Written Answers Nos. 353-368
353. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has met the Dublin city manager to discuss the restoration and enhancement of O'Connell Street, Dublin 1 during this important centenary year, given the failure of various Dublin city managers over nearly two decades to progress enhanced planning for this premier and historic street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3837/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned. Therefore, any questions regarding progressing particular planning projects should be directed to the relevant planning authority, in this case Dublin City Council.
354. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he and Kildare County Council continue to be satisfied with the progress of the completion of the development, in accordance with planning conditions and other statutory requirements, at the Waterways in Sallins, County Kildare; when all outstanding matters will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3871/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe finalisation of any outstanding planning-related matters affecting the development concerned is a matter for Kildare County Council and one in which I have no function. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular planning case with which a planning authority, including An Bord Pleanála, is or may be concerned.
355. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 877 of 13 January 2016, when the arbitration process in respect of the stalled development of the town centre in Naas, County Kildare will conclude, with a view to resumption of the development works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3872/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Kildare County Council that the arbitration process in respect of the stalled development at Naas Town Centre has not yet concluded, and that both sides are still putting their cases to the Arbitrator. When the cases have been heard, the Arbitrator will then consider all of the information before making a final determination on the matter.
As indicated in the reply to Question No. 877 of 13 January 2016, the management of the development concerned is primarily a matter for Kildare County Council in the first instance, and I have no function in the matter.
356. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding he allocated and the funding spent on capital projects and other initiatives in the constituencies of Louth and Meath-East over the past five years, by project and initiative, and by completion date and by cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3557/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTotal capital expenditure by my Department was €486m in the period 2011 to end 2015. This expenditure is not broken down by county. The most significant component of my Department's capital expenditure is in respect of the Better Energy Homes and Better Energy Warmer Homes schemes which are administered on behalf of my Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme.
The Better Energy Homes (BEH) scheme provides grant aid to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER).
The following tables illustrate the number of homes grant-aided per year in respect of Louth and Meath.
|
BEH |
Louth |
Meath |
||
|
Year |
Number of houses completed |
Grants Paid |
Number of houses completed |
Grants Paid |
|
2011 |
1,095 |
€2,893,838 |
1,216 |
€355,723 |
|
2012 |
721 |
€1,066,900 |
678 |
€344,955 |
|
2013 |
543 |
€358,260 |
537 |
€159,170 |
|
2014 |
317 |
€220,670 |
350 |
€114,560 |
|
2015 |
387 |
€349,500 |
459 |
€489,610 |
|
Total |
3,063 |
€4,889,168 |
3,240 |
€1,464,018 |
The Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the eligibility criteria. It should be noted that under this scheme the full cost of the works is met, therefore the figures given relate to average spend per home. The measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation.
|
BEWH |
Louth |
Meath |
||
|
Year |
Number of houses completed |
Value of Service Provided |
Number of houses completed |
Value of Service Provided |
|
2011 |
360 |
€718 |
310 |
€618 |
|
2012 |
157 |
€313 |
241 |
€481 |
|
2013 |
151 |
€301 |
146 |
€291 |
|
2014 |
230 |
€459 |
318 |
€634 |
|
2015 |
159 |
€393 |
233 |
€485 |
|
Total |
1,057 |
€2,185 |
1,248 |
€2,510 |
Information in relation to other capital projects in the Louth East Meath area is set out in the table below.
|
Name of Project/Grant Scheme |
Overview of Scheme |
County |
Value of Project/Grant |
Completion date |
|
TELLUS Border |
InterReg IVA Project of environmental baseline surveying of 6 Border Counties in RoI |
Louth |
c.€250,000 spent on Louth between airborne geophysics, geochemistry and grant support for Dundalk IT |
Spring 2013 |
|
100Mbps Schools Project |
Delivery of 100Mbps and associated services to all post primary schools in the Country |
Louth – 14 Post Primary Schools |
€1.86m Capital Costs in 2012 – overall spend across 14 counties |
December 2012 |
|
100Mbps Schools Project |
Delivery of 100Mbps and associated services to all post primary schools in the Country |
Meath – 21 Post Primary Schools |
€1.36m Capital Costs in 2013 – Overall spend across 3 counties. |
December 2013 |
|
National Broadband Scheme (NBS) |
Delivery of basic, affordable broadband services in 1,028 Electoral Divisions(ED) across 25 counties where broadband services were deemed to be insufficient. |
Louth – 1 Electoral Division |
Payments made under the contract with the NBS Service Provider for the delivery of the Scheme amounted to €8.69m within the specified timeframe. |
August 2014 |
|
National Broadband Scheme (NBS) |
Delivery of basic, affordable broadband services to 1,028 EDs across 25 counties where broadband services were deemed to be insufficient. |
Meath – 18 Electoral Divisions |
Payments made under the contract with the NBS Service Provider for the delivery of the Scheme amounted to €8.69m within the specified timeframe. |
August 2014 |
|
TELLUS, Airborne Geophysical and Ground Geochemistry Programme (GSI) |
Surveyed as part of TELLUS North Midlands Phase |
Louth and East Meath |
c.€159,752 (8,612 line kilometres) |
Spring 2015 |
|
INFOMAR Programme (DCENR funded/Implemented by GSI & MI) |
National Seabed Mapping programme |
Offshore Louth and Meath |
c.€1,820,000 (c.260 days of vessel activity) |
October 2015 |
|
Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
Assist small businesses to develop/enhance their trading online capacity, for details see www.localenterprise.ie/Louth/ |
Louth |
€54,580.25 (July 2014 to date) |
Scheme is ongoing |
|
Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
Assist small businesses to develop/enhance their trading online capacity, for details see www.localenterprise.ie/Meath/ |
Meath |
€14,730.00 (July 2014 to date) |
Scheme is ongoing |
|
Estimate |
Outturn |
|
|
€000s |
€000s |
|
|
2011 |
158,000 |
123,446 |
|
2012 |
119,800 |
90,222 |
|
2013 |
95,400 |
74,750 |
|
2014 |
118,500 |
113,100 |
|
2015 |
93,600 |
84,510 |
357. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware of the grave concerns about the possibility of Ireland missing the 2020 16% renewable energy targets by 4%, which would cost Ireland an estimated €600 million per year in fines; and the steps he is taking to meet these targets. [3608/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware of concerns that his Department requires additional resources, particularly human resources, to ensure the successful adoption of renewable energy into our economy, which is without doubt a substantial but necessary task for environmental reasons and for the avoidance of fines, the financial resources for which could be much better directed elsewhere. [3609/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together.
While the precise cost of any shortfall in Ireland's target of 16% has yet to be established, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has estimated that the cost to Ireland may be in the range of €100 million to €150 million for each percentage point Ireland falls short of the overall 16% renewable energy target.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. The Government has adopted a range of support measures designed to meet our binding target, and although good progress towards our target has been made to date, meeting the 16% target remains challenging.
In the electricity sector, the primary support mechanisms introduced for renewable electricity are the Alternative Energy Requirement (AER) schemes and the Renewable Energy Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes. These schemes have proved successful at incentivising the development of the renewable electricity generation capacity necessary to meet our 40% renewable electricity target, and in 2014 SEAI has calculated that 22.7% of electricity demand was met by renewable sources.
In the heating sector, my Department is working on the introduction of a new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to support the deployment of renewable energy in the sector. The primary aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in heating and to help reach our 12% target by 2020. In 2014 it is estimated that 6.6% of heat was derived from renewable sources.
In the transport sector Ireland aims to meet our renewable target mainly through the increased use of sustainable biofuels, with electric vehicles also making a small contribution. In 2014, 5.2% of our energy needs in the transport sector were met from renewable sources.
The Energy White Paper, Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future, published in December last, sets out a vision for transforming Ireland's fossil-fuel based energy sector into a clean, low carbon system by 2050. Over the coming period the increasing focus of my Department will be on implementation of the range of actions set out in the White Paper that are aimed at meeting our energy and climate change targets.
359. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals to extend the natural gas supply to Cavan town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3679/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development and expansion of the natural gas network is a commercial matter for Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), the successor of Gaslink, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State. I have no statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas pipeline network.
In 2006, the CER approved a Gas Connections Policy which enabled assessment of the feasibility of connecting new towns to the gas network. In order for any town to be connected to the gas network, certain economic criteria need to be satisfied.
The policy provides that the construction and operating costs of connecting a town, or group of towns, to the network are recovered through the consumption of gas and the associated network charges. The distance of a town from the gas network is the major factor determining the costs of building a gas pipeline. The anticipated industrial or commercial gas usage in the town largely determines the revenue from gas network charges which must balance the connection costs. Uneconomic gas pipeline projects would unfairly increase energy costs for all gas consumers.
Under the 2006 network connections policy Gaslink has completed three comprehensive studies to assess nearly 80 towns for connections to the gas network with the result that more than twenty new towns have been connected in recent years, including Cootehill in Co. Cavan.
As the successor to Gaslink, GNI will continue to review the towns which did not qualify for connection in 2010 as well as other towns. The key factor which would qualify a town or group of towns in any future review would be a significant increase in demand for natural gas, usually as a result of the addition of a new large industrial or commercial facility.
In 2015 the CER hosted a consultation on a submission received by it from GNI proposing revisions to the existing gas connections policy, as mentioned above. The CER published its decision (CER/15/227) on 30th September 2015 and this is available on its website.
360. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding foreign investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3686/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUPC Ireland has been rebranded as Virgin Media Ireland. This does not constitute a takeover as, throughout the process, the ultimate owner of the service has continued to be Liberty Global.
Concurrent with this rebranding, the MMDS (Multipoint Microwave Distribution Systems) service now operated by Virgin Media, which was introduced in Ireland in the early 1990s to provide multi-channel television services on a nationwide basis, is being prepared to be switched off. This switch off is entirely unrelated to the rebranding of UPC Ireland as Virgin Media, but rather results from a Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) decision (D06/13). In accordance with this decision, the spectrum licence granted by ComReg to the MMDS service will no longer be available from 18 April 2016 as the spectrum associated with the MMDS service (in the 2600MHz band) is being reallocated for mobile broadband usage.
In preparation for the closure of the service, I understand that Virgin Media has been implementing a specific communications programme and, earlier this month, the company wrote directly to all affected MMDS customers advising them of the situation.
Ultimately, existing MMDS users will need to switch to another television service provider available in their area and, as part of its communications programme, I understand that Virgin Media has provided guidance for their customers in this regard. I also understand that the company has put in place a dedicated customer service team to respond to any queries, as well as an online help facility at www.virginmedia.ie/mmds.
I would urge all those affected to engage early with Virgin Media and with the relevant alternative service providers in order to manage this transition in a smooth manner.
361. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of premises forecast to be covered by the national broadband plan’s intervention by commercial high-speed broadband services by county by the end of 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3758/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The information contained in the table is derived from the data provided by commercial operators to my Department in the course of the National Broadband Plan mapping exercise. This exercise was conducted by the Department in the period from July 2013 - December 2015.
The target areas identified for State intervention are based upon these figures. The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the extent of industry commitments to end 2016, indicating that 70% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband within that timescale, with the remaining 30% representing the target for the proposed State intervention. The areas marked in BLUE on the map indicate where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services by end 2016. The areas marked AMBER on the map represent the target areas for State intervention. Members of the public can see whether their individual premise is in the BLUE or AMBER area by inserting their Eircode, and-or address, or scrolling through the map.
On 22nd December 2015, I launched the formal procurement process for the State intervention. There is a process in place to update the map as appropriate during the procurement process. Consequently, the balance between premises served commercially and those served through the State intervention may change.
Existing and planned Commercial High Speed Broadband premises covered: this is the number of premises listed by county that commercial operators have indicated would be able to receive high speed broadband by end 2016.
Number of Premises covered by State Intervention: This is the number of premises listed by county that are currently expected to be covered by the proposed State led Intervention. It is envisaged that 60% of these premises will have access to services by 2018 with 100% having access by 2020.
|
County |
Total number of premises |
Existing and planned Commercial High Speed broadband |
Number of premises currently expected to be covered by State intervention under the National Broadband Plan |
|
CARLOW |
27,406 |
16,851 |
10,555 |
|
CAVAN |
42,372 |
18,175 |
24,197 |
|
CLARE |
68,158 |
33,657 |
34,501 |
|
CORK |
267,754 |
181,782 |
85,972 |
|
DONEGAL |
100,518 |
48,514 |
52,004 |
|
DUBLIN |
580,348 |
572,053 |
8,295 |
|
GALWAY |
133,815 |
71,275 |
62,540 |
|
KERRY |
90,004 |
38,824 |
51,180 |
|
KILDARE |
88,327 |
67,791 |
20,536 |
|
KILKENNY |
47,772 |
25,317 |
22,455 |
|
LAOIS |
38,761 |
22,560 |
16,201 |
|
LEITRIM |
22,316 |
8,990 |
13,326 |
|
LIMERICK |
97,661 |
63,698 |
33,963 |
|
LONGFORD |
22,582 |
10,891 |
11,691 |
|
LOUTH |
60,144 |
45,015 |
15,129 |
|
MAYO |
84,167 |
33,336 |
50,831 |
|
MEATH |
82,555 |
51,384 |
31,171 |
|
MONAGHAN |
33,465 |
13,914 |
19,551 |
|
OFFALY |
36,717 |
19,587 |
17,130 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
39,125 |
14,269 |
24,856 |
|
SLIGO |
39,886 |
21,281 |
18,605 |
|
TIPPERARY |
84,575 |
43,368 |
41,207 |
|
WATERFORD |
60,995 |
43,098 |
17,897 |
|
WESTMEATH |
44,377 |
26,563 |
17,814 |
|
WEXFORD |
79,510 |
40,202 |
39,308 |
|
WICKLOW |
62,824 |
46,250 |
16,574 |
|
Grand Totals |
2,336,134 |
1,578,645 |
757,489 |
362. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the name, cost, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011. [3763/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a very diverse, complex and technical brief across critical and strategic sectors of the Irish economy. While it has a total complement of around 250 full time equivalent staff of whom a number are technical personnel, the technical, commercial, legal complexity and evolving nature of sectors with which the Department deals requires access to external professional expertise to assist in discharging its functions. In procuring these specialised services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and that these services contribute to project delivery and informed, robust and evidence based policy making.
The bulk of the studies are technical and specialist in nature and were necessary to address specific issues as they arose and enable the Department to discharge its policy and project responsibilities in the areas concerned.
Details of the external reports commissioned by my Department are set out in the following table:
|
Consultancy Name |
Title |
Cost |
Date of commission |
Date or expected date of publication |
|
Environ UK Limited |
Corrib gasfield project – monitoring compliance with the Conditions of the Department’s Letter of Consent dated 25 February 2011 |
€890,448* (to date) |
June 2011 |
On-going |
|
Dr Michael Johnson |
Silvermines Vegetation Study |
€5,848 |
August 2011 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase |
|
Camp Dresser McKee CDM |
Sampling of Gortmore and Silvermines Vegetation |
€13,890 |
July 2011 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase |
|
Purvin & Gertz |
Strategic Case for Oil Refining requirements |
€193,997 |
August 2011 |
July 2013 |
|
PA Consulting Group |
National Digital Research Centre |
€29,040 |
July 2011 |
This report was not published. The report is commercially sensitive as it is a Strategic Review of the NDRC to inform decisions about the future of the NDRC after the Concession Agreement expires in 2013. |
|
OHH Energy Ltd |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€41,120 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
Elimark |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€38,786 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
2B Energy |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€32,284 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
SLR Consulting |
Core Library Holdings Review |
€39,688 |
Sept 2011 – Dec 2011 |
Jan 2012 |
|
Jenny Deakin |
Preparation for the Graigue Group Water Scheme Report |
€1,750 |
April 2011 – Sept 2011 |
Sept 2011 |
|
Indecon Economic Consultants |
Economic/Socio-Economic Analysis of options for rollout of next generation broadband |
€28,167 |
May 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision. |
|
Analysys Mason |
Analysis of options for potential State intervention in the rollout of next generation broadband |
€30,522 |
May 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision. |
|
Thornton’s Chartered Surveyors |
Provision of land valuation and negotiation services |
€3,690 |
July 2012 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase. |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Assessment of Economic Contribution of Mineral Exploration and Mining in Ireland |
€53,690 |
October 2012 |
Published September 2013. |
|
Indecon (Ireland) |
Provision of a Macro-Economic Research Exercise under the National Digital Strategy to Determine the Value of Internet/Digital to the Irish Economy |
€72,474 |
November 2012 |
Published July 2013 |
|
CDM Smith Ireland Limited |
Environmental Monitoring at former mining areas of Silvermines, Co. Tipperary and Avoca, Co. Wicklow |
€435,399 |
December 2012 |
On completion of scheduled reports |
|
AMEC Earth & Environmental (UK) Ltd |
Expert Services to Monitor Mining Activities and Compliance with terms of State Mining Leases/Licences. |
€108,864 |
December 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive |
|
Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ltd |
Scheduled review of INFOMAR Project |
€59,505 |
Dec 2012 – May 2013 |
Published September 2013 |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for (1) a 2D regional seismic survey and (2) an offshore exploration well (Dunquin) (2 reports received) |
€11,211 |
February 2013 |
Reports published on the Department’s website |
|
Det Norske Veritas |
Expert technical advice to the Department in connection with offshore drilling |
€52,088 |
March 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive |
|
Neary Marketing & Communications |
Review of Irish Geoscience Sector |
€10,000 |
March 2013 – June 2013 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2D/3D offshore Seismic Surveys and exploration drilling applications (six reports completed in 2013) |
€18,266 (€3,044 fee payable for each report received) |
April 2013 |
Reports published on the Department’s website |
|
Norcontel (Ireland) Ltd |
Market analysis of backhaul infrastructure in Mayo and Galway |
€10,500 |
May 2013 |
Published June 2013 |
|
Selgovia Limited |
Offshore exploration well technical assessment |
€4,429 |
July 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive |
|
Doyle Kent Planning Partnership Ltd. |
To provide draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report for the Renewable Energy Policy and Development Framework |
€95,940 |
September 2013 |
This report has not been published but is expected to be published shortly. |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Establishment of an Administrative Framework for the Conduct of an Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment |
€23,247 |
November 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Establishment of an Administrative Framework for the Acquisition of Baseline Information on Marine Species |
€21,973 |
November 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive |
|
AECOM Ltd. |
Economics and Financial Consultancy |
€52, 988 |
November 2013 |
This Report will not be published as it remains confidential. |
|
Indecon (Ireland) |
Economic Analysis of the Advertising Market in Ireland |
€71,438 |
December 2013 |
Report published on the Department’s website |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2D/3D offshore Seismic Surveys and exploration drilling applications. |
€66,124 (€3,653 fee payable for each report received) |
February 2014 |
Reports published on the Department’s website |
|
Wood Mackenzie |
Review of Ireland’s Oil and Gas Fiscal System |
€212,873 |
12/03/2014 |
Published June 2014 |
|
Neary Marketing & Communications |
Review of Geoscience Ireland Business Cluster |
€5,000 |
March 2014 – July 2014 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
PA Consulting |
Post Project Evaluation of the Tellus Border project |
€24,750 |
March 2014-July 2014 |
Published July 2014 |
|
Perspective Associates Ltd |
The provision of independent expert advice relating to the identification of an appropriate framework for determining whether a compilation of programme material offered by a contractor under s. 71 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 has the ‘character of a public service’. |
€5,000 |
18/07/2014 |
Report published on the Department’s website |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Assistance with the Production of the Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment (IOSEA) 5 |
€289,438 (to date) |
October 2014 |
Ongoing |
|
KN Network Services |
To provide a due diligence assessment on the current status of the Galway-Mayo telecoms duct. |
€62,500 |
2014 |
The report will not be published, it will be used to assist with the appointment of a Management Services Entity for the duct. |
|
Gemserv |
To provide an interim privacy impact assessment on the implementation of the National Postcode System |
€59,340 |
August 2014 |
Final report – Executive Summary published. |
|
Ricardo - AEA |
REFIT 3 Review |
€4,500 |
2014 |
This document remains part of the deliberative process and contains commercially sensitive information. |
|
Doyle Kent Planning Partnership Ltd. |
Assistance with the screening of the National Broadband Intervention Strategy for Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment. |
€4,500 |
25/08/2014 |
This report will be published on completion of the consideration of the SEA/AA assessments. |
|
Ramboll Environ UK Ltd |
Environmental Consultancy Services for Gap Assessment on Application for Corrib Pipeline Consent to Operate. |
€70,000 |
August 2015 |
Ongoing |
|
RPS Group Limited |
To undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment / Appropriate Assessment on the Draft Bioenergy Plan |
€54,930 |
September 2015 |
March 2016 |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Review of Designated Events of Major Importance to Society under the Broadcasting Act 2009. |
€37,223.43 (to date) |
23 October 2015 |
January 2016 |
|
Tekenable |
Provision of TV Licence Database and System Review. |
€13,177.13 (to date) |
29 October 2015 |
January 2016 |
|
Compass Informatics |
Scoping Study for a National Geological Data Centre |
€29,625 |
October 2015 |
February 2016 |
|
SLR Consulting |
Review of Issues around social acceptance of Geoscience activities and Earth Resources |
€25,830 |
December 2015 |
March 2016 |
|
RiskSolutions |
High level Strategic Study on phase 1 & phase 2 of the INFOMAR project |
€24,989 |
December 2015 |
March 2016 |
363. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of tribunals of inquiry, commissions of inquiry or investigations for which he or his Department have been responsible by name, by terms of reference, by cost, including the cost to date where an inquiry has not been concluded, by date, including the projected date of conclusion where an inquiry has not been concluded, from 1991 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3778/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no Tribunals of Inquiry, Commissions of Inquiry or Investigations established by my Department since this Government came to office on 9th March 2011 to date.
364. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the expenses, including the amount of mileage, claimed by him and Ministers of State at his Department, by calendar year, during the current Dáil, in tabular form. [3806/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on expenses claimed by me, my predecessor Pat Rabbitte, T.D and by the previous Minister of State at my Department, Fergus O’Dowd T.D. for each of the years from 2011 to date is set out in the table below. Payments made are in accordance with the relevant Department of Public Expenditure and Reform rules and guidelines. Minister of State Joe McHugh has responsibilities within my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. All expenses claimed are paid to him by that Department.
Minister Alex White, T.D. July 2014 to date
|
2014 € |
2015 € |
|
|
Travel and Subsistence |
939 |
4,343 |
|
Kilometres |
2,939 |
13,209 |
|
Publications |
0 |
1,237 |
Former Minister, Pat Rabbitte T.D. March 2011 to July 2014
|
2011 € |
2012 € |
2013 € |
2014 € |
|
|
Travel and Subsistence |
955 |
2,223 |
2,119 |
956 |
|
Kilometres |
8,810 |
10,192 |
13,732 |
11,383 |
Former Minister of State, Fergus O Dowd, T.D. March 2011 to July 2014
|
2011 € |
2012 € |
2013 € |
2014 € |
|
|
Travel and Subsistence |
608 |
1,864 |
2,064 |
2,267 |
|
Kilometres |
11,101 |
15,580 |
18,815 |
10,125 |
|
Constituency office phone bill |
1,133 |
0 |
0 |
195 |
365. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount he spent on media clipping and media monitoring services in each calendar year from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3821/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe amount spent on media clipping and media monitoring services by my Department for each of the years from 2011 to 2015 is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2011 |
€49,911 |
|
2012 |
€24,084 |
|
2013 |
€29,622 |
|
2014 |
€26,331 |
|
2015 |
€27,719 |
|
Total |
€157,667 |
366. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the activity he expects in new oil and gas exploration in Irish territorial waters and in Ireland's economic zone during 2016; the impact of the new exploration tax regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3849/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s strategy for the exploitation of indigenous oil and gas resources aims to maximise the level of exploration activity and increase the level of production activity, while ensuring a fair return to the State. In recent years efforts to reposition the industry through an intensive promotional campaign, data acquisition projects and the reworking and modernising of the regulatory and fiscal frameworks have resulted in the highest level ever of extant authorisations with 44 extant licensing options and exploration licences at the beginning of 2016.
In response to the 2015 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round, 17 companies submitted 43 applications, by far the largest number of applications received in any round held in the Irish offshore. This very positive response is an indication of the building momentum in oil and gas exploration offshore Ireland. While at this stage I cannot comment on the number of Licensing Options that will be granted as a result of the Round, I expect that the first phase of awards resulting from the Round will be made in mid February.
The tax terms that would apply to any new commercial discoveries are set out in the 2015 Finance Act and the resulting income would be a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
367. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide sports capital funding in 2016; when he will announce details of same; when the process will open and close; and the amount money that will be allocated in 2016. [3488/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme.
368. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the cost of public transport to commuters given the dramatic drop in the cost of fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3494/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFare determinations are a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the transport operators. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.
