Written Answers Nos. 535-559
535. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are any plans to build new electric charging points for vehicles in 2013; and if not, when will construction be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5610/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra536. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are any plans to build new electric charging points for vehicles in County Kerry in 2013; and if not, when will construction be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5611/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together.
The construction of public charging infrastructure for Electric Vehicles is undertaken by the ESB under its ecars programme. Plans for installing new charge points are an operational matter for the company and I have no function in the matter. I understand, however, that the ESB, through its Ecars programme, is continuing to roll out both publicly accessible charging infrastructure and domestic charge points and its targets are to install at least 1,000 publicly accessible charge points in all main towns and cities and 60 fast chargers on major roads by the end of this year. This investment is funded by the ESB and there is no cost to the Exchequer.
537. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline in tabular form the total cost of all conferences and seminars attended by his Department in 2012; the purpose of each conference-seminar; the location; the number of delegates that attended from his Department-agencies or otherwise that were represented; the total cost of each conference-seminar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5633/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. I can however advise that the information as it relates to Agencies under the aegis of the Department is a day to day operational matter for the agencies themselves. The information in respect of the Department is being identified and assembled and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
538. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of former public servants recruited before 6 April 1995 who receive a public sector pension, including both pensions funded by the Exchequer and through the Local Government Fund, and those pension schemes for which he has responsibility; the age profile of the public servants; if he will provide in tabular form the numbers of public sector pensioners in the following parameters, between €1,000 intervals up to €20,000 and those on more than €20,000. [5887/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy’s question Civil Service Pensions are a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which will answer in respect of all Departments. I have asked the Agencies under the aegis of my Department to supply the requested information, where relevant, in respect of those Agencies directly to the Deputy.
539. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of jobs he expects to be created in the wind farm industry after the signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the British Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5930/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra540. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of energy he expects to be produced from wind farms following the Memorandum of Understanding with the British Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5931/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra543. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is a tax on wind energy; if not, if he intends to introduce a tax on wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5934/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra544. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with energy companies prior to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the British Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5935/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra545. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there will be a process of public consultation if new wind turbines are to be erected following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the British Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5936/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question Nos. 539, 540 and 543 to 545, inclusive, together.
The Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation that UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey and I signed on 24 January will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of Ireland and the United Kingdom. This will determine whether it is beneficial for both countries to enter into an Inter-Governmental Agreement under the Renewable Energy Directive to provide for renewable energy trading. If an Inter-Governmental Agreement is entered into, there are potential significant employment opportunities. As an example, employment creation arising from a 3,000MW project would be expected to be in the order of 3,000 to 6,000 job years in the construction phase, with the actual number dependent on the construction schedule to 2020. There would also be additional jobs created in the ongoing maintenance of turbines over a 20-year operating life. Further employment opportunities could arise if turbines or components were to be manufactured in Ireland. All relevant State agencies, particularly in the enterprise area, would have to coordinate their activities early in the process to ensure employment potential of export projects is maximised. This opportunity has already been identified by the Industrial Development Authority and Enterprise Ireland in their clean technology growth strategies. The amount of energy to be procured by the United Kingdom and the mechanisms for sharing the resultant economic benefits, including an appropriate return to the Exchequer, are matters to be addressed in the coming year, and ahead of signing a potential Inter-Governmental Agreement, which would have to ensure no financial cost or risk to the Irish State or consumer.
Since taking up my position as Minister for Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources, I have been meeting with companies and individuals involved in the development of renewable energy on an on-going basis. That includes several developers who have made presentations and discussed their ideas for the development of renewable energy projects for export. In terms of our negotiations with the UK, we have not yet determined or agreed the selection process for potential joint projects, which will be a further matter to be discussed and negotiated in the coming year. Any such selection process will, of course, be open and transparent. Any new wind turbines that may be built will be subject to the Planning Acts, including the requirements for public consultation.
541. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of Irish domestic users receive their electricity from wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5932/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe integration of wind generation in Ireland has increased steadily in recent years. In 2012, approximately 16% of electricity supplied to Irish consumers – domestic, commercial and industrial - was derived from wind power. If all renewable generation supplied to consumers is included, this figure increases to 17.3% representing significant progress from a 5% level in 2005.
542. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to import electricity using the proposed interconnector between Ireland and Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5933/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe electricity interconnector between Ireland and Britain is owned by EirGrid, an independent commercial State body and I have no role or function in its day to day operation.
546. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will introduce a national wind energy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5937/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2007, the EU agreed to pursue a policy of 20-20-20 by 2020 i.e. 20% reduction in greenhouse gases, 20% renewable energy in energy consumption and 20% energy efficiency. This was part of a climate and energy package, aimed at responding to the detrimental effects of climate change as well as improving energy sustainability and security. Following on from this, a series of Directives were negotiated, including a specific Renewable Energy Directive, which assigned individual legally binding targets to each Member State in order that the EU target for 20% renewable energy in consumption by 2020 could be attained. All member states in the EU agreed that in order to improve energy security of supply and to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, in addition to reducing greenhouse gases in energy production, it was necessary to make a significant shift towards renewable energy.
Under the Directive, Ireland is required to increase renewable energy from 3.1% in 2005 to 16% in 2020, with a minimum target of 10% in the transport sector. Energy is consumed across the transport, heating and electricity sectors. At end 2012, we had reached 6.4% of overall energy consumption from renewable sources. Our intention is to reach our overall target through 40% renewable electricity, 10% renewable transport and 12% renewable heat, which together amount to 16% of all energy consumption. Under the Directive, Ireland was required to set out in a National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) the trajectory towards meeting its legally binding target. The NREAP and the First Progress Report on the NREAP, which are available on my Department’s website, show the sectoral and technology breakdown that we anticipate in the achievement of our target. Wind generated electricity is expected to play a major role. At end 2012, approximately 17.3% of our electricity consumption was from renewable sources.
547. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of fibre to the home broadband connection to every domestic property here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5938/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra548. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of fibre to the kerb broadband connection to every domestic property here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5939/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together.
The provision of fixed electronic communications networks and services in Ireland is a fully liberalised market, subject only to a requirement to notify the Commission for Communications Regulations in accordance with the requirements set out in the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Authorisation) Regulations 2011 (SI No. 335 of 2011). The cost of providing fibre to the home or a fibre to the kerb alternative for every domestic property in the State would vary depending on the network capability which any particular provider may already have developed, the operating costs and the costs of procuring the network hardware, all of which could vary between any one operator and another operating within a fully liberalised market. The costs arising are commercial matters for any undertaking planning such an investment. I have no statutory functions in regulating the prices at which network developers can access fibre or other network elements from manufacturers, nor the development costs of delivering fibre to the home or fibre to the kerb for domestic premises.
A number of recent publications by both Forfás and the Telecommunications and Internet Federation (TIF) highlight the potential costs involved in building out a fibre network throughout Ireland. These reports are in the public domain and can be accessed through the following links:
http://www.tif.ie/Sectors/TIF/TIF.nsf/vPages/Broadband~Publications~building-a-next-generation-access-network-for-ireland-16-04-2010/$file/TIF%20Report%20'Building%20a%20Next%20Generation%20Access%20Network%20for%20Ireland'%20Final.pdf
http://www.forfas.ie/media/Ngns%20final%20for%20web%20(amended%20aurora%20text).pdf
549. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline in tabular form the cost to the Exchequer of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Summit in Doha, including accommodation, cost per person, the number of persons attending from the Irish delegation and the Departments/agencies or otherwise that they represented, flights, subsistence, visas and any other costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5097/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the replies to Question No. 422 of 4 December 2012 and to Question Nos. 287 and 307 of 11 December 2012. Details of costs incurred in respect of attendance at the 18th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC by myself and nine officials from my Department are included in the table below:
|
Costs |
€ |
|
Flights |
€5,524.10 |
|
Accommodation |
€17,775 |
|
Subsistence (8 DECLG officials have claimed to date) |
€8,417.56 |
|
Taxis; public transport |
€364.88 |
|
Other costs (including phone calls back to office) |
€ 211.19 |
Full information in respect of costs incurred by Irish delegates from other Departments and Agencies is not available in my Department.
550. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures taken by him to include the lesbian, gay and bisexual community within its community development programmes. [5915/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra570. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures that have been taken by him to include the lesbian, gay and bisexual community within its community development programmes. [4078/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question Nos. 550 and 570 together.
The key objective of my Department’s Community Division is to facilitate integrated development at local level and foster vibrant, sustainable, inclusive communities, and to support the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society. My Department continues to be responsible for a range of programmes and initiatives to support communities including the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP). The objective of the LCDP is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government, and its agencies, and people in disadvantaged communities. It is a key tool of Government in providing supports for the 'harder to reach' in the most disadvantaged areas in society. The Programme is managed by Pobal on behalf of my Department and is delivered at a local level by the nationwide network of Local Development Companies (LDCs). Some €49 million will be invested in our communities through the Programme in 2013. LDCs promote and actively pursue social inclusion policies, through which all people within a community can be supported and encouraged to participate in the life of their community. Sustainable social, economic and cultural development for all members of the community is more likely to be achieved by fostering social inclusion and equality.
The focus of the work of the LDCs is on marginalised groups and/or disadvantaged areas, groups and individuals who live in geographical communities, or communities of interest, experiencing high levels of poverty and social exclusion. The LCDP identifies Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People (LGBT) as a group experiencing inequality and discrimination, and recognises that where this combines with other factors it can result in multiple disadvantage and social exclusion. While the LCDP is not specifically aimed at this group, the Programme works to achieve full equality and inclusion for LGBT in Ireland, and protection from all forms of discrimination. In 2009, the Local and Community Development Division collaborated, in conjunction with the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN), the Family Support Agency and Pobal, on the development of a Code of Practice for Community Development Projects, Family Resource Centres and Urban Partnership/Integrated Companies supporting LGBT Communities. Funding was also provided towards the launch and publication of the Code of Practice. This Code of Practice went a long way towards promoting awareness and understanding of LGBT through the LCDP and other social inclusion programmes. Furthermore, as examples of assistance provided under the LCDP:
- County Kildare Leader Partnership supported the establishment of a LGBT Group in Kildare, and the opening of a drop-in service;
- An inter-agency action supports the delivery of an LGBT Youth Drop-in Project located in Wexford and Gorey - this is a long-term preventative action, aimed at reducing the incidence and impact of homophobic bullying in post-primary schools thereby reducing early school leaving and/or poor educational attainment; and the
- Galway Rural Development Company was involved in research with GLEN which identified the need for supports for LGBT groups in County Galway. The company now supports LGBT groups in County Galway through funding programmes that assist in the network and collaboration of various agencies.
Question No. 551 answered with Question No. 184
552. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of families in Ballymun, Dublin, that are still waiting to be rehoused as part of the regeneration project and the details of when these families will be re-housed. [5113/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, only three of the original 36 flat blocks in Ballymun are occupied by City Council tenants. Around 90 households are accommodated in the two eight storey spine-blocks on Balbutcher Lane. The last remaining 15 storey tower block, Joseph Plunkett Tower, accommodates 62 families at present. All of these families will be re-housed this year in homes currently nearing completion or under construction. It is intended that the 124 new housing units at Sillogue 4 will be allocated to tenants later this month.
553. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of works at Dunboyne Graveyard, County Meath, which have been put on hold; when they might commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5121/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for Meath County Council. Section 177 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878 places responsibility on the relevant local authority for the care and maintenance of burial grounds provided by them.
554. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rates of planning development levies in respect of commercial developments in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5128/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collect the information sought. As Minister of State, my role is to provide the necessary statutory and policy framework within which individual development contribution schemes are adopted by each local authority. The adoption of individual development contribution schemes is a reserved function of the locally elected members of each planning authority. It is a matter for the members to determine the level of contribution and the types of development to which they will apply. Copies of individual schemes are available for consultation on the local authorities' websites. My Department has recently issued u pdated guidance for local authorities on the issue of devel opment contributions which recommends, inter alia, that development contribution schemes facilitate job creation through targeted support for specific development types. As part of the new guidance, planning authorities are asked to consider whether there are any measures open to them to support new or existing enterprises in their areas by, for example reduced development contribution rates, deferral of payments, etc.
555. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rates of planning development levies in respect of housing applications in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5129/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collect the information sought in the question. The adoption of individual development contribution schemes is a reserved function of the locally elected members of each planning authority. It is a matter for the members to determine the level of contribution and the types of development to which they will apply.
556. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government according to the monthly Exchequer Returns if he will provide a breakdown of the the €352 million of capital funding spent by his Department during December; the reason 46% of his Department’s overall capital spend was held until December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5135/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra557. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason his Department had a capital underspend of €65 million for 2012; what this funding was due to go towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5136/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra562. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of his Department’s €740 million capital spending for 2013 that will go towards construction projects; the projects are involved; the details of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5274/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question Nos. 556, 557 and 562 together.
My Department is responsible for a wide range of capital programmes, including in the areas of housing, water services, environmental protection, local government services, and community and rural development. The following table gives a breakdown of capital expenditure of some €308m across the relevant programme areas in December 2012:
Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government Capital Expenditure - December 2012
|
Programme |
€m |
|
Housing |
158.5 |
|
Water Services |
129 |
|
Environment / Waste |
2.5 |
|
Local Government |
7.5 |
|
Community/ Other |
10.5 |
The Estimates for Public Services 2013, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, provide for carryover of €43 million of capital funding from 2012 for use on my Department’s programmes this year in the housing, environmental, local government and community areas. In its management of capital programmes, my Department deals with applications for recoupment of expenditure as they are received from local authorities and other bodies, and makes the associated payments as they arise in the course of the year. Capital expenditure on the relevant progammes has, however, tended to be incurred more towards the end of the year; this has been associated with, inter alia, the timing of the completion of work by contractors and of the certification of that work; use of annual planning processes in respect of some programmes; the timing of submission of applications for recoupment to the Department; and the need to address any issues arising on applications before payment is made. In addition, adverse weather conditions in any year can delay progress and subsequent payment applications on many projects, particularly where groundworks and external finishing works are concerned. The savings on capital expenditure in 2012 can be attributed, inter alia, to financial constraints on local authorities impacting on the progress of the water services programme and slower than anticipated project spend by Local Action (Leader) Groups under the Rural Development Programme.
As regards capital expenditure in 2013, a total of €740 million (and the carryover amount of €43 million brought forward from 2012) will be available for investment in a range of capital projects across the various programmes. Details of projects will be made available as part of ongoing programme management in the expenditure areas concerned.
558. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered amending the Building Control Act 2007 by including a grandfather clause to deal with issues affecting long standing practitioners in the field of architecture who do not hold the necessary official certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5144/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 22 of the Building Control Act 2007 currently provides a route towards registration for longstanding practitioners who had been providing architectural services in Ireland commensurate with those understood as being provided by Architects for the purposes of the Act for a period of ten years at the time the Act became law. This provision is transitional in nature and enables this category of persons, who may not have any formal academic training, qualifications or certification, to become registered once they have been assessed as eligible for registration by the Technical Assessment Board in accordance with the practical experience assessment procedure. In addition, section 14(f) provides a permanent route to registration for practically trained persons who have seven years appropriate practical experience and who have passed the prescribed register examination.
The issue of amending the Building Control Act 2007 along the lines suggested does not therefore arise and I would encourage all practically trained persons to pursue the routes to registration which are currently open to them with a view to joining the small but growing numbers of practically trained architects already on the register.
