Written Answers Nos. 2120-2139
2121. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the national broadband plan (access to infrastructure) Bill has not been passed despite his stated intention to award the national broadband plan contract as soon as possible. [35170/18]
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.
In December of last year, Government agreed that I would bring forward Heads of a Bill, prepared in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, to provide certainty with regard to the conditions of access to existing infrastructure for the NBP State led Intervention. Today I have, on the Government Agenda, a memo with those Heads of Bill. The preparation of this legislation is progressing well.
2123. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on progress on developing a programme for wetland management to give effect to Ireland's obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. [35194/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMandatory accounting of managed wetlands is to commence from 2026 and, therefore, it is important to have robust systems in place before then. The National Mitigation Plan (July 2017) contains an action to “progress the cross-Departmental working group to analyse the feasibility of including wetland draining and rewetting in the national inventory”. In the European Commission proposal, managed wetlands are defined as “land use reported as wetland, remaining wetland and settlement, other land converted to wetland, and wetland converted to settlement and other land”. Managed wetlands include peatland drained and used for peat extraction, and peatlands use for settlement and other land, including infrastructures. Managed wetlands are already reported annually under the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) process. Any peat/carbon-rich soil under agricultural use is covered by grassland and cropland accounting, so this is already elected from 2013. The LULUCF (land use, land-use change and forestry) sub-category is determined by land use in the reference year and not the soil type alone. Therefore, ‘managed wetland’ refers to non-agricultural management of bogs such as turf and peat extraction for energy or horticultural use.
An inter-departmental working group on wetlands has been established, comprising of officials from the Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE), and Forestry, Agriculture and the Marine (DFAM), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The first meeting of the group was held on 13 March 2018 and discussed in detail a number of issues relating to the provision of data and greenhouse gas inventories so that managed wetlands may be considered as a potential climate mitigation measure going forward, and to satisfy the future requirement regarding mandatory reporting of managed wetlands from 2026 under UN accounting rules. A briefing paper was prepared by my Department to guide the initial focus of the group. The state-of-play regarding current wetlands mapping and data provision was initially discussed by the relevant experts, and current gaps have been outlined. A number of national and international experts were identified for future consultation, as were current overlapping national policies and measures. It was also noted that Teagasc will provide attendance at future Wetlands Working Groups, and consideration is also to be given to the inclusion of other potential stakeholders. The next meeting of the working group is planned for September.
2124. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the increase in greenhouse gas emissions expected for each of the years from 2021 to 2030 should the subsidy for co-firing biomass with peat be operated in each of those years in the three peat-fired power plants compared with a situation in which no subsidy is made available. [35195/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2125. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost expected in each year between 2021 and 2030 should the subsidy for co-firing biomass with peat be operated in each of those years in the three peat fired power plants compared with a situation in which no subsidy is made available. [35196/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2126. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extra greenhouse gas emissions for each year up to 2030 predicted by the EPA and SEAI to result from the continuation of the existing biomass co-firing subsidy at Edenderry and the proposed extension of this subsidy to the other two peat-fired power plants, which subsidy would have the effect of keeping these three uneconomic peat plants in operation. [35197/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2124 to 2126, inclusive, together.
The Environmental Protection Agency produces greenhouse gas emissions projections on an annual basis for all key sectors of the economy in collaboration with relevant State and other bodies.
The EPA produces two scenarios when preparing greenhouse gas emission projections, a With Existing Measures (WEM) scenario and a With Additional Measures (WAM) scenario. The WEM scenario assumes that no additional policies and measures, beyond those already in place by the end of 2016 (the year of the latest national greenhouse gas emission inventory), are implemented. The WAM scenario assumes implementation of the WEM scenario as well as further implementation of Government renewable and energy efficiency policies and measures, including those set out in the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). The latest projections from the EPA (published in May 2018) provide an updated assessment of Ireland’s total projected greenhouse gas emissions out to 2030.
As per the EPA projections for the Energy Industries sector, projected emissions in the WAM scenario show an increase over the WEM scenario from 2020 to 2025. The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy that supports peat being used for power generation ceases in December 2019 under the WEM scenario, and consequently peat used for power generation significantly reduces. Thereafter, the fuel type used for electricity generation is influenced by fuel price and in this case gas largely replaces peat as one of the main fuels used for power generation leading to lower emissions. Emissions are higher in the WAM scenario based on the assumption that Ireland’s peat power plants are assumed to run with supports provided for under the REFIT III scheme. This scheme includes the co-firing of peat and biomass for power generation which means more peat is used after 2019 to co-fire with biomass. There will be a biomass co-firing share of 30% up to and including 2026. The peat share is then assumed to decrease linearly year-on-year to 0% by 2030, based on the 2015 Bord na Mona statement that they would end all peat production for energy by 2030. The assumption of biomass co-firing with peat post 2020 is not included in the WEM scenario as the REFIT III decision for co-firing at the relevant peat power plants was made in April 2017 (after the 31 December 2016 cut-off point for policies and measures to be included in the WEM scenario).
The Lough Ree and West Offaly plants will no longer receive support for their peat production under the PSO from the end of 2019. Both plants have been approved under the REFIT 3 scheme for PSO support for co-firing 30% of total capacity out to 2030, and it is expected that these plants will begin co-firing on biomass in 2019. These two plants require the relevant planning permission to operate beyond 2019. The Edenderry plant has been approved for 30% co-firing support out to 2030, subject to renewal of planning permission.
Details of the cost expected for each year between 2021 and 2030 should the subsidy be in place compared to a situation where there is no subsidy are necessarily not available at the moment, but will be the subject of future analytical work by my Department in due course. The future costs of co-firing with peat would depend on a number of factors, including the clearing price of electricity in the market, scale of generation, extent of operation and operational costs.
The emissions from the three peat fired power plants are accounted for under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). It is a matter for the companies’ involved to manage their emissions and ensure that they are in compliance with the ETS.
2127. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of times he or the Minister of State with responsibility for rural affairs and natural resources has met oil companies since taking office; and the locations in which and when those meetings took place. [35207/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the following oil companies since taking office:
- Ardilaun Energy Limited, Minister’s Office, Leinster House, 22 June 2016.
- Irving Oil, Whitegate Refinery, Whitegate, Midleton, Co. Cork, 24 October 2016.
- Statoil, Minister’s Office, Leinster House, 23 January 2018.
Minister of State, Sean Kyne TD has met with the following oil companies and oil industry bodies since taking office:
- Irish Offshore Operators Association, Minister’s Office, Department of Arts,
- Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, 23 Kildare St., 26 October 2016.
- Statoil, Minister’s Office Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, 23 Kildare St., 27 February 2017.
- Shell E&P Ireland Limited, Minister’s Office, Leinster House, 11 July 2017.
- * Shell E&P Ireland Limited, Vermilion Energy Ireland Limited and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Minister’s Board Room, Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, 13 July 2017.
2128. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the breakdown by project for the capital allocation of €209 million in 2018 to his Vote group; the breakdown by project for the proposed allocation of €256 million in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35280/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key capital programmes and schemes funded by my Department in 2018 include:
|
Programme/Scheme |
2018 Capital allocation € million |
|
National Broadband Plan |
15.0 |
|
Energy Efficiency Schemes - Residential |
79.0 |
|
Energy Efficiency Schemes - Public Sector/Commercial |
22.4 |
|
Deep Retrofit Pilot |
5.0 |
|
Support Scheme for Renewable Heat |
6.0 |
|
Electric Vehicles Grant Scheme |
9.0 |
|
Energy Research |
8.3 |
|
Geoscience Initiatives |
11.7 |
|
EPA Research & Development |
10.1 |
|
Climate Initiatives |
5.8 |
|
Landfill Remediation |
11.0 |
|
Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
3.0 |
|
National Digital Research Centre |
3.5 |
The 2018 capital allocation also includes operational capital for my Department and a number of its agencies including TG4, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the EPA.
Programme allocations for 2019 will be agreed in the context of the Estimates process and will be made public on Budget Day, while detailed programme allocations will be published in the Revised Estimates Volume in December next.
In 2019, my Department will continue to progress projects in areas of strategic national importance, encompassing climate action, energy efficiency, communications, broadcasting, environment, waste management, natural resources and inland fisheries. In the Communications area, the new high speed broadband network under the National Broadband Plan and continued support for digital adoption among businesses and citizens will ensure that the opportunities presented by the digital transformation are available to every community in Ireland.
Focus will be maintained on advancing the critical climate action agenda, in line with the whole-of-Government National Mitigation Plan. Expanded investment in energy efficiency upgrades in the residential, commercial and public sectors will deliver significant energy savings and reductions in emissions. Development of renewable energy across the electricity, heat and transport sectors is central to Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy. The rollout of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat will promote the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems with renewable energy technologies, while incentivising the uptake of electric vehicles will continue to be a priority for my Department.
In the environmental area, the EPA will continue to deliver on its legislative mandate and research commitments in relation to ambient air quality, noise and non-ionising radiation monitoring, as well as the areas of climate mitigation and adaptation.
My Department will continue to provide grant funding for the remediation of landfill sites, as well as supports for the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy and protection of our natural environment. Continued investment in INFOMAR and TELLUS mapping projects will provide reliable geoscience support, underpinning the sustainable development of Ireland’s natural resources.
2129. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an audit of all external workplace investigations conducted by companies (details supplied) will be provided; the outcome on complaints against his Department; when the investigation will commence into an allegation against an employee, the number of occasions on which a complaint was upheld against his Department by the investigators; and the number of occasions on which an investigation against an employee found grounds for disciplinary action. [35368/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no external workplace investigations undertaken by the companies referred to in the Question in respect of my Department for the period specified.
2130. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount paid for consultancy services in each of the years from 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35379/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy, environment, climate change and public broadcasting, as well as regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. My Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on consultancies from time to time.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and to keep expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The details of theses consultancies are outlined in the following table. The majority of the contracts awarded by my Department are on a fixed rate basis and no hourly breakdown is available.
2131. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount paid for external legal services in each of the years from 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35393/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a very diverse and complex brief. Its remit includes oversight of very complex policy areas and direct procurement of major services where protection of the State’s interest must be paramount. This situation necessarily requires my Department to procure specialist external professional advice in legal areas to enable it to discharge its responsibility to deliver quality services and protect the interests of the State and the taxpayer.
In procuring specialised legal services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and to keep expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The details of theses consultancies are outlined in the following table. The hourly rate for the legal contracts awarded by my Department is not available.
|
Name of Legal Service Provider |
Details of work undertaken |
Amount Paid |
Year paid |
|
Mason Hayes and Curren |
To provide legal services related to the procurement process to appoint a postcode management licence holder. |
€46,563 |
2012 |
|
John L O’Donnell |
Advice and legal representation before the Moriarty Tribunal |
€33,396 |
2012 |
|
Conleth Bradley |
Advice and legal representation before the Moriarty Tribunal |
€22,264 |
2012 |
|
TOTAL |
€102,223 |
||
|
Mason Hayes and Curren |
To provide legal advisory service and draft legislative amendments to facilitate the implementation of the National Postcode System. |
€33,418 |
2014 |
|
William Fry |
Professional Services rendered for Ireland Energy Efficiency Investments. |
€9,225 |
2014 |
|
Philip Lee Solicitors |
Professional fees - advice on construction and procurement matters |
€ 2,192 |
2014 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advisory Services in relation to National Broadband Plan (NBP) |
€12,286 |
2014 |
|
TOTAL |
€57,121 |
||
|
Hayes Solicitors |
Expenses in relation to the Persona/GSM Licence expenses. |
€3,628 |
2015 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advisory Services in relation to NBP |
€339,615 |
2015 |
|
Mason Hayes and Curran |
To provide legal advisory service and draft legislative amendments to facilitate the implementation of the National Postcode System. |
€13,116 |
2015 |
|
Arthur Gibney & Partners |
Advice re GPO Premises |
€1,045 |
2015 |
|
Aidan Hodson |
Work undertaken on Discovery of Fennelly Commission documents |
€1,440 |
2015 |
|
Arthur Cox |
Legal advice in respect of the Corrib Gasfield project |
€359,376 |
2015 |
|
TOTAL |
€718,220 |
||
|
Arthur Cox |
Legal advice in respect of the Corrib Gasfield project |
€12,956 |
2016 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advice for the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) Procurement Process |
€85,175 |
2016 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advisory Services in relation to NBP |
€456,506 |
2016 |
|
Hayes Solicitors |
Expenses in relation to the Persona/GSM Licence expenses. |
€1,876 |
2016 |
|
Arthur Cox |
Judicial Review |
€129,936 |
2016 |
|
TOTAL |
€686,449 |
||
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advisory Services in relation to NBP |
€3,003,411 |
2017 |
|
Eversheds |
To provide legal advisory service |
€30,737 |
2017 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advice for the ECAS Procurement Process |
€ 90,117 |
2017 |
|
Philip Lee Solicitors |
Professional fees - advice on construction and procurement matters |
€ 10,455 |
2017 |
|
Arthur Cox |
Legal advice in respect of the Corrib Gasfield project |
€26,319 |
2017 |
|
TOTAL |
€3,161,039 |
2132. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount provided by his Department to rape crisis centres each year for the past ten years; and the services and supports provided from this funding by each centre or project. [35408/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not provided funding of the nature referred to in the Question in the last ten years.
2133. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding waiting lists for driver tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32589/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
2134. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to create statutory or non-statutory responsibility for local transport planning and delivery in order to ensure a stable platform from which the LocalLink model could be developed through the local authority structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33567/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport passenger services nationally. Since 2012, the NTA has national responsibility for integrated local an rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which now operates under the Local Link brand.
The NTA contracts the passenger services provided under the RTP which 17 Local Link Offices around the country manage on its behalf. The Local Link Offices work closely with local authorities and local communities on the assessment of local transport needs.
There are no plans to change the NTA's responsibilities in relation to local and rural transport, including Local Link services.
2135. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual yield for motor tax projected for 2019; the yield for the past five years; the way in which these moneys were allocated; his plans for allocation of these funds for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35059/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe annual yield from motor tax for 2019 has not been projected in my Department. Gross motor tax receipts to the end of June 2018 were €524,118,295, down 5.62% on the same period last year (€555,321,934). Gross motor tax receipts for the years 2013 to 2017 are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Gross motor tax receipts (€) |
|
2013 |
1,137,091,201 |
|
2014 |
1,159,331,931 |
|
2015 |
1,124,351,806 |
|
2016 |
1,051,632,444 |
|
2017 |
1,021,442,925 |
Prior to 2018, motor tax receipts were paid into the Local Government Fund, which was a function of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. Receipts to, and allocations from the Fund for the years 2013 to 2016 are contained in the Local Government Fund Accounts for each of the years in question and are available on the website of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
https://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current?query=Local%20Government%20Fund%20Accounts
It is understood that the Local Government Fund Account for 2017 is in the process of being finalised and will be published in due course.
From 1 January 2018, motor tax receipts are being paid directly into the Central Fund, rather than to the Local Government Fund. Allocations from the Central Fund are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
2136. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of a budget (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32402/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the regional and local road grant allocations to local authorities (broken down by grant programme) for each of the years 2011 to 2018 inclusive are outlined in the regional and local road grant allocation booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. Details of the payments for the years 2011 to 2017 are also available in the Dáil library.
With regard to national roads, details of the allocations to each local authority are also available in the Dáil library. However, details of the actual drawdown of funding for these roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
2137. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting times for driver tests in counties Laois, Offaly, Carlow and Kildare; and the number of driver testers in each county. [32411/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe average waiting times for driving tests at all centres around the country are available on the Road Safety Authority (RSA) website www.rsa.ie. This information is updated weekly.
In relation to the number of driver testers in each centre in the counties listed, 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.
2138. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver testers employed by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32418/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
2139. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver testers employed in the Carrick-on-Shannon testing centre; if there have been recent changes to the number of testers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32419/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
