Written Answers Nos 1751-1769
1751. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the State will receive land rental from Bord na Móna for the development of solar farm projects on State-owned lands in view of the recent announcement by Bord Na Móna and the ESB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27083/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1752. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the State will receive an increased dividend from Bord na Móna if it uses State-owned lands to develop solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27084/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1751 and 1752 together.
Bord na Móna is a commercial State company operating under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998. The development of its landbank, which is vested in the company, is an operational matter for the Board and management of the company. The State does not have any right to receive rental income in respect of same.
The approval of the annual dividend payable by Bord na Móna to the Exchequer is a matter for the Board of Bord na Móna. However, as shareholder, I determine dividend policy in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and NewERA. Current dividend policy is based on a percentage of annual profits after tax.
1753. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will ensure that the same financial rules and regulations apply to a State-owned company that decides to develop solar farms on State-owned lands to ensure that private solar farm developers are not disadvantaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27085/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2016 Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of solar energy in Ireland. This builds on the 2015 Energy White Paper and recognises that solar has the potential to provide a community dividend, thereby also enhancing citizen participation in Ireland's energy future and It is increasingly recognised that Solar PV has the potential to contribute to meeting Ireland’s renewable energy and climate change objectives My Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030. Analysis is on-going on a range of technologies to be included. This analysis includes an assessment of the cost of supporting Solar Photovoltaics - both rooftop and ground-mounted, at various scales.
A public consultation on the design elements of the new RESS will be published shortly, and subject to Government approval and EU State Aid clearance, it is expected the new scheme will be open for new applications in 2018.
Any solar farm developer applying to the new scheme for support, will do so on a commercial and competitive basis, and the same planning, grid connection and pre-qualifying criteria will apply to all projects equally.
1754. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to reduce energy costs. [27091/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overarching energy objective of successive Governments has been to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. As outlined in the Energy White Paper, Government policy is to ensure that policy choices impacting energy costs are evidence-based with a focus on competitiveness, cost-benefit, security and sustainability. The electricity and gas markets are commercial and deregulated operating within national and European regulatory regimes. I have no statutory function in the monitoring or setting of gas or electricity prices.
Responsibility for the regulation of the gas or electricity markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body.
At a national level, the deregulated energy market results in choices for consumers and businesses in terms of suppliers, products and prices. I would encourage consumers to either switch supplier or to contact their current supplier to ensure that the best available deal is being provided. Two CER approved websites, www.bonkers.ie and www.switcher.ie , are very helpful in aiding consumers to choose the products that best suit their needs and assisting them to switch energy suppliers.
Under various relevant Statutory Instruments, CER carries out statutory market monitoring functions and has the responsibility to ensure the market operates competitively for the benefit of the consumer. It also conducts regulatory scrutiny of the network costs component of retail prices.
Energy efficiency supports also represent a significant opportunity for consumers and businesses to reduce their energy costs. The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) provides the policy framework for energy efficiency in Ireland. Energy efficiency supports are available via the SEAI, to assist both business and domestic energy consumers, with significant funding allocated to them.
In 2017 I have allocated increased funding to the Better Energy programme, which provides funds for energy efficiency upgrades to homes, as well as €8m for the expanded Warmth and Well-being pilot programme and a further €5m to a deep retrofit pilot programme. Overall, over €100m will be spent on supporting sustainable energy projects in 2017, saving over 116,000 tonnes in carbon emissions every year, reducing overall dependence on imported fossil fuels, and supporting around 3,000 jobs.
1755. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; if there is a responsibility to employ persons with disabilities to a quota of 3% of its workforce; if this quota has now been exceeded; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to this quota; if not, the reason therefor; the dates and details of such competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27133/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies: - to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities
- to comply with any statutory Code of Practice
- to meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities
- to report annually on the achievement of these obligations
My Department is committed to supporting and promoting the employment of people with disabilities. In the National Disability Authority's (NDA) latest published report for 2015, the NDA noted that people employed in my Department with a disability totalled 3.3% of total staffing, exceeding the 3% target.
All advertised vacancies in my Department are open to people with disabilities in accordance with the Disability and Employment Equality Acts.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
1758. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of fisheries protection officers employed by Inland Fisheries Ireland in each of the years 2005 to 2016; the number of man hours spent on patrol to protect the fisheries resources in each of those years, in tabular form; the number of protection officers which have been transferred to alternative roles in the organisation between 2005 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27238/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 278 of 18 May, 2017.
1759. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to media reports outlining an agreement reached by the European Parliament, the European Commission and the EU Council of Ministers, if towns and large urban areas in County Louth are set to benefit from a European wide project to deliver free Wi-Fi access; and the towns and cities that have been identified for free Wi-Fi access. [27247/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1760. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding to be delivered by the EU further to media reports outlining an agreement reached by the European Parliament, the European Commission and the EU Council of Ministers to deliver a European wide project to deliver free Wi-Fi access; and the funding allocated to each of the local authorities. [27248/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1761. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the criteria that has been applied to identify towns and cities that will benefit further to media reports outlining an agreement reached by the European Parliament, the EU Commission and the EU Council of Ministers to deliver a European wide project to deliver free wifi access; the way in which this may impact on the national broadband plan. [27249/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1762. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to media reports outlining an agreement reached by the European Parliament, the EU Commission and the EU Council of Ministers to deliver a European wide project to deliver free wifi access, the date on which this agreement was reached; the timeframe for the associated funding to be allocated; and the timeframe for the project to deliver this wifi access. [27250/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1759 to 1762, inclusive.
The Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of Internet connectivity in local communities - COM(2016)589 was agreed at political level on 29 May 2017. Known as "WIFI4EU", the proposal announced by the European Commission in September 2016, is designed to provide a limited number of public Wi-Fi hotspots in public spaces such as parks, squares, libraries, and some public buildings.
Importantly, it is proposed that hotspots will rest on existing backhaul provided by public entities defined as municipalities, grouping of municipalities, and other local public authorities and institutions, libraries and hospitals. While these hotspots will provide additional connectivity, they are not designed to fill in broadband coverage gaps, or replace mobile phone services. They will, however, offer additional flexibility for internet connectivity in certain public areas for citizens. By stimulating integration with existing public services, the initiative will assist in promoting public interest in high capacity internet services and will contribute to the take-up of broadband services and also to the development of public infrastructure and digital inclusion.
The total amount available for the project across all EU Member States will amount to €120 million under the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding mechanism, which will be administered in a series of tranches over a period of three years. The total amount should result in approximately 6,000 – 8,000 local communities across the EU receiving hotspots at an approximate cost of €20,000 per hotspot. The first call for proposals amounting to €20million is likely to be launched in late 2017, although no date is yet confirmed.
Details of the exact administrative process for applicants, are yet to be decided at technical level, and details of arrangements will follow in due course from the European Commission. It is however known that the hotspots will be paid for through a voucher scheme. The European Commission is working closely with EU Member States including Ireland to determine the logistics of the eventual process. It is not known how many hotspots Ireland will receive overall. However, the principle of geographical balance across Member States will apply so that Ireland should receive a proportionate share.
The potential applicants in Ireland’s case will likely be local authorities, with any local authority eligible to apply as long as their applications fulfil the conditions set by the European Commission.
Officials in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs are actively engaging with the European Commission on this proposal and are monitoring developments closely.
1763. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 31 May 2017, the status and work programme of the interdepartmental implementation group; the number of times it has met since being set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27261/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe interdepartmental implementation group established following the publication of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group's Report met four times, most recently on 1 June 2016.
Out of 30 recommendations made in the report, 14 relate to the transfer and further development of functions currently in the Department of Justice & Equality to the Department of Children & Youth Affairs; 7 recommendations have been implemented as a result of general policy improvements; and a further 7 will be considered once the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive has been adopted.
It is my intention to report to Government by the end of the year regarding the implementation of each of the recommendations contained in the ICGAG report.
1764. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will publish the report the BAI supplied to him regarding the proposed merger of two print media companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27371/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am keen to ensure that my Department's process of assessing Media Mergers is as transparent as possible, and to that end I intend to publish the phase 1 assessment reports of previous Media Mergers which have been approved since 2015 when cases started to be assessed under the revised Competition Act 2002.
My Department has written to the parties involved in the first six Media Mergers with a view to identifying any material contained in these reports which they consider to be of a commercially sensitive nature. Once my Department has considered the views of the parties in this regard, and any commercially sensitive information is redacted, I will publish the reports.
In relation to the case referred to by the Deputy, it is my intention to publish the relevant reports, including that submitted by the BAI, as soon as possible, having due regard for commercial sensitivity. My Department is to begin consulting with the parties over the coming weeks with a view to identifying any commercially sensitive information which should be redacted.
1767. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) per annum since March 2011, in tabular form by his Department or agency or body under the aegis of his Department; the cost per contract; the basis for each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27448/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not awarded any contracts to the company referred to in the Question since March 2011. The information regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
1768. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the interdepartmental working groups which are working on the issue of renewable energy supports; and the membership details of each. [27617/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1769. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the working groups in his Department working on renewable energy and renewable energy supports; and the details of their membership. [27619/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1772. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the interdepartmental working groups concerned with renewable energy; and the details of their membership. [27679/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1768, 1769 and 1772 together.
Within my Department there are a number of Departmental and inter-Departmental Working Groups, working on a range of policy initiatives, across the broad area of renewable energy and renewable energy supports. Details of the membership of each Steering Group, including Working Groups under the relevant Steering Group, are set out in the following table.
|
Department and Inter-Departmental Working Groups |
Membership |
|
Low Emissions Vehicle Task Force Steering Group and 3 Working Groups |
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Department of Taoiseach Department of Finance Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation National Transport Authority Transport Infrastructure Ireland Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland Local Government Management Agency City and County Council |
|
Bioenergy Group Steering Group and 4 Working Groups |
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Office of Government Procurement Office of Public Works Gas Networks Ireland Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland City and County Council Environmental Protection Agency National Parks and Wildlife Service Teagasc NewERA |
|
Offshore Renewable Energy Group Steering Group and 3 Working Groups |
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Department of Arts, Heritage Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs The Marine Institute Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland Geological Survey of Ireland Environmental Protection Agency National Parks and Wildlife Service Commission for Energy Regulation Eirgrid Irish Maritime Development Office IDA Ireland Enterprise Ireland |
|
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Steering Group and 1 Working Group |
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland NewERA |
|
Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) Steering Group and 2 Working Groups |
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation NewERA |
The membership list is not exhaustive and membership may be broadened from time to time as deemed appropriate.
