Tuesday, 10 Mar 2015

Written Answers Nos. 553-568

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Funding

Ceisteanna (553, 554, 555)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

553. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that a 13% cut to the social inclusion and community activation programme budget on the back of successive cuts of 33% (details supplied), over the past four years will continue to have a detrimental impact on the communities in Lot 2.4, Canals, Rathmines, Pembroke, and that community development focuses on building relationships, and working in solidarity with communities; his views on the dismantling of this sector, and the long-term negative implications this will have on those who are voiceless in our communities. [10588/15]

Joan Collins

Ceist:

554. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 4 March 2015, if he will provide clarity on statements made, where it was stated that €600,000 was being made available to Dublin Central groups outside the local and community development programme and social inclusion and community activation programme budgets; the uses for this funding and the groups that will benefit; the fund that this money is being made available from; if other unsuccessful tenderers, including Rathmines Pembroke Community Partnership, will be provided with similar funding outside of the tendering process. [10589/15]

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

555. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 4 March 2015, if he will clarify statements made during which it was said that €600,0000 was being made available to Dublin Central groups outside of the local and community development programme and social inclusion and community activation programme budgets; the use for the money and the groups that will benefit; the fund this money is being made available from; and if other unsuccessful tenderers, including a group (details supplied), will be provided with similar funding outside the tendering process. [10590/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 553 to 555, inclusive, together.

My Department’s Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State and is being implemented on a transitional basis until the end of March 2015, pending the roll out of the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) on 1 April 2015.

In accordance with the Public Spending Code, legal advice, good practice internationally and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of services to clients, SICAP is subject to a public procurement process, which is in its final stages. Tenderers have now been informed of the outcome of their tender and Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are in the process of issuing contracts to the successful tenderers.

It should be noted that as there is currently a 14 day standstill period in place, the public procurement process is still ongoing and, therefore, confidentiality requirements continue to apply. Following contract signature, Pobal will publish a Contract Award Notice in the Official Journal of the EU (http://ted.europa.eu /) and on the eTenders website (www.etenders.gov.ie ) announcing the results of the procurement process. Such notice is likely to be published in early April 2015.

In relation to the Dublin Central area, as referred to in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 4 March 2015, my Department has continued to ensure that LCDP services, for the communities in the Dublin Central area, have been maintained in a coordinated manner through LCDP interim funding arrangements until 31 March 2015.

In terms of the transition thereafter, funding of some €0.6 million, separate to SICAP, is being provided to certain Dublin Central groups (former Community Development Projects), pending agreement with Dublin City Council and the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) on an optimum delivery mechanism for the area. This funding is entirely separate to the €0.63 million which is being provided to the Dublin Central area under SICAP. The groups in question are:

- An Siol

- Cabra

- Lourdes Youth and Community

- Nascadh

- North Wall Women’s Centre

- Robert Emmet

- South Inner City Community Development Association

- Community After Schools Project.

Salmon Hardship Scheme

Ceisteanna (556)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

556. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if further payments have issued following the initial payment to the Foyle fishermen as a form of compensation for agreeing to cease salmon fishing on the Foyle; if not, his plans to issue further payments to fishermen who will now agree to cease salmon fishing on the Foyle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10549/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Lough Foyle is within the remit of the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, which is a North-South body established under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Salmon Hardship Scheme was introduced following a decision in 2006 to cease, for conservation reasons, the commercial salmon mixed stock fishery in the sea.

In excess of €25m was allocated to the scheme to facilitate payments to fishermen with a further €5m provided for community development projects. Under the scheme fishermen active in the fishery could opt to voluntarily cease fishing in the commercial drift net and draft net sectors and undertake not to seek a licence in the future.

134 fishermen in the relevant area availed of the scheme and 28 did not apply in order to retain their licences.

The scheme closed for applications on 31 December 2007 and ceased in 2008 and I understand that all funds were expended; there are no plans to revisit such a scheme.

Electricity Transmission Network

Ceisteanna (557)

Sean Conlan

Ceist:

557. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Tobin report was used in assessing whether it was feasible to have the North-South interconnector project put underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10119/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

An Independent Expert Panel (IEP) was established in January 2014 to oversee the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both the Grid Link (GL) and Grid West (GW) projects. On 2 May 2014, the IEP finalised the Terms of Reference for the studies and published the Terms of Reference on 7 May 2014.

While the North South Transmission Line project (N/S) is outside of the IEP's Terms of Reference, the IEP did agree, on foot of a request by my predecessor, to provide an opinion on the compatibility of the methodologies to be employed on the GL and GW projects with what has already been done on the N/S project up to and including 2 May 2014, being the date that the Panel decided to examine the N/S project.

Having considered and discussed all of the material, the Panel issued a statement on 1 July 2014, indicating its unanimous opinion that, in all material respects, what had already been done on the N/S project is compatible with the methodologies now being employed on the GW and GL projects. While the Panel acknowledged that no two grid infrastructure projects are identical, and that some non-comparabilities are likely to arise when assessing the potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors, the Panel was of the opinion that no material differences in the methodologies arise.

It is important to note that the Tobin report referred to in the Question relates specifically to the Grid West project and is one of several pieces of analysis undertaken at the request of the IEP. In other words, the Tobin report was undertaken within the methodologies being employed on the GW project in accordance with Terms of Reference set by the IEP.

Offshore Exploration

Ceisteanna (558)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

558. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total estimated value of oil and gas discoveries off the Irish coast; the current tax rate that applies to profits made on these discoveries; if this rate has been reduced in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10124/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Whilst there has been some welcome upturn in the level of interest in exploration off our coast in recent years, the hydrocarbon potential of the Irish Offshore is largely unproven and is likely to remain so until there is a significant and sustained increase in the number of exploration wells being drilled from the current levels of none to one well per year.

The only commercial discoveries of hydrocarbons made in the Irish offshore to date are the three producing gas fields in the Kinsale area, namely the Kinsale, Ballycotton and Seven Heads fields off the coast of Cork, and the Corrib gas field. There have been no commercial discoveries of oil.

The value of a gas field will depend on a combination of factors including the volume of recoverable gas, the cost of developing and operating the infrastructure, the price of gas over the life of the field, together with the timing and profile of production. As such it would be a speculative exercise to provide a total estimated value of commercial gas discoveries off the Irish coast.

Profits from the three producing gas fields are taxed at a corporation rate of 25% (double the standard rate of corporation tax for trading income). In addition, royalties from the Kinsale and Ballycotton gas fields are payable to the State at a rate of 12.5% of the fair market value of the gas at the well head. The combination of tax, royalties and acreage rental fees currently provides for a State take of 40% of net income from these two fields.

Royalties are not payable on production from the Seven Heads Gas field as Ireland moved away from a royalty based payments system to a tax based system in 1987 (following the lead of the UK and Norway who abolished royalties for new fields in 1982 and 1986 respectively).

The direct financial return to the State from the Corrib gas field, which is expected to come into production in 2015, will be through acreage rental fees and the 25% corporation tax on profits.

In June 2014 Government approval was received to revise Ireland’s oil and gas fiscal terms along the lines recommended by international energy consultants Wood Mackenzie. A key recommendation of Wood Mackenzie was that tax rates in respect of new licences should be revised to ensure a higher share for the State from the most profitable fields. This would result in the application of a maximum rate of 55% in the case of new licences. My Department is working with the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners to give operational effect to this approach.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Ceisteanna (559)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

559. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources following the conclusion of the public consultation on the mapping process under the national broadband plan, if submissions and feedback received in respect of this will be made available for public view; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10131/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

A total of 29 responses were received in response to the mapping consultation which closed on 12 February 2015. This included 13 responses from telecommunications operators, 2 responses from equipment vendors, 7 responses from Local Authorities and representative bodies and 7 responses from individual citizens.

There was a substantive response to the questions posed in the consultation document, in some cases with additional material and views in relation to the National Broadband Plan and the importance of the State intervention as a whole. My Department is considering the responses to the consultation and the outcome will be incorporated in the assessment of operator coverage.

I propose to publish the non-confidential responses on the Department's website shortly.

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Ceisteanna (560)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

560. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of an application for an onshore licensing option and exploration licence at Wellington Bridge in the Carrick area of County Wexford in respect of a company (details supplied) in County Carlow. [10207/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

To be of assistance to the Deputy, it may be helpful to set out the background as well as the present status of the matter referred to in the question.

In May 2006 my Department received an initial application from the business referred to for a petroleum authorisation in respect of an onshore area in South County Wexford. In November 2007 a revised application was received seeking an Onshore Licensing Option and Petroleum Prospecting Licence relating to unconventional gas exploration and extraction in respect of an onshore area in South County Wexford.

In October 2008, following on correspondence and discussions between the Department and the applicant, the Department advised the applicant that the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas, Exploration, Development and Production 2007 required that applications for any petroleum authorisation are accepted from companies incorporated under the laws of a Member State of the European Union or from foreign companies, and that the application did not meet this requirement. The Department also indicated that in the event that a company was subsequently registered it would be necessary to resubmit an application and independent confirmation of the availability of sufficient funds to meet the cost of any work programme associated with the proposed petroleum authorisation.

In November 2009 the Department was advised by the applicant that it was intended to register with the Companies Registration Office in 2010.

In January 2013 a letter was received from the applicant stating that it wished to proceed with the application made in 2007.

In January 2013 the Department wrote to the applicant restating the position of October 2008, and advising that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would be undertaking a major research programme into the potential environmental impacts of onshore exploration for unconventional gas resources, and that in the light of the EPA’s research programme, no applications for petroleum exploration authorisations in respect of onshore areas will be considered, or finalised until after the EPA research has been concluded and there has been time to consider its findings.

Consumer Protection

Ceisteanna (561)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

561. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the decision of the European Commission to delay the ending of mobile phone roaming charges. [10517/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The regulation of retail charges for roaming services is implemented by way of EU Regulations which limit the maximum retail prices for retail roaming services within the European Union. The first such EU Regulation commenced in 2007. Two further EU Regulations were introduced in 2010 and 2012 to further reduce the maximum permitted retail roaming charges within the EU and to increase consumer protection measures by requiring service providers to inform users of the roaming charges they may incur and additional requirements to curtail services in order to avoid bill shocks in any billing period.

Ireland supported each of the three EU Roaming Regulations which the EU Commission calculates has achieved regulated retail roaming price reductions of over 80% since 2007 in calls, SMS and data. Data roaming retail charges across the EU are now over 90% cheaper than in 2007.

These reductions have benefitted all mobile phone users without any adverse impacts on users who do not use roaming services. This was achieved by reducing both wholesale and retail prices simultaneously.

In September 2013, the European Commission introduced a wide range of proposed measures, including changes to current roaming regulations, as part of a comprehensive Telecoms Single Market (TSM) package.

In early 2014, the then out-going European Parliament, having discussed the TSM proposal, voted to significantly amend the Commission's original proposals and proposed instead a Roam Like At Home (RLAH) approach which would have seen the abolition of roaming charges within the EU by December 2015.

The Parliament’s proposal does not prohibit the imposition of wholesale charges to recover the costs of providing the roaming service to customers. If service providers are prohibited from recovering those wholesale costs directly from retail users, it is inevitable they will seek to recover the costs from other users or reduce volume limits in bundled minutes and data package limits, in order to control costs. These outcomes do not serve the long term interests of consumers.

The European Council has been discussing the roaming proposals for several months now and at a recent meeting Ireland along with all Member States agreed to give the Latvian Presidency a mandate to enter into negotiations with the European Parliament on a revised set of proposals on roaming charges across the EU. This will significantly reduce regulated roaming charges further when agreed.

Energy Policy

Ceisteanna (562)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

562. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources noting the New Scientist report in January 2015 on the dangers arising from 60 years of nuclear waste at Sellafield, the risks of explosions, serious pollution and risks to public health in Britain and Ireland; if he accepts that his proposed consideration of a nuclear power contribution to Irish energy is at best misguided and if he will instead provide the leadership necessary to utilise the expertise of the engineers in the Electricity Supply Board and elsewhere as may be necessary to prioritise the development of wave energy conversion, offshore wind, a renewable energy suitable grid and interconnectors to provide Ireland's energy needs, export renewable energy and provide jobs. [10558/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The May 2014 Green Paper on Energy Policy covers a broad range of energy issues, including an exploration of all possible fuel options, for securing a balanced, sustainable and secure energy mix. It would not be appropriate to exclude any fuel option from such a broad policy consultation and engagement process.

It is important to note that the use of nuclear fission for the generation of nuclear power is statutorily prohibited by (i) the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act, 2006 which prohibits the authorisation of development consisting of an installation for the generation of electricity by nuclear fission, and (ii) the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, which makes similar prohibitive provision in respect of regulatory authorisations. There are no plans to bring forward any proposals to amend the existing statutory provisions.

The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020, to be achieved through 40% renewables in electricity, 12% in heat and 10% in transport. To date onshore wind energy has been the most cost effective renewable technology in the Irish electricity market, contributing most towards the achievement of the 2020 target.

Irish energy policy also recognises the potential to diversify our renewable electricity generation portfolio in the period to 2020 and beyond. To that end, the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, published in February last year, identifies the sustainable economic opportunity for Ireland of realising the potential of our indigenous offshore wind, wave and tidal energy resources. Furthermore the Draft Bioenergy Plan published in October 2014, acknowledges the role that the bioenergy sector can play in the transition to a low carbon economy.

Enhanced energy connectivity has the potential to help energy consumers benefit from a fully integrated European Internal Energy Market, as well as increasing the contribution that renewable energy can make to meeting our energy requirements. In this regard, I welcome the European Commission’s Energy Union package adopted on 25 February, which included the Communication on achieving greater electricity interconnection of all Member States. The completion of the North South Transmission Line project and additional possible interconnections with both the UK and France would enhance our electricity interconnectivity and bring significant benefits in terms of energy security, competitiveness and sustainability.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Ceisteanna (563)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

563. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action being taken to provide an adequate broadband service to the town of Kilrush, County Clare, and the surrounding area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10573/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.

The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.

Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 and includes Kilrush County Clare.

The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention. The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises/home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention. A public consultation on the map, which commenced in November, closed on 12 February last. 29 submissions have been received to date and will be assessed over the coming weeks. This will help inform the key decisions that require to be taken in order to finalise our comprehensive Intervention Strategy which I intend publishing for consultation in July next.

The strategy will address a range of important issues in relation to the intervention including the optimum procurement model, ownership and governance options, funding issues and levels of service for end-users. Part of the analysis being undertaken involves consideration of identifying and prioritising strategic connection points such as enterprise parks, schools and other points of economic or social activity within rural communities.

The proposed Intervention will also be subject to State Aid clearance from the European Commission.

Following the public consultation this summer, a detailed procurement process, in line with EU and Irish procurement rules, will be undertaken in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders. The Department will design the tender in a way that maximises efficiencies and keeps the cost of the network build as low as possible. I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 5 year period.

This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.

Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

Ceisteanna (564)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

564. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current usage of the metropolitan area network structure for broadband delivery in the town of Kilrush, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10577/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Metropolitan Area Networks (“MANs”) are managed, operated, maintained and marketed by enet, on behalf of the State on an open access basis to service providers.

The Kilrush MAN has been in operation (or “lit”) since July 2012, when the first service provider availed of the MAN to provide telecommunications services in Kilrush. While the details of the usage of the MAN in Kilrush is a matter for individual operators using the MAN, I understand that there are a number of service providers availing of the MAN to provide telecommunications services to end customers. enet continues to look for opportunities to attract operators to avail of the MANs where there is demand for telecommunications services.

Parking Charges

Ceisteanna (565)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

565. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the removal of parking charges at train stations in Laytown and Gormanstown, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10379/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Military Aircraft Landings

Ceisteanna (566)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

566. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how the Irish Aviation Authority know when aircraft such as the United States of America aircraft, Military Hercules EC130H, which made an emergency landing in Shannon on 28 February 2015, are in Irish airspace in view of the fact that the aircraft normally operate in secret. [10087/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The subject matter of this particular question is the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority, and I have referred the question to them for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Aer Lingus Sale

Ceisteanna (567, 569, 605)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

567. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the sale of Aer Lingus regarding the cast iron guarantee in respect of connectivity for airports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6607/15]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

569. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to protect the public interest in the face of the latest bid by the International Airlines Group. [4699/15]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

605. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to examine the situation in regard to the future ownership of Aer Lingus; if he remains satisfied that any decision will have due regard to the best interests of the country, company and future passengers; if all shareholders are being consulted, without exception, in the context of any plans or future proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10518/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 567, 569 and 605 together.

Aer Lingus is in an 'offer period' under the Irish Takeover Rules, although a formal offer has not been made by IAG. On this basis I am constrained in what I can say publicly on the matter.

Having briefed my Government colleagues on the matter on 24 February last, I issued a statement clarifying the Government’s position on the matter. 

While acknowledging the details and clarifications which both IAG and Aer Lingus have offered since IAG announced its initial proposal to acquire Aer Lingus, it is the Government's view that the IAG proposal does not at present provide a basis on which we could provide an irrevocable commitment to accept an offer.

However, the Government remains open to considering any improved proposal. The Government’s Inter Departmental Steering Group held a further meeting with IAG representatives last week and further meetings are expected. 

Further consideration of the IAG proposals will be based on having greater clarity from IAG on the overall employment prospects on the basis of the proposals received, with particular reference to the timeframe within which net additional employment would be created; firm commitments on plans for growing Aer Lingus’s transatlantic business and plans to grow Aer Lingus’ routes at Cork, Shannon and enhance the Knock-Gatwick service. The Government also requires a longer period on the commitments related to Heathrow. The nature and acceptability of oversight measures on the Heathrow slots and routes needs to be confirmed. These would also be subject to any EU considerations.

Airport Development Projects

Ceisteanna (568)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

568. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the new forum that is to replace the Dublin Airport Stakeholders Forum will meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9960/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I would like to inform the Deputy that the Airport Stakeholders Forum at Dublin Airport, or any replacement of it, is a matter for DAA, which has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport.  Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to DAA for a direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply is not received within ten working days.