Written Answers Nos. 178-197
178. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department or Bord Bia has analysed marketing regarding nomadic meat in the UK; and the policy options to progress this issue and increase live exports. [3881/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe labelling of food in the European Union is governed by a number of regulations which lay down strict requirements in relation to mandatory country of origin labelling for certain meats.
Under these rules, labels on meat from cattle born and reared in the Republic of Ireland, exported live to Northern Ireland and subsequently slaughtered there must include the member state of birth and rearing and the member state of slaughter. The possibility of a voluntary all-Island label has been raised with British retailers, who have reiterated their longstanding policy of marketing British and Irish beef separately, with a simple, clear origin label.
I am very conscious of the vital role that live exports play in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department and Bord Bia are involved in on-going work to encourage and facilitate such exports. Last February, my Department reduced the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves under three months of age to €1.20 per animal from €4.80 in order to bring greater equity in the fees payable per consignment in respect of calves, weanlings and adult cattle.
The cattle export trade in 2017 was positive after two years of decline. At year’s end, exports of live cattle had increased by over 43,000 head, or 30%, in comparison to 2016. I will continue to work to ensure that Irish meat and livestock producers have the option of exporting to markets abroad for both processed meat and live animals.
179. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on recent policy statements by President Macron’s administration (details supplied) regarding deep reform of CAP at EU level and prioritising other policy areas; and his further views on whether this represents a potential shift in policy of defending the current CAP budget from a long term member state advocate. [3883/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently reviewing the CAP Communication published by the European Commission in November 2017, in advance of legislative provisions to be presented by the Commission in mid 2018. It is also expected that Multi Annual Financial Framework proposals will be presented in May 2018.
The CAP binds the members of the European Union in a collective commitment to food security, environmental sustainability, and the protection of farm families and rural communities. My officials have and will continue to engage with officials in all Member States including France with whom we have a deep and long lasting relationship.
I look forward to working with the institutions of the European Union and with all my Ministerial colleagues including France to deliver the best possible Common Agricultural Policy for the citizens of the European Union into the future.
180. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the return pig farmers are receiving for their produce from processors,with farmers being paid below the cost of production. [3884/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am keenly aware of how resilient pig farmers have been in recent years and in their ability to sustain their businesses in an often volatile price environment.
Price volatility is an ongoing challenge for the sector and developments over the last couple of years simply serve to emphasise the cyclical nature of prices in the industry. Following a particularly tough 2015 prices hit a five-year low early in 2016 before embarking on an upward trajectory which saw prices reach a three-year high during July 2017.
While prices across the EU have slipped back somewhat recently - primarily driven by a fall in demand from China - my Department has made a particular effort to support market diversification for the sector over recent years. The importance of this is well illustrated by the dramatic expansion in Ireland’s pigmeat exports to Asia, and to China in particular, in recent years. And of course the uncertainty around Brexit lends an even greater importance to trade promotion in international markets.
In June 2017 I visited Mexico, now the fourth largest global importer of chilled and frozen pork. With Mexican demand for pork continuing to grow I have made gaining access to that market a priority. I also travelled to Japan and South Korea last autumn where I promoted the development of further opportunities for Irish producers in these jurisdictions as I want to continue to diversify the range markets to which Ireland has access.
With Irish production up almost 1% in 2017 and export value increasing some 14% to an estimated €712m I have every hope that we can continue to work with the sector and continue to take advantage of international market opportunities for Irish pigmeat.
181. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the transport subsidy scheme he recently announced; when it will open for applications; and his plans to bring forward a meal voucher scheme. [3885/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully aware that the wet weather conditions of much of last autumn, coupled with the need to house livestock earlier than normal resulted in pressure on fodder supplies, with consequent shortfalls in some parts of the West and North West of the country.
Through feedback from work I asked Teagasc to undertake locally and the views returned from the two meetings of the Fodder Group I convened last December, it is clear that the more significant shortfalls in winter fodder supplies while very real, are geographically confined and localised. While I believe that fodder remains available across the country, I am nevertheless conscious that a key issue to resolve is the cost of transporting fodder between those areas where it is available and those where it is scarce.
To address this problem I am introducing a Fodder Transport Support measure to provide additional assistance to those livestock farmers most severely affected by the prolonged wet weather of last autumn, mainly in parts of the West and North West and we are partnering with the co-operatives on this.
Farmers, who have an identified fodder shortage, having completed a fodder budgeting exercise with their agricultural advisor, will be eligible to receive a financial contribution towards offsetting the costs of transport of fodder in excess of 100 km. As fodder is traded between farms on a regular basis, it is essential that the support measure is targeted at those who most need it and does not impact on the normal functioning of the market for fodder and for this reason a minimum transport distance applies. Eligible applicants will receive a transport contribution of €8 per standard bale of hay or straw for feeding, and €12 per standard bale of silage or haylage, applicable only to the verified shortfall in fodder.
Financial assistance under the Fodder Transport Support Measure is payable in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1408/2013 on de minimis aid in the agricultural production sector.
While this measure builds on my early supports to farmers through prioritisation of farm payments, and the convening of a Fodder Group, I urge affected farmers to avail of the additional fodder budgeting support being provided by Teagasc.
Application forms and further details on the operation of the measure will be available from my Department in the coming days.
182. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an issue (details supplied) regarding the roll-out of fibre broadband will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3716/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 67% 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.
In April 2017 I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This 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 and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April.
The premises referred to by the Deputy is in an AMBER area.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. “Detailed Solutions” submitted by two bidders on 26th September 2017 are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. This is the last stage of the procurement process before moving to the final tender stage, which will be followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature.
I recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and the frustration for communities and businesses that do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. Delivering connectivity to the 542,000 premises that fall within the State led intervention area under the NBP remains a Government priority and my Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
With regards to the rollout close to referenced premises, decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the rollout and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis by competing service providers operating in a liberalised market. I have no statutory role or function to intervene in the commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
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
183. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if extra allowances will be provided to parents with children with special needs, especially persons with incontinent children in relation to the proposed pay-by-weight bin charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3727/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the commitments set out in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, published in 2012, and in the interest of encouraging further waste prevention and greater recycling, flat-rate fees for kerbside household waste collection are being phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018, as customers contracts come up for renewal. The necessary regulatory steps have been put in place to give effect to this measure. It is worth noting that this measure is not ‘new’ for about half of kerbside household waste customers, who are already on an incentivised usage pricing plan, i.e., a plan which contains a per lift or weight related fee.
As announced in mid-2017, mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging is not being introduced. Allowing for a range of charging options, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste, provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Consequently, a pure kilogramme charge for waste collection may not be selected by some households. Instead, some households may use a ‘per lift’ type charge or a ‘weight allowance’ collection service.
An annual support of €75 will be introduced as soon as possible this year and made available for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence. This will help people meet the average annual cost of disposal of medical incontinence products. My Department is in discussion with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive with a view to finalising the details and arrangements of the support as soon as possible, following further consultation with stakeholder groups.
184. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to improve broadband availability in Glascorn, Rathconrath, County Westmeath; if so, when they will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3791/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 67% 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. In April 2017 I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This 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 and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April.
There are 52 premises in the townland of Glascarn. 47 premises (90%) fall within the AMBER area and will be covered under the State led Intervention while 5 (10%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be covered by eir's planned rural deployment.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. “Detailed Solutions” submitted by two bidders on 26th September are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. This is the last stage of the procurement process before moving to the final tender stage, which will be followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature.
In April 2017, 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 rollout by the end of 2018. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/ A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
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.
185. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to a reply from a company (details supplied), his plans to provide for flexibility in cases in which small sections of certain roads are not included in the roll-out of fibre broadband. [3792/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the rollout and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis by competing service providers operating in a liberalised market. I have no statutory role or function to intervene in the commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services. Premises where commercial providers are not currently delivering or have indicated no plans to deliver high speed broadband services will be addressed through the National Broadband Plan State led Intervention.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. “Detailed Solutions” submitted by two bidders on 26th September 2017 are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. This is the last stage of the procurement process before moving to the final tender stage, which will be followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature.
I fully recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland, including those in Mullingar, and the frustration for communities and businesses that do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. Delivering connectivity to the 542,000 premises that fall within the State led intervention area under the NBP remains a Government priority and my Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
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
186. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to changes being made to the proposed timing of the handover of Dublin Bus routes to a company (details supplied); if this is now taking place sooner than originally suggested; if so, the reason for the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3748/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) 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 response within ten working days.
187. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a driving test for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3755/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
188. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to address the significant overcrowding issues that are ongoing on the Luas; and his plans to add to the capacity of the Luas, particularly on the cross city lines. [3793/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the light rail Luas network.
Passenger numbers on both lines of the Luas network increased by over 10% to 37.6 million in 2017. With the Green Line now extended to Broombridge, and providing interchange with the Red Line and greater connectivity to rail services, those numbers are likely to grow substantially again in 2018. While it is welcomed that so many new customers are using the extended Green Line, it has meant that some trams are operating at capacity.
As part of the Luas Cross City project seven new 55 metre-long trams have been ordered to increase capacity on the Green Line. The first of these new trams is expected to be in service next month and the remainder will be delivered and become operational over the next few months.
In addition, the Green Line Capacity Enhancement project was recently approved by Government. The purpose of the project is to address current capacity limits at peak hours on the Luas Green Line and to cater for future demands along the line. The project is proposed in the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035.
The project will cost approximately €90 million and it includes the lengthening of the 26 existing Green line trams from 43 metres to 55 metres and the purchase of a further 8 new 55 metre-long trams which will greatly increase the passenger capacity of the fleet now and to meet future passenger demand. The capacity increases at peak periods provided by the project will assist in reducing crowding on the Green Line and enhance accessibility for mobility and sensory impaired users during these periods.
Additionally the Green Line Infrastructure Upgrade, an investment project to lengthen the platforms at the Green Line stations, was also completed towards the end of last year.
189. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether there is potential for Irish Rail to increase the frequency of service along certain rail lines, particularly those that are serving regular commuters and-or have seat shortages; and if not, the reason therefor. [3794/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród 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 response within ten working days.
190. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process by which his Department plans for changes in passenger demand for rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3795/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) 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 response within ten working days.
191. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to the advices provided in the notice dated 11 December 2017 sent by the European Commission to the Commission for Aviation Regulation, the reason the PSO licence for the Kerry to Dublin and the Donegal to Dublin routes has been awarded to an airline that will lose its EU operating licence; when the PSO routes will be re-tendered in advance of the UK leaving the EU in March 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3801/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new PSO contract to operate the air routes linking the airports in Donegal and Kerry with Dublin for the next four years was awarded to Stobart Air UC following an EU public procurement process. Stobart fulfilled all the current necessary requirements including holding a valid Air Operator Certificate and a valid Operating Licence.
The situation in the aviation sector post Brexit, including any transition period, is obviously unclear at this stage and the notice of December last from the European Commission, to which the Deputy refers, was directed at air carriers, reminding them of the implications arising from the current EU rules applicable to air transport. Essentially, the notice amounts to a call to all air carriers holding an EU operating licence to make appropriate preparations for Brexit, in the event that EU rules in the field of aviation no longer apply to the United Kingdom following their withdrawal from the European Union.
192. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all persons overcharged on the M1 toll at Drogheda will be refunded; if a full investigation will take place; if the toll operator will be fined; and if it will ensure that overcharging does not reoccur. [3817/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to roads. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects on national roads are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority. For regional and local roads it is a matter for each respective local authority. More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads as well as regional and local roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII (for national roads) and each local authority (for regional and local roads) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007). Noting the above, I am referring the question to TII for direct reply within 10 working days. Please inform my private office if you do not receive the information.
193. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date a person (details supplied) was issued with a full drivers licence by the appropriate driving licencing authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3843/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
194. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if coaches will be able to park overnight in the coach park soon to open in the docks area if parked in advance of the 7 p.m entry deadline; and if not, the facilities that exist in Dublin for overnight coach parking. [3875/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of the North Wall Coach Park is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA)
The purpose of providing a new coach park at North Wall was, in part, to address the issue of on-street parking of coaches in the city centre, particularly with regard to the Luas Cross City works and route.
I am advised that a grant of permission with a number of conditions was issued by An Bord Pleanala in May 2016 in which the NTA obtained 5 year temporary planning permission allowing operation of the coach park from 7.00am to 7.00pm Monday to Friday, with occasional use only up to 12.00 am (midnight) and on weekends for special events.
With regards to other facilities for overnight coach parking, this is a matter for the relevant Local Authority in the first instance.
In light of their responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the National Transport Authority for a direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
195. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of a child vis-a-vis access to the ECCE scheme that will reach three years of age on 18 January 2019. [3765/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal free pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. It provides children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school. The programme provides for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year (averaging at a total of 61 weeks) and the programme year runs from September to June.
Eligibility under this programme currently commences from the entry point following a child reaching age 3 years. From September 2018 eligibility will commence from the entry point following the date when the child reaches age 2 years and 8 months and will expand to 76 weeks/two pre-school years.
In the example referred to by the Deputy the child will be 2 years and 7 months on commencement of the 2018-19 programme year in September 2018 so the earliest date of eligibility for the ECCE programme will be September 2019 with full entitlement to two pre-school years.
196. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of funding for an archive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3702/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 80 of the Local Government Act 2001, the cost of purchasing, managing and maintaining local records and archives is a matter for local authorities.
My Department has no role in this regard, nor does it have funding available to provide to Kerry County Council for the purchase of the archival material in question.
197. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if grant assistance is available to a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3711/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department oversees the national €2 million Communities Facilities Scheme. The Communities Facilities Scheme is targeted at both urban and rural areas and funds projects that seek to enhance communities, address disadvantage and improve social cohesion at a local level. It can potentially fund capital purchases such as that outlined in the Deputy’s question.
The 2017 scheme is currently closed to applications but the 2018 scheme will be launched in Quarter 2 of 2018. The Communities Facilities Scheme is managed at a local level by the Local Community Development Committees in conjunction with the Municipal Districts, under the remit of the local authorities. Details regarding how to apply for funding will be available on the Department’s website at www.drcd.gov.ie once the 2018 scheme has been launched.
