Timmy Dooley
Ceist:231. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the additional measures he is planning on taking in 2018 to reduce energy costs for consumers. [45401/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnergy Prices
Ceisteanna (231)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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 Regulation of Utilities (CRU), 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 CRU 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.
CRU 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 Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to assist both business and domestic energy consumers, with significant funding allocated to them.
In the recent Budget, I secured approximately €107 million in capital funding for energy efficiency schemes in 2018, a 34% increase on the 2017 allocation. The capital increase will allow the SEAI to support the expansion of energy efficiency schemes. This will mean that 28,500 homes will be upgraded, including 9,000 low income households, and that bills for homes and business will be reduced by approximately €26 million, with 483 gigawatt hours of energy saved and 120,000 tonnes of carbon emissions saved.
National Broadband Plan Implementation
Ceisteanna (232, 233, 234)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:232. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes that are in the light blue areas of the national broadband plan map that have been connected since the initiation of this phase of the plan, by county. [45402/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTimmy Dooley
Ceist:233. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes in the amber area of the national broadband plan that are awaiting internet connections. [45403/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTimmy Dooley
Ceist:234. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the implementation status of the national broadband plan. [45404/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 to 234, inclusive, together.
The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure 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 telecommunications sector so that to date approximately 1.5m or 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband and this footprint is expanding. By 2020 it is expected that 90% of premises in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband.
My Department's High Speed Broadband Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie, categorises premises into 3 colours.
- The AMBER areas on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the parts of the country that will require State Intervention to access high speed broadband. There are approximately 540,000 premises in this area.
- The BLUE areas are where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- LIGHT BLUE areas are part of eir's planned rural deployment of high speed broadband to 300,000 premises.
The procurement process to identify a bidder(s) for the State Intervention or AMBER area is well underway, having moved to its final stages in September with the submission of "Detailed Solutions" by two bidders.
In April, I signed a Commitment Agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide high speed broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. eir has committed to completing the roll-out by the end of 2018. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/
Evaluation by my Department of the Q3 update for eir's rural deployment is at an advanced stage and indicates that eir has met its Q3 target of 101,000 premises passed. County by county statistics are available on my Departments website for Q2 and can be viewed at http://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/County%20Statistics.pdf. The statistics for Q3 will be published on my Department's website in the coming weeks.
National Broadband Plan Implementation
Ceisteanna (235)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:235. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for broadband services to be available in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the position regarding fibre installation; the position regarding the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45412/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure 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 telecommunications sector so that to date approximately 1.5m or 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband and this footprint is expanding. By 2020 it is expected that 90% of premises in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband.
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 an additional 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 .
Quarterly updates on progress of the eir 300k roll-out will be published on my Department's website available at http://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/County%20Statistics.pdf which includes a full set of county statistics. eir has confirmed to my Department that 101,000 premises have been passed as at the end of September 2017. The 300,000 figure includes c.7,800 premises in County Cavan and c.4,600 in County Monaghan. eir will continue to roll-out high speed broadband to the remaining premises including those premises in Counties Cavan and Monaghan as part of this Agreement between now and the end of 2018. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/
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 shows the extent of the State Intervention area and also the areas targeted for commercial services. Individuals can search the map by entering their eircode/address.
- The BLUE areas represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services and includes eir’s planned 300k rural deployment depicted Light BLUE
- The AMBER areas on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the areas that will be part of the State led Intervention and are the subject of the current procurement process.
The position in relation to the areas referred to by the Deputy is set out below:
There are c. 42,000 premises in County Cavan, of which c17,000 will benefit from the State led Intervention under the NBP. The remaining c25,000 premises are located in the commercial BLUE area and will be served by commercial operators. This figure includes the c7,800 premises that fall within eir’s plans to deliver rural high speed broadband between now and end 2018 (Light BLUE on map).
There are c33,000 premises in Co Monaghan, of which c16,000 premises will benefit from the State led Intervention under the NBP. The remaining c17,000 premises are located in the commercial BLUE area and will be served by commercial operators. This figure includes the c4,600 premises that fall within eir’s plans to deliver rural high speed broadband between now and end 2018 (Light BLUE on map).
My Department is engaged in an on-going procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out the new high speed broadband network for the State led intervention. A significant milestone in that process was reached in September with the submission of "Detailed Solutions" by two bidders. This is the last stage before receipt of final tenders and progression to the appointment of a preferred bidder(s). The timeframe for completion of the State Intervention procurement process is dependent on a range of factors, including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders.
To improve both mobile and broadband services in rural Ireland in advance of the roll-out of the high speed broadband network to be built in the State intervention area I established, in July 2016, a Taskforce to identify solutions which can be implemented in the short, medium and long term to alleviate mobile phone and broadband coverage deficits, to identify priority areas for roll-out and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers. These solutions will enhance the existing services prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the NBP State led intervention.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
National Broadband Plan Administration
Ceisteanna (236)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:236. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the fibre roll-out programme in rural townlands that are outside fibre serviced towns, specifically Bolart, Kilmanaghan, Ballyboughlin, Cloughtanny, Ballycumber, Kilfoylan, Tubber, Kilcurley, Tinamuck and Boher, County Offaly; if fibre will be delivered to these areas; and the date on which it will be delivered. [45508/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In April of this year, I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded AMBER for areas to be covered by the State led Intervention under the NBP and BLUE for areas where commercial operators are delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services. Light BLUE areas on the Map represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to roll-out high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of an Agreement signed with me in April last. The Map is searchable by eircode.
The map shows that 100% of the townlands of Bolart North, Bolart South, Kilmanaghan, Ballyboughlin, Tinamuck East, Tinamuck South and Tinamuck North County Offaly fall exclusively within the areas of the State led Intervention under the NBP.
The remaining townlands Cloughtanny, Ballycumber, Kilfoylan, Tober (Tubber), Kilcurley and Botharfadda (Boher) comprise a mix of premises to be covered by either eir's plans to provide a new high speed broadband infrastructure to 300,000 premises, or the State led intervention under the NBP and are colour coded accordingly. eir has confirmed to my Department that 101,000 premises have been passed as at the end of September 2017 . eir will continue to roll-out high speed broadband between now and the end of 2018 to the remaining premises including those premises that fall within the said townlands. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/
Customers seeking connectivity to eir's network should, in the first instance, access this website to determine the connectivity availability status for their eircode. The website also provides a list of retail service providers who offer services using high speed fibre network in the area.
With regard to the State led Intervention, my Department is engaged in an on-going procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network. A significant milestone in that procurement process was reached last month with the submission of "Detailed Solutions" by two bidders. This is the last stage of the procurement process before receipt of final tenders and ultimate progression to the appointment of a preferred bidder(s). My Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) on the best roll-out strategy for the network build on conclusion of this process.
To improve both mobile and broadband services in rural Ireland in advance of the roll-out of the high speed broadband network to be built in the State intervention area, I established, in July 2016, a Taskforce to identify solutions which can be implemented in the short, medium and long term to alleviate mobile phone and broadband coverage deficits, to identify priority areas for roll-out and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers. These solutions will enhance the existing services prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the NBP State led intervention.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
Energy Policy
Ceisteanna (237)
Tom Neville
Ceist:237. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45520/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The overarching objective of Government energy policy is to ensure a secure, sustainable supply of competitively priced energy for all consumers. As outlined in the Energy White Paper, it is Government policy to ensure 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 - that is the responsibility of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) as the independent statutory energy regulator. CRU is responsible for ensuring the market operates competitively for the benefit of the consumer. At a national level, the electricity and gas retail markets provide choice for consumers, including businesses, in terms of suppliers, products and prices. I would encourage consumers to switch supplier or to contact their current supplier to ensure that the best available deal is being provided.
Energy efficiency offers very significant potential for business to reduce their energy spend and enhance competitiveness. There are already a range of supports available to large energy users and to SME's and information on these is available on the SEAI website at https://www.seai.ie/energy-in-business/.
In addition, I have secured significant additional resources for energy efficiency in Budget 2018. €14m will be used to enhance energy efficiency supports for the commercial sector in 2018. To ensure such funding continues to meet the needs of commercial energy users, my Department is currently engaging with business organisations through an open public consultation. Details are available on my Department's website at http://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/energy/consultations/Pages/Commercial-Energy-Efficiency-Survey.aspx. The consultation is open until 3 November.
Committee of Public Accounts
Ceisteanna (238)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:238. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to have a company (details supplied) subjected to the remit of the Committee of Public Accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45521/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have no function in relation to the remit of the Public Accounts Committee. The company referred to by the Deputy is a commercial State body and is not funded by the Exchequer and therefore not subject to the PAC. The PAC has previously contacted me in relation to concerns raised by a Local Authority regarding expenditure by EirGrid and I responded outlining EirGrid's position as a commercial State body which is regulated in its activities by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
North-South Interconnector
Ceisteanna (239)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on correspondence from a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45522/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Monaghan County Council raised this matter earlier in the year with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) who in turn raised it directly with me. I have informed the PAC that EirGrid is a commercial State body charged with the implementation of Government energy policy and guarantee a secure supply of electricity via the development of the Irish electricity transmission system. This involves the maintenance, improvement and technological upgrade of the network. As a commercial body, EirGrid is not funded by the Exchequer and therefore, not subject to the PAC. This position applies to all commercial state bodies under the remit of my Department. EirGrid is regulated in its activities by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities(CRU), the independent regulator for the sector. The CRU has the role of approving the overall level of investment in transmission infrastructure. It approves expenditure on the transmission grid when EirGrid submits its Transmission Development Plan, which outlines EirGrid’s plans for transmission network development on a five-year rolling basis, to the CRU for approval. The entire capital expenditure for 2017 for example is regulated and is consistent with the multi-annual allowance as provided in the relevant regulatory determinations.
Litter Pollution Legislation
Ceisteanna (240)
James Browne
Ceist:240. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce legislation to compel election candidates to remove plastic ties that hold election posters in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45554/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 19(7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended by the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2009, provides that election posters must be taken down within 7 days of an election taking place. Prior to each general election, my Department writes to all participating political parties to remind them of their obligations under the Litter Pollution Acts, and requesting them to remove both the posters and the cable ties used to attach them within the statutory timeframe. Should this requirement not be met, there is deemed to be a breach of the legislation and those responsible may be subject to an on-the-spot litter fine of €150. Under the Acts, the primary responsibility for the management and enforcement response to littering, including oversight of the removal of election posters and cable ties within the statutory timeframe, rests with the the local authorities.
Employment Rights
Ceisteanna (241)
Robert Troy
Ceist:241. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the pay terms and working conditions of crew and staff at an organisation (details supplied); if his Department has been contacted by persons with concerns on working conditions; the steps that have been taken to investigate such concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45356/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The pay terms and working conditions of the many people who work for Ryanair across Europe are a matter for the company and the employment authorities across Europe, including the Irish employment authorities. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has no function in relation to such matters.
Swimming Pool Programme Funding
Ceisteanna (242)
Joan Burton
Ceist:242. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of additional funding allocated to sport from the allocation of €1,258 million under the mid-term capital review up to 2021; his plans to reintroduce the local authority swimming pool capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45382/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Later this year, the Government will be publishing the National Investment Plan alongside the National Planning Framework which will set out in detail the planned infrastructure priorities over the coming years including those in the sports area. Furthermore, full details on the allocations for each of my Department's subheads for 2018 will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV).
The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools.
There are four swimming pool projects in the current LASPP and the priority in 2018 will be on progressing these projects.
In relation to the future funding of swimming pools, my Department is currently finalising a review of national sports policy. This includes a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities including swimming pools in the years ahead. It is expected that the new sports policy will be published before the end of the year.
Travel Trade Sector
Ceisteanna (243)
Robert Troy
Ceist:243. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a company (details supplied) was underbonded in view of the fact the company had a turnover of €20 million per annum and was bonded with the Commission for Aviation Regulation for €2.5 million. [45397/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The responsibility for administering the licensing and bonding of travel agents and tour operators in accordance with the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982 as amended, was transferred to the Commission for Aviation Regulation on 27 February, 2001. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Commission for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Ceisteanna (244)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:244. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a capital sports grant application by a club (details supplied); when an announcement of funds allocated is expected under the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45433/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received. I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to.
When the programme was launched, it was envisaged that €30m would be available which would have made the allocation of grants particularly challenging. Following the conclusion of the budget discussions and in order to allow as many worthwhile projects as possible to receive some funding, I am pleased that significant extra resources have been secured to allocate under this round.
The assessment of all the 2,320 applications is now nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to announce full details of the allocations in the coming weeks.
Tourism Promotion
Ceisteanna (245)
Robert Troy
Ceist:245. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the consultation process undertaken regarding the establishment of a new Lakelands brand with the stakeholders; and the timeframe and amount sought by Fáilte Ireland at the conclusion of the consultation process. [45533/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland and I do not have a direct role in relation to the development of branding strategies.
As the consultation for the development of a new Lakelands brand is a matter for Fáilte Ireland, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply in relation to the process involved.
While a draft proposal has been submitted to my Department, Fáilte Ireland is currently developing a more detailed proposal for this project. This proposal, which I expect to receive in December, is subject to an economic analysis, which will guide consideration of the level of investment required.
Bus Éireann Services
Ceisteanna (246)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:246. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that will be implemented to ensure improvements on routes operated by Bus Éireann in which concerns have been brought to the attention of his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45562/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
Road Improvement Schemes
Ceisteanna (247)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:247. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to implement measures in order that upgrades will be carried out to ensure the safe and constant access to Cobh, County Cork; and if his attention has been drawn to the hardship that was suffered by the persons that reside there with regard to accessibility during Storm Ophelia. [45598/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded from these monies is a matter for each local authority. The Department has not received a recent submission in relation to access to Cobh.
Statutory Instruments
Ceisteanna (248)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:248. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he consulted farming organisations in advance of issuing SI No. 413 of 2017 on road testing of tractors and the impact this would have on farmers. [45614/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers, requires, from 20 May 2018, the mandatory periodic testing of tractors with a maximum design speed exceeding 40 km/h (category T5), and which are used mainly on the public road for commercial road haulage purposes. There is however, no requirement on Member States to introduce compulsory testing for T5 tractors when being used for agricultural, horticultural, forestry, farming or fishery purposes mainly on the terrain where such activity takes place.
There is no requirement for a public consultation process when transposing mandatory EU Directives. However, the RSA will be engaging with affected stakeholders to provide them with guidance in relation to the practical implementation of its requirements.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (249)
Frank O'Rourke
Ceist:249. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will grant a second preschool year under the ECCE scheme for a person (details supplied) who is only marginally over the age limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45447/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Early Childhood and Education Programme (ECCE) programme was expanded from September 2016 so that children may start free pre-school from age 3, and can continue in free pre-school once the child is not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the relevant pre-school year. Currently there are three different points in the year - September, January and April.
Under Budget 2018, the ECCE programme has been expanded further so that all eligible children can avail of a full two programme year. There will also only be one enrolment point each year (i.e September). However, I must advise the Deputy that these will not come into effect until September 2018.
An upper age limit in free pre-school was set by the Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment on the advice of the Department of Education and Skills. Limiting the diversity in age ranges in primary school is considered to be generally in the best interest of children, in relation to peer interaction in junior infants, as well as other educational considerations.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs does its best to ensure, in so far as is possible, the equitable treatment of all children and families who apply for childcare funding under the ECCE Programme. In order to ensure objectivity and fairness it is essential that clear rules exist for the scheme and that they are applied in a fair manner. The rules for all the Department’s childcare schemes are clearly published to ensure transparency and consistent application. An essential component of the scheme’s rules is an eligibility date to ensure that the scheme can be administered and budgeted for in an appropriate manner.
For the programme year 2017/2018 parents may request an exemption from ECCE eligibility criteria under limited circumstances from my Department; specifically where a diagnosed special and/or medical need exists. This must be supported by a letter from a relevant medical specialist, recommending additional time in pre-school. However, please be aware that my Department is currently reviewing the overage exemption process. I would urge the parents of the child in question to contact my Department to enquire about such an exemption.
Leader Programmes Data
Ceisteanna (250)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:250. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure on projects under the Leader programme in each of the years 2014 to 2020 as of 30 September 2017; the approvals for projects to the same day by local action group; the steps being taken to expedite expenditure under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45358/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
LEADER is a multi-annual EU co-funded programme to support rural development. Ireland has an allocation of €250 million under the programme over the period 2014-2020, including both national and EU funding. The programme is administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver funding in accordance with Local Development Strategies that have been produced for each LAG area.
Funding Agreements for the current LEADER programme were, for the most part, signed with the LAGs in the second half of 2016 and the programme effectively became operational from that date. There was no project expenditure on the new LEADER programme prior to 2017, although funding was provided to the LAGs to develop their Local Development Strategies and to prepare for the implementation phase of the programme.
In excess of 5,000 expressions of interest have been received to date by the LAGs from potential project promoters under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme and the LAGs are currently working with project promoters to develop and finalise project applications.
As of 30th September 2017, 345 projects with a value of over €8.7 million have been approved for LEADER funding by the LAGs. The number and value of projects at final approved stage in each Local Action Group is provided in Appendix 1. This funding will be drawn down as projects start to incur expenditure and submit payment claims. As of 30th September 2017, project expenditure amounting to €140,106.25 had been drawn down.
Progress has continued in October, with over 400 projects now fully approved for LEADER grant aid of over €10 million. This compares to projects with a LEADER grant aid of less than €1 million approved in the first 6 months of the year.
I am confident that progress now being made by the LAGs, along with the administrative changes being introduced following on from the LEADER Forum hosted earlier in the year, will result in a significant increase in project approvals and payments under the LEADER programme over the coming months.
Appendix 1 – Projects at Final Approved stage in each LAG at 30 September 2017
|
LAG Area |
Number of Projects |
Leader Grant Amount (€) |
|
Carlow |
9 |
608,336.16 |
|
Cavan |
6 |
139,719.27 |
|
Clare |
29 |
529,259.00 |
|
Cork North |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Cork South |
1 |
15,496.70 |
|
Cork West |
1 |
10,000.00 |
|
Donegal |
32 |
1,025,173.46 |
|
Dublin |
5 |
60,509.61 |
|
Galway East |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Galway West |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Kerry |
90 |
1,514,135.32 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
21 |
477,620.98 |
|
Laois |
5 |
63,319.50 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Limerick |
3 |
14,794.29 |
|
Longford |
5 |
20,476.57 |
|
Louth |
6 |
43,561.54 |
|
Mayo |
14 |
513,663.92 |
|
Meath |
5 |
44,206.66 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
178,431.18 |
|
Offaly |
33 |
616,561.44 |
|
Roscommon |
7 |
162,602.61 |
|
Sligo |
21 |
503,081.26 |
|
Tipperary |
11 |
283,934.88 |
|
Waterford |
12 |
1,409,419.65 |
|
Westmeath |
14 |
186,496.42 |
|
Wexford |
11 |
377,738.10 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
0.00 |
|
TOTAL |
345 |
8,798,538.52 |
Grant Payments
Ceisteanna (251)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:251. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is grant assistance available towards the provision of electricity supply to an outlying shed or farm building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45417/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The CLÁR scheme previously provided funding to support micro enterprises to convert from single phase to three phase electricity. However, the scheme was closed for new applications in 2009.
In addition, the former Farm Electrification Grant Scheme (FEGS) provided support for the installation of three phase electricity supply on farms. I understand that this scheme ceased operation towards the end of 2011.
I currently have no plans to reintroduce either scheme.
Rural Social Scheme Data
Ceisteanna (252)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:252. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of positions filled to date in 2017 out of the 500 additional places provided for the rural social scheme in 2017 to each company and Údarás na Gaeltachta delivering the scheme, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45357/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is delivered through 35 Implementing Bodies (IBs) or Local Development Companies and Údarás Na Gaeltachta in the Gaeltacht areas.
RSS was established as a supplementary income support scheme which provides part-time employment opportunities in community and voluntary organisations for farmers or fishermen who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and underemployed in their primary occupation. Participants must continue to be actively farming/fishing and retain entitlement to a qualifying DEASP payment in order to retain eligibility for participation on RSS.
In recognition of the crucial work undertaken in rural communities under the RSS and as part of the social welfare budget package for 2017, an additional 500 places were provided on the RSS. These additional places expanded the overall number of places available from 2,600 to 3,100. In addition, I am pleased to confirm that a further 250 places on the RSS have been made available in Budget 2018. This will bring the total number of places on the RSS to 3,350 for 2018. Work is commencing in my Department on the allocation of these new places.
The following table outlines the number of RSS positions from the allocation of 500 places announced in Budget 2017, filled in each Implementing body at the end of September 2017.
|
RSS Implementing Body |
Places filled at 30th Sept 2017 |
|
Ballyhoura Development Limited |
6 |
|
Co Sligo Leader Partnership Company |
10 |
|
Donegal Local Development Co Ltd |
19 |
|
South & East Cork Area Development |
5 |
|
Galway Rural Development Co Ltd |
27 |
|
Inishowen Rural Development Ltd |
4 |
|
IRD Duhallow Ltd |
0 |
|
Longford Community Resources |
3 |
|
South Kerry Development Part CLG |
14 |
|
South West Mayo Development Co Ltd |
24 |
|
Waterford Leader Partnership Ltd |
1 |
|
West Limerick Resources |
4 |
|
Westmeath Community Development Ltd |
5 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
1 |
|
Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd |
2 |
|
Breffni Integrated Ltd |
0 |
|
Carlow Co Development Part Ltd |
0 |
|
Cill Dara ar Aghaidh Teo |
2 |
|
Clare Local Dev Co Ltd |
25 |
|
Co Wicklow Community Partnership |
3 |
|
Comhar na nOileán Teo. |
4 |
|
County Kilkenny Leader Partnership |
0 |
|
Forum Connemara Ltd |
8 |
|
Laois Community & Enterprise Dev Co |
0 |
|
Leitrim Integrated Dev Co Ltd |
6 |
|
Louth Community Resources |
1 |
|
Meath Community Rural & Social Dev |
4 |
|
Monaghan Integrated Development Ltd |
0 |
|
Nth & East Kerry Leader Part Teo |
9 |
|
Mayo Nth East Leader Part Co Teo |
4 |
|
North Tipperary Leader Partnership |
1 |
|
Offaly Integrated Local Dev Co Ltd |
5 |
|
Roscommon Integrated Dev Co Ltd |
0 |
|
South Tipperary Development Co |
5 |
|
West Cork Development Part Ltd |
6 |
|
Wexford Local Development Ltd |
0 |
|
Total |
208 |
Fuel Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (253)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:253. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for fuel allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45392/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Fuel allowance is a means tested payment to assist those in receipt of long-term social welfare payments towards meeting their heating costs during the winter months. The payment is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
Eligibility for fuel allowance is subject to a household means test and other qualifying conditions. A person in receipt of state pension (contributory) may have a combined household income of up to €100.00 per week over and above the maximum weekly rate of state pension (contributory) and must be living alone or with other qualified persons.
A fuel application form was received from the person concerned on 11 October 2017.
On 23 October 2017, additional information on household means was requested from the person concerned to facilitate a decision on entitlement being made.
On receipt of this information a decision on fuel allowance entitlement will be made and the person concerned notified without delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (254, 255, 256)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:254. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the expected publication date of the report on pension inequities agreed to by the former Minister for Social Protection during the passing of the Social Welfare Bill 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45393/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWillie O'Dea
Ceist:255. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the actions she will take if the report on pension inequities agreed to by the former Minister for Social Protection finds that the changes introduced to bands in 2012 had an adverse effect on pensioners and women pensioners in particular; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45394/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWillie O'Dea
Ceist:256. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to address the anomalies in the calculation of the contributory pension before 2020 in view of the fact that the system is scheduled to move from an averaging approach to a total contributions approach; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45395/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 to 256, inclusive, together.
The average pension payments made by my Department to men and women over 66 years of age are within 1% of each other approximately, and this results in very similar outcomes for older men and women in avoiding poverty. The most recent CSO figures for Consistent Poverty indicated that 2.6% of women over 65, and 2.9% of men over 65, are in consistent poverty, which is less than a third that of the general population. Eurostat figures also show that men and women over 65 are less likely to be at risk of poverty and social exclusion in Ireland than in the EU as a whole, with the gap in outcomes between men and women being significantly narrower in Ireland than most countries.
I intend to publish a Pensions Reform Plan by the end of this year. The aim of the planned reforms will be to establish a sound and fit for purpose overall pension system for the coming decades, one that is sustainable and which will shape the retirement landscape to the benefit of our retirees for generations to come. One of the main components of that Plan will be the introduction of a Total Contributions Approach for the contributory pension to replace the yearly average approach, for new pensioners from about 2020. The aim of this approach is to make the rate of contributory pension more closely match contributions made by a person. This is a very big change and there are a lot of legal, administrative, and technical elements to put in place before it can be done. Its aim is to provide as fair a basis as possible for the calculation of contributory pensions while removing the anomalies of the existing system. Key to the design of this new approach will be the position of women who have gaps in their contribution records as a result of caring duties.
Officials in my Department are currently examining data from the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund, which was finalised recently. Following completion of this analysis, it is intended to have a public consultation on this reform, and this will provide an opportunity for people to submit their views on the priorities in this reform. Following this consultation process, proposals on the final details of the scheme will be made to the Government. This, in turn, will result in legislation being prepared for consideration by the Oireachtas.
As regards the specific matter of the post-2012 rate bands, I have asked my Department to prepare a report for me on the issue as soon as possible to see what options are open to improving the outcomes for those whose contributory entitlements are lower as a result of that change. I will be bringing the report to Government as soon as it is ready. However, the Deputy should bear in mind that the cost of simply reverting to the rate bands from 2000-2012 would be very expensive, would generally increase payments to better-off pensioners with additional means, and would reduce resources available to the broader group of pensioners. The recent Budget contained increases to the rate of the payment for pensions would not have been feasible if such a reversal of the 2012 changes had also been included, and that would have impacted negatively upon the most vulnerable pensioners, including those with no additional means, and widows and widowers living alone with only one pension payment.
It should be remembered that, where somebody does not qualify for a full rate contributory pension, they will generally qualify for an alternative payment, unless they have significant additional means. If their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an increase for a qualified adult amounting to up to 90% of a full rate pension, which is based on their own means and is paid directly to them. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested non-contributory State pension which amounts to up to 95% of the maximum contributory rate, based on a household means test.
Most pensioners would satisfy the means tests for these two payments, and the very large majority of people paid them receive the maximum rate. Therefore, it would seem that those in receipt of SPC payments at a lower rate are among the better off pensioners who have significant additional means, over and above state supports.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.