Written Answers Nos. 168-172
168. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding provided to local authorities and the formula used in determining it for the provision of public lighting, by local authority, for each of the years 2011 to date; if he will significantly increase funding for this essential public safety need in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45582/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not provide specific funding allocations for public lighting. The provision and maintenance of public lighting is the responsibility of each individual local authority. Local authorities receive income from a variety of sources including grants from Central Government, Local Property Tax proceeds, commercial rates and other locally-raised charges.
It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities, including funding towards the provision and maintenance of public lighting, having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources.
169. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding for flood damage remediation works that was sought by each local authority in 2014, in submissions to his Department after the January 2014 flooding, in tabular form; and the amount that was granted to each local authority. [45593/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government decided on 11 February 2014 to allocate funding of up to €69.5 million to local authorities in the areas worst affected by the first phase of severe weather between 13 December 2013 and 6 January 2014. The purpose of this was to support communities by restoring amenities, facilities and other public infrastructure which had been damaged.
In relation to funding sought by local authorities from my Department, capital costs totalling €13.1 million were estimated initially for the first phase of severe weather. For the second phase of severe weather, from 27 January to 17 February 2014, local authorities estimated a further €8.5 million in capital costs. To date, a total of €13.738 million has been recouped by local authorities on repair and remediation projects.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific query, the amount estimated by each local authority for damage incurred during the winter of 2013/2014 that relates to my Department and the amount recouped by each local authority to date is set out in the following table.
|
Local Authority |
Capital Estimated |
Capital Recouped |
|
Clare |
6,279,248 |
1,020,928 |
|
Cork County |
1,138,900 |
890,148 |
|
Cork City |
43,000 |
20,000 |
|
Donegal |
678,750 |
115,171 |
|
Galway County |
3,011,755 |
2,156,496 |
|
Galway City |
612,875 |
1,134,825 |
|
Kerry |
1,045,340 |
1,135,561 |
|
Kilkenny |
55,000 |
70,296 |
|
Limerick City |
430,000 |
1,026,024 |
|
Longford |
15,000 |
15,000 |
|
Louth |
4,675 |
- |
|
Mayo |
784,000 |
784,000 |
|
Meath |
2,500 |
2,500 |
|
Offaly |
15,000 |
15,000 |
|
Sligo |
397,700 |
462,130 |
|
Waterford |
4,890,000 |
4,890,000 |
|
Wexford |
2,222,000 |
- |
|
Wicklow |
61,168 |
- |
|
Total |
21,686,911 |
13,738,079 |
170. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil i bhfianaise na bhfreagraí a thug sé dom i dtaobh fhorbairt na cé ar Inis Oírr ar an 10ú lá de mhí Dheireadh Fómhair agus ar an 8ú lá de mhí na Nollaig, cén uair a bhfuil sé i gceist aige dul i mbun comhráití leis an Aire, Teachta Heather Humphreys; an ndéanfar é sin as seo go ceann míosa; an bpléifear maoiniú an togra mar cheist le linn na gcomhráití sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [45613/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNíl aon athrú ó fhreagra an 8ú lá de mhí na Nollag uaim i dtaobh fhorbairt na Cé ar Inis Oírr faoin gClár Bonneagair agus Infheistíochta Caipitil, 2016-2021.
171. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress in achieving an overall target of 10% of transport energy coming from renewable resources by 2020, if the target will be reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45466/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets all Member States a binding target that at least 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland aims to meet this target mainly through the increased use of sustainable biofuels with electric vehicles also making a small contribution.
The Biofuels Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means through which Ireland would meet the transport target and is the principal support for the uptake of biofuels in Ireland. The scheme works by obligating road transport fuel suppliers to bring increasing amounts of biofuel to the transport fuel market. This has seen increased amounts of biofuel used in Ireland since the scheme was introduced and, in 2014, almost 167 million litres of biofuels were placed on the Irish transport fuel market.
In addition, the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme supports and incentivises, through grants of up to €5,000, the deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. These grants are in addition to the Vehicle Registration Tax reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to electric vehicles (EVs). In addition, where technically feasible, customers who qualify for the grant also qualify for a free domestic charge point installed by the ESB. In 2015, 547 new EVs have been supported through the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme which represents more than half of the total of the 1,082 EVs supported since the programme began in 2011.
In 2014, 5.2% of transport energy requirements were from renewable sources.
172. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made since the rural broadband scheme was introduced and when 3 mobile received the contract; if the promise of 30 Mb speeds for all houses by 2018 is on track, how was the contract framed with 3 mobile to allow it to charge a premium of more than 3,000%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45513/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 597 of 15 December 2015.
The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) expired on 25 August 2014, in line with State aid clearance for the Scheme. Subsequent to its expiry, the specified NBS broadband service is no longer being provided by "3" in its capacity as the NBS service provider.
I have no role in relation to the provision of retail services by "3" in its commercial capacity.
The provision of electronic communications services, including the imposition of associated retail charges by service providers, occurs within a fully liberalised market. Regulation of service providers to the extent permitted by law is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which is independent in the exercise of its functions.
