Written Answers Nos. 746-760
746. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration is being given to the reopening of fishing rights on a river (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10321/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2006 the Government affirmed its commitment to manage the wild salmon fishery in line with the scientific advice in the interests of conservation of stocks. Since 2007, the harvest of salmon, by commercial fishing and recreational angling has been restricted to those rivers that are meeting their individual conservation limits for wild salmon.
Research into salmon genetics indicates that each of Ireland’s salmon rivers has its own unique stock of salmon which migrates to sea as juveniles and returns to the same river as mature salmon to spawn and propagate the next generation of salmon distinctive to that river.
The harvesting of salmon either by recreational anglers or commercial draft net fishermen is only considered in rivers where the estimated salmon returns are above the conservation limit for any particular river. The conservation limit for any river is the number of adult spawning fish required to maintain a viable and sustainable salmon population.
The status of the stock in each of Ireland’s 147 designated salmon rivers, sections of rivers and estuaries is reviewed annually by the Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) comprised of Scientists from a range of organisations. The independent scientific advice provided by the Committee underpins the management decisions made by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in respect of the opening or closing of a river for angling and commercial fishing for salmon on an individual river basis.
The annual Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations, made under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, provide for the management of Ireland's wild salmon and sea trout fisheries by IFI. Specifically, the Regulations provide for the quotas of fish (surplus to the conservation limits) that can be harvested either commercially or by rod and line from those rivers identified in the Schedule to the Regulations. These Regulations are revised each year taking account of advice from IFI, the Standing Scientific Committee and any submissions received during a 30 day statutory public consultation period.
In assessing the status of salmon stocks for any particular river, the Committee draws on a number of data sets including rod and commercial catch data, fish counter data and the results from catchment wide electro-fishing. The SSC provides advice for the purposes of wild salmon and sea trout management for the river system in question based on fish counter data.
The fish counter on the river referred to by the Deputy continues to indicate that the conservation limit for wild salmon is not being met. However, the SSC carried out an additional assessment via catchment-wide electro-fishing to establish the presence of juvenile fish. On the basis of this assessment the river is currently open for Catch and Release angling.
747. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on his recent meeting with the CEO and board of RTE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10347/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra748. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his recent meeting with the CEO and board of RTE touched on the cost structures of the organisation, including the massive salaries paid to top management, presenters and contractors and in view of the possible move to a broadcasting licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10348/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 747 and 748 together.
My most recent meeting with the Director-General and Chair of RTE took place on 21 February 2017. We had a wide ranging discussion on the broadcasting sector and corporate governance matters, in particular, the financial challenges facing RTE. Remuneration policy is an operational matter for RTE and was not the subject of the meeting.
749. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to review the programme structures and performance of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in view of the major and fast changing digital media landscape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10349/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans to review the programme structures or performance of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The Authority, which is independent in the performance of its functions, operates under the framework of the Broadcasting Act 2009.
The Authority recently launched its Strategy Statement for 2017-2019 and I am satisfied that the strategy, which fully recognises the challenges that face the sector, provides a solid foundation that will allow the Authority to continue to be effective and meet its statutory objectives.
750. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason fossil fuel heating systems are continuing to be promoted with grants of up to 50% by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland through their home and community energy efficiency grant programmes, Better Energy Homes and Better Energy Communities, while there is no additional support or incentive to install renewable heat or renewable electricity alternatives. [10352/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Programme is administered on behalf of my Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Under the Better Energy Homes (BEH) scheme, the grant available for an oil or gas boiler upgrade is limited to €100, a small contribution, and is only available when the upgrade is carried out along with the installation of heating controls. Heating controls are an extremely effective way of saving energy and using less fuel. The incentive of a grant for a new boiler is aimed at making the public aware of the grant supports available from SEAI and introducing them to the much wider set of energy efficiency measures they could undertake with SEAI support. SEAI are, at present, carrying out a full review of the technologies that are supported under the BEH scheme. This will consider the range of technologies that are available to deliver energy savings and look at where Government support will be most effective.
While the Better Energy Programme has been extremely successful in encouraging homeowners to carry out energy efficiency works, the majority of savings have come from lower cost, more accessible measures such as attic insulation and energy conservation campaigns. Tackling these easier, cheaper measures first is a sensible approach and it has done a great deal to raise awareness of energy efficiency. Now, with the aim of putting Ireland on realistic trajectory to 2030 and 2050 climate and energy targets, as outlined in the recently published National Mitigation Plan briefing document, the depth of energy efficiency upgrades needs to increase.
Under the Better Energy Communities (BEC) scheme, renewable energy heating systems are already supported. Heat pumps and biomass boilers are being grant funded this year at up to 50% (or up to 95% for fuel poor households) when carried out with a combined fabric upgrade. Promoting a “fabric first” approach reduces heat losses, makes it easier to keep a home warmer and more comfortable for longer periods and reduces the likelihood of installing an oversized heating system.
Experience from the BEC scheme, as well as from various pilot schemes I will roll out this year, will be used to form an evidence base to inform future national policies on low carbon heat and create the business cases necessary for large-scale projects to apply for EU funding, which my Department will be seeking to avail of in the coming years.
One of these pilot initiatives will, for example, offer deep energy efficiency upgrades to people currently participating in the Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme. Families who become involved in this pilot can expect to experience warmer, more comfortable homes, significantly reduced energy bills, a higher property value and even improved health and wellbeing. From Ireland's national perspective, it will lower Ireland’s CO2 emissions, support local construction industry jobs and contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets.
More widely, the pilot will serve as a demonstration to the families throughout Ireland who are dependent on solid fuels as their primary heating source that there are alternatives, that energy efficiency can deliver real benefits and that moving away from solid fuels will be of benefit to them and the country as a whole. My officials are working closely with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the SEAI on the design of this scheme and full details will be announced shortly.
751. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the programme for Government commitments relating to improving mobile phone coverage in Leitrim village and surrounding areas; the efforts being taken by mobile phone operators to substantially increase coverage in Leitrim; the timeframe for actions in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10468/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Any customer, including those in Leitrim village and the surrounding areas, who experiences service difficulties should raise the matter with the service provider in the first instance. If this fails to resolve matters, customers can and should refer a complaint to the independent regulator of the telecommunications sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which will investigate the service provider's compliance with its contractual obligations.
The provision of telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the service providers concerned who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by ComReg. I do not have a statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout services to particular locations. However, mobile operators have invested significantly in rolling out improved services, following ComReg's multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage. However as mobile services are a radio based technology, services can be affected by topography, quality of handsets and the capacity of the network, as well as by and proximity to mobile telephone antennas. The rate of demand for data services has increased by 500% in the last four years and this presents a continuing challenge for mobile operators, regulators and policy makers both in Ireland and internationally.
Recognising this challenge, I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force. In July 2016, I established the Task Force together with Minister Humphreys to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention. The report of the Task Force was published in December and is available on both Departments' websites.
In producing this report, the Task Force worked with Departments, local authorities, ComReg, State agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders.
The report contains 40 actions that will alleviate some of the telecommunications deficits across Ireland and the implementation programme on mobile phone and broadband access identifies 19 of these actions as areas where immediate and direct action by Departments and State agencies can ensure accelerated benefits to consumers.
The work of the Task Force will also assist local authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contracts are in place.
In addition, I have signed regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 allocation of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz radio spectrum band. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services.
In my Department's Estimates for 2017, I have secured an €8 million provision for RTE to allow it to free up the 700 MHz spectrum band. ComReg in turn will make plans to allocate this spectrum to provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage. The 700 MHz band is particularly suited to rural environments where the signal can travel long distances.
These initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services across Ireland and particularly in rural Ireland.
In parallel, the National Broadband Plan aims to deliver high-speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland, through private investment and a State intervention in areas where commercial investment plans have not been fully demonstrated.
752. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the qualifying criteria for Pobal's rural transport programme; if new applications are being accepted for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9641/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a Government decision in 2012 the National Transport Authority (NTA) was assigned responsibility for the management of the Rural Transport Programme, taking over that responsibility from Pobal. I have therefore 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.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
753. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to research compiled by University College London which showed that the condition, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, existed in a number of retired footballers which increased the risk of the development of a form of dementia; his views on the opinion of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland that the findings will mean a new way is required to approach coaching on the way to head the ball safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10167/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the recently published research on this matter.
All aspects of football coaching are an operational matter for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) as the National Governing Body (NGB) for football. National Governing Bodies, including the FAI, are independent, autonomous bodies. I have no role in, or responsibility for, operational matters of NGBs.
While neither I nor Sport Ireland have a statutory role or remit with regard to monitoring or reviewing the safety standards in use by, or applicable to, NGBs, it is the expectation that NGBs would abide by existing legislation and have regard to guidance issued by relevant statutory agencies. The safety of all those involved in sport is of paramount importance, whether as participants, competitors, spectators, volunteers or workers.
754. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which funding is being made available for the Naas inner relief road which connects the Blessington Road to the Dublin Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9553/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Kildare is the statutory responsibility of Kildare County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
Given the cutbacks in State funding for regional and local roads since the financial crisis, it has been necessary to curtail the grant programme for major new regional and local road schemes and for major realignment schemes in order to protect the funding available for the maintenance of the existing network. The bulk of the funding allocated under the Capital Plan is, therefore, earmarked for the maintenance and renewal of the road network with some limited investment in the new projects. I announced the 2017 regional and local road allocations to local authorities (including Kildare County Council) on 24 January and all funding has now been allocated. However, in relation to infrastructure for development, as part of the Government's Housing Action Plan, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Minister for Public Expenditure Reform have put in place the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) to target investment in enabling infrastructure to activate large housing development areas to deliver additional supply of social and private housing. The Deputy may wish to ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if any proposal has been put forward by Kildare County Council regarding the infrastructure he refers to.
755. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date in respect of contracts for the upgrading of the M7 Naas to Newbridge Osberstown interchange and Sallins bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9577/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with local authorities.
As regards regional and local roads, responsibility for implementation of improvement projects rests with the relevant local authority which is Kildare County Council in this instance.
It has been agreed that, in the interest of economies of scale and delivery efficiency, the main design and construction elements of the Naas Bypass widening Scheme, Osberstown Interchange and Sallins Bypass Schemes are to be progressed as one construction contract. This contract is at tender at present and Kildare County Council is the contracting authority.
Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the tender process, it is anticipated that construction will start later this year and that the three projects will be concluded on a phased basis over 2019/2020.
756. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his officials met with the GAA and-or Sport Ireland regarding the proposed change in amounts in terms of the increase in funding to GAA players; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9642/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the announcement on 14 December, 2016 of the intention to provide increased funding to the Gaelic Players Association over the three years 2017 to 2019, officials of my Department are currently in the process of elaborating the detail of the multi-annual programme in consultation with Sport Ireland. Neither I nor my officials have met the GAA in this context.
757. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legal fees incurred on FOI requests received by his Department; the staff hours involved in the processing of FOI requests for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9686/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn reply to the first part of the Deputy's question, there were no costs incurred for legal fees in respect of FOI matters in the Department.
The reply to the second part is as follows: the estimated total hours spent on processing requests in 2014 was 1,669; in 2015 was 2,273; and in 2016 was 3,181.
These total figures are broken down further in the tables. The first table provides details for staff centrally processing Requests in the Department FOI Unit, and the second provides for subsequent processing by Decision Makers and those who assist them. In my Department Higher Executive Officers are delegated to be Decision Makers under FOI.
I wish to note that because time spent processing FOI requests forms part of the usual duties of officials and is not required to be monitored, the details provided are estimates.
Table 1: Processing FOI Requests in the Department FOI Unit
|
Year |
No. of Hours |
|
2014 |
1,384 |
|
2015 |
1,547 |
|
2016 |
2,275 |
Table 2: Processing FOI Requests by Decision Makers
|
Year |
No. of Requests |
Estimates No. of Hours inputted for all Requests |
|
2014 |
95 |
285 |
|
2015 |
242 |
726 |
|
2016 |
302 |
906 |
758. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average amount paid per player by way of the funding of GAA players in 2016; his role or the consultations he had with An Taoiseach regarding the increases in funding due to be paid over the next three years under the funding scheme; the returns he expects from GAA players being paid under the scheme; if any other amateur sports persons or organisations are in receipt of similar funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9703/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe GAA submits an end of year report to Sport Ireland which includes details of grant payments made to individual football and hurling panels playing at inter-county level. This end of year report is not yet available for 2016, as it has not yet been submitted to Sport Ireland by the GAA. Sport Ireland expects to receive it shortly.
While I did not have a direct consultation with the Taoiseach in the matter, I support the recognition that the new funding scheme gives to the unique contribution that GAA inter-county players make. My Department is currently in the process of elaborating the detail of the multi-annual programme for 2017 to 2019, in consultation with Sport Ireland. It is envisaged that the programme will centre on a programme involving GPA (Gaelic Players' Association) representatives lending their support to a variety of initiatives linked to the health and societal benefits of sport and physical activity.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. This includes responsibility for the allocation of funding to bodies engaged with amateur sports, including the National Governing Bodies of sport. I have therefore referred this aspect of the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
759. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the licensing process for aspiring bus and tour drivers to reduce red tape and costs to the persons involved, in view of the fact both are acting as a deterrent to seeking to qualify to drive and leading to a shortage of available drivers for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9753/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two forms of legal requirement in order for people to drive a bus and carry passengers for reward. These are the requirement to obtain a driving licence and the requirement to obtain a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
In both cases, the requirements are set at EU rather than national level. I cannot therefore amend them. However, I should point out that the requirements set at EU level are based on the need to ensure safety, and must be all the more stringent in view of the safety responsibility involved in driving large vehicles containing passengers. Seen in that light, the requirements set by the EU are reasonable and by no means excessive.
760. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the rules governing the amount of time a bus driver can operate a vehicle here in competition with a driver from Northern Ireland; if he will examine other inconsistencies in the law which make tour driving restrictive here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9754/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objectives of the EU drivers' hours rules are to improve road safety by managing fatigue, to harmonise competition, and to improve working conditions and working practices for drivers in road transport.
My officials have consulted with the Road Safety Authority, the agency responsible for the enforcement of drivers' hours rules. The RSA has provided the information below, which I hope you will find useful.
The drivers' hours rules applying to coach drivers are contained in EU Regulation 561 of 2006, and the same rules apply throughout the EU.
While in the main these are the same for both truck and coach drivers, EU Regulation 1073 of 2009 introduced an amendment to EU Regulation 561 of 2006 to facilitate international coach operators, allowing coach drivers to avail of postponing their weekly rest for a period of 12 days, subject to conditions as follows:
1. the service lasts at least 24 consecutive hours in a Member State or a third country to which this Regulation applies other than the one in which the service started;
2. the driver takes after the use of the derogation:
1. either two regular weekly rest periods; or
2. one regular weekly rest period and one reduced weekly rest period of at least 24 hours. However, the reduction shall be compensated by an equivalent period of rest taken en bloc before the end of the third week following the end of the derogation period;
3. after 1 January 2014, the vehicle is equipped with recording equipment in accordance with the requirements of Annex IB to Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85; and
4. after 1 January 2014, if driving during the period from 22.00 to 06.00, the vehicle is multi-manned or the driving period referred to in Article 7 is reduced to three hours.
Additional information is available at the following link: http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Professional-Drivers/Driving-Safely/The-12-Day-Rule---New-regulations-for-drivers-on-international-coach-tour-trips/.
For clarification, the same rules govern coach drivers whose journey start in Northern Ireland and enter Ireland as cover those whose journey starts in Ireland and enter Northern Ireland.
