Written Answers Nos. 215-235
215. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a person (details supplied) who bought a 100% electric vehicle and applied for a grant was refused funding despite the vehicle complying with the conditions of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2068/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the Deputy is referring to the electric vehicle home charger grant which provide up to €600 to support the installation of a home charger. This grant, and the relevant appeals process, is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland on behalf of my Department. Details of the scheme including eligibility criteria can be found on the website www.drivingelectric.ie.
In order to be eligible for the home charger grant, the model of vehicle must be currently eligible or, at some stage in the past, have been eligible for the SEAI electric vehicle purchase grant. The list of vehicles and models that are, or have at one stage been, eligible for the grant is available on the SEAI's website.
In order for a car to be included on the home charger grant list, it is the responsibility of the importer to contact SEAI directly and register the vehicle with SEAI for the purchase grant, thereby confirming that the vehicle meets the eligibility criteria.
The applicant in question has queried this matter directly with my Department previously and a response issued on 11 January 2019.
216. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his strategy for banning the purchase of single use plastics with regard to public contracts in which single use plastics are used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2175/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 3 January 2019, the Government decided that Government Departments would no longer purchase, directly or indirectly, single use plastic beverage cups, cutlery or straws. From 1 March 2019, this policy will also apply to all public bodies. Certain limited exemptions are in place for reasons of public health and hygiene. Other aspects of the Government Decision include improving the way public bodies manage their resources such as water and energy, and materials such as paper and progressing Ireland’s implementation of green public procurement policy.
The decision on single use plastic items pre-empts a more wide-ranging EU legislative proposal on plastics, which is expected to be agreed shortly.
My department, working with the Office of Government Procurement, will roll out guidance and supports to public bodies to ensure they can comply with the Government Decision. It will be important, for instance, that public bodies switching away from single use plastic items prioritise re-usable alternatives ahead of non-plastic disposable items.
217. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent in each year for the past five years on accountancy and consultancy firms in relation to capital projects; the specific capital project in which the costs were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2257/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
218. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the assessments and contingency planning carried out in relation to potential delays crossing the UK land bridge to mainland Europe and the way in which this may affect supply chains and the just-in-time delivery model used by many businesses. [2249/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the Brexit related developments across all ports; the cost associated with each development; and the funding committed in 2019 for Brexit development at ports. [2239/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra231. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans in relation to the UK land bridge in a deal and no-deal Brexit scenario; if he has assessed the impact on the road haulage sector here; and the supports being put in place to address same. [2240/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra232. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated number of Irish trucks that use the UK land bridge weekly. [2241/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 230 to 232, inclusive, together.
The continued use of the landbridge as a key route connecting Ireland with the continent is a crucial concern given the level of imports and exports that are transported via this route, with 16% of the HGV traffic between Ireland and GB estimated to constitute landbridge traffic. The total value of our trade using the landbridge has been estimated to be approximately €21 billion. Goods using the landbridge include many time-sensitive or perishable goods, and are transported by truck on Roll-on / Roll-Off (“RoRo”) shipping services to and through the UK. Dublin and Rosslare ports handle almost all of this traffic
In a no-deal scenario, the ease with which these movements of goods currently take place will no longer be guaranteed. Additional customs, agriculture and health controls will be required at EU ports that trade with the UK. In the case of the landbridge route, the ports of Dublin, Rosslare, Holyhead and the Dover-Calais link are of paramount concern. In Ireland, the OPW, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Health and the Revenue Commissioners are already preparing by developing the necessary plans within Dublin and Rosslare Ports to allow for these controls. I am aware that similar preparations are ongoing in Calais.
The scale of the checks required will likely result in delays for goods moving through the ports but there is a focus on preventing congestion through the provision of appropriate measures.
The Brexit-related infrastructure work for both the no-deal and central case scenarios is focused on Dublin Port, Rosslare Port, and also Dublin Airport. This is based on an assessment of the scale of trade in goods that are moving between these locations and ports/airports in the UK. Other ports are separately assessing and planning for Brexit as part of the internal organisational functions. Final costs of works for the establishment of additional controls in Dublin and Rosslare Ports have not yet been determined. Costs in relation to other ports are an operational matter for those ports.
Some trade currently using the landbridge route may, depending on the nature of the product, switch to the direct routes to the continent. For others, some delays at UK and other EU ports may not be such as to constitute a significant deterrent to the continued use of the landbridge. However, the use of the landbridge for some other products that are perishable or very time sensitive may become unviable and may also not be viable on the longer direct maritime links.
The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) study into the implications of Brexit on the use of the landbridge, published last November, estimated that approximately 150,000 Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) travel between Ireland and the continent via the landbridge each year. This would equate to a weekly average of approximately 2,880 HGVs moving between Ireland and the continent via the landbridge, although there can be peak times within each week, and also on a seasonal basis.
Officials from my Department have assessed the maritime capacity for direct sailings between Ireland and continental EU ports as a potential alternative for trade that currently takes place using the Landbridge. Based on consultations with the shipping sector and wider stakeholders, my preliminary assessment is that sufficient capacity will be available on direct routes to continental ports from end March 2019, and should demand for further capacity arise, the shipping sector can respond quickly to meet such demands. I will, however, keep this under review and report back to Government with a further assessment before the end of February. I will keep under review, in particular the emerging picture in relation to the degree and nature of customs and SPS controls at domestic, UK and relevant EU ports and the likely impact on traffic flows.
A cross-departmental Landbridge Project Group, chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was established in October 2017 and has been working on measures aimed at ensuring the ongoing effective and efficient use of the landbridge post-Brexit. The EU has agreed that the UK may join the Common Transit Convention upon its departure from the EU on 29 March 2019 , and a number of formal steps were taken to allow this to happen on 4 December 2018. This will enable the use of the EU’s internal transit procedure.
In its communication of 19 December, the European Commission states that in case of no deal, simplified border controls, limited to documentary checks for instance, would apply to live animals and animal products coming from a Member State but transiting through the UK. This would reflect the fact that this would be considered an intra-EU (Single Market) transfer.
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) has a range of supports available to business and details can be found on their website www.dbei.gov.ie. In addition, it has been very active in the 'Getting Ireland Brexit Ready' public information campaign. This campaign includes workshop events throughout the country aimed primarily at business and people most impacted by Brexit.
My Department is also working with Chambers Ireland to provide advice and information to their members throughout the country.
219. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects the main construction work to commence at the Dunkettle interchange, County Cork; the expected duration of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2054/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
220. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps taken in line with the National Development Plan 2018-2027 in support of a high speed rail link between Cork and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2055/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Development Plan (NDP) states that the priority funding objective in relation to the mainline rail network is the maintenance and renewal of the existing network. This objective is in line with the recommendation of the International Monetary Fund’s Public Investment Management Assessment (PIMA) – Ireland report as published in September 2017.
In line with that funding objective, the funding allocations committed under the NDP provide for a fully-funded, or steady state, level of maintenance and renewal across the Iarnród Éireann network, which represents a significant and recurring annual contribution from the taxpayer towards our heavy rail network.
The work-programme planned over the period 2019 to 2023 as funded by this significantly increased level of funding will allow for increased ballast cleaning, rail milling and track renewal with the Dublin – Cork line being a priority area of investment over the period. These investments will benefit passengers through an improved journey experience in the years ahead.
The NDP also states that the Dublin-Limerick Junction-Cork rail line will be subject to an examination to move to higher speeds leading to improved connectivity through improved rail journey times. It also commits toward an evaluation of high-speed rail on the line, as compared to higher speeds on the line, with this evaluation to be completed by 2020.
221. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an application by a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2066/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
The deadline for the 2018 round of the programme was the 19th October and by that date a record 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding. Applicants that were deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the SCP were invited to correct their applications and have them considered as part of the 2018 round of the Programme. The club referred to by the Deputy was one of the organisations that availed of this this opportunity and these applications have been assessed first. I expect to make an announcement concerning allocations to this category of applicant shortly.
222. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting times for persons awaiting a driver test; the average and longest times waiting, respectively, by each test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2125/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information the Deputy requests is available on the Road Safety Authority website at www.rsa.ie.
223. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the situation for persons travelling with a free travel pass due to disability or pension age if Irish Rail proceed to remove staff ticket machines and the facility for staff to sell tickets from certain train stations at the end of March 2019 leaving only the self-service machines (details supplied). [2146/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
224. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered appointing the Environmental Protection Agency as the aircraft noise regulator as required by EU regulation 598/2014 in view of its role and associated expertise as the national authority under the European Environmental Noise Directive, EC 2002/49/EC. [2176/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOnce it became clear that the Irish Aviation Authority was no longer an option to be designated as the Noise Regulator for the purpose of EU Regulation 598/2014, a number of other options were considered.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was considered. The regulatory requirements in Regulation 598 are very different to the existing oversight, licencing, audit and inspection roles of the EPA. While it has an existing role pursuant to the European Environmental Noise Directive the role of Noise Regulator as required by Regulation 598 would represent a step change that would require significant new resources and expertise.
It was clear that whichever body was chosen would need to build up new capacity to carry out what is an entirely new function. The decision was therefore heavily influenced by which bodies already had some of the required capabilities and structures and which also could be expected to build up the other requirements within a reasonable timeframe. Given the close inter-relationship with the Planning and Development Act, the Government decided upon Fingal County Council as the most appropriate body to carry out this function. I have every confidence in the suitability and capacity of Fingal County Council to carry out this important role.
225. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a matter regarding a turning lane (details supplied) in County Kerry will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2177/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
226. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the original cost estimate for the metro north to Dublin Airport; the current estimate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2229/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including MetroLink.
The Deputy is presumably aware that the previously proposed project known as Metro North is a different project than the project known as MetroLink and which is included in the National Development Plan (NDP). The NDP provides an indicative allocation of €3billion toward development and construction of MetroLink, which will be a 26km metro service running from Sandyford in South County Dublin to north of Swords in North County Dublin.
Noting their responsibility in relation to this matter, I have forwarded your request to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply. Please notify my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
227. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to providing funding for the development of a project (details supplied). [2230/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the proposed project referred to by the Deputy.
With regard to the possible provision of public funding for the proposal, the National Sports Policy was published on 25th July 2018 and provided for a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) with at least €100 million available over the coming years. The fund was launched in November and is open to applications until 17th April 2019. The fund will initially focus on the requirements and development plans of National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities, all of which received letters inviting them to make applications.
Accordingly, it is open to the promoters of the proposed facility to apply for funding under the programme. Any application received will be assessed along with other applications in line with the aims of the programme.
Full details of the programme and application forms can be accessed on the Department's website at http://www.dttas.gov.ie/sport/english/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif.
228. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the original expected cost of the second runway at Dublin Airport; the estimated cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2234/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the deputy is aware, daa holds statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport, including the delivery of the North Runway project.
Work on the North Runway Project is underway, with preliminary works under the first phase of construction, including preparation of the site, realignment/building of new roads, fencing and landscaping completed in late 2017.
Following a competitive tender process, a contract has been awarded to a joint venture comprising Irish firm Roadbridge and Spanish infrastructure company FCC Construcción (FCC) for phase 2 (construction of runway). Work will commence shortly and the runway is expected to be operational in 2021. The cost of the runway had been estimated to be approximately €320m (in 2016 prices).
Once operational, the runway will provide much needed capacity to enhance connectivity e.g. 31% gain by 2034, underpinning Dublin’s position as a leading European airport, a key European gateway to North America and an even greater driver of sustainable economic growth. In the short term, daa estimates that the project will support over 500 construction jobs and support a further 31,000 jobs over the next two decades, contributing €2.2 billion to GDP.
229. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of building a third terminal at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2235/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question of a potential third terminal at Dublin Airport is raised in the context of the high-level strategic capacity review of Ireland’s State airports which I commissioned in line with a commitment in the National Aviation Policy, 2015.
Oxford Economics in conjunction with Cambridge Economic Policy Associates were contracted by my Department to conduct the review which was published on 24 October 2018. It provides an assessment which is both specific about short terms actions as well as identifying further work that needs to be undertaken to assist in decision-making for the longer term to 2050, including options for a third terminal at Dublin Airport.
I am now consulting with stakeholders through a public consultation process to get their views on the consultants’ findings. I have also asked my officials to undertake additional work on issues relating to Dublin Airport with regard to the cross wind runway and surface transport access.
The review and public consultation represent the first stages in a process to make strategic decisions on the long-term development of the three State airports to 2050. When I have all the views and information, I will carefully assess the issues and make recommendations to Government in the matter. In the meantime, it is far too early in the process for estimates to be made on the cost of a third terminal or any other infrastructural projects referred to in the review. The assessment by the consultants in the review is based upon a base cost for a new terminal similar to that of Terminal 2 and simulations of regulated charges indicate that airport charges would most likely end up no more than 5 percent higher than 2016 charges as a result of the construction of a third terminal.
It is important to note, however, that any terminal being built, past, present or future is ultimately paid for by the travelling public that use it. That is a given, regardless of who finances it initially, State or private sector.
233. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent in each year for the past five years on accountancy and consultancy firms in relation to capital projects; the specific capital project in which the costs were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2269/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by my officials and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days.
|
Year |
Capital Project |
!Amount per Capital Project |
!Total |
|
2014 |
Smarter Travel Demonstration Areas |
€500,487.00 |
1€500,487.00 |
|
2015 |
Smarter Travel Demonstration Areas NRA/RPA Merger Finn Harps FC |
€241,695.00 |
1€246,106.00 |
|
€2,320.00 |
|||
|
€2,091.00 |
|||
|
2016 |
Smarter Travel Demonstration Areas Paire Ui Chaoimh/Kerry Sports Academy General Sports Capital Programme |
€389,418.00 |
1€407,174.00 |
|
€10,773.00 |
|||
|
€6,983.00 |
|||
|
2017 |
Smarter Travel Demonstration Areas City Centre Resignalling Project Paire Ui Chaoimh/Kerry Sports Academy General Sports Capital Programme |
€347,725.92 |
1€376,974.92 |
|
€4,920.00 |
|||
|
€4,644.00 |
|||
|
€19,685.00 |
|||
|
2018 |
Smarter Travel Demonstration Areas Finn Harps FC General Sports Capital Programme |
€50,428.77 |
1€77,573.77 |
|
€8,678.00 |
|||
|
€18,467.00 |
234. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied with the level of childcare that exists in Dunshaughlin, County Meath providing for the amount of housing that is planned for the coming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2041/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year Pobal conducts research on behalf of my Department to examine a number of factors related to childcare services in Ireland, including the monitoring of capacity. The Early Years Sector Profile report, which was published in November and relates to the 2017/2018 programme year, indicates that existing childcare provision, in general, meets current needs nationwide in terms of capacity whilst recognising that small pockets of undersupply may exist within this.
The report outlines a 5% vacancy rate as a percentage of children enrolled in County Meath, ie. 6,996 children enrolled in registered services with 355 vacant childcare places. It also identifies waiting lists totalling 396 children. Pobal reports that nationally the trend for waiting lists suggests a reduction in waiting lists for older children and an increase for under twos. Pobal cautions that its data on waiting lists cannot by itself be used to inform capacity decisions as parents often place their children on more than one waiting list.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department funds 30 City and County Childcare Committees across the country. Part of their role is to advise my Department on capacity issues. I have asked officials to make contact with Meath Childcare Committee to follow up on your question.
With regard to building capacity generally, I am delighted to have secured €8.86m in capital funding for childcare in 2019. While the precise details of the 2019 Capital offering have yet to be finalised, this funding will be used to meet the most pressing needs of the sector with the ultimate aim of benefiting parents and children through improving our childcare infrastructure and capacity. A particular focus in 2019 will be to expand service provision for children under three years of age. This is necessary in advance of the introduction of the Affordable Childcare Scheme later this year which is expected to increase demand for registered childcare.
Finally, under the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan published in 2018, I ensured that Childcare was identified as one of our nation's strategic priorities. I am delighted that €250 million in additional funding has been committed to for the expansion of high quality, early learning and care and school age childcare over the duration of the Plan.
235. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the employer in relation to staff approved to be recruited under level 7 support to provide additional assistance in the preschool room for a child with special needs in the context of the access and inclusion model as part of the ECCE; the person or body responsible for paying PRSI for the employee, holiday entitlements and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2083/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the ECCE programme. AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the pre-school service. The model is designed to be responsive to the needs of each individual child in the context of their pre-school setting. It offers tailored, practical supports based on need and does not require a formal diagnosis of disability.
Level 7 of AIM provides additional assistance in the pre-school room where this is critical to ensuring a child’s participation in the ECCE Programme. In line with emerging best practice to support the integration and independence of children with a disability, AIM does not fund Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). Rather, it provides financial support to the pre-school provider, which can be used either to reduce the adult to child ratio in the pre-school room or to buy in additional assistance to the pre-school room. Accordingly, Level 7 assistance is a shared resource for the pre-school setting.
The funding is disbursed to the pre-school provider, through Pobal, who are charged with administration of DCYA programmes. There are restrictions on the use to which AIM funding can be put, as is only right and appropriate to guidelines on grant funding and use of public money. Pre-school providers are awarded AIM level 7 funding as a result of an assessment carried out by an Early Years Specialist, and guidance and support on how best to utilise the funding may be provided. However, as with all DCYA Early Learning and Care funding programmes, the pre-school provider is the employer of the staff who work in the setting. It is therefore for the pre-school provider to take all necessary steps to ensure they are meeting their legal obligations as an employer.
