Written Answers Nos. 494-511
494. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reconsider permitting grant applications for the development of cattle underpasses under the TAMS scheme on the grounds of health and safety. [23641/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TAMS II Scheme has been very successful to date in terms of uptake with the number of approvals that have issued exceeding 14,500. All of these approvals represent committed expenditure under the TAMS II measure of the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020.
Payments under the Scheme to date have exceeded €56m and approvals and payments continue to issue on an ongoing basis for the comprehensive list of investments already included in the suite of seven existing TAMS measures.
Until the remaining outstanding approvals for works are completed and a payment claim submitted or the outstanding approvals lapse these cases represent potential payments and a budgetary provision must be maintained for their payment. There are no proposals at present to extend the list of investments available under TAMS to include underpasses.
495. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a green certificate for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23702/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details requested by the Deputy are an operational matter for Teagasc who deliver the Green Cert.
The Deputy’s question has been passed on by my Department to Teagasc who have been requested to respond to the Deputy within 10 days.
496. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares deemed eligible for basic payments in 2016 and 2017; the average payment per hectare; the amount that was raised through degressivity here in 2015, 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23769/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be sent directly to the Deputy when it is available.
497. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the regulation of scrap metal here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23752/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile regulation of the scrap metal industry or the second hand precious metals industry is not a matter within the remit of my Department, the regulation of waste activities is, of course, relevant to the industry. Such activities require authorisation in accordance with the Waste Management Act 1996 and depending on the authorisation required, these activities are controlled either by the Environmental Protection Agency or by local authorities, as competent authorities nominated by the State to implement such legislation. The purpose of these controls is to regulate the collection, recovery or disposal of waste in order to protect the environment. An examination of the waste licensing and permitting legislation was undertaken in 2014 in the context of the rise in metal theft to ensure all necessary provisions, particularly those relating to traceability, were in place to avoid situations that might be exploited by criminal elements. In order to improve traceability of waste received and to counter the trade in stolen metal, an amendment to the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations 2007 was introduced in 2014 to create the following additional requirements on all permitted facilities receiving/purchasing waste:
- require the production of proof of identity and current address of the person supplying the material,
- require records to be kept of the registration number and waste collection permit number of the delivery vehicle,
- require that records be kept describing the materials, time and date of sale, weight and amount paid, and
- require a signed statement by the person supplying the material that they are the lawful owner of the material or have the consent of the lawful owner to sell the material.
The improved traceability provisions outlined above are regarded as proportionate and practical measures to curtail the ability of those engaged in the theft of metals to dispose of these materials for profit, while not imposing an undue administrative burden on the waste management sector.
498. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of a broadband connection for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23167/18]
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. 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 premises 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 National Broadband Plan (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.
With regards to the nearby rollout referred to by the Deputy, 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.
I fully recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and sincerely appreciate 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 under the NBP remains a priority for me and my Department will engage with the winning bidder to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives are being undertaken 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. The Department of Rural and Community Development maintain a list of Broadband Officers, a link to which is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/latest-news/Pages/Broadband-Officers-Workshop.aspx.
499. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to reduce plastic waste; if his Department has closely liaised with the large grocery retailers in this regard; if single use plastic straws will be banned here by the end of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23218/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland fully embraces the ambition of the new strategy European Strategy for Plastics and I am committed to going beyond it. Already many of the measures recommended in the Strategy, such as extended producer responsibility schemes, the landfill and plastic bag levies, as well as robust enforcement, are well embedded into Irish resource management. The national recycling list and recycling ambassadors’ programme are encouraging people to consider unwanted materials as a valued resource rather than a waste.
In relation to plastic packaging, REPAK manages the collection and recycling of 80% of packaging on the market. Fees paid by their members are based on the amount of packaging the members place on the market and this incentivises them to reduce packaging. REPAK also employs specialist packaging technologists to optimise packaging design and minimise waste.
I understand that REPAK is working particularly closely with the large grocery retailers on a number of proposals aimed at improving their approach to packaging. In addition, I will engage again with the large grocery retailers looking for their commitment to reduce non-recyclable plastic packaging in their stores.
I have also welcomed new proposals by the European Commission to tackle plastic waste, in particular plastic single use items, and I have urged both the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers to progress these proposals as soon as possible.
500. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there is a specific set of guidelines or requirements for agencies when delivering circular advertisements or literature to households in terms of content, display of publishers, language and material some might find offensive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23282/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) is the independent self-regulatory body set up and financed by the advertising industry which promotes standards of marketing communications including advertising both online and offline, promotional marketing and direct marketing.
The ASAI's Code of Standards for Advertising and Marketing Communications in Ireland applies to commercial marketing communications and to sales promotions that promote the sales of goods or services.
Non-commercial marketing communications, i.e. those which express the advertiser’s position on a political, religious, industrial relations, social or aesthetic matter or an issue of public concern, are not subject to the Code.
As the designated postal service provider, An Post has advised that it has internal guidelines that it adheres to for the purposes of vetting the content of these items which are similar to those used by other postal administrations.
There are Terms and Conditions which apply to all An Post customers who use this service. These can be found at:
http://www.anpost.ie/NR/rdonlyres/17FDFB6F-6116-407D-87A0-E3A065903FB4/0/290513PublicityPostTermsandConditions1.pdf.
Information in respect of the other bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those organisations. I will, however, request the relevant Agencies and bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to the Deputy in the matter.
501. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the number of contracts his Department and State agencies under his aegis hold with a company (details supplied) in view of its recent announcement regarding the need to raise an emergency €700 million; if contingency plans are in place if the company were to collapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21666/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the use of the National Postcode System "Eircode".
As part of normal contract oversight arrangements, Capita has assured my Department that their current financial position will not impact on their capacity to deliver their commitments under the Postcode Management Licence Holder (PMLH) contract. Within this contract there are mechanisms, which include an Exit Plan that allows for the appointment of a replacement PMLH, where necessary.
In addition, Capita, as the parent company of Capita Business Support Services Ireland, as part of the contract to operate Eircode, has provided a parent company guarantee.
My Department continues to work closely with senior executives of Capita and will update its contingency planning if or when required.
502. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 348 of 1 May 2018, if eel fishery owners that rented or leased their eel fishery or that were unable to fish for eel due to illness or old age are to be excluded in the proposed support scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23310/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the proposed eel support scheme is to provide a measure of payment to fishermen who were licenced by the State. Consultations with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to the scope of the proposed measure are on-going. The activity mentioned by the Deputy would appear to be based on private commercial arrangements to which the State is not a party.
503. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if fibre optic broadband will be extended in an area (details supplied). [23315/18]
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. 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 premises 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 National Broadband Plan (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.
With regard to the rollout of broadband infrastructure, 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.
I fully recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and sincerely appreciate 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 under the NBP remains a priority for me and my Department will engage with the winning bidder to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives are being undertaken 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.
A list of Broadband Officers, is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/latest-news/Pages/Broadband-Officers-Workshop.aspx.
504. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 339 of 1 May 2018, which was further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 422 and 430 of 5 December 2017, the status of the new funding proposal for families with large amounts of medical waste; when the scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23605/18]
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 a 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.
The Price Monitoring Group has considered eight months of data to date. While fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend is relative price stability. The Price Monitoring Group has reported that there are currently 9 different types of price models on the market. The main price examples include a service charge plus charge per bin lift, with an excess per kg charge, and a service charge plus per kg weight charge. The most popular service offering now is the ‘service charge including weight allowance, plus per kg charge for excess above allowance’.
An annual support of €75 per person is being made available for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence. This will help people meet the average annual cost for the disposal of medical incontinence products. My Department is in discussion with the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner regarding the administrative details and arrangements of the support, as well as engaging with the relevant patient stakeholders. I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to finalising the details for this support as soon as possible.
505. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to reduce the prices charged by Inland Fisheries Ireland for the purchase of licences and permits for angling on rivers and inland fisheries including day permits and those of longer duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23715/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently there is no licence required or fee payable when fishing for trout and the numerous array of coarse fish species (pike, bream, roach, trench etc.) on State owned fisheries in Ireland. In addition, no licence or fee is required for sea angling. This covers the vast majority of angling activity in Ireland. This contrasts with the significant majority of other countries world-wide where licence fees are payable for all angling activity. Anglers of all ages, therefore, currently have significant opportunity to participate in angling without cost.
In addition, certain fisheries, in the ownership of the ESB, and defined as private fisheries, attract a permit fee. A formal agreement was entered into by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to manage 17 of the ESB’s fisheries in the Midlands. This agreement included an arrangement for IFI to use the permit fees, due to ESB as fishery owners, from these fisheries to fund their management costs, which are additional to IFI’s costs for managing State owned fisheries. ESB charge similar fees for the Lower Shannon and Mulkear fisheries.
The practice of charging permit fees is long established and angling clubs that licence a fishery from the State may also charge a permit for anglers who are not a member of the club.
The only two species for which anglers are currently required to hold and pay for a licence are salmon and sea trout. There are a range of licence options available, and the price structure for licences facilitates broad participation in salmon and sea trout angling at economic rates.
Changes in licence fees are considered annually and normally reflect movement in the Consumer Price Index. In this regard, reflecting the prevailing economic conditions, a reduction in fees for all licence categories was introduced for the 2012 fishing season, and these reduced levels have been maintained by me as Minister. I will again review the relevant fees this year.
Annual permit fees on ESB fisheries managed by IFI amount to 86c per week for adults, 48c per week for senior citizens and 38c per week for juveniles. Permits for shorter periods are also available. On average, permit fees account for an annual income of €120,000 and the cost to IFI to protect, develop, manage and conserve these fisheries is considerably in excess of this.
I would also advise, regarding salmon and sea trout licences, that a fisheries conservation component was applied to all licence fees in 2007, as part of a suite of conservation measures for the management of wild fisheries. This component represents 50% of the licence fee, and income generated from this component is ring-fenced by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) for the rehabilitation of salmon habitats and conservation measures throughout the country.
All of the proceeds of the salmon and sea trout licence fees income are reinvested, by IFI, in the conservation, protection and development of wild fisheries habitats and stocks directly, or through the Salmon Conservation Fund scheme, with a particular emphasis on prioritised investment in those rivers in most need of rehabilitation.
Similarly, a significant portion of the permit revenue collected by IFI in relation to the management of ESB fisheries is redistributed into the catchments by way of the Midlands Fisheries Fund, which provides funding to angling clubs, community groups etc., to enhance those fisheries
506. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if new requirements are being introduced to require waste companies to charge for recyclable material collected in the recyclables bin later in 2018; and if so, the approximate timeline for same. [23797/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans to introduce a requirement for waste collection companies to charge for collecting recycling.
507. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of ministerial cars or vehicles in operation in each of the past six years; and the costs associated with same. [24028/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder new arrangements agreed by Government in March 2011, Ministers, with the exception of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality who retained their State car and Garda Drivers, could appoint two civilian drivers to drive their personal car, and claim mileage and related costs. These arrangements were already in place for Ministers of State.
The following Table shows the number of cars in use in my Department for Ministerial duties, and the associated costs which have been incurred by my Department in the period 2012 to date. These costs include the salary and subsistence costs of civilian drivers, together with the mileage and related costs paid to the Minister and Minister of State.
|
Year |
Personal Cars for Ministerial duties |
Costs Incurred |
|
2018 |
2 |
€86,708.58 |
|
2017 |
2 |
€191,104.17 |
|
2016 |
2 |
€164,431.94 |
|
2015 |
2 |
€130,558.46 |
|
2014 |
2 |
€162,860.30 |
|
2013 |
2 |
€197,510.27 |
|
2012 |
2 |
€181,698.27 |
508. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider running an RSA safety campaign during the summer months in view of the increased prevalence of scrambler and quad bikes in local parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23712/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs safety campaigns are a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), 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.
However, I would also note that the RSA's remit covers only road safety and does not extend to recreational activities in other locations, such as public spaces or local parks, which are not on the public - or indeed private - roads.
509. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the DART and rail short hop zone to Laytown, County Meath; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Laytown is closer to Dublin city centre than Kilcoole, County Wicklow which is already included in the rail short hop fare zone (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23102/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and for the overall funding of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including DART infrastructure, services, fare structures and pricing.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
510. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which a person (details supplied) who wishes to travel can renew their driver licence; and if special arrangements can be made in these circumstances. [23123/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, which has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licensing Service. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
511. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Irish Aviation Authority is no longer recognising written examination certificates issued by the UK CAA authorised examiners held by many student pilots in training to become qualified pilots (details supplied); the reason this change has occurred; if this is compliant with European Aviation Safety Agency regulations; if his attention has been drawn to the distress this matter is causing student pilots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23149/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), which is the State regulator of pilot training and licencing, that it has not changed its practices in relation to mutual recognition of pilot training certifications.
The IAA has explained that it accepts a complete set of European Aviation Safety Agency Private Pilot Licence (EASA PPL) examinations carried out under the direct control of another EU Member State, subject to satisfactory verification. This is as advised on the IAA's web site. Ireland continues to accept UK EASA PPL theoretical exams in support of a Irish PPL licence application, subject to a verification process. This verification process requires that the National Aviation Authority (NAA) in the relevant Member State to confirm the dates and results of all exams taken by the applicant directly with the IAA. This direct verification of qualifications is the standard expected by NAAs. In the interest of safety, the IAA does not accept PPL examinations unless the required verification, to the satisfaction of the IAA, is forthcoming from the NAA responsible for the oversight of those examinations.
