Written Answers Nos. 604-619
604. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the length of time the EPA has to consider a licence application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32070/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established as an independent body in order to monitor the quality of the environment and to ensure overall compliance with environmental protection legislation. The legislation passed by the Oireachtas to establish the EPA provides that the Agency is entirely independent of the Minister in the exercise of its functions.
The EPA is the statutory authority with responsibility for granting specified licences under the EPA Act 1992, as amended, and the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended.
A valid application for a licence must contain the information prescribed in the relevant statutory instruments and information is available on the EPA website. The Acts and Regulations set out the statutory requirements for information to accompany a licence application.
The time taken to process an application for a license by the EPA will vary depending on a range of circumstances and factors, including the nature and complexity of the activity/installation and the quality of the information submitted. The information provided as part of the licence application must meet the statutory requirements.
In respect of Industrial Emissions (IE) and Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence applications, which are issued under the EPA Act 1992, as amended, once the Agency has received a complete application it has a statutory period of 8 weeks in which to issue a Proposed Determination (PD).
Following the publication of the PD, there is further period of 28 days where objections may be made. If there are no objections, the Agency can issue a Final Determination (FD). If objections are received, or a request for an oral hearing, the Agency has a further maximum 4 months statutory deadline before a FD must be issued.
In respect of waste licence applications, which are issued under the Waste Management Act 1996 as amended, there is no statutory period in which to issue a PD. Following the publication of the PD, the remainder of the process is the same as for IE and IPC described above. Further information on the licensing processes can be found on the EPA website at; http://www.epa.ie/licensing/ and https://www.epa.ie/radiation/lic/needtoknow/.
605. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the length of time applicants are waiting for a new Eircode; if he is satisfied with the time delays; and the measures he will introduce to eliminate these lengthy delays. [32075/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo answer the Deputy directly no, I am not satisfied with the time delays associated with the allocation of a new eircode and I am frustrated with the situation as I know it is deeply affecting people across the country. I have asked my officials to work more closely with An Post, Ordinance Survey Ireland, An Post GeoDirectory and Capita to improve and expedite the process of assigning Eircodes for new properties. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is fully committed to ensuring that this issue is resolved.
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.
607. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions that are calculated to result from the arterial drainage of high carbon soils; and the policy measures under consideration to address these emissions. [32176/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the EPA that high carbon soils are considered to be organic soils under agricultural production. In this regard, there are two categories of emissions from arterial drainage of organic soils under agricultural production from which emissions are reported in the national greenhouse gas emissions inventory prepared by the EPA. The first is the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) category, in which carbon dioxide and methane emissions account for on average 587 kt CO2 equivalent per year. The second is in the agricultural sector, in which nitrous oxide emissions account for on average 780 kt CO2 equivalent per year.
Policies and measures to address greenhouse gas emissions from these sectors are a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Polices and measures currently in place are set out in the National Mitigation Plan, as updated in the Annual Transition Statement 2017, both of which are available on my Department’s website at www.dccae.gov.ie.
The recently published Teagasc report, An Analysis of Abatement Potential of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Irish Agriculture 2021-2030, highlights the potential for further measures to address emissions from these sectors, and consideration of proposals to adopt these further measures is being taken forward in the context of the ongoing implementation of the National Mitigation Plan.
608. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the specific provisions of the Radiological Protection (Amendment) Act 2002 which prevent him implementing elements of the National Radon Control Strategy; and the actions in the strategy which are impeded in this manner. [32179/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Radiological Protection (Amendment) Act, 2002 provides a legislative structure for radon remediation no scheme was ever commenced under its provisions. Over the last year my Department considered, in some detail, the practicalities of implementing a scheme under the 2002 legislation but concluded that this was unworkable for a number of legal and practical reasons. The rigidity of the remediation scheme proposed under the 2002 Act presents problems for the delivery of a modern, efficient and effective scheme.
The scheme envisaged under the 2002 Act provides for financial assistance for remediation only. It does not provide for radon testing. The Environmental Protection Agency has advised that the experience in other jurisdictions shows that where the initial radon test is not subsidised a considerable barrier to the uptake of a remediation scheme arises. It is essential that any radon scheme should, in the first instance, maximise the number of households conducting a test for radon in their homes. Greater numbers of households carrying out radon tests will enable us to accurately identify and map locations of particular concern, target householders in high-radon areas, and promote increased awareness of the problems of radon gas in dwellings.
The radon landscape has changed considerably since the 2002 Act was enacted, particularly as regards the number of commercial operators offering radon testing and remediation services. Under the National Radon Control Strategy, a training and registration scheme has been established by the EPA for radon remediation and measurement services. Any scheme of grant aid for radon testing or remediation should ensure that the work carried out under this scheme is by one of these registered services qualified to remediate radon. The current legislation does not make it an explicit requirement that remediation works be carried out by a registered provider.
For the reasons above, it is clear that any radon remediation scheme should be grounded in new primary legislation and will need to be properly structured to ensure the maximum uptake for testing and remediation of dwellings. To assist in this, I have provided funding for the EPA to undertake a survey on radon financial incentives in both high and low risk areas. This work is on-going and is required to establish the likely costs and administrative supports that would be associated with a full scheme.
609. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress expected in 2018 in the upgrade of the broadband telecommunications infrastructure throughout counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32212/18]
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.
In April 2017 I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP.
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017.
There are approximately 42,000 premises in Cavan. Some 17,000 (40%) fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State led Intervention. Approximately 20,000 (49%) of premises are in a BLUE area and are or will be served by commercial providers, while some 5,000 (11%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be served by eir's planned rural deployment.
Of the approximately 33,000 premises in Monaghan, some 15,500 (48%) are AMBER, approximately 15,500 (47%) are BLUE and some 1,700 (5%) are LIGHT BLUE.
Information on the categories of specific premises can be accessed on my Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie by entering the relevant eircode.
Information on eir's rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie. Eir continue to pass premises as part of this deployment.
Data for Q1 2018 recently submitted by eir to my Department indicates that the company has passed some 145,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. eir has signalled that there would be some knock-on effects to the 2018 milestone targets due to the severe weather impacts of both storms Ophelia and Emma.
I have met with the senior management in eir and expressed to them the importance of implementing measures to catch up with milestone targets as a priority.
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.
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. 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/Pages/NBP-Information-Leaflets.aspx.
610. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.90 for all employees directly employed and or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32218/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently has 27 staff members who earn less than €11.90 gross per hour. The additional cost to my Department of introducing a living wage of €11.90 would be approximately €85,890 per annum inclusive of employers pay related social insurance (PRSI).
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
611. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans in respect of off-shore wind farms to reduce Ireland's carbon footprint and decrease costs; the number of off-shore wind farms that are planned; the locations of same; the projected cost of same; his further plans to increase the capacity in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32240/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2014 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) sets out the Government’s policy for the sustainable development of our abundant offshore renewable energy resources. The Strategic Environmental Assessment that underpinned the OREDP found that 4,500 MW of offshore wind could be sustainably developed in Irish waters in the period to 2030. An interim review of the OREDP was published in May and is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie. The Offshore Renewable Energy Steering Group, which oversees the implementation of the OREDP will now consider the recommendations of the review and continue the work of implementing the actions and enablers set out in the Plan.
My Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030. The design of the new scheme included an extensive independent economic appraisal which compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies, at various scales to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply. The assessment included analysis of the optimum financial support mechanisms for renewable technologies, in line with the 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines. The analysis indicates that a number of renewable technologies have converging and in some cases overlapping cost ranges and the continued falling costs of renewable technologies, such as offshore wind and solar PV, is a positive development. I will bring the final design proposals on the new RESS to Government before the summer recess.
The development and consenting of specific offshore wind farms is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
613. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll out of the national broadband plan in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32257/18]
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.
In April 2017 I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie . This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP.
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017.
There are approximately 91,000 premises in Kildare. Some 13,500 (15%) fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State led Intervention. Approximately 75,000 (82%) of premises are in a BLUE area and are or will be served by commercial providers, while some 2,500 (3%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be served by eir's planned rural deployment.
Information on the categories of specific premises can be accessed on my Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie by entering the relevant eircode into the High Speed Broadband Map.
In April 2017, I signed a Commitment Agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide High speed broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie. eir continue to pass premises as part of this deployment.
Data for Q1 2018 submitted by eir to my Department indicated that the company had passed some 145,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. Eir has signalled that there will be some knock-on effects to the 2018 milestone targets due to the severe weather impacts of both storms Ophelia and Emma.
I have met with the senior management in eir and expressed to them the importance of implementing measures to catch up with milestone targets as a priority.
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.
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. 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/Pages/NBP-Information-Leaflets.aspx.
614. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if approval will be given to allow for on-site incineration of invasive weeds (details supplied); his plans to counteract the potential impacts of these invasive weeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32291/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing discussions between the Environmental Protection Agency, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Biodiversity Ireland, it was suggested that the level of regulation required for the management of waste arising from the cutting or excavation of invasive alien plant species may be disproportionate to the risk of environmental pollution posed by such activities. Accordingly, in Autumn 2017, my Department sought submissions from a number of stakeholders on the possibility of an amendment to the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. 821 of 2007) as amended, whereby treating alien invasive plant species on-site could be authorised by a local authority under a certificate of registration. Such an approach would also require an amendment to the Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 286 of 2009) as amended. My Department continues to engage with the waste regulatory authorities with a view to drafting appropriate amendments to the existing legislation. I expect these amendments to be completed by the end of this year.
615. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a matter relating to an investigation (details supplied) by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31651/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Marine Casualty Investigation Board was set up under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act, 2000 to investigate marine casualties and publish reports of such investigations. Under Section 8 of the Act, the MCIB is established as being independent of the Minister in the performance of its functions and, in general, is independent of any other person or body whose interests could conflict with the functions of the Board.
The purpose of an investigation is to establish the cause or causes of a marine casualty with a view to making recommendations for the avoidance of similar casualties. Under the Act, it is specifically not the purpose of an investigation to attribute blame or fault.
Before publishing a Report, the Board is required to send a draft of the report or sections of the draft to any person who, in its opinion, is likely to be adversely affected by the publishing of the report (or their representatives), who have 28 days to submit observations. The Board may also reopen a completed investigation if it is satisfied there is new evidence available which could materially alter the findings of the investigation and if the purpose of the investigation could be served by re-opening, it is of course open to any person to bring such new evidence to the attention of the Board.
Under the Act the Minister has certain powers, for example after consulting the Board, the Minister may direct an inquiry be held into a marine casualty or direct that a completed inquiry be re-opened if the Minister is satisfied there is new evidence likely to materially alter the outcome.
I am aware of the marine casualty to which you refer. In the event that new evidence is now available in relation to this matter, the Act allows such evidence to be brought to the attention of the Board.
616. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legal provisions that regulate the purchase, ownership and use of scrambler and quad bikes; his plans to legislate to provide for a minimum age of ownership, registration and effective deterrents for when they are used in non-legal situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31666/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraScrambler motorbikes and quadricycle bikes are mechanically propelled vehicles, which means that they are vehicles intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical power. As such, irrespective of engine capacity, under road traffic legislation the user of a scrambler or quad bike in a public place must have insurance, road tax and a driving licence, and must also wear a helmet, with severe penalties under the road traffic laws (including fixed charge notices, penalty points, fines and possible seizure of the vehicle) for not being in compliance with these requirements.
For the purposes of the Road Traffic Acts, a "public place" means any public road, and any street, road or other place to which the public have access with vehicles whether as of right or by permission, and whether subject to or free of charge.
Road traffic legislation does NOT extend to private property, or to public parks, which are under the control of local authorities and subject to their bye-laws.
If a quad bike or scrambler is used in a public place, it is subject to the same comprehensive range of road traffic legislation as any other mechanically propelled vehicle, with enforcement being a matter for an Garda Síochána. Local authorities have the power to introduce bye-laws to prohibit the use of vehicles within their areas, such as public parks.
It is an offence to sell, loan or gift a mechanically propelled vehicle to a minor aged under 16.
A working group was recently set up by the Department of Justice and Equality to look at a cross-agency approach to tackling the illegal use of quad bikes and scramblers, and I understand that they will be looking at areas such as the bye-laws currently in place to allow local authorities to deal with the use of such vehicles on lands under their control and looking at effective enforcement methods. Officials from my Department attend this group, but no deficiencies have been identified in road traffic legislation regarding the use of such vehicles in a public place. Their use in any other areas is beyond the remit of my Department.
617. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost per annum to halve the cost of the student Leap card. [32160/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
618. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost to ensure each train is equipped with dedicated bike holding facilities. [32163/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. Therefore, I have referred your question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
619. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the matter of a bus stop (details supplied) on a stretch of road will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31650/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport and as the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing or providing public transport in the State in relation to bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, bus stands and bus fleets.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
