Written Answers Nos. 527-551
527. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of responses received to the NBP mapping consultation; the number of responses that were brought to the attention and-or notified to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41913/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department received over 180 responses to the mapping consultation from a variety of stakeholders, including 30 from large and small telecoms operators, with the remainder from local authority broadband officers and members of the public.
Operator submissions will be assessed against the Department’s published assessment criteria. Operators submitting planned investments were required to sign a declaration that they would enter into a Commitment Agreement with the Department if their plans satisfied the assessment criteria and were accepted by the Department as being concrete and credible. The outcome of the consultation will inform the continuing engagement by the Department with DG Competition as part of the compliance with State Aid Rules.
Following the conclusion of the consultation process, the non-confidential versions of all submissions will be published, as soon as possible, on the Department’s website together with the outcome of the assessment.
528. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that householders who have yet to be connected to a broadband service cannot have the line tested by Eir unless they have been issued with an Eircode postcode; if the process of issuing Eircodes can be made more efficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42204/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, manages the National Postcode System, Eircode, on behalf of the State. 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 Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement.
Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licensed businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that 93,300 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since launch in 2015.
Once the Eircode database is updated on a quarterly basis it is then a matter for individual Eircode database providers to provide updates to commercial businesses in accordance with the terms of their licence agreements.
In recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes to new builds is desirable my officials are working with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland, An Post GeoDirectory and Eircode to expedite the process of assigning Eircodes for new properties with postal addresses.
529. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the new just transition commissioner for the midlands confirmed in the budget that funding worth €31 million and €20 million for retrofitting social housing, €5 million for peatlands rehabilitation and €6 million for the new community fund will include the area around Littleton, County Tipperary, in which a factory (details supplied) closed recently; and if new jobs to replace those lost by the former workers will be included in same. [42235/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe necessary transition from carbon-intensive sources of energy, towards more sustainable, renewable energy sources, will have a significant impact on the workers in carbon-intensive sectors, their families, and the Midlands as a whole. Government has committed to delivering a whole of Government approach, and to working with local stakeholders, to ensure that a just transition is provided to those impacted.
The most immediate challenge arises in the Midlands. I have met with key stakeholders there, including the Midlands Regional Transition Team, Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee, and the Midlands Regional Skills Forum, who have adopted a central objective of transition to a low carbon economy for the region.
Budget 2020 includes a number of measures that form part of the Government's approach to supporting a Just transition. They include:
- €6 million for a Just Transition Fund;
- €5 million for bog restoration and rehabilitation; and
- €20 million to deliver a new model to group housing upgrades.
These measures will be immediately targeted at the Midlands and will support retraining and reskilling workers and assist local communities and businesses to adjust to the low carbon transition. There will be further engagement with local stakeholders, including the Midlands Transition Team, on the application of the funding. Further details of this comprehensive whole of Government response to support the transition will be announced shortly.
As the Deputy will be aware, following the closure of the former Bord na Mona peat briquette factory in Littleton, a partnership between Bord na Móna and a Chinese recycling company, Sabrina, was announced in July this year. This has seen the creation of 40 long term, sustainable, jobs at a new recycling facility on the site, with a further 40 or more jobs envisaged in the next three years. This recycling facility has the capacity to repurpose 24,000 tonnes of plastic which will be diverted from landfill; this is a real example of how Bord na Móna is adapting its business model to reflect its move out of carbon intensive businesses.
I am open to receiving a submission from regional stakeholders on the challenges which might need support in the context of a Just transition.
530. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 533 of 17 September 2019, if tenders have now been invited for the project; if so, the closing date for receipt of tenders; the number of contractors invited to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42263/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2018, Kildare County Council, the contracting authority, invited tenders for the remediation of Kerdiffstown landfill. The closing date for submissions was extended until 14 February 2019 on foot of requests for more time made on the eTenders procurement website.
I understand that Kildare County Council has shortlisted tenders received from interested parties who have engaged in the tendering process, with a view to appointing a successful tenderer in the coming months. The procurement process is being managed by Kildare County Council in accordance with the Office of Public Procurement guidelines and regulatory framework. Information is available on the Kildare County Council website (Kerdiffstown Park) at http://www.kildare.ie/countycouncil/kerdiffstownpark/
531. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the introduction of amending legislation in 2019 to provide for a 2050 mitigation objective, carbon budgeting and improved accountability arrangements, including net zero target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42268/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 17 June 2019, the Government published the Climate Action Plan 2019, which commits, inter alia, to bringing forward a new Climate Action (Amendment) Bill. The objective of the Bill is to significantly strengthen the statutory framework for governance of the climate challenge, and ensure delivery of successive Climate Action Plans and Long-term Climate Strategies, supported by a system of carbon budgeting and sectoral targets with appropriate oversight by Government, the Oireachtas and a new Climate Action Council.
The Climate Action Plan identifies clearly a number of provisions to be incorporated in the new Bill. These include:
- Establishing the 2050 target in law
- Making the adoption of carbon budgets a legal requirement
- Requiring the Government to set a decarbonisation target range for each sector, with the Minister with primary responsibility for each sector identified being accountable for delivering the relevant actions to meet the sectoral target and report annually on the delivery of their actions and achieving sectoral emission targets
- Establishing the Climate Action Council as a successor organisation to the Climate Change Advisory Council with a revised remit
- Establishing that the Climate Action Plan shall be updated annually
- Establishing that a Long-Term Climate Strategy, to match the period covered by the three five year carbon budgets, shall be published
- Ensuring that the proposed governance arrangements retain sufficient flexibility to allow necessary reorientation of policy in the light of changing technologies, circumstances, challenges and opportunities over the period to 2030 and beyond.
The General Scheme is currently being prepared taking account of these new provisions.
As committed under the Plan, I intend to publish the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill in quarter 1, 2020.
532. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position taken by the State at the recent EU Environment Council on 4 October 2019 on the proposal to increase the European Union’s nationally determined contribution in 2020 to at least 55% by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42269/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI attended the Environment Council on 4 October 2019, where discussions focused on a range of topics, including climate action, the circular economy and the preparation of the Eighth EU Environment Action Programme.
In relation to climate action, the Council adopted conclusions on the EU position for the annual conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP 25, which will be held in Chile in December 2019, and discussed next steps in relation to the EU's strategic long-term vision for a climate neutral economy.
The Council agreed that, following the recent UN Climate Action Summit, it is now even more important to work hard to make COP 25 a success and deliver concrete results. In this regard, Ireland supports ambitious EU action, including the need to reach agreement on the EU’s long-term ambition for decarbonisation before the end of 2019, and the communication by the EU of an updated Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement in 2020.
533. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the security of supply review that was committed to regarding concerns raised about the Shannon LNG project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42291/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I previously advised the House, my Department will commission an independent energy security review in the context of the transition to a carbon neutral economy. The review, which will be completed during 2020, will examine, in a scientific way, and taking all available information into consideration, the fuel mix necessary to ensure security of supply, including the role of fossil fuels, and how and from where they are sourced.
535. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which alternative shipping or air routes remain available for food exports to all markets in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42241/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile no great impact on direct shipping routes is expected from Brexit, both I and my colleagues in Government remain concerned about the impacts of a no-deal Brexit for Irish trade using the landbridge for accessing EU markets.
The landbridge is the fastest route to continental Europe and as such is relied upon for the transport of time-sensitive products, such as those in the agri-food and perishable goods sector. Any delays or barriers will be detrimental for these sectors in particular. Air-freight is, generally speaking, not considered to be a financially-viable alternative for the transport of food products.
Recent reports from the UK indicate the potential for significant reductions in traffic volumes through key ports such as Dover and Holyhead as a result of the additional requirements for customs and other regulatory documentation and procedures. Significant new infrastructure, and associated staffing, is in place in Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort to implement the additional customs, agriculture and environmental health controls that will be required when the UK leaves the EU. While these are designed to minimise the level of disruption that may arise from the additional checks, some disruption can be expected. Irish officials also continue to engage with their French counterparts to ensure that Irish haulers arriving in French ports, particularly Calais, via the landbridge can exit the port as efficiently as possible.
The alternative to the landbridge is the direct shipping connections between Ireland and continental ports.
The assessment of my Department and the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), based on extensive consultations with the shipping sector, is that sufficient capacity should be available on direct routes to continental ports following a ‘no-deal’ Brexit and should demand for further capacity arise, because of disruption to the GB landbridge, the shipping sector can and will respond quickly to meet such demands.
In the context of Brexit, there has already been an additional increase in capacity over the past 18 months on direct routes with more planned for 2020.
536. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation in 2020 for the Dunkettle roundabout works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42343/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing capital funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction, including the distribution of funding for individual national roads is a matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
537. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action taken by his Department and Sport Ireland to bring the current damaging impasse to an end (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41625/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra542. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an assurance that funding through the sports capital programme and other statutory streams will continue to be made available to clubs engaged in coastal rowing that have chosen to remain affiliated to an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41651/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra546. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions being taken by his Department and Sport Ireland to expedite the progress of the talks in order to ensure that an amicable solution can be reached between an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41786/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 537, 542 and 546 together.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. It also has responsibility for the recognition of sporting bodies as the National Governing Bodies of sport in Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to its role in the matter mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) as operated by my Department provides funding to voluntary, sporting and community organisations for the provision of sports and recreational facilities. Grants are available to sports clubs, voluntary and community groups, national governing bodies of sport, and local authorities. No sports clubs or groups are excluded from applying for funding under the Programme. Full details of how to make an application are available on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.
538. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the membership of the National Trails Advisory Committee and the national trails office. [41647/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. It also has responsibility for Sport Ireland Outdoors (formerly the National Trails Office).
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the matters mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
539. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding provided to the national trails office in each of the past five years. [41648/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. It also has responsibility for Sport Ireland Outdoors (formerly the National Trails Office).
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the matter mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
540. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided for the creation of new hiking trails here. [41649/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra541. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding to the national trails office or similar bodies for the provision of bathroom and-or parking facilities in proximity to hiking trailheads will be provided. [41650/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 541 together.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. Sport Ireland Outdoors is a department of Sport Ireland that promotes standards and best practice in the development of walking, cycling and water trails. The remit of Sport Ireland Outdoors is focused on capacity building, advice and guidance. Sport Ireland Outdoors has no role in the provision of funding for the creation of hiking trails or ancillary facilities.
From a tourism perspective, my Department also funds Fáilte Ireland, the statutory body responsible for tourism development, including quality tourism product. As regards Fáilte Ireland support for hiking trails, I am advised that the agency does not currently have any direct investment platform for trail development or associated facilities such as car-parks or bathrooms. Nonetheless, I know that Fáilte Ireland has established a partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development on its Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, which comes under the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development. I understand that this scheme supports the development of new outdoor recreation infrastructure (including walking, cycling and water-based trails) and the maintenance and enhancement of existing trails and other qualifying infrastructure. Under the partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development, which administers this scheme, I believe Fáilte Ireland is due to contribute c. €15m of the overall funding available over four years, to be targeted specifically at visitor-focused investments for those trails and other outdoor recreational infrastructure with most tourism potential.
543. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a feasibility study will be requested into the opening of a rail line from Dublin to Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41703/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Project Ireland 2040 states that the priority funding objective in relation to mainline rail is the maintenance and renewal of the existing network. This is to ensure that it continues to provide a safe and reliable infrastructure that enables the provision of quality rail services for passengers across the country.
The funding secured under Project Ireland 2040 means that we are in a position to provide the steady state level of funding required through a recurring and significant capital investment of around €200 million every year from the taxpayer.
As you know, another of the commitments contained within Project Ireland 2040 is to continue to keep under review the potential extension of the existing M3/Parkway Line northwards to Navan. The next review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area must be completed by 2021 and that review will reconsider the population and commuting forecasts in order to determine whether any revised Strategy might include such an extension. I understand that this review will commence in the latter half of next year.
I note that the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area categorises the M3/N2 route as a core regional bus network, and with the Kingscourt area currently served by bus based public transport, the area will benefit from the planned improvements along that corridor under Project Ireland 2040.
I can again confirm to the Deputy however, that there is no funding allocated under Project Ireland 2040 for the reopening of the disused Kingscourt rail line nor to undertake a feasibility study on the line.
544. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the National Transport Authority advisory council to be set up under section 17 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008; when this advisory council will be set up; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41707/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 provided for a new authority to oversee the development of transport in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). Section 17 of the Act allowed for the setting up of an Advisory Council of a Chairperson and 23 ordinary members. Under the Act, a majority of the Council would comprise officials and elected members of the various local / regional authorities in the GDA.
However, given that the remit of the Authority has been broadened over the years since 2008 especially by bringing national transport issues within its remit (rather than exclusively GDA matters), establishing an advisory council solely for GDA transport (as enabled by the legislation) would probably no longer be appropriate.
However, I am open to considering the merits of a broader national level advisory council and this is one of the wide range of matters that is within the scope of the Public Transport Policy Review which my Department is currently undertaking. It is expected that a public consultation on the Review will commence shortly.
545. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41728/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Bus 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.
547. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the feasibility study for a second interchange on the M4 at Maynooth; the timeline for the tender process; the timeline for the subsequent construction process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41788/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 construction 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 your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
548. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of full-time and part-time civil servants his Department has recruited by grade in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of full-time and part-time civil servants his Department has lost due to retirement by grade in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41826/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. It should be noted that the Department recruits staff on a full time basis only. The recruitment figures only include staff recruited into the Department and do not include staff promoted internally within the Department or transfers of staff into the Department from elsewhere in the public service on mobility. The retirement figures only include numbers of staff that have retired from the Department and do not include those who have exited the Department through other means, such as resignations, terminations or promotions through external competitions.
549. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the additional €27 million current spending allocated to his Department for 2020. [41828/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the current allocation provided to my Department in Budget 2020 is €783m. This represents an increase of €27m over 2019 levels.
This additional current allocation will support a suite of measures for sports: our participation in the Tokyo Olympics 2020; the hosting of four matches in the European Soccer Championships; preparations for the Ryder Cup; and increased funding for the National Sports Policy. There will also be increased funding for national roads maintenance as well as funding to ensure capacity to deliver on the significant capital investment programme underway. Further details of the budget for 2020 are set out in the press release below.
https://www.gov.ie/en/news/bf4905-ministers-ross-and-griffin-welcome-27-billion-allocation-for-transpo/
550. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the additional capital spending allocated to his Department for 2020. [41829/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the capital allocation provided to my Department in Budget 2020 is €1,943m. This represents an increase of more than €357m over 2019 levels.
In the Press Release linked below, Minister of State Griffin and I have listed the investment priorities within my Department for 2020 and also provided information on how the Capital Allocation will be invested.
https://www.gov.ie/en/news/bf4905-ministers-ross-and-griffin-welcome-27-billion-allocation-for-transpo/
551. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of new and-or refurbished intercity rail cars that will be put into operation in 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41845/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The procurement and or refurbishment of rolling stock is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance who, in consultation with the National Transport Authority, continue to examine how best to source additional rolling stock as efficiently and effectively as possible and ensuring value for money for the taxpayer in that regard.
Noting the responsibility of the agencies, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA, for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
