Written Answers Nos. 379-396
379. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated amount the payment increase per hectare would be under proposals (details supplied), in tabular form. [51170/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as it is available.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
380. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated amount the payment increase per hectare would be under proposals (details supplied), in tabular form. [51171/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as it is available.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
381. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons approved under the areas of natural constraint, ANC, scheme by each respective area designation, namely, mountain type land, more severely handicapped lowland, less severely handicapped lowland and areas of specific constraints and the islands, in tabular form; the payment rate for each respective area designation; the amount of funds under the scheme that have been drawn down to date under each area designation in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51172/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as it is available.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
382. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons participating in the areas of natural constraint, ANC, scheme, by county, on an annual basis over the 2014 to 2017 period, in tabular form; the annual budget allocation for the scheme in this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51173/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatistics in relation to participants in the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme at a county level for scheme years 2015, 2016 and 2017 (to date) are set out in the following table.
The annual allocation for the Areas of Natural Constraints scheme, including the Areas of Specific Constraint Island Farming scheme, from 2015 to 2017 was €202 million.
|
|
|
|
2015 |
|
|
2016 |
|
|
2017 (to date) |
|
County |
|
Num Applied |
Num Eligible |
|
Num Applied |
Num Eligible |
|
Num Applied |
Num Eligible |
|
Carlow |
|
988 |
764 |
|
966 |
738 |
|
1,029 |
743 |
|
Cavan |
|
4,962 |
4,899 |
|
4,838 |
4,772 |
|
4,812 |
4,755 |
|
Clare |
|
6,218 |
6,152 |
|
6,040 |
5,977 |
|
6,049 |
6,001 |
|
Cork |
|
10,211 |
7,165 |
|
10,219 |
6,990 |
|
10,653 |
7,020 |
|
Donegal |
|
8,944 |
8,711 |
|
8,787 |
8,575 |
|
8,805 |
8,580 |
|
Dublin |
|
198 |
152 |
|
203 |
152 |
|
291 |
157 |
|
Galway |
|
12,431 |
12,128 |
|
12,070 |
11,884 |
|
11,996 |
11,850 |
|
Kerry |
|
7,931 |
7,788 |
|
7,734 |
7,596 |
|
7,745 |
7,605 |
|
Kildare |
|
994 |
531 |
|
1,150 |
525 |
|
1,189 |
534 |
|
Kilkenny |
|
2,473 |
1,789 |
|
2,649 |
1,733 |
|
2,715 |
1,731 |
|
Laois |
|
2,398 |
1,738 |
|
2,355 |
1,689 |
|
2,412 |
1,687 |
|
Leitrim |
|
3,575 |
3,537 |
|
3,437 |
3,406 |
|
3,434 |
3,407 |
|
Limerick |
|
4,112 |
2,978 |
|
4,123 |
2,884 |
|
4,258 |
2,902 |
|
Longford |
|
2,438 |
2,406 |
|
2,358 |
2,334 |
|
2,355 |
2,330 |
|
Louth |
|
1,118 |
806 |
|
1,087 |
777 |
|
1,126 |
783 |
|
Mayo |
|
11,811 |
11,664 |
|
11,498 |
11,385 |
|
11,437 |
11,342 |
|
Meath |
|
2,400 |
1,362 |
|
2,380 |
1,322 |
|
2,483 |
1,342 |
|
Monaghan |
|
4,244 |
4,144 |
|
4,116 |
4,012 |
|
4,095 |
4,006 |
|
Offaly |
|
2,891 |
2,448 |
|
2,813 |
2,384 |
|
2,856 |
2,396 |
|
Roscommon |
|
5,860 |
5,805 |
|
5,648 |
5,596 |
|
5,649 |
5,609 |
|
Sligo |
|
4,131 |
4,076 |
|
4,003 |
3,937 |
|
3,990 |
3,943 |
|
Tipperary |
|
6,016 |
4,570 |
|
5,870 |
4,428 |
|
6,057 |
4,433 |
|
Waterford |
|
2,019 |
1,455 |
|
2,034 |
1,411 |
|
2,050 |
1,413 |
|
Westmeath |
|
2,976 |
2,704 |
|
2,879 |
2,622 |
|
2,909 |
2,638 |
|
Wexford |
|
2,740 |
1,514 |
|
2,642 |
1,482 |
|
2,968 |
1,498 |
|
Wicklow |
|
2,020 |
1,847 |
|
1,967 |
1,788 |
|
2,005 |
1,795 |
|
Total |
|
116,099 |
103,133 |
|
113,866 |
100,399 |
|
115,368 |
100,500 |
383. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual expenditure incurred in 2014, 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017 for each measure under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (details supplied), in tabular form; the original budget allocations made for each of the years in the 2014 to 2017 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51174/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible to collate all of the material requested in the timeframe. A reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
384. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Exchequer funding allocated in 2016 and 2017 to each State agency under his aegis, including Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the National Milk Agency, Teagasc and the Marine Institute, in tabular form; and the 2018 budget allocation. [51232/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table.
|
State Body |
Allocation 2016 - €000 |
Allocation as in REV 2017 - €000 |
|
Teagasc |
116,280 |
128,130 |
|
Bord Bia |
32,492 |
34,492 |
|
Marine Institute |
29,309 |
31,563 |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
31,180 |
44,088 |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Agency |
12,460 |
12,800 |
|
Horse & Greyhound Racing Fund |
74,000 |
80,000 |
|
Of which: Horse Racing Ireland |
59,200 |
64,000 |
|
Bord na gCon |
14,800 |
16,000 |
In addition to the agencies mentioned specifically by the Deputy, the table includes the agencies funded through the exchequer allocation to the Horse & Greyhound Racing Fund i.e. Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon.
As part of the 2017 Supplementary Estimate currently before the Dail, an amount of €6.6m is proposed to be added to the 2017 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) allocation for Bord Bia. The National Milk Agency is not in receipt of any funding from my Department.
The individual allocations for 2018 will be set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) to be published later this year.
385. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full-time and part-time staff working in the dedicated market access unit established within the meat and milk policy division; and the yearly cost of the unit, including staffing costs. [51233/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the Department's key priorities is to further increase the market opportunity for Irish food and drink internationally. This principle of market development is already a key component of Food Wise 2025, but is particularly important now in the context of Brexit.
In relation to meat, this effort is co-ordinated by a dedicated meat market access unit, whose staffing complement has increased in line with my action plan on market access. This unit currently comprises a team of seven people led by an Assistant Principal Officer. The annual cost for staffing this unit, including salary, PRSI, pension and accommodation, is estimated at approximately €500,000. The work of the unit supports a meat industry with exports of over €3 billion.
The meat market access unit works on expanding market access for beef, sheepmeat, pigmeat, poultry and cooked meats across a range of markets, and is also working to simplify certification procedures in a number of markets to which Ireland already has access.
This work involves staff across the department, including veterinary services, laboratory staff, inspectorate staff, Brexit/International Trade Division and a wide range of other divisions, in completing market access questionnaires, facilitating incoming inspection visits, participating in diplomatic meetings, agreeing export health certificates and so on. All of this inter-connected work facilitates the accessing of new markets and the maintenance of existing markets.
My Department has made significant progress in recent years in increasing market access opportunities for Irish meat exports.
386. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated additional annual increase in Exchequer funding needed for the sheep welfare scheme to attain compensation at amounts per ewe per number of applications received (details supplied) based on current participation rates and scheme criteria, in tabular form. [51235/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total number of ewes applied for on eligible applications received under the Sheep Welfare Scheme is 1,941,870.
It is not possible to simply increase the rate per ewe because all the actions under the scheme are based on costings which have been agreed with the EU Commission. Thus any increase in the rate would have to be based on changes or additions to the current actions under the scheme. Any change here may well lead to a change in the number of applications and/or the number of ewes in the scheme.
In addition, any change to a scheme funded under the Rural Development Programme requires a formal amendment to the Programme with the approval of the EU Commission.
Bearing all of the above in mind, the information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table.
|
Rate per Ewe |
Total Payable |
|
€10.00 |
19,418,700.00 |
|
€10.50 |
20,389,635.00 |
|
€11.00 |
21,360,570.00 |
|
€11.50 |
22,331,505.00 |
|
€12.00 |
23,302,440.00 |
|
€12.50 |
24,273,375.00 |
|
€13.00 |
25,244,310.00 |
|
€13.50 |
26,215,245.00 |
|
€14.00 |
27,186,180.00 |
|
€14.50 |
28,157,115.00 |
|
€15.00 |
29,128,050.00 |
|
€15.50 |
30,098,985.00 |
|
€16.00 |
31,069,920.00 |
|
€16.50 |
32,040,855.00 |
|
€17.00 |
33,011,790.00 |
|
€17.50 |
33,982,725.00 |
|
€18.00 |
34,953,660.00 |
|
€18.50 |
35,924,595.00 |
|
€19.00 |
36,895,530.00 |
|
€19.50 |
37,866,465.00 |
|
€20.00 |
38,837,400.00 |
387. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the approximate additional annual increase in Exchequer funding needed for the beef data and genomics programme if compensation were to be fixed at rates (details supplied), in tabular form. [51236/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme is currently the main support for the suckler sector and provides farmers with some €300 million of funding over the lifetime of the current RDP.
Last April the BDGP was reopened to beef suckler farmers who were not already part of the scheme. We have 24,662 herds between BDGP I and II. BDGP II provides for payments to farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability.
Any change to the scheme would be very difficult in the context of an innovative scheme which has undergone an approval process by the European Commission. Payments to farmers under the BDGP are made on the basis of costs incurred or income forgone, any change to payment rates would require farmers to undertake additional actions to justify any increased payment.
The BDGP as currently configured represents a balance between direct income support for the sector and rural development measures designed to improve its competitiveness and sustainability. I believe that it is entirely appropriate to maintain this balance of developmental and income supports into the future.
Bearing the above information in mind, the following table sets out the additional notional per animal costs as requested.
|
- |
Additional cost € |
|
1st 10 @150 |
12,315,655 |
|
1st 15 @150 |
18,050,545 |
|
1st 20 @150 |
22,306,405 |
|
1st 25 @150 |
25,384,165 |
|
1st 30@150 |
27,611,425 |
|
1st 10 @175 |
17,913,680 |
|
1st 15 @175 |
25,696,745 |
|
1st 20 @175 |
31,472,555 |
|
1st 25 @175 |
35,649,515 |
|
1st 30@175 |
38,672,225 |
|
1st 10 @200 |
23,511,705 |
|
1st 15 @200 |
33,342,945 |
|
1st 20 @200 |
40,638,705 |
|
1st 25 @200 |
45,914,865 |
|
1st 30@200 |
49,733,025 |
388. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding for the areas of natural constraint, ANC, scheme in 2016 and 2017; and the budget allocation for 2018. [51237/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, including the Areas of Specific Constraint Island Farming Scheme, for 2016 and 2017 was €202 million.
In line with commitments under the Programme for a Partnership Government an additional €25 million has been allocated to the 2018 scheme funding.
389. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of fish exports in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51239/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe volume and value of fish exports in 2015 and 2016, as compiled by the CSO, are set out in the following tables. The figures for 2017 up to September and those for January - September 2016, for comparison purposes, are also presented.
|
January-December 2015 |
January-December 2016 |
||
|
€000 |
Tonnes |
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
567,600 |
251,995 |
554,730 |
201,408 |
|
January-September 2016 |
January-September 2017 |
||
|
€000 |
Tonnes |
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
397,343 |
148,344 |
463,805 |
183,710 |
390. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the designation of rivers as catch-and-release salmon fisheries for 2018; if a response has yet been issued; the reason for the reclassification of these fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50729/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of salmon stocks is carried out by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and is supported by scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and Ireland's independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC).
I gave statutory notice on 15 November 2017 of the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations, 2017 to provide for the management of the wild salmon and sea trout fishery by IFI from 1 January 2018.
A copy of the draft regulations, which are made every year, is available on my Department's website, www.dccae.gov.ie/natural, and is open for public inspection at the offices of the Inland Fisheries Division of the Department in Cavan and also at the offices of Inland Fisheries Ireland around the country. Observations on the draft regulations may be made, via written submission, at any time during the period of 30 days concluding on 14 December, 2017.
The draft regulations provide for an individual management regime for each of Ireland's 147 salmon rivers, river sections and estuaries based on the conservation imperative for their individual genetic stock. The regulations are based on management advice received from IFI. This advice from IFI is supported by individual stock assessments carried out by the SSC comprising scientists from a range of organisations.
Correspondence has been received from an organisation referred to by the Deputy and in line with established policy this is being considered as a submission within the statutory consultation process. A detailed response to all submissions received in the process will issue after the period of consultation has closed. It is not appropriate to comment on individual submissions while the public consultation process is under way.
391. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to implement legislative measures compelling private waste collectors to provide more detailed guidance to their domestic customers regarding the types of plastics or other material that can or cannot be put in the green bin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50746/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe seventh schedule to the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations, S.I. No. 820 of 2007, as amended, sets out a minimum list of recyclable material that household waste collectors must accept. A condition attached to household waste collection permits also provides that the permit holder shall implement and maintain an on-going programme of communication for their household kerbside waste customers in accordance with their customer charter or as may be required by the National Waste Collection Permit Office. The customer charter, which household waste collectors are required to have in place, states that: Information packs shall be available to all customers clearly indicating waste types appropriate to each bin and how to present material for recycling.
Household waste collectors are free, however, under that legislation to accept additional recyclable items not contained in the seventh schedule to S.I. No. 820 of 2007, as amended.
Market research undertaken by my Department this year identified that this non-uniformity around what items go in which bin was causing some confusion. This situation cannot continue, where just one contaminated item can ruin all our good recycling efforts.
I therefore announced yesterday that the Regional Waste Management Offices, Repak and the waste industry have worked together to address this issue and that for the first time ever, we have a single agreed list of items which can be placed in the recycle bin, regardless of where you live.
Removing confusion will undoubtedly play a huge role in improving the quality of the material which goes in the recycle bin, helping to ensure that this material is actually recycled as opposed to being contaminated and sent for recovery or to landfill.
This definitive list and further information is available to download at http://recyclinglistireland.ie/ and will be used by all stakeholders as a platform for education and communication to further improve recycling in our respective communities.
392. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the energy upgrade work funded by his Department over the past two years, by county (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50751/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunded by my Department, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) delivers a number of programmes that support energy efficiency across the residential, public and commercial sectors.
The Better Energy Homes (BEH) scheme provides grant aid to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER). In 2016 over €17m was spent providing upgrades to 15,265 homes across Ireland. To date in 2017 almost €15m has been spent for upgrades to 13,577 homes.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The measures available typically include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs, cavity wall insulation and roof and wall ventilation. In 2016 spend of €17.1m provided upgrades to 6,839 homes. To date in 2017 spend of €15.2m has provided upgrades to 5,620 homes.
|
|
Better Energy Homes |
Better Energy Warmer Homes |
||||||
|
County |
Homes Grant Aided |
Spend |
Homes Grant Aided |
Spend |
||||
|
2016 |
2017 YTD |
2016 |
2017 YTD |
2016 |
2017 YTD |
2016 |
2017 |
|
|
Carlow |
141 |
141 |
€143,950 |
130650 |
94 |
75 |
€200,344.42 |
€228,651.79 |
|
Cavan |
188 |
128 |
€175,300 |
134750 |
90 |
63 |
€272,327.16 |
€193,371.15 |
|
Clare |
296 |
277 |
€361,550 |
334050 |
121 |
213 |
€335,272.45 |
€612,188.17 |
|
Cork |
2,158 |
1,656 |
€2,261,175 |
1787214.1 |
482 |
512 |
€1,463,903.26 |
€1,351,547.90 |
|
Donegal |
157 |
163 |
€271,950 |
243325 |
294 |
220 |
€865,165.32 |
€861,355.92 |
|
Dublin |
4,738 |
4,383 |
€5,956,419 |
5407969 |
867 |
1288 |
€1,333,653.62 |
€1,762,842.63 |
|
Galway |
782 |
758 |
€777,052 |
732300 |
248 |
492 |
€774,750.53 |
€1,559,271.93 |
|
Kerry |
421 |
355 |
€608,800 |
522300 |
127 |
109 |
€421,904.08 |
€422,166.44 |
|
Kildare |
643 |
685 |
€711,130 |
675950 |
281 |
125 |
€693,231.71 |
€287,708.24 |
|
Kilkenny |
221 |
106 |
€206,550 |
132800 |
246 |
43 |
€660,772.45 |
€114,314.42 |
|
Laois |
264 |
220 |
€194,300 |
173550 |
302 |
73 |
€765,453.45 |
€213,948.22 |
|
Leitrim |
40 |
39 |
€44,200 |
46600 |
47 |
46 |
€157,928.00 |
€160,317.50 |
|
Limerick |
1,010 |
893 |
€916,553 |
766150 |
205 |
220 |
€495,583.35 |
€679,833.58 |
|
Longford |
35 |
106 |
€35,350 |
88650 |
88 |
43 |
€206,281.37 |
€100,779.92 |
|
Louth |
494 |
492 |
€457,218 |
431400 |
531 |
131 |
€1,168,613.60 |
€351,725.26 |
|
Mayo |
427 |
380 |
€478,725 |
420625 |
290 |
429 |
€860,382.82 |
€1,421,361.74 |
|
Meath |
635 |
555 |
€671,600 |
533650 |
697 |
154 |
€1,547,615.40 |
€409,860.80 |
|
Monaghan |
80 |
72 |
€101,610 |
87400 |
45 |
29 |
€129,734.56 |
€88,527.33 |
|
Offaly |
154 |
172 |
€134,300 |
167294.5 |
337 |
84 |
€936,966.36 |
€227,836.94 |
|
Roscommon |
167 |
111 |
€148,450 |
120250 |
82 |
60 |
€257,299.39 |
€224,390.29 |
|
Sligo |
123 |
96 |
€157,100 |
157150 |
139 |
186 |
€400,865.68 |
€678,332.38 |
|
Tipperary |
502 |
356 |
€528,100 |
393460 |
203 |
272 |
€513,978.76 |
€772,701.50 |
|
Waterford |
420 |
311 |
€466,511 |
342000 |
106 |
191 |
€327,691.18 |
€727,157.22 |
|
Westmeath |
252 |
197 |
€245,650 |
226150 |
182 |
106 |
€510,732.62 |
€371,669.12 |
|
Wexford |
508 |
457 |
€416,950 |
380660 |
297 |
346 |
€849,172.75 |
€1,067,952.29 |
|
Wicklow |
409 |
468 |
€556,750 |
546450 |
438 |
110 |
€977,271.23 |
€347,581.21 |
|
Total |
15,265 |
13,577 |
€17,027,242 |
€14,982,747.6 |
6839 |
5620 |
€17,126,895.54 |
€15,237,393.89 |
The Warmth and Wellbeing Pilot Scheme commended in 2016. It is funded by my Department and is a joint policy initiative with the Department of Health. It is operated by SEAI and the HSE. The aim of the pilot is to provide deep energy efficiency interventions to people living with chronic respiratory conditions who are in or at risk of energy poverty. By making their homes warmer, more comfortable and cheaper to run, it is hoped that this will improve their health and wellbeing. The pilot scheme is currently operating in Dublin 8, 10, 12, 22 or 24. In 2016 spend of €0.5m helped upgrade 72 homes. To date in 2017 spend of €2.6m has upgraded 196 homes. I expect that upgrades to 500 homes will have been completed by end year.
The Better Energy Community scheme cut across a variety of sectors, so it is not possible to give a strict breakdown of the scheme according to individual sectors. Projects can also involve participants from more than one county. Details of Better Energy Communities projects in 2016 and to date in 2017, their spend and their county location are set out in the following table.
The Deep Retrofit Pilot scheme commenced operation in 2017. The scheme aims to help us understand how best we can persuade people to invest in the deep retrofit of their homes and what solutions we need to put in place to make it easy for them to do so. To be eligible for support, a home must be upgraded to at least an A3 standard on the Building Energy Rating scale and the heating system must be upgraded to a renewable energy alternative.
|
County |
No. of homes |
|
Co. Cork |
2 |
|
Co. Dublin |
3 |
|
Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Co. Mayo |
12 |
|
Co. Meath |
1 |
|
Co. Wexford |
12 |
|
Co. Waterford |
11 |
|
|
42 |
For the commercial and public sector, not all investment is categorised on a county basis. The following tables detail the funding allocated through SEAI this year in support of commercial and public sector grant supports with the county breakdown details available for the preparation of this reply.
In 2017, as part of the implementation of the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy, SEAI on behalf of the Department, and in collaboration on a shared cost basis with the Department of Education (DES), undertook medium to deep retrofits in ten schools across Ireland. Works included fabric upgrades (typically walls and roofs but also some windows and doors), heating system upgrades, lighting system upgrades and Building Management Systems. The total cost of the pilot is estimated to be €4.33m (on shared basis between both Departments – 50% each). The location of each school and cost of upgrades are set out in the following table. The objective of this scheme is to develop replicable specifications for deep retrofits of schools.
|
Nr |
School |
Location |
Total |
DCCAE/SEAI Contribution 50% |
|
1 |
Colaiste na Trocaire |
Rathkeale, Limerick |
€582,292.17 |
€291,146.08 |
|
2 |
Boherbue Comp |
Boherbue, Cork |
€459,336.28 |
€229,668.14 |
|
3 |
St Geralds College |
Castlebar, Mayo |
€581,528.24 |
€290,764.12 |
|
4 |
Our Lady's |
Sligo, Sligo |
€538,028.71 |
€269,014.35 |
|
5 |
Presentation College |
Carlow, Carlow |
€410,205.44 |
€205,102.72 |
|
6 |
ABACUS School |
Drogheda, Louth |
€518,474.13 |
€259,237.07 |
|
7 |
Scoil Ide |
Clondalkin, Dublin |
€301,526.85 |
€150,763.42 |
|
8 |
St Columbanus |
Glenageary, Dublin |
€198,853.55 |
€99,426.78 |
|
9 |
St Johns |
Ballybrack, Dublin |
€201,106.18 |
€100,553.09 |
|
10 |
Presentation College |
Warrenmount, Dublin |
€277,337.53 |
€138,668.76 |
Note: 50% balancing contribution from Department of Education and Skills
Two pilot schemes were launched in 2017 to support energy efficiency upgrades in the commercial sector.
The Dairy Sector Project - a collaboration between SEAI and Teagasc - supports installation of variable speed drive technology in milking parlours, as well as Vacuum Pumps, and smart meters. The subvention level is 50%. Over 50 applications were processed with a total grant amount of €231,638. These technologies can reduce energy consumption considerably on a farm.
The SME Smart Lighting Scheme, aimed at small and medium enterprises - such as jewellers, fitness centres, nursing homes, small hotels and large B&Bs, retailers and pharmacies - encourages such businesses to change their lights to more energy efficient lights. There are currently 39 SMEs benefitting from the scheme with current projected grant funding of €603,000 resulting in total investment of just over €1.5m (including the grant which is typically 40%).
|
Smart Lighting Pilot |
2017 Dairy Farm Pilot Grants by County |
|||
|
County |
Number by County |
Grant by County € |
Number by County |
Grant by County € |
|
Carlow |
0 |
0 |
1 |
€4,500.00 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
€12,701 |
0 |
€ - |
|
Clare |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€ - |
|
Cork |
3 |
€10,357.60 |
13 |
€57,280.00 |
|
Donegal |
2 |
€27,028.20 |
0 |
€ - |
|
Dublin |
4 |
€122,110.86 |
0 |
€ - |
|
Galway |
3 |
€50,474.60 |
0 |
€ - |
|
Kerry |
2 |
€9,518.00 |
7 |
€32,090.00 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
€7,925.60 |
3 |
€15,500.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
€31,517.20 |
3 |
€9,500.00 |
|
Laois |
0 |
0 |
2 |
€12,000.00 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
€22,664.80 |
0 |
€ - |
|
Limerick |
1 |
€3,217.60 |
3 |
€17,500.00 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€ - |
|
Louth |
0 |
0 |
1 |
€5,250.00 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
€73,835.20 |
0 |
€ - |
|
Meath |
3 |
€145,475.27 |
7 |
€27,683.40 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
2 |
€8,000.00 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
0 |
1 |
€4,000.00 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
€9,480.00 |
0 |
€ - |
|
Sligo |
1 |
€8,031.90 |
0 |
€ - |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
€1,276.40 |
4 |
€18,992.50 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
€4,702.40 |
3 |
€6,843.00 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
€37,957.60 |
0 |
€ - |
|
Wexford |
1 |
€24,800.00 |
2 |
€8,500.00 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
0 |
1 |
€4,000.00 |
|
Total |
39 |
€603,073.43 |
53 |
€231,638.90 |
393. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will roll out a hardship fund or compensation scheme for eel fishers whose livelihoods were decimated following the introduction of the ban on eel fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50781/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 60 and 74 of 21 November 2017. The position is unchanged.
394. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the budget allocation for the national broadband plan in each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. [50950/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra402. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount his Department has spent on the national broadband plan in each year since 2011. [50995/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra403. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount his Department has allocated to the national broadband plan for 2018. [50996/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 394, 402 and 403 together.
The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to 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 telecoms sector so that today over 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020. The NBP is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State led Intervention in those areas where commercial investors acting alone will not provide this essential service. The State Intervention is the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
On 29 September 2015 the Government agreed on and published its 6 year Capital Plan, Building on Recovery, which included an allocation of €275m for the State led Intervention under the NBP. This provides the initial stimulus required to deliver the Government's intervention. Funding of €75m has also been committed through the European Regional Development Fund.
Further funding will be required over the lifetime of the proposed 25 year contract to build, maintain and operate the broadband network in the State Intervention Area. In this regard, the Programme for a Partnership Government (PfG) notes that Government will provide additional Exchequer capital, if needed, to deliver on the commitment to bring next generation broadband to every house and business in the country.
The budget allocation for the Department's work to deliver the State led Intervention for the time period requested is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Budget |
|
2016 |
€10m |
|
2017 |
€15m |
|
2018 |
€15m (Projected) |
The NBP was launched in December 2012, and expenditure in respect of the State led Intervention therefore dates from 2013. The expenditure to date is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2013 |
€394,507 |
|
2014 |
€686,864 |
|
2015 |
€3,001,761 |
|
2016 |
€2,360,136 |
|
2017 |
€8,211,568 (to date) |
My Department has allocated €15 million to the Department's work on the State led Intervention for the NBP for 2018.
The procurement process being managed by the Department's specialist NBP team is a complex one and it is important that it is adequately resourced to ensure efficiency, robustness and transparency. However, delivering connectivity to the 542,000 premises that fall within the State led intervention under the NBP remains a Government priority.
395. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of extending SEAI purchase grants for the purchase of electric vehicles only for each year up to 2023. [50985/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra396. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department's projections for the number of electric and hybrid vehicles that will be registered in Ireland by 2023, by year and vehicle type. [50986/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra399. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of electric vehicles that are registered here; and the number of electric vehicles that were registered to date in 2017. [50990/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra400. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of hybrid vehicles that are registered here; and the number of hybrid vehicles that were registered to date in 2017. [50991/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra405. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of building an additional standard electric vehicle charging point; and the estimated cost of building an additional fast-charging point. [51000/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 395, 396, 399, 400 and 405 together.
The electric vehicle purchase grant, introduced in April 2011, provides support of up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle or a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. From the introduction of the Scheme to the end of October 2017, grant support has been provided for the purchase of a total of 2,499 vehicles to the value of €11.8 million. During the first ten months of this year, €3.7 million has been provided to support the purchase of 771 new electric vehicles.
Figures from the Central Statistics office indicate that, for the first ten months of 2017, there were 843 new electric vehicles (both battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric) licensed for the first time. The number of new hybrid vehicles licensed for the first time for the first ten months of 2017 is 4,232.
My Department does not collate figures for the numbers of vehicles registered in Ireland. However, based on data from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, at the end of the third quarter this year, there were 3,258 electric vehicles (both battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric) under taxation in Ireland. In addition, over 11,000 hybrid vehicles have been licensed in Ireland.
The purchase grant scheme is demand led. Therefore, it can be difficult to predict exactly how many vehicles will be supported in future years. In May this year, the Government approved and published the National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland 2017 to 2030. This policy framework sets an ambitious target that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland will be zero emissions, or zero emissions capable.
The National Policy Framework includes an indicative forecast of the numbers of alternative fuel vehicles at particular milestones up to 2030. In the case of electric passenger cars, the projections indicate the potential for 20,000 cars by 2020 and 250,000 by 2025. More detail, which includes projections for other vehicle types such as goods vehicles, buses and motorcycles, is contained in the framework document which is available on the website of the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport.
The ESB, through its eCars programme, has rolled out an extensive public network of charging points across Ireland. With approximately 900 electric vehicle charge points, for a country of our size, we have one of the more comprehensive charge point networks in Europe. It is estimated that the average cost of installing a fast charge point is circa €50,000. The cost of installing a standard charge point is estimated to be up to €5,000. The cost per unit can vary in price depending on the supplier and functionality of the charge point and the associated works for installing the charge point at a site.
The Low Emissions Vehicle Taskforce is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. It was established to accelerate the deployment of low carbon transport technologies, including electric vehicles.
Since its formation, the Low Emissions Vehicle Taskforce has been exploring the potential for further growth in the electric vehicle market and this has led to a package of measures in Budget 2018. These measures include the continuation of the existing EV purchase grant and a new grant to support the installation of home charger points for buyers of new and second-hand EVs. It is important that the public is aware of the supports available for electric vehicles. That is why I have asked the SEAI to develop an EV Public Awareness Programme which will include an awareness campaign; a driver experience roadshow which will give people the opportunity to drive an EV and experience the benefits for themselves; public sector and commercial fleet trials; and supports for electric vehicle use in car sharing.
