Written Answers Nos. 465-482
465. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the inordinate delay in new houses being assigned Eircode postcodes (details supplied). [26449/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked my officials to raise this important issue directly with An Post management, An Post GeoDirectory and Capita, as I appreciate the frustration that this matter is causing. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is working closely with the relevant bodies to improve and expedite the process of assigning Eircodes for new properties.
Eircodes 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, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement.
Each new address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licensed businesses for their use. In 2017, Eircode informed my Department that 22,503 new addresses were assigned an Eircode.
466. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of public consultations held by his Department or by a State agency under the remit of his Department; the number of replies received per consultation; and the cost of each consultation in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [26456/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has carried out a number of public consultations since 2011 to date this year in line with statutory and other requirements. In some instances the cost of the specific consultation is not available as the associated work would have been undertaken as part of the day to day operations of the particular Division in the Department involved and can not be quantified.
Information in respect of bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those organisations and my Department does not have the information sought in this regard. I will, however, request the relevant Agencies and bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to the Deputy in the matter.
Details of all of the public consultations are outlined in tabular form below:
|
Name of Public Consultation |
Number of replies received |
Cost (inc of VAT) |
Year (2011 to 2018 to date) |
|
To invite interested parties to submit their views on the Interim Report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group. The consultation assisted the Group in identifying opportunities that could benefit the post office network and inform the Group’s final report which was subsequently published in January 2016. |
16 - all of which are available on the Department’s website. |
n/a |
2015 |
|
Energy Green Paper |
1200 |
€25,000 |
2014 |
|
Clean Energy Package |
22 |
n/a |
2017 |
|
2nd National Implementation Report of the UNECE Aarhus Convention |
24 |
n/a |
2016 |
|
2nd Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) National Implementation Report |
2 |
n/a |
2016 |
|
Access to Justice & Implementation of Article 9 of the Aarhus Convention |
48 |
n/a |
2014 |
|
1st National Implementation Report of the UNECE Aarhus Convention |
21 in Phase 1 13 in Phase 2 |
n/a |
2013 |
|
1st Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) National Implementation Report |
8 |
n/a |
2013 |
|
Industrial Emissions Directive |
24 |
n/a |
2012 |
|
Transposition of Basic Safety Standards Directive |
13 |
€492 which related to cost of translation |
2017 |
|
Clean Air Strategy |
116 |
€10,108 which includes cost of translation. |
2017 |
|
Medium Combustion Plants |
14 |
€3,460 which includes cost of translation. |
2018 |
|
Consultation on development of National Adaptation Framework |
26 |
n/a |
2016 |
|
Consultation on draft National Adaptation Framework |
27 |
€16,586 |
2017 |
|
Draft order - Increase to Biofuel Obligation rate consultation |
9 |
n/a |
2018 |
|
Public Consultation on the Biofuel Obligation Rate Scheme |
22 |
n/a |
2017/2018 |
|
Public Consultation on the Biofuel Obligation Rate Scheme |
6 |
n/a |
2016 |
|
Public Consultation Regarding a Proposed Increase of the Biofuel Obligation Rate |
156 |
n/a |
2015 |
|
Draft order - Biofuel Obligation Rate Increase |
5 |
n/a |
2012 |
|
Consultation Regarding a Proposed Increase of the Biofuel Obligation Rate |
13 |
n/a |
2012 |
|
Public Consultation on the NIS Directive Security Measures and Incident Reporting for Operators of Essential Services |
12 |
n/a |
2017 |
|
Public Consultation on the Network and Information Security Directive |
19 |
n/a |
2016 |
|
Public Service Broadcasting Charge review |
79 |
€3,779 |
2013 |
|
Review of the list of Events Designated as Events of Major Importance 2014 |
45 |
€6,125 |
2014 |
|
Notice of Events intended for Designation as Events of Major Importance 2015 |
604 |
€6,653 |
2015 |
|
Public Consultation: Draft National Mitigation Plan, Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report and Appropriate Assessment Natura Impact Statement |
124 |
€6,738 |
2017 |
|
Name of Public Consultation |
Number of replies received |
Cost (inc of VAT) |
Year (2011 to 2018 to date) |
|
Renewable electricity support scheme technology review |
748 |
n/a |
2015 |
|
Renewable electricity support scheme final stage |
1250 |
n/a |
2017 |
|
Renewable Heat Incentive technology review |
85 |
n/a |
2015 |
|
Renewable Heat Incentive final stage |
119 |
n/a |
2017 |
|
Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework |
69 |
€14,280 |
2016 |
|
Electricity Support Schemes Transitioning to I-SEM |
20 |
€4,920 |
2017 |
|
Draft Guidance on EIS and NIS Preparation for Offshore Renewable Energy Projects |
20 |
n/a |
2016 |
|
Draft Guidance on Marine Baseline Assessments and Monitoring Activities for Offshore Renewable Energy Projects |
Not available but can be supplied to the Deputy at a later date. |
n/a |
2016 |
|
Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT 3) |
9 |
n/a |
2015 |
|
The Mid-Term review of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) |
16 |
n/a |
2017 |
|
Draft National Policy on Electricity Interconnection in Ireland: Public Consultation |
15 |
n/a |
2018 |
|
National Broadband Plan Call for Input |
32 |
not available within timeframe |
2014 |
|
National Broadband Plan High Speed Map Public Consultation |
29 |
not available within timeframe |
2014 |
|
National Broadband Plan Intervention Strategy Public Consultation |
41 |
not available within timeframe |
2015 |
|
Consultation on the Process for updating the High Speed Broadband Map - pre, during and post procurement |
16 |
not available within timeframe |
2015 |
|
Consultation on Map and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) |
23 |
€9,736 |
2018 |
|
Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) Industry Consultation - Review of the ECAS provision. |
7 |
n/a |
2016 |
|
Stakeholder Consultation on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) National Implementation Plan 2018-2020 (see 1 below) |
27 |
n/a |
2017 |
|
Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on Ireland’s Voluntary National Review on the SDGs (see 2 below) |
n/a |
€612 |
2018 |
|
Collection of Stakeholder observations re the SDGs for transmission to the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July 2018 (see 3 below) |
Consultation currently taking place. |
n/a |
2018 |
|
Public Consultation on a Possible Packaging Levy |
68 |
n/a |
2011 |
|
Public Consultation ‘Review of the Producer Responsibility Initiative Model in Ireland’ |
29 |
n/a |
2012 |
|
Consultation on the Report on Corporate Governance in the Producer Responsibility Initiative sector in Ireland |
11 |
n/a |
2013 |
|
Consultation on the report on End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) in the Producer Responsibility Initiative sector in Ireland |
13 |
n/a |
2014 |
|
Consultation on the report on Tyres & Waste Tyres in the Producer Responsibility Initiative sector in Ireland |
16 |
n/a |
2014 |
|
Public Consultation on the Report on the Review of the PRI Model in Ireland |
24 |
n/a |
2014 |
|
The Regulation of Household Waste collection |
96 |
n/a |
2013 |
|
Reorganising Household Waste Collection |
7 |
€3,950 |
2011 |
|
Towards a new National Waste Policy |
99 |
€5,897 |
2011 |
|
Exporting a Resource Opportunity – Measures to Maximise Resource Efficiency & Jobs in Ireland* |
20 |
n/a |
2015 |
|
WEEE Recast Directive Transposition in Ireland |
8 |
n/a |
2013 |
|
Draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations 2011 for 2012 season. Statutory public consultation. |
39 |
€998* |
2011 |
|
Draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations 2012 for 2013 season. Statutory public consultation. |
14 |
€784* |
2012 |
|
Draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations 2013 for 2014 season. Statutory public consultation. |
19 |
€692* |
2013 |
|
Public Consultation on Inland Fisheries Legislation |
70 |
€1,291* |
2013 |
|
Draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations 2014 for 2015 season. Statutory public consultation. |
21 |
€503* |
2014 |
|
Draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations 2015 for 2016 season. Statutory public consultation. |
13 |
€1,427* |
2015 |
|
Draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations 2016 for 2017 season. Statutory public consultation. |
98 |
€1,595** |
2016 |
|
Draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations 2017 for 2018 season. Statutory public consultation. |
136 |
€2,015** |
2017 |
|
Draft Designated Salmonid Waters Bye-Law. |
5531 |
€6,045** |
2018 |
|
Language Scheme 2018-2021 |
28 |
€1,720 |
2018 |
|
Consultation on Amendments to the Gas Directive-2009-73 |
2 |
n/a |
2018 |
|
Regulation of Offshore Natural Gas Storage Consultation |
7 |
n/a |
2011 |
|
Commercial Sector Survey Consultation |
163 |
n/a |
2018 |
|
Consultation on the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme |
25 |
n/a |
2016 |
|
Affordable Energy Strategy Review Consultation |
47 |
€550 |
2015 |
|
Consultation on Implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive in Ireland |
30 |
n/a |
2013 |
|
2050 Low Carbon Roadmap Consultation |
16 |
n/a |
2013 |
|
Consultation on Ireland’s second National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP 2) |
34 |
n/a |
2011 |
|
Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment - IOSEA 5 |
23 |
€57,900 |
2015 |
|
IOSEA 4 |
11 responses over the three year period 2010 to 2012 inclusive. |
€149,151*** |
2010 |
|
IOSEA 4 |
as above |
€76,312*** |
2011 |
|
IOSEA 4 |
as above |
€12,151*** |
2012 |
|
Consultation on Spectrum Policy Priorities |
16 |
n/a |
2014 |
1 While this exercise was not a formal public consultation, the views of existing stakeholders were sought prior to the finalisation of the SDG National Implementation Plan 2018-2020.
2 While this exercise was not a formal public consultation, DCCAE did hold a consultation workshop in relation to the draft Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the SDGs, prior to its finalisation. The VNR will be presented by Ireland at the 2018 session of the UN High Level Political Forum. The consultation workshop was conducted by DCCAE and hosted by the Department of the Taoiseach. Costs relate to catering for the event.
3 While this exercise is not public consultation, DCCAE has provided the public with an opportunity to register their observations on the SDGs, and their importance to Ireland, through an online process on DCCAE’s website. DCCAE has undertaken to transmit these observations from the public to the 2018 session of the UN High Level Political Forum. This process is still underway, with a deadline for submission of observations to DCCAE 22/06/2018.
*Advertising costs only. All other costs would be within the day to day business of Inland Fisheries Division.
**Advertising costs only. All other costs would be within the day to day business of Inland Fisheries Division.
***These figures relate to the full cost of the IOSEA 4 process. It is not possible to identify, in the timeline provided, the components attributable to the public consultation.
467. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a funding support scheme will be considered for the remaining draft and snap net salmon fishermen affected by the ongoing cessation of fishing activities; if an application for European maritime and fisheries funding from the European Commission will be made to compensate the fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26470/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Salmon Hardship Scheme was introduced following a Government decision in 2006 to cease the commercial salmon mixed stock fishery for conservation reasons. Under this scheme, €25 million was targeted at commercial salmon fishermen, who were active in the fishery at the time, and funding was provided to fishermen for them to permanently cease fishing and diversify into new activity. In addition, €5 million was provided for community based initiatives in areas affected by the cessation of fishing. It closed for applications on 31st December 2007 and was ceased, with all funds expended, in 2008. There are currently no plans to revisit such a scheme. My officials have engaged with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine who are the National competent authority for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and with the European Commission. I understand that any support schemes aimed at cessation of fisheries are not eligible under EMFF.
468. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the proposed compensation fund for former eel fishermen will reflect Ireland's status as effectively a conservation ground for eels in the EU following the ban introduced here in 2010. [26486/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s Eel Management Plan (EMP), including the closure of commercial fishing, was approved, in 2009, by the European Commission under EU Regulation 1100/2007. Fishing for eel was by way of public licence and therefore the issue of compensation does not arise. However, I directed my officials to engage with the European Commission in relation to Ireland's proposals to fund a support scheme for former eel fishermen. The outcome of that engagement confirmed that funding for the proposed measure is not eligible for support under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. However both Minister Naughten and I have secured Exchequer funding to support the measure and our position that this does not constitute State Aid has been confirmed to the Commission. Consultation with the Revenue Commissioners is at an advanced stage.
Until consultations are completed, it is not possible to elaborate on the terms and conditions for, or the prospective number of participants in, any potential support measure.
471. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider amending the better energy homes programme application procedure in order to ensure that the necessary checks on the national administration system for building energy ratings are carried out by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland before an approval for works can be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26793/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Homes scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme provides grants towards the cost of a range of energy efficiency measures. Homeowners must use an SEAI registered contractor and SEAI recommend that homeowners obtain a number of quotes and compare the offers before choosing their contractor. While approval for works must be obtained from SEAI before works are commenced on the home, there is no check for a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate before this approval is given.
However, any homeowner who receives SEAI approval for grant aided energy efficiency works on their home must get a post works BER certificate published for their home before they can receive payment of their grant. The SEAI maintains a list of registered BER assessors. https://ndber.seai.ie/Pass/assessors/search.aspx.
A grant of €50 is also available toward the cost of getting the post works BER certificate. Further details of the procedure are available on the SEAI’s website.
https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-grants/better-energy-homes/ber-grant/
473. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the provision of fibre optic broadband services with speeds of at least 20 Mbps in an area (details supplied); the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26802/18]
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, 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.
There are circa 297 premises in the townland of Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. These premises fall within a BLUE area on my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map available at www.broadband.gov.ie and are within the area targeted for delivery of high speed broadband by commercial operators. Therefore a high speed broadband service (minimum download speed 30 Mbps) for this area will be realised through commercial operators.
It is important to note that telecommunications companies operate in a liberalised market and while I have no statutory authority to intervene in their day to day operations, my Department is collating information in relation to cases/areas where commercial plans to provide access to high speed broadband to premises do not materialise. In this regard, where a premises situated in a BLUE area is unable to obtain a high speed broadband service I would encourage citizens to contact my Department directly at broadband@dccae.gov.ie with details - quoting their address, eircode and fixed line telephone number (if available) and details of operators they have contacted with a view to obtaining a broadband service. This information will assist my Department in identifying the areas of concern and will facilitate engagement with telecommunication operators on this issue.
In addition, for those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, 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 at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/latest-news/Pages/Broadband-Officers-Workshop.aspx.
474. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions his Department has had with relevant agencies and industry representative bodies with a view to commencing the Garda vetting of SPSV applicants at the start of the NTA application process in order to help fast track the supply of taxi drivers. [26488/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Also, under this Act, An Garda Síochána (AGS) is responsible for the granting of SPSV driver licences which includes the administration of the associated Garda vetting process.
While decisions regarding the detail as to how these procedures are administered by the NTA and An Garda Síochána respectively are clearly not for me or for my Department, I am aware that my Department has had discussions with taxi industry representatives in relation to a number of matters, including specifically the stage in the overall licensing process at which the Garda vetting process commences for SPSV applicants. Following that engagement, my Department has given a commitment to discuss this issue as raised by industry representatives with the NTA within the context of the Department's regular liaison with the NTA regarding taxi matters generally.
475. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the 2018 budget allocation to the rural transport programme; and the first and full year costs of a 15% increase on a straight line basis for the years 2019 to 2023, in tabular form. [26747/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my answer of 29 May 2018 to her Question (ref no 23370/18, Proof 535). The position remains the same.
476. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the 2018 PSO subvention; and the estimated cost of increasing same by 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%, respectively, in tabular form. [26748/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, in Budget 2018 I secured an 8% increase in the overall Exchequer funding available for Public Service Obligation (PSO) public transport services and €285 million is available this year to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for this purpose.
Potential percentage changes to the amount can be calculated from this base: 5% is €14m; 10% is €28m; 15% is €43m; 20% is €57m; and 25% is €71m. The overall PSO amount is set each year as part of the annual Estimates and Budget processes, and the 2018 allocation for the Vote was voted on and approved by this House earlier this year as part of the "Revised Estimates for Public Services 2018". As the Deputy is aware, it is the statutory remit of the NTA to make PSO payments to the public transport operators who provide PSO services, and the payments are made in accordance with the PSO contracts that the NTA has in put place with each of those operators.
477. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the subvention to CIÉ in each of the years 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the amounts allocated to each of the primary transport providers, that is, Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath, a company (details supplied) and other operators, in tabular form. [26749/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, in Budget 2018 I secured an 8% increase in the overall Exchequer funding available for Public Service Obligation (PSO) services and I can confirm that €285 million is available to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2018.
Since 2010, the PSO subvention is no longer paid directly by my Department to transport operators. The award and subvention of PSO contracts now falls under the statutory remit of the NTA. I have therefore 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.
478. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costings for accessibility works to bus stations nationwide. [26750/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra479. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costings for accessibility works to railway stations nationwide. [26751/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra480. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costings for the construction of wheelchair accessible bus stops nationwide. [26752/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra481. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costings for the replacement of non-wheelchair accessible vehicles for Bus Éireann. [26753/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra482. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costings for accessibility works to the train fleet. [26754/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 478 to 482, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Accessibility features, such as wheelchair access and audio/visual aids, are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage. Newer systems such as LUAS are fully accessible.
My Department funds an ongoing programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade older existing infrastructure and facilities which is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA). In Budget 2018 I secured a trebling of the funding provided for the accessibility retro-fit programme to €28m, as part of the 4 year capital envelope announced.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 the NTA has functional responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network, as well as having responsibility for the management of the accessibility retro-fit programme.
During my appearance last February at the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport, in relation to the accessibility of public transport for people with disabilities, I undertook to ask the NTA to provide information on (i) the accessibility status of existing public transport infrastructure, (ii) the cost of making public transport services wheelchair accessible and (iii) the accessibility improvements planned with the available funding for the 4 year 2018-2021 under the retro-fit programme. My Office recently forwarded the information received from the NTA to the Clerk to the Committee. For the assistance of the Deputy, I have outlined in the table the cost figures provided by the NTA, of making public transport services wheelchair accessible.
|
Bus Stations |
Buses/Coaches (PSO Services) |
Bus Stops (PSO coach services) |
Train Stations |
Taxis/Hackneys |
Total |
|
€16.35 m |
€22.5 m |
€10 m |
€76 m |
€214 m |
€339 m |
I would emphasise that the figures provided by the NTA are estimates, due for example to complexities in relation providing accessible bus stops in rural/regional areas. In addition, the figures relate to Public Service Obligation (PSO) services only, and to Exchequer funding rather than industry costs in the case of Taxi/Hackneys.
Investment in public transport will be accelerated under the National Development Plan (NDP) over the next ten years and beyond to support the development of an integrated, accessible and sustainable national public transport system. A number of key new major public transport programmes are proposed to be delivered under the NDP over the period to 2027 and these will be fully accessible as part of the normal design. In addition, there will be continued investment in the retro-fit programme under the NDP.
