Written Answers Nos. 201-227
201. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps to be taken following the publication of a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (details supplied). [42508/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the importance of air quality to human health, particularly respiratory health. This is particularly relevant in larger conurbations. The report in question indicated that areas around certain heavily trafficked roads in the Dublin area may have higher levels of air pollution than previously indicated. These higher levels are due primarily to traffic and some locations are at risk of exceeding the statutory EU limit for the pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).
People with asthma, as well as children and the elderly are generally at greater risk for the health effects of NO2. Because of these health effects, NO2 is a controlled pollutant under the Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive, (2008/50/EC), which sets limits on NO2 levels in the ambient air. An annual average limit value of 40 micrograms per cubic metre is in place to protect against the health effects of long term exposure, and an hourly limit value of 200 micrograms per cubic metre protects against acute exposure.
In the event of an exceedance of these limits, the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011 provide that the relevant local authority or authorities shall prepare a clear, comprehensible and accessible air quality plan, or review and revise an existing plan, to ensure compliance with the limit value or values within the time limit specified for the relevant pollutant or pollutants. Such an air quality plan must be submitted within two years of the end of the year in which the exceedance was observed.
The report also underlines the need to implement the Climate Action Plan, which was published in June this year. The Plan includes a number of actions which will have a significant impact on reducing emissions and improving air quality, including:
- Putting 180,000 electric vehicles on our roads by 2025 and almost 1m by 2030
- Ensuring the EV charging network underpins public confidence
- Creating an early public procurement framework for EVs
- Accelerating steps to decarbonise the public transport fleet
- Establishing a Cycling Project Office, develop a 5 year cycling strategy and roll out 200km of new cycle lanes through bus connects
- Developing a new Park and Ride Strategy, to reduce congestion and lower journey times
- Developing a regulatory framework on low emission zones and parking pricing policies, and provide local authorities with the power to restrict access to certain parts of a city or a town to zero emission vehicles only
- Legislating for no new fossil fuel vehicles to be sold from 2030
My Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are establishing a working group, bringing relevant organisations together to ensure early action is taken to improve the air quality in Dublin. This process will include the two Departments, the four Dublin Local Authorities, the EPA ,and other relevant stakeholders.
This work will complement the work already underway in developing an all of government Clean Air Strategy which will provide an overarching policy framework within which clean air policies can be formulated and given effect in a manner consistent with national priorities, EU and other international policy considerations. The Clean Air Strategy will address a range of harmful air pollutants in Ireland, including those arising from the agricultural, transport and residential heating sectors, in an integrated manner. I intend to publish the Strategy in the coming months.
202. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for improving the availability of mobile telephone signals in rural Ireland and particularly in County Donegal; if he is dealing with this matter as a priority at present; his views on whether something can be achieved to alleviate this crisis of mobile telephone coverage nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42409/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the degree to which the quality and availability of mobile telephone services throughout Ireland compare with those of other states throughout the European Union; the extent to which improvements can be achieved with minimal disruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42561/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra214. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he will take to improve the availability and quality of mobile telephone services nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42563/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 202, 212 and 214 together.
Providing telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout services and make specific investments in particular locations. The ComReg consumer helpline is accessible at consumerline@comreg.ie and I would urge consumers who feel that they have not received an appropriate response from service providers to make contact with the Regulator.
Since its inception in July 2016, the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, has been a driving force for improving access to telecommunication services throughout Ireland. The Taskforce has addressed over 70 targeted actions and worked to alleviate connectivity barriers, and continues to focus on issues that are negatively impacting upon the rollout of essential telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas, including in County Donegal.
Various measures to address mobile coverage deficits, particularly in rural areas include:
- Work undertaken by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development to achieve a greater consensus on site selection for telecoms infrastructure and therefore improve mobile phone coverage.
- A report published on my Department’s website in August 2018 based on the work of a focus group established to provide guidance on the categories of location where high quality reliable mobile coverage should be made available as a priority, to influence mobile operators in their work to reduce blackspots.
- A working group investigating the feasibility of developing standardised policy for accessing and utilising State and publicly owned assets for deploying telecommunications infrastructure.
- A composite national outdoor coverage map published by ComReg, together with the Regulator’s work on handset testing and activities to raise consumer awareness, allowing people across Ireland to optimise services available to them.
- A licensing exemption scheme developed by ComReg to enable households and businesses to use mobile phone repeaters to boost signals into their premises for immediate coverage improvement.
All of these initiatives should help enhance the quality of mobile phone and data services, particularly in areas currently experiencing a low level of service, including county Donegal.
With respect to the quality of mobile telephony service in other countries, comparisons between Member States and within regions can be problematic for many reasons, including the fact that the technical characteristics of mobile phone networks that determine coverage and capacity will vary between operators and locations. Other factors would include the characteristics of individual markets, including topography, population density, frequencies used etc.
203. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of vehicles Inland Fisheries Ireland purchased in 2018 and to date in 2019; the type of vehicles purchased; the cost of each vehicle; and the cost of installing IFI logos on the new vehicles. [42421/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) did not purchase any vehicles in 2018, but disposed of 16 vehicles. To date in 2019, IFI has purchased 59 vehicles, including 8 electric vehicles, details of which are as set out in the attached table. Logo costs are included in the price of the vehicle quoted in the table but IFI have disaggregated these costs separately for the benefit of the Deputy. In addition IFI has disposed of a further 73 vehicles in 2019. There is, consequently, a net reduction of 30 in the number of vehicles owned by IFI in the two year period referred to by the Deputy.
IFI's vehicle purchases are based on competitive tendering and are carried out in line with its Board policy to replace “end of life” vehicles within its fleet which are either 10 years old or have amassed 250,000 kilometres. This policy is based on the duty of care owed to staff particularly in terms of health and safety at work, as recently highlighted in campaigns led by the Road Safety Authority, as well as efficiency in deployment and service delivery. The Board’s policy also recognises the opportunity to reduce the size of the vehicle fleet as part of its efficiency programme aimed at ensuring the fleet is being used in the most efficient and appropriate manner and that driver safety remains a priority.
204. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the broadband plan for rural Ireland; the details of the broadband officers for county councils nationwide; the mechanisms which may help persons who cannot get high speed broadband to the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42446/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraEvery home, farm, school and business in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband – no matter where they are located – following the Government’s decision to approve the appointment of a preferred bidder to the National Broadband Plan.
Since the Government decision in May to appoint NBI as the Preferred Bidder for the National Broadband Plan contract, work has continued on the due diligence necessary to conclude the contract. This process is progressing towards contract award, which is expected before the end of the year. The Bidder will commence the deployment of the network shortly after that.
The Bidder has indicated that the network rollout will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment. A deployment plan will be made available by the Bidder once the contract is signed.
In the first year of roll out, approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points will be deployed across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 Broadband Connection Points will be deployed in each county. Broadband Connection Points will provide a community based high speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations.
The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises by the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
In parallel to the work of finalising the contract, I am considering the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Communications Committee report, which was published recently. I will bring my deliberations of the report to Government in due course.
My Department has also recently undertaken a mapping consultation to ensure that the State Intervention Area is up to date and reflects operators’ plans and the responses from householders and businesses, with the outcome of this consultation informing the State Aid notification to the European Commission in relation to the NBP.
Broadband officers are based in local authorities around the country. The role of the broadband officer is to provide a local point of contact for telecoms operators and the public regarding telecoms issues. They will also play the leading role in their local authorities as the National Broadband Plan is rolled out. A list of the broadband officers is maintained by the Department of Rural and Community Development and can be accessed via https://drcd.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/List-of-Broadband-officers.pdf
205. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the process in order to avail of the new communal chargers for electric vehicles for apartment blocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42460/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan, which was published in June, sets out a range of actions to support the delivery of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. These actions include expanding the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant to include locations with shared parking such as apartments.
Budget 2020 provided €36 million in funding to my Department to support the uptake of electric vehicles including €6 million specifically for charging infrastructure. Of this, €0.5 million was allocated to support the expansion of the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant to included apartments. As set out in the Climate Action Plan, this is expected to be in place in the first quarter of 2020 at which point further details - including how to apply - will be available.
206. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of environmental economists employed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42472/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two members of staff in the Department assigned from the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service - one Senior Economist, who works alongside all of the Departments policy areas in an advisory capacity and one Economist/ Policy Analyst, working in the Climate Policy area. The Department has also established an Evaluation Network, led by our Senior Economist, that has drawn together relevant skill sets across the Department, in particular economic evaluation. The network includes staff from the energy and climate policy divisions.
The Department has a range of other environmental expertise available including in its Environment Advisory Unit, with staff from disciplines including engineering, earth science, environmental and atmospheric science, botany, environmental monitoring and assessment and geography, advising across the environment and climate policy areas.
In addition, the Department can and does draw on the expert advice of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as needed when developing and/or implementing environmental policy. Furthermore, section 55 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 as amended, also makes formal provision for any Minister of the Government to request information or advice or recommendations from the EPA for the purposes of environmental protection on any matter relating to that Minister’s functions or responsibilities. As of 15 October 2019, the EPA has an approved staff complement of 420.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has a specialised team of economic energy modellers. SEAI also has a dedicated Behavioural Economics Unit and an Energy Policy Statistical Support Unit (EPSSU).
The Department also works closely with economists in bodies such as the ESRI and UCC on energy and climate change modelling.
207. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of an Eircode for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42529/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraEircodes 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 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 licenced businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that 87,700 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015
My Department has requested Eircode to contact and liaise directly with the individual in question regarding the assignment of an Eircode for this new property. The next quarterly update of Eircodes will be in early November 2019 when new addresses are assigned an Eircode.
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 (OSi), An Post GeoDirectory and Capita to improve and expedite the existing process.
208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he sees Ireland's climate action programme moving closer to international targets in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42555/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has measured the extent to which Ireland will reach its targets in respect of climate change in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42556/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
To address the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland, I published the Climate Action Plan on 17 June. The Plan sets out, for the first time, how Ireland can reach its 2030 targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the 2009 Effort Sharing Decision 406/2009/EC (ESD), which put in place binding annual emissions targets for each year between 2013 and 2020 for sectors outside the EU Emissions Trading System, Ireland must achieve a reduction of 20% relative to 2005 levels of emissions. Under the latest projections of greenhouse gas emissions, published earlier this year by the EPA, emissions from those sectors of the economy covered by the ESD could remain between 0% and 1% below 2005 levels by 2020.
The ESD allows Member States to meet their targets by means of unused emissions allowances from earlier years, or through purchasing allowances from other Member States or on international markets. Ireland has already acquired a portion of the additional allowances that will be required for compliance. However, I am advised that Ireland will need to purchase additional allowances to meet projected shortfalls in 2019 and 2020. My Department currently estimates the cost of this requirement to be in the region of €6m to €13m, depending on the price and final quantity of allowances required. The EPA will release provisional greenhouse gas emission inventory data for 2018 on 23 October 2019 and this will further inform the likely purchasing requirement.
As a successor to the ESD, the EU Effort Sharing Regulation (2018/842) has set binding annual emissions targets for the non-ETS sectors of each Member State for each year between 2021 and 2030. For the year 2030 itself, Ireland must achieve a reduction of 30% relative to 2005 levels of emissions.
210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the degree to which non-fossil fuel generated electricity will become available to the national grid over the next five years; the extent to which this will affect carbon reduction levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42557/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of electricity generated from oil, coal, gas, biomass, solar, wind or wave generation; the extent to which this is expected to change within the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42564/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 215 together.
The Government's Climate Action Plan sets out the roadmap to increasing the overall share of renewable electricity generation to 70% of demand by 2030. This is a significant increase from the current level of 30%. The Climate Action Plan provides for the early and complete phase-out of the highest CO2 intensity fossil fuels in the electricity sector, coal by 2025 and peat by 2028 leading to a reduction of 7-8Mt of CO2 emissions by 2030.
The specific trajectory of renewable electricity out to 2030 will be set out in Ireland's National Energy and Climate Plan which is due to be finalised by the end of 2019.
Regarding the current fuel mix, I refer the Deputy to the statistics published by Eirgrid which shows the fuel mix for electricity generation in Ireland. They can be found on Eirgrid website at http://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-files/library/EirGrid/Fuel20Mix.jpg.
This generation mix is expected to change with the planned increase of renewables between now and 2030, further detail on which can be found in EirGrid's recently published All Island Generation Capacity Statement 2019-2028, which can be found on EirGrid's website at: http://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-files/library/EirGrid/EirGrid-Group-All-Island-Generation-Capacity-Statement-2019-2028.pdf.
211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the expected progress in the delivery of nationwide high speed, high quality broadband over the next five years; the way in which this will contribute to the creation of job opportunities in all locations nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42560/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraEvery home, farm, school and business in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband – no matter where they are located – following the Government’s decision to approve the appointment of a preferred bidder to the National Broadband Plan.
Since the Government decision in May to appoint NBI as the Preferred Bidder for the National Broadband Plan contract, work has continued on the due diligence necessary to conclude the contract. This process is progressing towards contract award, which is expected before the end of the year. The network deployment will commence shortly after that.
The Bidder has indicated that the network rollout will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment. A deployment plan will be made available by the Bidder once the contract is signed.
In the first year of roll out, approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points will be deployed across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 Broadband Connection Points will be deployed in each county. Broadband Connection Points will provide a community based high speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations.
The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises by the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 premises passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
In parallel to the work of finalising the contract, I am considering the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Communications Committee report, which was published recently. I will bring my deliberations of the report to Government in due course.
My Department has also recently undertaken a mapping consultation to ensure that the State Intervention Area is up to date and reflects operators’ plans and the responses from householders and businesses with the outcome of this consultation informing the State Aid notification to the European Commission in relation to the NBP.
The roll out of the NBP will take place against the backdrop of a significant and rapid transformation in the structure of global and national economies. The NBP State Intervention will benefit jobs and entrepreneurship by improving the financial performance of businesses in the Intervention Area, enabling the formation of new enterprises, allowing businesses to expand and increase employment. Remote working will expand the talent pool available to employers.
213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the electricity requirements at peak times available nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42562/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Generation Capacity Statement published annually by EirGrid provides a forecast of expected electricity demand and the level of generation capacity that will be required on the island over the next ten years, using a range of scenarios. Under a median demand forecast, EirGrid currently anticipates Ireland’s total electricity requirement peak will be 5.48 GW in 2019, compared to 5.06 GW in 2018. The latest report also forecasts that peak demand under a median demand scenario will rise to 6.67 GW by 2028.
This data is used to plan for future electricity generation adequacy, security of supply, and associated network enhancements. The latest Generation Capacity Statement, entitled the “ All-Island Generation Capacity Statement 2019-2028”, is available on the EirGrid website: http://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-files/library/EirGrid/EirGrid-Group-All-Island-Generation-Capacity-Statement-2019-2028.pdf
216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a means can be found to incentivise a reduction in the use of non-biodegradable plastic wrappings and containers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42565/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDirective (EU) 2019/904, published on 12 June 2019, enables the introduction of measures to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. The measures in the Directive are applicable equally to plastic and compostable/biodegradable items.
The most efficient measures to achieve this will be explored in the context of developing a Circular Economy Strategy. A stakeholder consultation on developing the new Strategy was launched on 16 September 2019.
217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband facilities will be extended to areas (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42567/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraEvery home, farm, school and business in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband – no matter where they are located – following the Government’s decision to approve the appointment of a preferred bidder to the National Broadband Plan.
Most of the areas that the Deputy references in Kildare (Old Bog Road, Cappagh, Kilcock, Ballraheen, Maynooth, Byranstown, Maynooth, Smithstown Kilcock) are in the Amber area of the NBP High Speed Broadband Map and will receive access to a high speed broadband service via the State intervention. Parts of Clonfert Co. Kildare are in the Blue area where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
Information on 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.
The State intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network.
Since the Government decision in May 2019 to appoint NBI as the Preferred Bidder for the National Broadband Plan contract, work has continued on the due diligence necessary to conclude the contract. This process is progressing towards contract award, which is expected before the end of the year. The network deployment will commence shortly after that.
The Bidder has indicated that the network rollout will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment. A deployment plan will be made available by the Bidder once the contract is signed. In the first year of roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community based high speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations.
The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises by the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
In parallel to the work of finalising the contract, I am considering the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Communications Committee report, which was published recently. I will bring my deliberations of the report to Government in due course.
My Department has also recently undertaken a mapping consultation to ensure that the State Intervention Area is up to date and reflects operators’ plans and the responses from householders and businesses with the outcome of this consultation informing the State Aid notification to the European Commission in relation to the NBP.
218. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of environmental economists employed by the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42473/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The 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.
219. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the arrangements his Department has made with the Department of Finance and the NTA to ensure that increases in carbon tax on fuel will not result in price hikes in public transport fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42381/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is now clearly recognised that Ireland must significantly step up its commitments to tackle climate disruption. My Department has put in place a twofold approach to tackle this climate challenge; firstly, by continuing to invest in the public and sustainable transport network to develop capacity and increase attractiveness of alternatives to private car travel; and secondly, by encouraging a transition away from fossil fuels towards lower emitting alternatives.
A move away from carbon-intensive fuels is therefore required if we are to achieve our decarbonisation objectives. Undoubtedly, such a move will also have clear co-benefits for our air quality, particularly in urban areas, and consequently for public health. As the Deputy will be aware, the Climate Action Plan called for the implementation of a carbon tax of at least €80 per tonne by 2030 and an assessment of the trajectory of increases over successive budgets. The changes to carbon tax under Budget 2020 represent the beginning of this trajectory; and while the increase from €20 to €26 is small, I expect that, over the longer term, these changes will have the effect of incentivising transition towards non carbon taxed transport fuels.
In relation to possible price hikes in public transport fares due to the increase in carbon tax on fuel, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for public transport fares and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
220. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the rebate available to hauliers following the recent rise in carbon tax affecting cost of fuel and operating costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42398/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Diesel Rebate Scheme was introduced in 2013 and is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
The Minister for Finance in his Budget 2020 presentation to the Dáil on 8 October announced that he will in the Finance Bill provide additional relief through the Diesel Rebate Scheme to hauliers, to compensate that sector for the increased cost of fuel.
This question should therefore be directed to his Department.
221. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding for the R232 Laghey to Pettigo regional road in County Donegal will be provided; if he will further commit to completing the ongoing upgrading of the road in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42407/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
My Department has agreed to provide grant support of up to €2.1m for maintenance and renewal works on the R232 Laghey to Pettigo road on a phased basis as funding allows. As of the end of September €122,941 from an allocation of €500,000 at the start of this year had been drawn down by Donegal County Council for this project. While the final grant amount to be drawn down in 2019 has not been finalised as yet, my Department has been liaising with the Council with a view to facilitating progress on the works. Future allocations will be decided as part of the annual Estimates process.
222. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding available for community and other groups marketing Ireland or holding events, festivals and so on internally and abroad as a destination based on the traditions of Halloween or Samhain; if there is national coordination of such a theme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42418/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy, while the tourism agencies have operational responsibility for the implementation of this policy. Although it provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in festivals and participative events, among other things, my Department has no role in the administration of the related programmes.
Festivals play a key role in delivering enjoyable visitor experiences and opportunities to engage with our culture, people and places, as well as helping attract visitors to areas beyond traditional tourism hot-spots and outside peak times of the year. With specific regard to festivals relating to Halloween and its origins in the ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain, I know Fáilte Ireland’s newest festival, Púca, aims to position Ireland internationally as the home of Halloween.
Accordingly, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply directly to the Deputy with further detail of the funding and other supports it offers for Halloween- or Samhain-related festivals or participative events. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
223. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress towards facilitating digital payments acceptance in taxis and public transport providers; and the timelines for meetings deadlines committed to in this area. [42495/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the regulation of payments for SPSV services, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
224. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a promise made in Dáil Éireann in 1975 by the then Minister for Transport and Power, Mr. Peter Barry, has not been honoured (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42540/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am assuming the Deputy is referring to the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS) and wish to state that as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have no function in relation to the administration of this Scheme. However, I understand that this topic has been the subject of a number of reviews by my predecessors and senior civil servants in my Department over the years in which legal advice was sought on the matter. The position is that former employees of the Department of Transport and Power voluntarily resigned from the civil service upon accepting posts with Aer Rianta.
On transfer to Aer Rianta with their agreement, those employees also transferred from the Civil Service Pension Scheme to the IASS. Their pension entitlements were transferred at the same time and the IASS received a contribution from the Department in full recognition of the benefit accrued.
It is the Department’s view that daa (formerly Aer Rianta) has complied with its obligations to these former civil servants with regard to their pension entitlement in accordance with the terms agreed at the time they accepted a contract of employment with Aer Rianta.
If the Deputy is referring to recent cuts made by the Trustees of the IASS to pensions in payment, this is the subject of on-going legal proceedings and I am unable to comment any further on the issue.
225. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding that will be provided to afterschool providers under the national childcare scheme to pay for the inclusion of support workers such as special needs assistants to safely meet the needs of young children with a disability and or autism that attend an afterschool service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42417/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not currently provide such supports. The Deputy may be aware that AIM - the Access and Inclusion Model - provides both universal and targeted supports for the meaningful participation of children with disabilities in the ECCE pre-school 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 preschool service. It offers tailored, practical supports based on need and does not require a formal diagnosis.
The third year of AIM's operation has just ended, and work on a 3-year evaluation of AIM has begun. The Government made a commitment in First 5 to consider enhancements to, or extension of, AIM to other groups of children. Such an extension might involve younger children (such as under-3s) or children attending school-age childcare services, or it might involve children with additional needs other than a disability. However, any decisions on extension or reform of AIM will depend on the findings of the 3-year evaluation, other relevant developments, and the securing of necessary resources.
The Deputy may also be interested to know that on 21st May I launched a public consultation on the future regulation and quality standards for school-age childcare, and this consultation ended on the 5th of July. The consultation included an open call for submissions, an online survey, a focus group session with school-age service providers, and an Open Policy Debate with a wide range of stakeholders. The consultation has provided rich information for consideration by my Department, and the findings may provide additional input into consideration of future supports for accessing school-age childcare. A comprehensive report of the findings from the public consultation is currently being compiled.
226. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent by Tusla on external legal agencies in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42426/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent by Tusla on external agencies on guardian ad litem in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42427/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency's in-house Legal Services Unit was established in March 2014. The Unit provides specialist legal services and support to Tusla staff and procures external legal services for some functions.
I have requested Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy regarding the amount spent by Tusla on external legal agencies and external legal agencies for Guardian ad Litem (GAL) services for the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019 as requested.
