Written Answers Nos. 627-640
627. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.70 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32558/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently has 24 staff members who earn less than €11.70 gross per hour. The additional cost to my Department of introducing a living wage of €11.70 would be approximately €73,050 per annum.
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.
628. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he will take to ensure phone and Internet coverage (details supplied) in an area of County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32588/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of telecommunications services, including mobile phone and broadband services, is a matter for the service providers concerned which operate in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Regulator of the telecommunications sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I do not have a statutory authority to require commercial companies to roll out services to particular locations.
Any customer across Ireland who experiences service difficulties, including in the Gap of Dunloe, County Kerry, 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 ComReg, which will investigate the service provider's compliance with its contractual obligations.
However, notwithstanding the independence of ComReg, I recognise the frustration experienced across Ireland where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. In that regard, 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, 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 December 2016 report of the Taskforce is available on my Department's website.
The Task Force worked with Departments, local authorities, ComReg, State agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders to produce the report which contains 40 actions to alleviate some of the telecommunications deficits across Ireland. An Implementation Group has been established to drive and monitor implementation of the actions, bringing together all key stakeholders responsible for delivery. On 13 June, I published the first quarterly progress report, which is available on my Department's website. It shows that considerable progress has been made, particularly on implementation of actions identified for Q1 2017. I intend to publish the second quarterly report shortly.
This work will also assist local authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contracts are in place.
In addition, following regulations which I signed last year, ComReg’s recent announcement of the results of its auction for the 3.6 GHz radio spectrum band, will mean an 86% increase in spectrum capacity to meet the growing demand for mobile and wireless broadband services across rural and urban areas. The award of 15 year licences for the rights of use in this band will provide stability and create future investment certainty. Spectrum was also awarded in lots covering 9 urban and rural regions across Ireland.
Commercial investment by mobile operators has resulted in improved services, following ComReg's multi-band spectrum auction in 2012. 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.
These initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services, particularly in rural areas.
With regard to broadband services, the Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will provide high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that to date approximately 1.4 million or 61% of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second and this footprint is expanding.
In April, eir signed an agreement with me committing them to follow through on their commercial plans to provide new high speed broadband infrastructure to 300,000 premises in rural areas. Eir has committed to doing this work over a 90 week period with an average of 500 premises passed per day. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department's website www.dccae.gov.ie. The decision by eir to invest in infrastructure to deploy high speed broadband services to an additional 300,000 premises in rural Ireland was taken by eir on commercial grounds. Neither I nor the Department have a statutory authority to direct eir in this regard.
Quarterly updates on progress of the eir 300,000 roll-out will be published on the Departments website. The Q1 figures have been verified by my Department and the eir roll-out is in line with the Commitment Agreement.
In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map finalises the State Intervention Area for the procurement process and is an important milestone in the procurement process. The Map shows the extent of the State Intervention area and also the areas targeted for commercial services.
- The BLUE areas represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services,
- The AMBER areas on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the areas that will require State Intervention and are the subject of the current procurement process.
There are 126 premises in the townland of Dunloe Upper, of which 28 premises will benefit from the NBP's State Intervention. The remaining 98 premises are located in the commercial BLUE area and will be served by commercial operators. This figure includes 68 premises that fall within eir's plans to deliver rural high speed broadband between now and end 2018 (Light BLUE on map). Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/.
Individuals can themselves check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie.
629. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a list of waste management services providers by county, in tabular form; if each service provider provides a brown bin service to all customers; and if not, the date by which this service will be in place. [32627/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra635. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the counties that have implemented in full Part II of the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste) Regulations 2015, in tabular form. [32633/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra636. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if all households situated in population agglomerations of 1,500 persons are provided with a separate collection service for food waste from households; and if this collection takes place at least as often as the residual waste collection service as required by the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste) Regulations 2015. [32634/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra637. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the local authority areas that have an authorised facility for the purposes of the authorised treatment process for household food waste as required by the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste) Regulations 2015, in tabular form. [32635/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra638. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if food waste arising on producers' premised source is segregated and kept separate from non-biodegradable materials, other waste and contaminants and collected by an authorised waste collector in all local authority areas as required by the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste) Regulations 2015; and if not, the local authority areas in which this requirement is not in place. [32636/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 629 and 635 to 638, inclusive, together.
In line with the objectives of the national waste policy, A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, in terms of maximising the resource potential and minimising the disposal of our waste, the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015 are designed to promote the segregation and recovery of household food waste. The Regulations impose obligations on both waste collectors and householders.
Under articles 4 and 5 of the Regulations, household waste collectors are required to provide, or arrange for the provision of, a separate collection service for food waste from households for population agglomerations greater than 500 persons.
The list of waste collection permit holders, including waste management service providers who are obliged to provide a household food waste collection service in accordance with the regulations is available from the website of the National Waste Collection Permit Office - https://www.nwcpo.ie/permitsearch.aspx. Enforcement of the Regulations is a matter for local authorities, and in cases where a collector has failed to provide a food waste collection service in a defined brown bin area, affected householders should contact the local authority concerned, who have significant enforcement powers under the Regulations to secure compliance by both waste collectors and householders.
An objective of the Food Waste Regulations is to control the quality of segregated food waste in order to provide a suitable feed stock for composting and appropriate recovery activities. In order to limit where such waste can be consigned, the legislation requires it to be transferred for the purposes of an authorised treatment process at an authorised facility.
The treatment and management of waste material, including food waste is subject to a registration and permitting system by local authorities or licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as appropriate, and governed by the Waste Management (Facility Permit & Registration) Regulations 2007 or the Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2004. For a composting, biogas or similar site to be classed as an authorised facility under the Food Waste Regulations, it must be both authorised for the treatment of food waste and be subject to an EPA licence, waste facility permit or a certificate of registration as appropriate. An inventory of such sites authorised by local authorities per region may be accessed at http://www.epa.ie/waste/policy/regional/ while details regarding authorised facilities operating under a waste licence are available on the EPA's website at http://www.epa.ie/terminalfour/waste/.
A food waste collection service is now being provided in every county across all local authority areas. The provision of this service to more remote areas with agglomerations less than 500 persons, where it is technically and environmentally practical to do so, continues to be monitored by my Department, together with the regulatory authorities.
630. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if all households are serviced by more than one waste management service provider. [32628/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 33 of the Waste Management Act 1996 provides, inter alia, that each local authority shall collect, or arrange for the collection of, household waste within its functional area. Information on operators authorised to collect household waste in each local authority functional area across the State is held by the National Waste Collection Permit Office who can be contacted at https://www.nwcpo.ie/.
631. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the clean-up cost of illegal dumping by county, in tabular form. [32629/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra632. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the detail of the allocation of the €1.3 million provided for anti-dumping initiatives, by county; and the detail of each of the initiatives undertaken in each county using the allocated budget and the budgetary period the €1.3 million has been allocated for, in tabular form. [32630/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra634. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of cleaning up illegal dumping by county, in tabular form. [32632/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 631, 632 and 634 together.
Enforcement action in relation to illegal dumping is a matter for the relevant local authority concerned and also the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE), which supervises the environmental protection activities of local authorities. The cost of illegal dumping is not collated by my Department as it includes local authority enforcement, disposal and legal costs and also involves costs for other State agencies such as An Garda Síochána. My role, as Minister, is to provide the legislative and policy framework under which both local authority and EPA enforcement action against illegal dumping is initiated.
My Department encourages a multi-facetted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education. As such and in recognition of the impact of illegal dumping on communities across the country, in March of this year, I launched a national Anti-Dumping Initiative. The aim of this initiative is to provide funding for projects tackling illegal dumping including the provision of support for the clean-up, monitoring and surveillance of dumping black-spots. Funding of €650,000 was allocated under phase 1 of the Initiative.
85 projects were approved for funding from every county in the State, out of a total of 111 applications received. Successful applications have included projects that will equip authorities with the latest enforcement technologies including overt and covert surveillance equipment and drone technology to target dumpers. A range of clean-up and restorative projects led by community, environmental and sporting groups have also been approved as set out as follows.
|
Local Authority |
€ |
|
Local Authority: Carlow |
Allocation: €22,494.80 |
|
1. Old Leighlin Dumping Project 2. St. Killian's Crescent Clean Up 3. Other Measures: CCTV and signage |
|
|
Local Authority: Cavan |
Allocation: €22,750 |
|
1. Kilcogy Clean-up 2. Cavan Town - Clean-up 3. Ballyhaise - Clean-up 4. Ballyconnell - Clean-up |
|
|
Local Authority: Clare |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. An improved Rocky Road for Ennis Project |
|
|
Local Authority: Cork City |
Allocation: €7,500 |
|
1. Orchard Court - Clean-up Project |
|
|
Local Authority: Cork County |
Allocation: €17,988.15 |
|
1. Ballincollie Road - Clean-up 2. Bantry Bay Shoreline - Clean-up 3. Blackstone Bridge - Clean-up 4. Blackwater Community - Clean-up 5. Carrigduff Mallow - Clean-up 6. Courtstown Little Island - Clean-up 7. Glengarriff Community - Clean-up 8. Rathcooney & district - Clean-up 9. Rathpeacon Area - Clean-up 10. Other measures: “A local Solution to A local Problem”- anti dumping campaign |
|
|
Local Authority: Dublin City Council |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. Combating Illegal Dumping and promoting responsible waste disposal campaign in the Dorset Street area of Dublin 1 and 7 2. Other measures: Clean up and control using CCTV and Awareness campaign |
|
|
Local Authority: Donegal |
Allocation: €22,750 |
|
1. Inishowen – Aghaglason Gleneely 4 sites - Clean-up 2. Glenties – Glasagh Brinaleck - Clean-up 3. Stranolar – Trusk Lough Bog Road - Clean-up 4. Letterkenny – Ards Big - Clean-up 5. Donegal-Kilcar 2 sites - Clean-up |
|
|
Local Authority: Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
Allocation: €10,000 |
|
1.Anti-Dumping Initiative for Dunedin Park 2. Other measures: CCTV, awareness campaign |
|
|
Local Authority: Fingal |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. Remediation, Enforcement and Prevention of illegal dumping in Gardeners Hill, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin 2. Other measures: CCTV, community awareness programme, installation of lighting. |
|
|
Local Authority: Galway |
Allocation: €22,750 |
|
1. Polleeny, Barna 2. Station Road, Gort 3. Other measures: CCTV, signage. |
|
|
Local Authority: Galway City |
Allocation: €20,889 |
|
1. Clean Up of Ballybane Area |
|
|
Local Authority: Kerry |
Allocation: €23,000 |
|
1. Derra Bog 2. Ballinagare Bog 3. Short Mountain 4. Derrymore Beach 5. Bawnaglanna 6. Woodline 7. Killarney National Park 8. Reenacallee 9. Other measures - covert surveillance, media campaign, signage, purchase of trail cameras. |
|
|
Local Authority: Kildare |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. “Clean and Green” Roseberry. 2. Other measures: Drone Survey, awareness including App development for SAC, removal of invasive species |
|
|
Local Authority: Kilkenny |
Allocation: €22,598 |
|
1. Kilkenny City- Clean up 2. Goresbridge- Clean up 3. Other measures: Establishing A Zero Tolerance Attitude to Illegal Dumping in Kilkenny campaign |
|
|
Local Authority: Laois |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. Derrybeg Bog, 2. Windsor Bog, 3. Lower Forest Bog Mountmellik 4. Everyone deserves a second chance – Bring Bank Initiative at Portlaoise County Hall – Moutrath, Ballinakill, Newtown Doonane 5. Other measures: Mobile CCTV, Signage, Development of App for Litter Wardens, Media Campaign, Access barriers |
|
|
Local Authority: Leitrim |
Allocation: €22,756 |
|
1. Corneen Bog, Mohill - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 2. Faulties Bridge Area, Dromod - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 3. Hartley Area, Carrick on Shannon - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 4. St John’s Lough, Ballinamore - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 5. Gulladoo Lake, Carrigallen - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 6. Edenville, Kinlough - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 7. Glenanniff - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 8. Manorhamilton - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 9. Mill Race River, Drumshanbo - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 10. Sea Road, Tullaghan - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 11. Rossy Area and Kiltubrid - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 12. Drumcong - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 13. Owenbeg River, Manorhamilton - Adopt a Road/Bring Bank Group 14. Other measures: Media and on-line anti-dumping campaign |
|
|
Local Authority: Limerick City &County |
Allocation: €25,000 |
|
1. Donnellan’s Field, Limerick City 2. Johnsgate Village/Walls of Limerick 3. Crossagalla Industrial Estate, Ballysimon Road, Limerick City 4. Old Quarry, Fedamore 5. Roche’s Road, Rathkeale |
|
|
Local Authority: Longford |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. Ardnacassagh Anti-Dumping Initiative 2. Other measures: CCTV, installation of lighting |
|
|
Local Authority: Louth |
Allocation: €24,739.50 |
|
1. Anti-Littering/Dumping Initiative Junction 14 & Dundalk 2017 2. Waste removal at Kieran’s Bridge, Philipstown, Hackballscross, Dundalk, Co. Louth 3. Other measures: CCTV, Signage |
|
|
Local Authority: Mayo |
Allocation: €20,390 |
|
1. Blanemore Forest Archaeological Walk - Clean-up 2. Clean Up of Ballyglass Looped Walks |
|
|
Local Authority: Meath |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. Girley Bog Loop walk – anti-dumping and anti-dog fouling initiative 2. River Broadmeadow Community Clean-Up 3. Bridge of the Boyne (Broadbridge) Enhancement Project 4. Other measure: CCTV, installation of barriers, awareness programme |
|
|
Local Authority: Monaghan |
Allocation: €22,750 |
|
1. Muyllaghmatt/Killygoan - Clean-up 2. Bree/Ard na Lorgan - Clean-up 3. Latton - Clean-up 4. Other measures: Fencing, Awareness, Signage CCTV Equipment |
|
|
Local Authority: Offaly |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. Toberdaly Townland - Clean-up & CCTV 2. Boora - Clean-up & CCTV 3. Curralanty - Clean-up & CCTV 4. Derrycarney - Clean-up & CCTV 5. Springfield Road, Meelaghans, Tullamore - Clean-up & CCTV 6. The Derries - Clean-up & CCTV |
|
|
Local Authority: Roscommon |
Allocation: €22,750 |
|
1. Salmon Lake to Kilnacarrow Bridge Nature Trail (Ballyleague)- Clean-up 2. Clean Ups with Probation Services 3. The Oaks - Major Clean Up 4. Frenchpark - Major Clean Up 5. Cuilagh- Major Clean Up 6. Scramoge - Major Clean Up 7. Suck Valley Way & Kilteevan Bog 8. Other measures: CCTV installation & Signage |
|
|
Local Authority: Sligo |
Allocation: €22,750 |
|
1. Tullycusheen Bog - Clean up 2. Glencarraig Estate - Clean up 3. Clooncoose Bog - Clean up 4. Holy Well Road - Clean up 5. Other measures: Awareness campaign |
|
|
Local Authority: South Dublin |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. Rossfield Housing Estate - Clean up 2. Sean Walsh Park Recycling banks - Clean up 3. Piperstown Road- Clean up 4. Other measures: provision of footpaths as appropriate, illegal Dumping Signage |
|
|
Local Authority: Tipperary County |
Allocation: €25,000 |
|
1. Carrick River-Walkway - Clean up 2. River user community led clean-up programme for the River Suir 3. Nenagh River Walk-Way - Clean up |
|
|
Local Authority: Waterford County |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. Airport Road and Tramore Backstrand - Clean up 2. Boola - Comeragh Mountains - Clean up 3. Colligan Woods - Clean up 4. Waterford City- IBAL Initiative 5. Dungarvan Bay- Clean up 6. Lismore Towers & Riverwalk- Clean up 7. Lower Reaches, River Blackwater- Clean up 8. Mahon Falls - Comeragh Mountains- Clean up 9. Portlaw Woods - Clean up |
|
|
Local Authority: Westmeath |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. Clean up of public laneway at the rear of Catherdral View 2. Promote Community Involvement in Abbeylands & Ashfield Estates 3. Other measures: CCTV, Awareness Programme |
|
|
Local Authority: Wexford |
Allocation: €24,886 |
|
1. Project Spota Dubh – Kilnahue Lane – Gorey 2. Project Spota Dubh – Railway Platform Bridgetown 3. Project Spota Dubh – Ross Rd BB Enniscorthy 4. Project Spota Dubh – Spout Rd. Clonroche 5. Project Spota Dubh – Wood Rd. Bunclody |
|
|
Local Authority: Wicklow |
Allocation: €20,000 |
|
1. Newtownmountkennedy Springfield Park Regeneration 2. Kiltegan and District Anti-Dumping Initiative 3. Other measures: Landscaping, Installation of Barriers |
On foot of this very positive response, I recently launched a second phase of this initiative with a further €650,000 being made available to community groups and other state agencies working in partnership to clean-up and prevent illegal dumping. Phase 2 applications are currently being assessed by Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority Steering Committees and the additional projects which have been selected for funding will be announced shortly.
633. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the detail of the allocation of the €9 million provided for enforcement against illegal dumping by county, in tabular form. [32631/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe quality of Ireland's environment is essential to the health and well-being of every citizen while industries such as tourism, agriculture and the food and drink sector depend on good quality air, land and water for the quality of their products and services. It makes absolute sense that we protect those resources through effective, proportionate and consistent systems of compliance and regulatory enforcement. Effective enforcement of waste legislation is vital for the credibility of our systems of waste management.
My role, as Minister, is to provide the legislative and policy framework under which both local authority and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement action against illegal waste activity is initiated. Notwithstanding this fact, I have made €9.9 million available from the Environment Fund this year to support:
- The recruitment and continued employment of a network of local authority waste enforcement officers under the Local Authority Enforcement Measures Scheme (€7.4 million);
- The work of the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) (€1 million);
- An anti-dumping initiative to support local authorities in targeting high risk or problem areas, developing appropriate enforcement responses and carrying out clean-up operations (€1.3 million);
- Individual Local Authority waste enforcement actions against suspected large scale illegal waste operators (€200,000).
This investment is critical in tackling issues such as illegal dumping in local communities and in providing an enhanced response on the ground to other infractions of the waste code. In that regard, my Department has continued to fund waste enforcement staff under the Local Authority Enforcement Measures Scheme and details of the grant allocated to each Local Authority under this scheme is detailed in the following table.
|
Local Authority |
Allocation € |
|
Local Authority Enforcement Measures Scheme |
|
|
Carlow County Council |
165,000 |
|
Cavan County Council |
278,000 |
|
Clare County Council |
403,000 |
|
Cork City Council |
180,700 |
|
Cork County Council |
455,000 |
|
Dublin City Council |
982,000 |
|
Donegal County Council |
202,000 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
480,000 |
|
Fingal County Council |
220,000 |
|
Galway County Council |
72,000 |
|
Galway City Council |
50,000 |
|
Kerry County Council |
68,000 |
|
Kildare County Council |
121,000 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
153,000 |
|
Laois County Council |
164,000 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
74,000 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
377,000 |
|
Longford County Council |
200,000 |
|
Louth County Council |
130,000 |
|
Mayo County Council |
156,000 |
|
Meath County Council |
259,000 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
219,000 |
|
Offaly County Council |
295,000 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
136,373 |
|
Sligo County Council |
176,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
130,000 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
211,000 |
|
Waterford County Council |
303,000 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
175,000 |
|
Wexford County Council |
236,885 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
360,000 |
|
Total Enforcement Grant: |
7,431,958 |
In addition to this scheme, my Department provides funding of €1 million to support the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) which were established in 2015 on foot of a review of the respective regulatory and enforcement roles of the EPA and local authorities. The review recommended the establishment of three regional lead authorities to drive improved performance, increased coordination and greater consistency in waste enforcement. Cork County Council, Dublin City Council and Leitrim & Donegal County Councils (in a combined bid) were selected as the new Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities for the Southern, Eastern and Midlands, and Connacht /Ulster Regions respectively.
In recognition of the impact of illegal dumping on communities across the country, in March of this year, I launched the 2017 Anti-Dumping Initiative. The aim of this initiative is to provide funding for projects tackling illegal dumping including the provision of support for the clean-up, monitoring and surveillance of dumping blackspots. Funding is contingent on enforcement actions being taken by local authorities with respect to each site identified and on foot of the very positive response to this initiative the scheme has been extended with total funding of €1.3 million now being allocated.
Further funds have also been made available to assist local authorities in pursuing specific large scale and significant waste enforcement actions. This has resulted in the detection and cessation of significant illegal waste activity with important prosecutions being taken through the Courts. Approximately €200,000 has been allocated to support local authorities in this regard to date in 2017 and the provision of further financial assistance will continue to be considered on a case by case basis as the need arises.
639. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department for each of the past five years on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32647/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public service broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. The Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations, advertising, photography, communications advice, website development and associated media interview training from time to time.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The information requested regarding 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 sought in respect of their organisation.
The information which the Deputy requested relating to my Department is outlined in tabular format as follows:
|
Company |
AREA |
YEAR |
Purpose of consultancy/campaign |
||||
|
|
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
|
Morrow Communications Ltd |
PR |
€19,538 |
€18,318 |
€28,221 |
€54,516 |
€41,546 |
Provision of services in relation to outreach in rural communities with respect to low flying geophysical survey and soil geochemical survey. |
|
McConnells Advertising Agency |
PR |
€86,933 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Public information campaign on the Digital Switchover moving from analogue TV to Digital TV. |
|
Communications Consultants Ireland |
PR |
- |
€1,797 |
- |
- |
- |
Management of two Public Information Meetings on new Inland Fisheries Legislation |
|
Public Affairs Institute of Ireland (PRII) |
Media Training |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€1,890 |
Certificate for Civil Service Press Officers |
|
Iris Oifigiuil
|
Advertising |
€6,043 |
€5,374 |
€4,696 |
€3,042 |
€3,087 |
Statutory advertising in relation to the making of Secondary Legislation |
|
AEGIS MEDIA IRL) Brindley Advertising Ltd. |
Advertising |
€6,851 |
€10,009 |
- |
- |
- |
Statutory advertising in relation to the making of Secondary Legislation |
|
Mediavest |
Advertising |
- |
€693 |
€6,712 |
€1,553 |
€11,168 |
Statutory advertising in relation to the making of Secondary Legislation |
|
Mediavest Ltd |
Advertising |
€ 38,632 |
€ 31,874 |
€ 18,068 |
€ 13,495 |
€ 22,900 |
Publishing of notices in local newspapers, informing the public of the Minister's intention to grant Prospecting and Mining Licences. |
|
Mediavest |
Newspaper Advertising |
- |
- |
€4,980 |
€6,653 |
- |
Newspaper advertisement in relation to the proposed list Designating Events of Major Importance to Society. |
|
Brindley Advertising |
Advertising |
€10,795 |
€3,779 |
- |
- |
- |
Notification of Change to TV Standards (2012) Call for PSB Charge Submissions (2013)
|
|
Mediavest Limited |
Advertising/PR |
- |
-- |
- |
€11,804 |
- |
Advertisement in all local newspapers re Smoky Coal Ban |
|
Brindley Advertising |
Advertising |
€17,491 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Advertisement in all local newspapers re Smoky Coal Ban |
|
Brindley Advertising 2012. Mediavest 2013-2016 |
Advertising |
€5,086 |
€5,086 |
€5,230 |
€4,649 |
€4,731 |
National Press Advertisements to publicise the Local Agenda 21/Local Environmental Partnership Fund. |
|
Anthony Harris Design |
Web Design |
- |
- |
€2,324 |
€2,066 |
- |
Design work - the National Broadband website pages. |
|
Mediavest |
Advertising |
- |
- |
- |
€4,646 |
- |
Newspaper announcement of the Public Consultation on the draft Intervention Strategy |
|
Kieran Clancy |
Photography |
- |
- |
€346 |
- |
- |
Photographer at the launch of the High Speed Broadband Map |
|
Clevercat |
Printing |
- |
- |
€2,605 |
-- |
- |
Printed leaflets to issue at the launch of the High Speed Broadband Map |
|
Doggett Group |
Printing |
- |
- |
- |
€368 |
- |
Printed leaflets for the Ploughing Championship event
|
|
Doggett Group |
Printing |
- |
- |
- |
€5765 |
- |
Printing of Booklets for the Launch of the National Broadband draft Intervention Strategy in July 2015. |
|
Doggett Group |
Printing |
- |
- |
- |
€4314 |
- |
Print of Booklets for the launch of the National Broadband finalised Intervention Strategy - December 2015. |
|
Freastal |
Website |
€70 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Translation for website |
|
Feileastram Teo |
Website |
€79 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Translation for website |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
Photography |
€492 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Launch of Community Outreach Campaign - Digital TV Switchover |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
Photography |
€492 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Launch of the SMS 112 emergency service |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
Photography |
€492 |
- |
- |
-- |
- |
Nationwide roll-out of high speed broadband to second level schools |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
Photography |
€492 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Minister Rabbitte welcomes 23 Digital Outreach Champions |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
€485 |
|
- |
- |
- |
Next Generation Broadband Taskforce launch |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
Photography |
€492 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Launch of the Renewable Energy Strategy Report |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
Photography |
€492 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Third Central & North Atlantic Conjugate Margins Conference |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
Photography |
€492 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Launch of the National Broadband Plan |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
Photography |
€492 |
- |
- |
-- |
- |
Minister Rabbitte visits Kippure TV mast for Digital Switchover with media |
|
Phocus |
Photography |
€359 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Minister Rabbitte inspects high speed broadband in St. Colman's School |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
Photography |
€492 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Announcement of Ireland’s Digital Champion |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
Photography |
- |
€492 |
- |
- |
- |
Signing of Energy MoU with Britain |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
€499 |
- |
- |
- |
Launch of National Energy Efficiency Action Plan |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
€361 |
- |
- |
- |
Announcement of phase II of Schools Broadband in Warrenmount School |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
€327 |
- |
- |
- |
Launch of the National Digital Strategy |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
€137 |
- |
- |
- |
Appointment of the New Chairman and Commissioners in Comreg |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
€327 |
- |
- |
Launch of Energy Green Paper |
|
Hany Marzouk (freelance photographer) |
Photography |
- |
- |
€273 |
- |
- |
Announcement of National Broadband Plan state intervention |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
€309 |
- |
- |
Launch of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme with Local Enterprise Offices |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
€309 |
- |
- |
Launch of the report of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group |
|
JMAC Photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
€227 |
- |
- |
100,000th participant receiving digital training under BenefIT scheme – Arranmore Island |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
€499 |
- |
- |
National Digital Strategy Award of Grants to Benefit IIII projects |
|
Fennell Photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
€411 |
- |
- |
National Digital Strategy Showcase, Dublin Castle |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
- |
€533 |
- |
Post Office Network Business Development Group – press event at Rathangan Post Office |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
- |
€447 |
- |
National Broadband Plan |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
- |
€551 |
- |
1000th Trading Online Voucher |
|
Maxwell Photography
|
Photography |
- |
- |
- |
€430 |
- |
Launch of Energy White paper |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€585 |
Post Office Network Group |
|
Maxwell photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€717 |
Hodson Bay Hotel Athlone |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€602 |
Digital Economy Report |
|
Maxwell photography |
Photography |
- |
- |
- |
|
€413 |
Asthma Society |
|
Doggett Group |
Promotional Material |
- |
- |
- |
€1,022 |
€298 |
School Digital Champion Programme – Brochures & Posters |
|
Hollywood Industries |
Promotional Material |
- |
- |
- |
€380 |
n/a |
School Digital Champion Programme – Foamex Prop |
|
National Adult Literacy Agency Ltd |
Promotional Material |
- |
- |
- |
€420 |
n/a |
School Digital Champion Programme – Plain English |
|
New Decade TV and Film |
Promotional Video |
- |
- |
- |
€851 |
n/a |
School Digital Champion Programme – DC Video |
|
Tony Harris Design |
Promotional Material |
- |
- |
- |
€5,190 |
€2,597 |
School Digital Champion Programme – Logo Design, Backdrops, Leaflets |
|
W1 Design |
Promotional Video |
€7,746 |
€25,346 |
€23,732 |
€4,937 |
N/A |
National Digital Strategy Case Studies |
|
Abbeyset Print & Design Ltd |
Promotional Material |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€2,539 |
School Digital Champion Programme – Brochures, Posters and Certificates |
|
Cube Displays T/A Jack Restan Displays |
Promotional Material |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€3,086 |
School Digital Champion Programme – Backdrops, BT Young Scientist Stand |
|
Seditio Ltd |
Website Development |
- |
- |
- |
€184 |
- |
School Digital Champion Programme – Pdf conversion |
|
MediaVest |
Advertising |
- |
€2,399 |
€2,844 |
- |
- |
Benefit Programme – Advertising in National Newspaper |
|
Irish Independent Newspapers |
Advertising |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€12,300 |
Promotion of Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
|
Opus Print Ltd. |
Advertising |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€590 |
Promotion of Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
|
Athlone Advertiser |
Advertising |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€369 |
Promotion of Regional Trading Online Event |
|
DC Kavanagh |
Advertising |
- |
- |
- |
€307 |
€400 |
Promotion of Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
|
W1 Design Ltd. |
Video and Case studies |
- |
- |
- |
€13,671 |
€4,242 |
Videos and case studies of Trading Online Voucher Scheme for website |
|
Doggett Group |
Advertising |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€55 |
Promotion of Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
|
Roscommon People |
Advertising |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€553 |
Promotion of Regional Trading Online Event |
|
The Connacht Tribune Limited |
Advertising |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€1,180 |
Promotion of Regional Trading Online Event |
|
Cawley NEA/TBWA |
Advertising |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€6,787 |
Promotion of Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
|
Tony Harris Design |
Advertising |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€3,562 |
Promotion of Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
|
PHD Media (Ireland) Ltd |
Radio Advertisement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€60,426 |
National radio awareness campaign promoting Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
|
Mediavest Ltd |
Advertising |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€14,280 |
Advertising in national newspapers- scoping consultation |
|
Tony Harris Design |
Website |
|
|
|
€2041 |
€742 |
Website work |
|
Bunnyfoot Ltd |
Website |
|
|
|
€3765 |
|
Website design |
|
Content Writer |
Website |
|
|
|
€1140 |
|
Web Content Management Maintenance |
|
Floods Taxi Service Ltd |
Website |
|
|
|
|
€300 |
Redesign of Department website |
|
Fusio LTD |
Website |
|
|
|
|
€6795 |
Change of Department to DCCAE |
|
Irish eGovernment Awards and Training |
Website |
|
|
|
|
€719 |
Redesign of Department website |
|
Language Communications Ltd |
Website |
|
|
|
€2533 |
€4624 |
Website work |
|
Mac Innes Photography
|
Website |
|
|
|
€1,793.45
|
€2,454.69
|
Photography for Website |
|
National Adult Literacy Agency Ltd ( NALA )
|
Website |
|
|
|
€630.00
|
|
Website work |
|
Survey Monkey
|
Website |
|
|
|
|
€400.75
|
Website work |
|
Visible Thread Ltd
|
Website |
|
|
|
|
€4,672.77
|
Website work |
640. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding Ireland's progress on commitments made under the Paris Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32662/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 80 of 27 June 2017.
The Paris Agreement, which entered into force in November 2016, aims to limit global average temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with an ambition of 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Agreement is designed to meet this objective through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by all parties to the agreement. In this regard, the European Union submitted an NDC committing to a reduction of at least 40% in EU-wide emissions by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, which will be met through reductions of 43% in the Emission Trading System (ETS) and 30% in the non-ETS sector compared with 2005 levels.
Ireland will contribute to the Paris Agreement via the NDC tabled by the EU on behalf of its Member States. The specific details of Ireland's contribution to the overall 30% reduction in the non-ETS sector, as well as the contributions to be made by other Member States, is currently being negotiated between the EU and its Member States in the context of the European Commission's Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) Proposal which was published in July 2016. Targets have been proposed for Member States based on GDP per capita and the cost-effectiveness of domestic emissions reductions within individual Member States, with the starting point based on average emissions over the period 2016 to 2018. In the case of Ireland a target of 39% has been proposed, which has been adjusted downwards to 30% to reflect the cost-effectiveness of measures within the Irish economy.
The Commission proposal recognises different Member States' circumstances and the need to provide flexibility to reduce emissions as cost-effectively as possible in the context of the overall EU target. Ireland has been actively engaged in negotiations in the Council of Ministers, and is working to ensure that these core principles are maintained in the final outcome to the negotiations. At the Environment Council meeting of Monday 19 June, my EU counterparts and I reviewed progress to date and emphasised the need to prioritise a successful conclusion to these negotiations which retains a high environmental ambition for the EU, but provides each Member State the capacity to contribute to that ambition in a cost-effective and fair manner.
The incoming Estonian Presidency has indicated a desire to reach agreement in the Council, allowing negotiations with the European Parliament to commence during its term.
