Written Answers Nos. 494-511
494. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a claim for compensation by a person (details supplied) will be re-examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14100/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe On Farm Market Valuation Scheme is the principal compensation measure available to Herdowners whose herds are affected by disease under the TB Eradication Scheme.
Compensation is set at the market value of animals (i.e. the equivalent price which might reasonably be obtained for the animal at the time of determination of compensation, from a purchaser in an open market, if the animal were not affected by TB) subject to certain limits.
The pregnancy status of an animal has a bearing on valuation prices and where appropriate Valuers are required to record an in-calf and not in-calf market value for each animal. Following post mortem at the factory, where a pregnancy has been confirmed, the herdowner is paid the appropriate in-calf rate therefore compensated for the loss of the calf.
Subject to the Herdowner meeting the eligibility conditions, my Department also pays Income Supplement, Depopulation and Hardship Grants. For the purpose of income supplement dairy cows are defined as those cows listed at the breakdown test or heifers which become cows immediately prior to the breakdown test and have their calves registered within 27 days of the test date.
In this case at the time of the breakdown test the animals were classified as heifers and therefore they cannot be considered as cows for the purposes of income supplement.
495. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a farmer (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a GLAS payment; the reason the processing of the farmer's application has been delayed; if the application will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14110/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1st October 2015 and has received all payments in respect of the 2015 and 2016 scheme year.
The Department is aware of an issue with this case that resulted in the 2017 advance payment not being made. A solution has been identified and is scheduled for implementation shortly. It is expected that the payment will then issue. GLAS 2017 payments are continuing to issue on a weekly basis.
496. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a farm penalty was imposed on a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14121/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms and conditions of the Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, an applicant as well as meeting scheme criteria, must comply with the EU regulatory requirements relating to Cross Compliance.
The 2016 Scheme Year application of the person named was selected for a Full Cross Compliance inspection, which includes checks across a range of Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) and Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC).
This inspection identified breaches relating to Bovine Identification and Registration, Nitrates and Pesticides requirements, resulting in a final penalty of 5% being applied against the 2016 Direct Payments. The person named was notified of the decisions by letters dated 1st and 21st February 2017.
The person named sought a review of this decision and the outcome was to uphold the original inspection decision. The person named was notified of this outcome on 11th July 2017.
The Agriculture Appeals Office have advised my Department that the person named was offered an oral hearing and the hearing was held on 10th November 2017. In the course of that hearing it was necessary to have an adjournment. The hearing will be reconvened and the Appeals Office will be in contact with the person named.
497. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there was a reduction of BPS payments due to a farmer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14226/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn submitting an application to participate in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP), applicants undertake to adhere to the Terms and Conditions that govern the Programme. In certain instances non compliance with the Terms and Conditions may result in disqualification from the BDGP and the recovery of any payments already made under the Programme.
In this instance the applicant named did not comply with the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea virus (BVD) requirements of the Programme and was disqualified from further participation resulting in an overpayment amounting to €1924.10. The applicant named subsequently sought a review of the decision to disqualify him from the BDGP, and this was successful. However in the interim the overpayment was deducted from his BPS payment. The matter will be rectified immediately and any payment now due will issue shortly.
498. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of farm payments for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14248/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department actively investigates incidents of illegal burning as the lands affected are deemed ineligible for the purposes of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).
As part of this process, the person named was notified by my Department in relation to burned land that formed part of their BPS application, and has submitted an appeal in relation to this matter.
The processing of this appeal is currently being finalised, and a decision in this matter will be communicated directly to the person named shortly.
499. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil ó tharla go bhfuil ar dhaoine táillí bruscair a íoc de réir meáchain anois, cé na socruithe atá curtha ar bun chun cúnamh a thabhairt do dhaoine a bhfuil táillí móra bruscair orthu de bharr seanaoise nó tinnis; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [13681/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI gcomhréir leis na gealltanais atá leagtha amach in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, a foilsíodh in 2012, agus ar mhaithe le hathchúrsáil and cosc ar an ndramhaíl a spreagadh, sa tréimhse idir Fómhar 2017 agus Fómhar 2018 beidh deireadh á chur leis an ráta comhréidh do dhramhaíl tí a bhailítear ag colbha an chosáin, de réir mar a athnuaitear conarthaí custaiméara. Rinneadh na bearta rialála is gá le héifeacht a thabhairt don bheart seo.
Mar a bhaineann sé le teaghlaigh a bhfuil dramhaíl tí acu á bailiú ag colbha an chosáin, is fiú a lua nach beart ‘nua’ é don leath díobh a bhfuil praghasphlean dreasaithe acu cheana, i.e. plean a chuireann rogha ar fáil idir táille in aghaidh an ardaithe nó táille de réir meáchain.
Mar a fógraíodh i lár na bliana 2017, ní thabharfar isteach ‘íoc de réir an mheáchain’, is é sin táillí éigeantach in aghaidh an chileagraim. Trí raon muirir a chur ar fáil, beidh sealbhóirí tí spreagtha chun a gcuid bruscair a dheighilt agus a laghdú, agus beidh deis ag bailitheoirí dramhaíola tairiscintí éagsúla ar phraghsanna seirbhíse a fhorbairt a bheidh oiriúnach d’imthosca teaghlaigh éagsúla. Dá bharr sin, ní roghnóidh sealbhóirí tí áirithe an táille cileagraim shimplí le haghaidh bailiúchán dramhaíola. Ina áit sin, roghnóidh sealbhóirí tí áirithe táille ‘in aghaidh an ardaithe’ nó ‘de réir meáchain’ lena tseirbhís bhailiúcháin.
Tabharfar fóirdheontas bliantúil de €75 isteach chomh luath agus is féidir i mbliana, agus cuirfear é ar fáil do dhaoine a bhfuil neamhchoinneálacht leighis saoil nó fhadtéarmach orthu. Cabhróidh sé seo le daoine an meánchostas bliantúil a bhaineann le hearraí don neamhchoinneálacht a dhiúscairt a íoc. Tá an Roinn seo agam i mbun plé leis an Roinn Sláinte agus leis an bhFeidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte d’fhonn sonraí agus socruithe an fhóirdheontais a thabhairt chun críche chomh luath agus is féidir, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis na páirtithe leasmhara.
500. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address issues with regard to the salmon quota for an angling club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13817/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIFI manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis as each of Ireland’s 147 salmon rivers (including river sections and estuaries) has its own genetically unique stock of salmon.
IFI is supported in its management role by the independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC), comprising scientists from a range of organisations. Scientific and management assessments of each of the distinct stocks are carried out every year with IFI engaged in extensive stock monitoring which feeds into the SSC's annual reviews.
The SSC uses catch returns to individual rivers (rod catch, catch and release and any commercial catch) over the previous five years along with a rod exploitation rate to estimate the total salmon returns in each of the previous five years. An exploitation rate is applied to raise the recorded rod catch to an estimate of the total salmon stock in the river as catch statistics account for a proportion of the river’s stock..
I am advised by IFI that the mid-point (most likely) rod exploitation rate is used for the Roughty at 10% with a minimum of 5% and a maximum of 15%. Were the medium exploitation rate used for the Roughty, this would predict a much lower salmon stock and therefore a lower surplus available.
The wetted area of Irish salmon rivers was first estimated in 2003 when the wetted area of Roughty was 86.9 hectares of accessible wetted area for salmon. The estimation of salmon habitat was scientifically revised in 2012, and the revised wetted area for the Roughty was 95.2 hectares of which 81.3 hectares were accessible to salmon. River specific salmon data in relation to egg deposition is used to calculate each river’s individual conservation limit.
Other factors in relation to the make-up of each river’s individual stock also impact the conservation limit. When compared to the Bandon, the lower average weight of one sea winter salmon on the Roughty combined with a lower proportion of large salmon (multi-sea-winter fish) results in a greater salmon egg requirement /m2 and therefore a higher salmon conservation limit for the Roughty river than if conservation limit was based solely on wetted area.
As each salmon river has its own genetically unique stock and the component parts of the stock vary, the issue of establishing a conservation limit can be complex. In that regard, I will provide a detailed account of the methodologies for calculating wetted area and establishing conservation limits, including scientific references, for the Deputy.
501. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the air pollution standards which currently apply; the EU air pollution regulations; the EU air pollution regulations that are not part of Irish air pollution standards; his plans to update air pollution standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13692/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Directives set down air quality standards for Ireland and the other EU Member States for a wide variety of pollutants. Ireland has transposed all EU Directives relating to air quality. The Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive (2008/50/EC) was published in May 2008, and was transposed into Irish legislation by the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 180 of 2011), as amended. In addition, Directive 2004/107/EC (relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air) was transposed into Irish legislation by the Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Nickel and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 58 of 2009), as amended. The limit values set out in these pieces of legislation are available online at the following link:
http://www.epa.ie/air/quality/standards/.
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) most recent annual Air Quality Report was published in November 2017 and provides an assessment of air quality in Ireland for 2016 and goes into detail about how the results compare to the European standards. Values for all network sites were below the EU annual limit value, but exceeded the stricter World Health Organisation guideline values for a number of pollutants at individual sites. The report can be found at the following link:
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/air/quality/epaairqualityreport2016.html.
The 7th European Action Programme includes the objective of ensuring that outdoor air quality in the EU will have improved significantly by 2020, moving closer to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. This is an ambition which Ireland shares.
In parallel with the requirements of the CAFE Directive, Ireland is subject to, and compliant with, the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NEC) Directive 2001/81/EC, which was transposed into Irish law by S.I. No. 303/2012 - European Communities (National Emissions Ceiling) (Amendment) Regulations 2012. The NEC Directive sets upper limits, or “ceilings” for national emissions from each EU Member State. The pollutants covered include sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ammonia (NH3).
These targets are set out in the European Communities (National Emission Ceilings) Regulations 2004, which are available online at the following link:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2004/si/10/made/en/print
A revised NEC Directive (Directive 216/2284) is due to be transposed later this year and sets stricter targets for 2020 and 2030, while also including fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
In support of these pieces of legislation which set air pollution standards, there are numerous Directives and Regulations, such as the Industrial Emissions Directive (Directive 2010/75/EU), the Medium Combustion Plants Directive (Directive EU/2015/2193), the Paints Directive (Directive 2004/42/CE) and the Non-Road Mobile Machinery Regulation (Regulation EU/2016/1628), which impose limits on emissions from various sources.
In recognition of the fact that air pollution has greater impact on health at lower levels than was previously understood, I am preparing to launch Ireland’s first ever National Clean Air Strategy, which will provide the strategic policy framework to identify and promote the required integrated measures across Government to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air, while also delivering on wider social and economic objectives.
An important part of the strategy will be an expansion of the current air quality monitoring network. The new national Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP) is being developed by the EPA under section 65 of the EPA Act, 1992 as amended. One of the key objectives of the programme is to enhance the provision of real time air quality data to the public. The AAMP will double the number of ambient air quality monitoring stations in Ireland by 2022, and enhance the provision of real time air quality data to the public. Further details on the timeframes for the expansion of the network will be released as they become available. I fully support this important initiative, and have committed funding of some €5 million over the lifetime of the programme.
502. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the length of time residents living in rural amber areas of Tallaght and Rathfarnham will be waiting for the roll-out of broadband services. [13754/18]
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. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. This will increase to nearly 8 out of 10 premises by the end of this year and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. Premises in the AMBER area on my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie , including those in Tallaght and Rathfarnham, are included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages. Current estimates for rollout indicate the majority of premises in the State intervention area will have access to a high speed broadband connection within 3 years of the beginning of rollout. My Department will also engage with the bidder to ensure the most efficient network 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.
503. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the broadband access to a small business in a location (details supplied) in County Cork; when fibre optic broadband will be accessible to a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13763/18]
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. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. This will increase to nearly 8 out of 10 premises by the end of this year and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. The premise referred to by the Deputy is represented by way of an AMBER dot within a BLUE area on my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. A high speed broadband service will therefore be delivered through the NBP State Intervention. This premise was one of approximately 84,500 premises reclassified as AMBER when the Map was updated in April 2017. This was due to commercial operator plans for the area not materialising. As a result high speed broadband services will now be delivered to the premises through the State led intervention under the NBP.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages.
My Department’s technical team has also carried out a desktop cellular path study in respect of the particular premises referred to by the Deputy which shows that there is a clear line of sight from the premise to a mast sited at Curraheen Stadium which is located 1.2 km from the premises. This mast is utilised by 3 retail mobile service operators. The various antennae on the mast should be capable of providing 4G (LTE) from one or all of the mobile service providers. Individuals can check with mobile operators regarding mobile services on offer. This may improve their connectivity in the interim period until the State led intervention delivers the future proofed solution directly to the premises.
Additionally, 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.
504. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for high speed broadband in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13784/18]
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. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. This will increase to nearly 8 out of 10 premises by the end of this year and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. The premise referred to by the Deputy is in an AMBER area on my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. It is therefore included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages.
When the procurement process reaches a satisfactory conclusion and a subsidy level has been approved by Government, a contract will be awarded and the network rollout will commence. My Department will also engage with the bidder to ensure the most efficient network deployment as part of the contract.
Additionally, 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.
505. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the roles, responsibilities and powers of the National Waste Collection Permit Office; if the Office has enforcement powers to ensure that all permitted requirements are being observed in relation to the contract between a person and their chosen waste collector; the process by which a person can request the office to take enforcement action against a waste collector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13799/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO) administers the waste collection permitting system centrally on behalf of all local authorities in the State; the enforcement of the conditions attached to an individual Waste Collection Permit remains a matter for the relevant local authority.
Subject to some minor exceptions, Section 34 of the Waste Management Act requires all bodies involved in the collection of waste to have this activity authorised by a waste collection permit. Besides the legal obligation to be in possession of a valid permit, the holder also has to abide by its conditions.
In circumstances where an operator does not comply with the conditions of their permit the operator is liable to having their waste collection permit reviewed by the NWCPO, a process whereby an apparent breach of a waste collection permit condition is investigated. The review process allows the NWCPO to amend the permit, including removing the authorisation for non-compliant vehicles to collect household waste, to direct measures to be taken within a specified timeframe to ensure compliance, or to ultimately revoke the permit. This review process requires engagement and consultation with local authorities, as the enforcement of the conditions attached to an individual Waste Collection Permit remains a matter for the relevant local authority.
Contracts between waste management companies and customers are matters for those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation. The terms and conditions of consumer contracts do not fall within my remit as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The responsibility for enforcing domestic competition and consumer protection legislation lies with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
It is my understanding that the CCPC has worked with the waste sector to try to ensure operators’ terms and conditions are transparent and do not contain any unfair terms. The CCPC also offers useful advice for householders entering new contracts available to download at www.ccpc.ie/consumers/contracts-and-services/waste-collection/.
Similarly, the CCPC has produced a guide for household waste collectors to make operators aware that the service provided is a commercial practice and, as such, is subject to a number of laws, available to download at www.ccpc.ie/business/help-for-business/guidelines-for-business/domestic-waste-collection-sector/.
506. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the body that has responsibility to protect the public from air pollution from domestic chimneys; if a complaint can be made to the local authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, or another body; the measures that can be taken to ensure compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13909/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 24(2) of the Air Pollution Act, 1987, stipulates that an occupier of any premises must not cause or permit a chimney emission in such a quantity, or in such a manner, as to be a nuisance. Section 26 of the same Act gives the Local Authority powers to serve a notice on the occupier of any premises from which there is an emission, where it appears necessary in order to prevent or to limit air pollution. It is a matter for the Local Authority to exercise its judgement in any individual case as to whether a nuisance is being caused, and if so, what abatement action is required. In circumstances where a complaint has been made to the relevant Local Authority and the complainant is not satisfied with the action taken by that Authority, a further complaint can be made to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA will review the Local Authority's performance and assist where possible. The EPA will not become involved until the relevant Local Authority has first been given an opportunity to investigate the complaint. Information on how to make an environmental complaint has been prepared by the EPA and can be viewed on the EPA website, www.epa.ie/enforcement/report/.
507. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which persons in counties Sligo and Leitrim can be expected to consider changing from diesel and petrol vehicles to electric vehicles in view of the limited number of working charging points available in the north west region together with the ESB's stated inability (details supplied) to repair and fix its charging units which it has introduced under the pilot scheme that are now no longer working to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13910/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe vast majority of EV charging happens at home, which aligns with both technology and patterns of use of vehicles. In terms of the number and extent of publicly accessible charging, the National Policy Framework on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland: 2017 to 2030 notes that Ireland’s current EV charging network infrastructure is ahead of current market demand. However, it is recognised that the future development of the EV public charging does need to progress alongside the growth of electric vehicles.
The existing fleet of public chargers was rolled out by the ESB, through its eCars programme, and there are approximately 900 EV charge points in Ireland of which circa 70 are rapid chargers. A map showing the charge points, including the status and availability of the charge points, is available on the ESB's website at www.esb.ie/ecars. The operation and repair of these charge points are operational matters for the ESB.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities published its independent regulatory decision in relation to the future ownership of the EV charging infrastructure in October 2017, determining that in keeping with EU provisions, the charging network should not form part of the regulated asset base and therefore expansions of the network should not be funded from network charges. The decision envisages the continued ownership of the charging network by ESB Networks for a transitional period of up to ten years, ensuring no short to medium term impact on the electric vehicle charging infrastructure and allows the ESB to continue to provide electric vehicle charging across Ireland.
The decision also set out the need for the electric vehicle charging infrastructure to operate on a commercial basis. In the absence of State-led support, this is unlikely to happen in the near term. Funding has, therefore, been allocated in my Department's budget this year to support the provision of public charging, with a particular focus on increasing the number of rapid chargers on key national routes.
To support home charging, I introduced the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant scheme this year. This Scheme, which came into operation on 1 January 2018, supports the cost of installing a home charger up to a maximum of €600 for buyers of both new and second-hand EVs.
508. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the level of funding provided by his Department to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland; the number of staff employed by the authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13976/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) was established by the Broadcasting Act 2009 as the independent regulator for the broadcasting industry.
The operation of the BAI is financed by industry levy. The total levy collected in 2016 from broadcasters was €4.87m and the Authority had a staff complement of 35. Further details about the operations of the BAI including levy and staffing is available in the Authority's Annual Reports which are published on the BAI website at www.bai.ie.
The BAI also operates the Broadcasting Fund which is funded by 7% of net licence fee receipts. The fund received €13.6m in 2016 and €14m in 2017 from licence fee receipts. The fund is used to finance the Sound and Vision and Archiving Schemes. Further details about the Broadcasting Fund and the projects supported are available on the BAI website.
509. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the creation of a digital safety commissioner will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14046/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that on Thursday 22 February 2018 the Government did not oppose a Private Members Bill introduced by Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire which sought to establish an office of a Digital Safety Commissioner. While many of the objectives of Deputy Ó Laoghaire's Bill are laudable, some of the proposed functions of the Office as set out in the Bill raise serious legal and jurisdictional issues.
On 21 November 2017, I convened a meeting with my colleagues the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to progress the subject of digital safety for all citizens, especially children. It was agreed at that meeting that an Open Policy Debate would be the most appropriate way to progress the issue and ensure a coherent cross departmental Government approach.
On 8 March 2018, I hosted this debate at the Royal Hospital Kilmainhan which was opened by An Taoiseach. Over 120 representatives from a range of stakeholders participated, including NGOs, industry, parents' groups and young people. The event was supported by five other Ministers and organised in conjunction with the Department of Justice and Equality; Education and Skills; Health; Business Enterprise and Innovation; Children and Youth Affairs.
An Taoiseach announced that the Government would, by June of this year, prepare an action plan on online safety. My Department will actively contribute to the preparation of that plan, and a report on the Open Policy Debate will form one of the inputs to the plan.
510. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 8 March 2018, if a matter regarding an Eircode will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14242/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory, a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their licence agreement.
Each new address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website and a notification letter issued to the occupant containing the Eircode of that address.
Eircode have advised me they have been in contact with the individual on a number of occasions regarding an Eircode for the new address and they have the contact details supplied. However on foot of your subsequent Parliamentary Question, I have requested Eircode to once again contact and liaise with the individual regarding the assignment of an Eircode to the new property address.
511. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy rationale behind the introduction in 2008 of the new system of linking motor tax and vehicle registration tax, VRT, to the CO2 emissions from vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13569/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraArising from a commitment in the Programme for Government 2007-2012 to rebalance the motor tax and vehicle registration tax (VRT) systems to reward the purchase of greener cars, a new basis of charging motor tax and VRT for private vehicles was introduced from July 2008. The purpose of the change was to create an incentive for consumers to purchase cars with lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, an important step in reducing national greenhouse gas emissions and in meeting Ireland’s commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
For both systems, vehicles were categorised in seven graduating bands A – G, based on the CO2 emissions levels specified on the Certificate of Conformity of a vehicle. Those choosing to purchase lower-emission vehicles paid less in motor tax and VRT, and those choosing higher-emission vehicles paid more.
From January 2013, a revised banding structure was introduced for both motor tax and VRT, splitting the lowest CO2 Band A into four and Band B into two. A zero emissions band for electric vehicles was also introduced for motor tax only. The revised banding allows for the further differentiation of the fleet in favour of the ever more environmentally friendly cars coming on to the market.
The 2008 changes also included the introduction of a new labelling system for cars based on CO2 emission levels. The label is similar to the energy-rating label that was already in place for many consumer electrical goods at the time and includes information on fuel efficiency, the annual rate of motor tax and the applicable rate of VRT. This is designed to make consumers more fully aware of the incentives being created through the changes and to assist them in making informed decisions.
