Written Answers Nos. 169-172
169. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to bring in a renewable heat incentive, that is, a financial reward for persons (details supplied) installing energy saving heating systems in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43482/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently published a Draft Bioenergy Plan which is available on my Department’s website (www.dcenr.gov.ie). The draft Plan will undergo Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments, including public consultation, which will inform the content of the finalised Plan. These assessment processes will commence shortly. The analysis underpinning the draft Plan is that an additional bioenergy focussed measure in the heat sector would represent the most cost effective means of meeting a number of different policy goals. Therefore, the draft Plan recommends the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for larger heat users to change to heating solutions that produce heat from renewable sources. There are no plans at this time to introduce such a scheme for domestic heat users.
However, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme on my behalf. This includes the Better Energy Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme and the Better Energy Warmer Homes Area based programme, which has subsequently been merged with the Better Communities programme.
Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. The Better Energy Areas scheme, which is free of charge to the customer, delivers energy upgrades to low income homeowners experiencing extreme energy poverty in all housing sectors including Local Authority houses, Housing Association houses and private homes. The Better Energy Communities programme supports sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings, services, facilities and processes in the community sector. Under all of these schemes certain heating system upgrades are eligible for grant support.
170. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if urgent consideration will be provided to the need to have adequate broadband provided throughout all of County Monaghan (details supplied). [43404/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland, through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in network upgrades and at least 1.6 million of the 2.3 million addresses in Ireland are expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next number of years. In the last month alone, two companies have announced projects to deliver direct fibre connectivity to approximately 500,000 homes and businesses in every county in Ireland including the town of Monaghan. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
The purpose of the National Broadband Plan is to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of where they are located, benefits from a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments, such as those I have already mentioned, and a State-led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. My Department is currently finalising a national map which will identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial examination has already identified a significant number of areas that will require State intervention. It includes 36 areas in County Monaghan.
I understand that at least one operator has published a programme to roll out 17 fibre based broadband networks in 17 locations in County Monaghan, including the towns of Castleblayney and Carrickmacross by July 2016.
As part of the mapping process, a stakeholder consultation was launched in June. 32 submissions have been received and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses were published by my Department last month.
I expect to publish the map shortly. Those accessing this map will be able to identify their own house or premises and see whether it is in the proposed intervention footprint. Where a house or premises is not in the proposed intervention area it means it either currently, or will in the near future, have access to commercial high speed broadband services. The map will be subject to change as new information becomes available or commercial investments are announced in the future.
A further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015. My Department is also working closely with the European Commission with a view to obtaining State Aid clearance for the programme.
A detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder or bidders towards the end of 2015.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.
171. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be further capital investment by the National Transport Authority for improving existing bus lanes and providing any new bus lanes in 2015 and 2016; and if he will report on the plans and consultation process for the proposed BRT system from Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre. [43334/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as the development of a BRT system and the provision of bus lanes, comes under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
My Department provides funding to the NTA to enable local authorities to develop and improve bus lanes and for other projects which contribute to improving bus priority. The NTA strategy in this regard is set out in their Integrated Implementation Plan 2013 -2018. I understand that the specific proposals for 2015 are currently under discussion with the local authorities.
Proposals for a Swiftway BRT network are also included in the NTA’s Integrated Implementation Plan. In the Plan the NTA has proposed, subject to funding, three BRT routes, of which the Swords/ Airport corridor has been prioritised.
The NTA is currently undertaking a public consultation process in relation to the preferred option for this corridor, the details of which are available on their website: http://www.nationaltransport.ie/consultations/public-consultation-on-swiftway-bus-rapid-transit-swordsairport-to-city-centre/.
172. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 612 of 30 September 2014 and his letter dated 23 October 2014 with figures obtained following communications with the motor tax offices, if he will report on the very high rate of drivers surrendering driving licences following their disqualification from driving in 2014 compared with significantly lower rates of surrender of such driving licences in 2012, 2013 and previous years. [43386/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe figures for non-surrendered driving licences in respect of 2014 stated in Parliamentary Question No. 1671 accurately reflect the position at 31 August 2014. The letter dated 23 October should not have referenced 2014 since the Road Safety Authority is now the single licensing authority in respect of driving licences and the consultation with motor tax offices who were responsible for oversight of surrender of driving licences was in respect of earlier years. Accordingly, it is a matter for the RSA to ensure that those drivers who have been disqualified in 2014 surrender their driving licences to the authority.
