Written Answers Nos. 109 to 116
109. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will instruct the National Parks and Wildlife Service to engage with the wind energy industry in County Kerry regarding future wind development policy; if this engagement will begin immediately, prior to the finalisation of Kerry County Council's renewable energy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41107/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions relating to the location of wind energy development at county level are a matter for the relevant planning authorities and are subject to planning law. The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, incorporates provisions to ensure that development plans and developments are undertaken in compliance with relevant EU Law, including the Habitats Directive.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service, which is part of my Department, provides advice to planning authorities on proposed plans and planning permission applications, where such plans or proposed developments could impact on sites designated for nature protection under EU and national law, or on protected wildlife outside such sites.
My officials meet regularly with the Irish Wind Energy Association to discuss issues of mutual concern and are also available for pre-application discussions with the proponents of individual projects. They also make themselves available to planning authorities to advise and assist them in meeting the demands of the Birds and Habitats Directives in the development of their plans and policies.
110. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht when turf compensation payment will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Roscommon [41213/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has put in place a compensation scheme for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation. This cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme now comprises a payment of €1,500 per year, index linked, for 15 years or, where feasible, relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs where they can continue to cut turf. Those wishing to relocate can avail of the financial payment or the delivery of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum while relocation sites are identified and prepared. The costs of acquiring and preparing relocation sites will be met by the State. An additional once-off payment of €500 for qualifying turf cutters will be provided where legal agreements are signed with me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. An application for compensation under the scheme has been received by my Department for each of the individuals referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that the position in relation to each applicant is as set out in the following table in the order in which the individuals are referred to in the details supplied with the Question.
|
Ref Number |
Current status of application under the scheme |
|
CS/0592/012 |
A total payment of €3,000 in respect of the first and second year is scheduled to be made to the applicant on 27 September 2012. |
|
CS/0592/109 |
A payment of €1,500 in respect of the first year was made to the applicant on 1 June 2012. My Department has commenced making payments in respect of the second year to those who had been cutting in raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999, such as the applicant. A payment in this regard will be made to the applicant as soon as possible. |
|
CS/0595/068 |
A payment of €1,500 in respect of the first year was made to the applicants on 24 September 2012. Payments in respect of the second year to those who had been cutting in raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation in 2002, such as the applicants, are not due to be made until 2013. |
|
CS/2110/004 |
The applicant has indicated that he cut turf in a raised bog special area of conservation in 2011 and, thus, is not eligible for compensation in respect of the first year (2011). A payment of €1,500 in respect of the second year was made to the applicant on 21 September 2012. |
|
CS/0592/090 |
A payment of €1,500 in respect of the first year and a payment of €1,500 in respect of the second year were made to the applicant on 23 March 2012 and 24 September 2012 respectively. |
|
CS/0600/17 |
The applicant sold his interest in land in a raised bog special area of conservation under the voluntary bog purchase scheme, administered by my Department. An incentive bonus of €6000, available under the scheme, was also paid to the applicant at the time of purchase on the condition that he was selling all plots of bog land in his possession and registered or unregistered turbary rights within a designated area. My Department is giving consideration to the position of such applicants, under the voluntary bog purchase scheme, who have applied for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme. |
|
CS/0592/124 |
One of the qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme is that the claimant must have been cutting turf on the lands in question in the relevant five year period. If, however, an individual has a legal interest in one of the 53 designated raised bog sites and had not been extracting turf in the relevant five year period, my Department is willing to examine the feasibility of relocating such interests to alternative non-designated bogs. It is not proposed to make the financial payment in such cases. The applicant had not been extracting turf from the site in the relevant five year period and has not expressed an interest in relocation to an alternative non-designated bog. My Department will be writing to him in relation to his position in due course. |
111. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the basis on which the Energy Regulator passed on a further 1% over the requested 7.5% increase by Bord Gáis; the persons the Energy Regulator consulted with in their public consultation; his views on the matter in view of the already lowered living standards of persons in recent years, in particular the rise in fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41080/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no statutory function in the setting of gas prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated parts of the market. Responsibility for the regulation of the gas market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent statutory body. With effect from 1st October 2011, gas residential consumers are the only segment of the gas market where prices are regulated.
Over the summer period of each year the CER conducts an annual review of the Bord Gáis Energy (BGE) tariff. The CER’s review for the gas year commencing 1st October 2012 involved a detailed assessment by the CER of BGE’s own proposals on gas prices published on the 18th July, followed by a consultation process inviting comments from interested parties - including the public - and culminated in the decision published by the CER on 4th September.
In the CER consultation document published on 27th July, the CER noted that the proposed allowed increase in revenue would go up or down depending on the movement in commodity prices, exchange rates and the ongoing 5 year review of network tariffs. The annual consultation process also allows BGE to update the regulator in regard to any changes in the intervening period. All documents are available on the CER’s website at www.cer.ie
The increase initially sought by BGE in its submission equated to a 7.5% increase in tariffs. However, in the period following the publication of the CER’s consultation paper on the BGE tariff, gas commodity costs rose because the value of the Euro against Sterling further decreased. This is a key driver of prices given that Ireland purchases over 95% of its gas from Great Britain. To take account primarily of these external cost drivers, I understand that BGE subsequently sought CER approval for an increase in retail tariffs for the coming year of the order of 9.2%. The CER considered, however, that an increase of no higher than 8.5% was justified.
The Government is most concerned at the impact of higher gas and electricity prices on residential and commercial consumers. As indicated above, it is regrettably the case that in the main Ireland is at the mercy of international fossil fuel prices which dictate the retail price of gas and electricity. My focus is on those very limited elements of energy costs over which policy can exercise some control.
Accordingly, it is estimated that some €226 million overall has been spent on the Better Energy programme on energy efficiency measures since commencement. This includes funding of €142.25 million for some 330,000 measures in 130,000 households under the Better Energy: Warmer Homes scheme.
Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to household that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. Since the commencement of the Programme in 2000, energy efficiency upgrades have been delivered to 85,000 homes amounting to €84.5m in Exchequer funding. In addition, the Government is actively supporting the rollout of renewable resources of electricity which has grown from an estimated 9.3% of electricity consumed in 2007 to an estimated 17.6% in 2011.
There are a number of ways for consumers to take actions on electricity and gas prices, and measures in place to assist them. They can shop around to get the best possible price and service deal from suppliers bearing in mind that other suppliers can and do offer competitive prices and products. Consumers can also take steps to improve the efficiency of their electricity and gas usage which delivers demonstrable savings.
The CER is also working with energy suppliers to ensure that vulnerable customers are protected through, inter alia, the installation of Pay As You Go meters. The long term policy responses for Ireland to combat vulnerability to high and volatile gas prices continue to be increasing the use of renewables, achieving better energy efficiencies and reducing the reliance on gas in the fuel mix. Implementation of the measures set out in the Government’s Affordable Energy Strategy is also key to protecting the interests of vulnerable customers.
112. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter regarding Saorview in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41091/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraRTÉ has built, owns and controls the SAORVIEW TV network and is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of that network. This includes information on transmitter sites being used. This is in accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides that the development of the RTÉ network is an operational matter for RTÉ.
I have however contacted RTÉ Networks Limited on your behalf and once the relevant information is received I will arrange for it to be forwarded to the Deputy.
113. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will examine the application to Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for the better energy warmer homes scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41132/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetter Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage.
My Department is advised that an installer has been allocated to the home of this applicant and it is expected works will be completed within the coming weeks.
Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hot line can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
114. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the findings of the Keane Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41036/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding to Kerry County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41034/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 116 together.
Funding for transactions completed under the Mortgage to Rent scheme this year will be drawn from within the existing housing budget for 2012. Provision in respect of the scheme for next year will be determined in the context of the overall Estimates process for 2013.
115. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the steps being taken to ensure the continued viability of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41032/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe projects concerned operated as mainstreamed drugs projects under my Department’s Housing programme. Following significant reductions in the funding available to support these projects in 2012 my Department, exceptionally, provided pro rata funding to support the projects until end June 2012 only.
Following a consultation process, Dublin City Council identified interim funding of €20,000 to assist in supporting the projects for a period during the second half of 2012 , subject to a number of conditions. The Council has advised that this funding represents a once-off contribution and is assisting in allowing the projects to continue while the report on the review of the structures that underpin the strategy at local, regional and national level is finalised. It is understood that this report, which is expected very shortly, will consider how current funding structures can be improved or streamlined, particularly with regard to local and regional drugs task forces.
The provision of interim funding by Dublin City Council has also allowed the projects additional time to explore alternative funding mechanisms and to identify resources to deliver on the overall objectives of the projects beyond 2012, including through alternative service delivery models.
The funding of Local Drugs Task Force projects is the responsibility of the Department of Health and my Department has no function in that regard.
