Written Answers Nos. 201-224
201. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10872/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe GLAS Traditional Farm Building Scheme provides grant-aid for the conservation of traditional farm buildings on GLAS farms. The scheme is jointly funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the European Union and is administered by the Heritage Council on behalf of my Department. Grants awarded will not exceed 75% of the cost of the works with a maximum grant of €25,000 and a minimum grant of €4,000 being made.
I am delighted to say that over 500 applications have been received for the Scheme under the first tranche and I can confirm that an application was received from the person named. The Heritage Council is currently validating and evaluating all applications and they will notify all applicants of the outcome in due course.
202. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by persons (details supplied) under tranche 2 of the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; to contact the persons in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10884/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for Tranche 2 of the GLAS Scheme was received in this case on the dedicated GLAS online system on the 13 December 2015. The unprecedented level of applications to the Scheme has meant that for GLAS 2, priority is being given to what are called Tier 1 and Tier 2 candidates, i.e. those who either manage key environmental assets like endangered birds, protected habitats or high-quality water courses, or who have committed to undertake particularly valuable environmental actions like growing feed-crops for wild birds, adopting low-impact tillage techniques or using low-emission slurry spreading methods.
The application for the persons named was ranked as a Tier 3 application and it was therefore not selected into the scheme. A letter issued to the persons named notifying them of this decision and giving the option of appeal to GLAS section. This decision was unsuccessfully appealed to GLAS Section and the persons named have been informed in writing of the outcome and of their right to appeal this further to the Agriculture Appeals Office (AAO), Kilminchy Court, Portlaoise. The AAO has advised that to date there is no record of an appeal having been made to that Office.
A third tranche of GLAS (GLAS 3) will open later this year and the persons named and any applicant who was unsuccessful in the second tranche will have the opportunity now to re-examine their proposed farm-plan, in consultation with their advisor, and see how it might be improved to increase their chance of selection under GLAS 3 and to submit a new application for GLAS 3 when the scheme is opened.
An official from my Department will contact the persons named.
203. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to facilitate participants in the three-year milk superlevy repayment scheme to avail of the State-aid provided to individual farmers up to a maximum of £15,000 that is to use this money to pay the super levy bill which State-aid option was agreed by the European Union Agricultural Council for member states, in recognition of the unsustainable pressure on the incomes of farmers in the dairy, pig and fruit sectors. [10887/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the ongoing market difficulties in the dairy, pigmeat, and fruit and vegetables sectors, the Council of Agriculture Ministers agreed a further package of measures in March 2016. Among these was the making available of more flexible state aid support. It will now be possible for farmers (SMEs) to access temporary finance up to a maximum amount of €15,000 per farm per year in circumstances where they either:
(i) make a commitment to freeze or reduce production compared to a given reference period, or
(ii) use the funds to bridge a liquidity gap.
Aid as provisionally envisaged would be granted in the form of direct grants, loans or guarantees in the case of freezing/reducing production, and in the form of loans or guarantees in the case of liquidity assistance (remunerated in the form of an interest payment). The latter could also be provided in grant form if accompanied by a commitment to freeze or reduce production. Interaction and discussion with the Commission is ongoing in respect of finalising the details of such provisions.
The Department is continuing to monitor market developments very closely, and will continue to work with the Commission and with other Member States in developing appropriate responses.
Member States now have a suite of measures that have been made available since September 2015, and will respond in accordance with their domestic circumstances. To date Ireland has used the targeted aid package of €27.4m (€13.7m EU and €13.7m national funding) to support producers in the dairy and pigmeat sectors, and has pushed for appropriate changes in the operation of market support measures such as aids to private storage.
There are no plans to avail of the option to provide national funding to freeze or reduce milk supply compared to a given reference period. On the question of liquidity, the Department is at present commissioning an ex ante appraisal to examine the merits of including a provision for financial instruments in its Rural Development Programme, and is continuing to engage with banks and with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland on the provision of flexible finance to farmers.
As the Deputy may be aware, the a facility to phase the final superlevy payment over three years was introduced by the EU Commission last year at Ireland’s request. Farmers availing of the facility must pay at least one third of the bill in each of the first two years (2015 and 2016) with the balance to be paid in 2017. The Department implemented the scheme nationally and 3,741 farmers (out of a total of 6,109 farmers who incurred the levy) deferred repayments of €35.6m in superlevy liability, (out of a total national levy liability of €71.2m).
The mechanism required the Exchequer to pay the superlevy liability to the EU in full in 2015, and to recover the levy from farmers over the three years from 2015 to 2017. A wide process of consultation in the design of the scheme was undertaken with farm organisations and co-ops and it was agreed that once the initial farmer instalment was paid in 2015, the optimum repayment model for the balancing payments would involve ten equal instalments from the months of May-September in 2016 and 2017.
These amounts will be deducted by co-ops from a farmer’s monthly milk cheques to coincide with the peak milk supply months of April to August. The co-ops will then forward the money each month to the Department. This approach was also agreed as part of the sanction given by the Minister for Public Expenditure Reform.
As part of the discussions in the run-up to the March Council of Agriculture Ministers, Ireland proposed a further deferral of the payment to 2017 and 2018, to ease the financial burden on liable farmers in 2016. However the European Commission advised that the legal basis for the Regulations under-pinning the scheme are no longer in existence and therefore further amendments were not possible. While Ireland suggested a possible alternative legal approach, it was clear that the proposal enjoyed very little support from other Member States and was therefore unlikely to succeed.
On that basis the focus turned to other measures in the package which can be of assistance to Irish dairy farmers to help them through current difficulties, including the doubling of intervention fixed price buying-in thresholds. I did however raise the matter with Commissioner Phil Hogan, in our recent bilateral meeting, as well as at yesterday’s Council of Ministers meeting and encouraged him to reflect again on whether a legal basis could be found to facilitate a further deferral in superlevy repayments for farmers.
204. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when compensation will be paid to a person (details supplied) under the bovine viral diarrhoea eradication scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10892/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has received an application from the herd owner to which the deputy refers. These applications are currently being processed, and any payments due will be issued in due course.
205. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will accept a late application from a person (details supplied) seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by lease in order to satisfy the criteria of the 2015 private contract clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10895/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA decision has been made to accept the late 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application in this instance. An official from my Department will be in direct contact with the person named to discuss the resolution of this case.
206. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied) under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10902/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced their AEOS contract on 1 November 2010. Payment issued for the 2010-2014 Scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place. As all AEOS 1 participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Officials are working through these files and payment will be made as soon as possible.
207. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme and payment under the top-up for young farmers scheme and the national reserve scheme which were approved a number of weeks ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10905/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applicant in question applied in the second tranche of the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II for lights, a tank and animal housing. The application has passed the initial administrative checks. All applications that are received in a given tranche have to be examined and are then ranked and selected before approvals take place. The person named submitted a Private Contract Clause application to my Department seeking the transfer of allocation rights with land as transferee. An Official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named regarding this application and agreement has now been reached with regard to the approach required to finalise the application.
The person named has also submitted applications under the National Reserve and the Young Farmers’ Scheme to my Department. Now that agreement has been reached with regard to the Private Contract Clause application, the National Reserve and Young Farmer Scheme applications can be finalised with a view to payment as soon as possible.
208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied) under the 2015 sheep technology adoption programme; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10910/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was a participant in the 2015 Sheep Technology Adoption Programme. As part of his commitment under that scheme he undertook to carry out a faecal egg count reduction test. Appendix III to the Terms and Conditions of the scheme sets out the instructions for this test including those for re-sampling post treatment. While the laboratory has received the initial sample there is no record of receipt of a second sample. As the requirement to re-sample has not been met the person named is in breach of the Terms and Conditions of the Programme and accordingly does not qualify for payment in 2015. The person named has received payment in respect of 2013 and 2014.
209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of shooting rights in an area of forestry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10921/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of the estate, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte has, however, advised that Baurearagh, Cummeenboy and Reanabob ul fo rests are on Coillte land and t hat t he hunting licences on these properties expired in February 2016. I am also advised that t he primary tender competition to award the new licences closed in April and the evaluation process is currently being finalised. Details of Coillte’s procedures for hunting licences can be found at: http://www.coillteoutdoors.ie/index.php?id=198.
210. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to lobby the European Union Commissioner, Mr Phil Hogan to suspend the collection of the balance of the superlevy for two years due to the dire income situation of dairy farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10925/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the a facility to phase the final superlevy payment over three years was introduced by the EU Commission last year at Ireland’s request. Farmers availing of the facility must pay at least one third of the bill in each of the first two years (2015 and 2016) with the balance to be paid in 2017.
The Department implemented the scheme nationally and 3,741 farmers (out of a total of 6,109 farmers who incurred the levy) deferred repayments of €35.6m in superlevy liability, (out of a total national levy liability of €71.2m).
The mechanism required the Exchequer to pay the superlevy liability to the EU in full in 2015, and to recover the levy from farmers over the three years from 2015 to 2017. A wide process of consultation in the design of the scheme was undertaken with farm organisations and co-ops and it was agreed that once the initial farmer instalment was paid in 2015, the optimum repayment model for the balancing payments would involve ten equal instalments from the months of May-September in 2016 and 2017.
These amounts will be deducted by co-ops from a farmer’s monthly milk cheques to coincide with the peak milk supply months of April to August. The co-ops will then forward the money each month to the Department. This approach was also agreed as part of the sanction given by the Minister for Public Expenditure Reform.
As part of the discussions in the run-up to the March Council of Agriculture Ministers, Ireland proposed a further deferral of the payment to 2017 and 2018, to ease the financial burden on liable farmers in 2016. However the European Commission advised that the legal basis for the Regulations under-pinning the scheme are no longer in existence and therefore further amendments were not possible. While Ireland suggested a possible alternative legal approach, it was clear that the proposal enjoyed very little support from other Member States and was therefore unlikely to succeed.
On that basis the focus turned to other measures in the package which can be of assistance to Irish dairy farmers to help them through current difficulties, including the doubling of intervention fixed price buying-in thresholds. I did however raise the matter with Commissioner Phil Hogan in our recent bilateral meeting, as well as at yesterday’s Council of Minister’s meeting, and encouraged the Commission to reflect again on whether a legal basis could be found to facilitate a further deferral in superlevy repayments for farmers.
211. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources how he spent the revenue raised from the television licence in 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10725/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTV licence revenues are distributed in accordance with Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, principally to both RTÉ and TG4 in order to facilitate the pursuit of their public service objectives, which are also set out in the 2009 Act. An Post pays the Department all TV licence revenues collected from sales. The Department of Social Protection pays an agreed sum in respect of 'free' TV licences issued by that Department; this sum is currently set at €52 million per annum.
From these gross receipts, the Department pays An Post commission in respect of the TV licence activities An Post undertakes in its role as the Minister’s collection agent. In addition, 7% of the total revenue net of An Post’s commission is paid to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland for the operation of the Broadcasting Funding Scheme, which provides funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and programmes to improve adult literacy. Revenue from this fund can be applied for by independent producers and broadcasters for specific projects of a public service nature. TG4 also receives an amount of the TV licence revenues and this is currently set at €9.245m per annum. All remaining revenues are paid to RTÉ.
The table shows the position for 2015.
|
2015 €M |
|
|
Total receipts |
214 |
|
An Post |
11.6 |
|
Broadcasting Fund |
14.6 |
|
Tg4 |
9.25 |
|
RTÉ |
178.5 |
212. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources how he will prioritise the roll-out of broadband to rural areas and prevent further delays in the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10779/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.
It is expected that 70% of all premises in Ireland will receive high speed services from the commercial telecommunications market. The remaining 30% (over 750,000 premises) are the focus of a major State procurement, which formally commenced in December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire ( 'PQQ') and Project Information Memorandum.
Five responses have been received from prospective bidders to this stage of the competitive procurement process by the deadline of 31 March 2016. The five responses are being assessed in line with the criteria set down by the Department with a view to shortlisted qualified bidders proceeding to the next stage of procurement.
The second stage in the procurement process will be a formal invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders. I expect that my Department will move to this stage in the next month. The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation which follows the dialogue process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract which will comprise one or two lots as set out in the Intervention Strategy document. The Department will then enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s). It is expected that a contract will be awarded by June 2017.
Engagement with industry stakeholders as part of the pre-procurement and consultations has indicated that the rollout in the State Intervention area could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
Rollout will commence once the contract is in place. Based on industry consultations, it is expected that 85% of all premises in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband within 2 years after rollout commences, with 100% being connected within 5 years or sooner.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht.
I am in discussion at present with Minister Heather Humphreys on the detailed arrangements to give effect to commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government regarding her Department’s role in relation to the rollout phase of the National Broadband Plan. It is envisaged that the role will include leading on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces and working with local authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
213. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the evidence that proposals for the development of an additional runway at Dublin Airport, in County Dublin have had regard to section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. [10787/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of Dublin Airport is a matter for the DAA under the remint of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
214. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals there are to improve broadband telecommunications service in an area (details supplied) in County Monaghan; if he is aware that households and many small enterprises have concerns regarding the totally inadequate service that exists at present; if the necessary investment programme will be undertaken without further delay to bring this broadband service up to a proper standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10794/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals there are to improve broadband telecommunications service in an area (details supplied) in County Monaghan; if he is aware that households and many small enterprises have concerns regarding the totally inadequate service that exists at present; if the necessary investment programme will be undertaken without further delay to bring this broadband service up to a proper standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10795/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals there are to improve broadband telecommunications service in an area (details supplied) in County Monaghan; if he is aware that households and many small enterprises have concerns regarding the totally inadequate service that exists at present; if the necessary investment programme will be undertaken without further delay to bring this broadband service up to a proper standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10855/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 214, 215 and 217 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.
It is expected that 70% of all premises in Ireland will receive high speed services from the commercial telecommunications market. The remaining 30% (over 750,000 premises) are the focus of a major State procurement, which formally commenced in December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire ( 'PQQ') and Project Information Memorandum.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The areas marked AMBER represent the target areas for the State Intervention and includes the townlands of Drumhawan and Corcaghan County Monaghan. Based on information provided by commercial operators 91% of the townland of Doohamlet will be covered by commercial operators while the remaining 9% will be part of the State Intervention. Members of the public can view whether their premises in Monaghan are in the BLUE or AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
In terms of the procurement process, five responses have been received from prospective bidders to this stage of the competitive procurement process by the deadline of 31 March 2016. The five responses are being assessed in line with the criteria set down by the Department with a view to shortlisted qualified bidders proceeding to the next stage of procurement.
The second stage in the procurement process will be a formal invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders. I expect that my Department will move to this stage in the next month.
The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation which follows the dialogue process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract(s). The tender process includes two land areas, with a broadly equal number of premises in each. Bidders can bid for both areas separately, as well as providing a single bid for the entire area. Once winning bidder(s) have been selected, the Department will enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s). It is expected that a contract will be awarded by June 2017.
Rollout will commence once the contract is in place. Based on industry consultations, it is expected that 85% of all premises in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband within 2 years after rollout commences, with 100% being connected within 5 years or sooner.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan.
I am in discussion at present with Minister Heather Humphreys on the detailed arrangements to give effect to commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government regarding her Department’s role in relation to the rollout phase of the National Broadband Plan. It is envisaged that the role will include leading on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces and working with local authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if and when high-speed broadband will become accessible from the Donadea area in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10798/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.
It is expected that 70% of all premises in Ireland will receive high speed services from the commercial telecommunications market. The remaining 30% (over 750,000 premises) are the focus of a major State procurement, which formally commenced in December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire ( 'PQQ') and Project Information Memorandum.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The areas marked AMBER represent the target areas for the State Intervention. Members of the public can view whether their premises in County Kildare are in the BLUE or AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
Based on information provided by commercial operators 75% of the townland of Donadea, Co Kildare will be covered by the commercial sector (BLUE area) while the remaining 25% (AMBER area) will be part of the State intervention. High speed services that are rolled out in BLUE areas are done so on a commercial basis by commercial operators and I would advise individuals to regularly check with operators as to when these services will be available.
In terms of the procurement process, five responses have been received from prospective bidders to this stage of the competitive procurement process by the deadline of 31 March 2016. The five responses are being assessed in line with the criteria set down by the Department with a view to shortlisted qualified bidders proceeding to the next stage of procurement.
The second stage in the procurement process will be a formal invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders. I expect that my Department will move to this stage in the next month.
The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation which follows the dialogue process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract(s). The tender process includes two land areas, with a broadly equal number of premises in each. Bidders can bid for both areas separately, as well as providing a single bid for the entire area. Once winning bidder(s) have been selected, the Department will enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s). It is expected that a contract will be awarded by June 2017.
Engagement with industry stakeholders as part of the pre-procurement and consultations has indicated that the rollout in the State Intervention area could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award. Rollout will commence once the contract is in place. Based on industry consultations, it is expected that 85% of all premises in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband within 2 years after rollout commences, with 100% being connected within 5 years or sooner.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan.
I am in discussion at present with Minister Heather Humphreys on the detailed arrangements to give effect to commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government regarding her Department’s role in relation to the rollout phase of the National Broadband Plan. It is envisaged that the role will include leading on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces and working with local authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
218. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if and when he contacted the Department of housing, planning and local government digital hub, the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive or Dublin City Council regarding the imminent closure of the Brú Aimsir hostel in County Dublin; and if he supports removing the 100 emergency beds currently in the hostel from the Dublin emergency accommodation system or if he believes these beds should remain operational until such time as an alternative location for them is provided. [10880/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government has committed to addressing the housing shortage and homelessness, and is committed to publishing, within the first 100 days, a new Action Plan for Housing which will contain a specific section on preventing homelessness.
The hostel referred to in the Question is located in a warehouse property owned by the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) which operates under the aegis of my Department.
In line with section 7(2) of the Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003, the Board of the DHDA sought the consent of my predecessor to grant a lease to Dublin City Council (DCC) to use the vacant warehouse as a temporary cold weather emergency facility for a 6 month period to the end of March 2016, and his consent was so granted. Subsequently, my predecessor, on foot of two further requests from the Board, granted his consent to the DHDA to extend, by one month each, the term of the lease with DCC.
The term of the lease is a matter for DCC to raise with the DHDA in the first instance. I understand that DCC and DHDA are in discussions about the possibility of further extending the term of the lease, and I will consider any related request for Ministerial consent as a matter of priority.
219. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he supports a feasibility study on the development of a second airport for the Dublin region. [10785/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe strategic importance of aviation access infrastructure is acknowledged in the National Aviation Policy, published by my predecessor last August. The Policy also recognises the need for a strong Irish airport network in order to grow Ireland's share of global passenger traffic over the next decade and to support the economic and social activities of the State. Specifically in relation to the Dublin region, the Policy acknowledges the opportunity to develop Dublin Airport as a secondary hub. This will entail utilising the airport assets as efficiently as possible, including optimising existing capacity at the airport. It also envisages the provision of additional infrastructure to exploit emerging opportunities to expand air service connections for business, tourism, cultural and educational purposes, thereby delivering economic benefits at national level. In this regard, the development of a second runway at Dublin Airport is one of the goals outlined in the Policy. In April this year, daa announced that it was commencing the second runway project which should be completed by 2020. This new runway along with the two existing terminals will provide capacity for the predicted growth in the coming years.
The National Aviation Policy also takes account of the need to plan for the long term future, and outlines the Department's intention to commission a high level strategic capacity review in 2018 as well as mandating the State airports to carry out reviews of capacity constraints and infrastructure needs at five yearly intervals commencing in 2018. Given the accelerated growth in passenger numbers and future projections, these reviews may need to be undertaken earlier than was envisaged. The need for any additional infrastructure, whether they be additional terminals or airports, would be addressed as part of these reviews.
220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Dublin Bus will initiate a recruitment process for bus drivers in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10722/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a human resources matter for Dublin Bus 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.
221. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider to conduct an independent and thorough cost-benefit analysis of the proposal to develop an additional runway at Dublin Airport recognising the potential cost to the Exchequer. [10786/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe daa has statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport with no recourse to Exchequer funding. In line with this responsibility, it is a matter for daa to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to facilitate the development of the airport and that there is sufficient capacity to meet existing and future demand.Since the 1970s, land use planning in the environs of Dublin Airport has provided for the construction of a second parallel runway. In 2007, the daa was granted planning permission for that runway on its landbank. However, due to the downturn in the economy, the project was not progressed. Given the significant increase in passenger numbers at Dublin Airport in recent years and projected traffic growth in future years, I welcome the fact that daa has now decided to move forward with this project which is in line with the National Aviation Policy published last August. I understand that the requirement for a new runway is recognised by the airlines in general.
DAA expect to invest in the region of €320 million in North Runway Project, a multi-faceted project to include associated aprons and taxiways, drainage network and changes to the road network system. Analysis undertaken on behalf of daa estimates that the project will support over 500 initial construction jobs and could support a further 31,000 jobs over the next two decades contributing €2.2 billion to GDP.
As a fully commercial, wholly owned State company, daa finances all major capital projects, including the runway, from debt and retained earnings. In addition, the Commission for Aviation Regulation has established a funding mechanism, linked to the charges paid by airlines, for recoupment towards the cost of construction of the runway.
222. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to ensure the National Transport Authority refunds a person (details supplied) who was unfairly charged an amount following the cancellation of an small public service vehicle licensing appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10893/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle industry, including vehicle licensing, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
223. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the interventions he plans to make in the industrial dispute between Transdev and Luas workers; if he is aware this company is operating a State contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10901/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am of course aware that Transdev operates Luas services on the basis of a contract awarded by the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland; however, the Deputy should be aware that as Minister, I have no function in relation to either the employment of Transdev staff or their terms and conditions of employment. They are employees of Transdev, which is a private company. The current dispute is between employees, as represented by SIPTU, and their employer, Transdev. It is up to those two parties to reach a resolution with each other.
I firmly believe that any intervention by me, or indeed others without a legal function or role in this dispute, is not helpful. The State has industrial relations institutions which are ready to assist the relevant parties in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement.
I am clear however that whatever resolution is arrived at between Transdev and its employees must be delivered within the overall contractual framework Transdev has with the State. There cannot be, and there will not be, any change to that contract which runs until November 2019. I will not be opening the chequebook on behalf of the taxpayer in this matter.
My focus is to protect the interests of the travelling public, and to encourage the parties to work to resolve their differences. Any agreement must deliver sustainable wage rates that don't involve higher fares for the travelling public.
224. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she has considered availing of section 38 of the 1990 Industrial relations Act to enable her invoke the services of the Labour Court or the services of other persons in order to resolve the industrial dispute (details supplied) as an issue of huge public interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10829/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis dispute between employees of Transdev, represented by SIPTU, and their employer has been both difficult and protracted. It has resulted in significant disruption and losses on all sides. As the Deputy will be aware significant efforts were made by the Workplace Relations Commission to assist the parties come to a resolution and protracted and intensive negotiations resulted in a set of proposals that were ultimately rejected.
The Labour Court is closely monitoring this dispute and is available to provide assistance to the parties at a time when it considers it appropriate to do so. For this reason I do not consider it would be appropriate or necessary to consider exercising powers under section 38 of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990.
