b) of the Finance Act 2008 provides for a full relief from Electricity Tax for electricity generated from renewable sources, including solar, wind, wave, tidal or geothermal/hydraulic origin and biomass. The relief is operated by way of remission with liable suppliers required to declare the quantity of electricity for which relief is claimed on their annual Electricity Tax returns. As the Deputy is aware the electricity market is complex with multiple transactions between suppliers and electricity producers, both in the State and across the EU. This means that there may not always be clear traceability of renewable supply from the producer to the consumer. Where a supplier cannot establish the origin of electricity it supplies to consumers, section 63(4)(c)(i) of the Finance Act 2008 provides that Fuel Mix Disclosure data should be used.
Fuel Mix Disclosures are a key element of the regulatory framework for the electricity market in the State, the oversight of which falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. Under the regulatory framework suppliers must provide details to consumers on the origin of electricity supplies. They must also provide details, in the form of Fuel Mix Disclosures, to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Electricity suppliers may trade across the EU in Guarantees of Origin. These are electronic documents certifying that a quantity of electricity was produced from renewable sources, and they may be used as the basis for accounting for renewable electricity in Fuel Mix Disclosures. Irish electricity suppliers may supplement the electricity which they have sourced in Ireland, by buying additional Guarantees of Origin to certify that a greater share of their electricity demand is covered by renewable sources. This means that Irish electricity suppliers’ Fuel Mix Disclosure data can indicate a higher share of renewably sourced electricity than the share physically generated in the State from renewable sources.
The provisions in section 63(4)(c)(i) of Finance Act 2008, allowing the use of Fuel Mix Disclosures data where suppliers cannot establish the origin of electricity supplied to consumers, support the effective operation of Electricity Tax in situations that would otherwise be unclear. I am advised by Revenue that claims for Electricity Tax relief are subject to compliance interventions on a risk basis, as is the norm with all self-assessed taxes, and where non-compliance is detected, it is dealt with under the terms of Revenue’s published Code of Conduct for Revenue Audit and other Compliance Interventions. This could involve the collection of any underpaid Electricity Tax, together with interest and penalties, if appropriate.
