Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50667/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild and Adolescent Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (178)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
HSE Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (179)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:179. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the distress caused to families in the Inishowen area of County Donegal by the delays in signing off on an autism therapist post for the area to replace the previous person who stepped down from the role in 2018; and if the post will be signed off as soon as possible. [50669/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Public Consultation Process
Ceisteanna (180)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:180. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the public consultations held by his Department in 2018 and to date in 2019; the date on which such consultations were held by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50440/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department holds public consultations on a variety of topics of public interest. The opening of the consultation process is widely advertised and members of the public and relevant stakeholders are invited to supply written comments on the issue concerned.
As part of the public consultation on the configuration of the Common Agriculture Policy post-2020, my Department advertised and held a number of public meetings throughout the country, including counties Carlow, Cork, Meath, Leitrim, Westmeath, Mayo and Sligo.
A list of all public consultations conducted by my Department in 2018 and to date in 2019 is set out in the attached table.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (181)
John Curran
Ceist:181. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken to work with industry stakeholders to increase the use of low carbon materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50469/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Forests can make an important contribution to Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy through the sequestration and storage of carbon dioxide.
My Department, through COFORD, launched its vision for moving the utilisation of timber up the value chain in its document entitled “Growing the Irish Forest Bioeconomy”. It has also funded research in this area. The Innovation in Irish Timber Usage project (IITU) investigated the potential for new add-value timber construction products such as Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) reinforced timber and Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT).
The Wood Properties for Ireland (WoodProps) Programme which is also funded by my Department, is a joint project between the Timber Engineering Research Group at NUI Galway and the Centre for Wood Science and Technology, Edinburgh Napier University. This project is focused on addressing issues related to characterisation of Irish-grown timber and associated work at National and European level in standardisation for structural timber quality and production – with a particular focus on grading.
In addition, my Department also provides funding to Wood Technology Ireland (WTI) which has been established to provide the Irish timber and construction industry with technical advice and information to facilitate compliance with the Construction Products Regulation and also with the requirements of the Irish building regulations.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (182)
Peter Burke
Ceist:182. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50490/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon and therefore the question has been referred to them for direct reply.
EU Funding
Ceisteanna (183)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:183. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers and young farmers in particular who have applied for a loan from the €1 billion loan scheme announced by the European Commissioner for Trade on 19 April 2019; the value of funds drawn down; the value of funds awaiting drawdown following the loan offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50505/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The programme referred to the Deputy allows Member States and financial institutions operating across the EU to engage with the Commission and the EIB to develop schemes tailored to their own individual needs and requirements.
The programme will be managed at Member State level by banks and leasing companies operating across the EU. Therefore, the details requested will only be known following engagements by these financial institutions with the Commission and the EIB.
Ireland, through my Department and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, in partnership with the Department of Finance and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) has already engaged with the EIB & the European Investment Fund (EIF) to develop the Future Growth Loan Scheme. It is being delivered through participating finance providers nationally and will make up to €300 million of investment loans available to eligible Irish businesses, including farmers and the agrifood & seafood sectors.
The loans are competitively priced (an initial maximum loan interest rate of 4.5% for loans less than €250,000), will be for terms of 8-10 years and will support strategic long-term investment in a post-Brexit environment. A minimum loan amount of €100,000 applies up to a maximum of €3,000,000 per applicant. However, considering the needs of Irish farmers, I have negotiated a specific minimum of €50,000 for them.
This is a financial product that was previously unavailable in Ireland, hence the involvement of the various public bodies to bring it to market. The unique characteristic of the Scheme is that loans up to €500,000 are unsecured making it a viable source of finance for young and new entrant farmers, especially the cohort who do not have high levels of security. It will also serve smaller-scale farmers, who often do not have the leverage to negotiate for more favourable terms with their banking institution.
Food companies have identified long-term investment finance of up to ten years as a critical need which is currently unavailable in Ireland. I am happy that the Government have been able to deliver this product and its effects will be felt all along the food production chain from primary producer to processor.
The Scheme has been open for loan eligibility applications through the SBCI website since 17th April and there has been a good level of demand from farmers. In total 2,017 loans are approved, of which 725 are farmers, and 236 are food companies. A total of 686 loans to the value of €147.4m have been sanctioned. Of these, 320 loans are to farmers with a total sanction amount of €38.2m and 64 are food companies with a total sanction amount of €22m.
Legislative Process
Ceisteanna (184)
Niall Collins
Ceist:184. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Bills in his Department awaiting Committee Stage. [50540/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has no Bills that are currently awaiting consideration at Committee stage.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (185)
Niall Collins
Ceist:185. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the photography costs for his Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used in tabular form; if there is a policy in his Department regarding the booking of photographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50564/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy with regard to photography is available on my Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie/aboutus/ministers/photographycosts . This information is updated regularly.
Wherever possible, the Department avails of internal photography skills.
Freedom of Information Data
Ceisteanna (186)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:186. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of freedom of information requests made to his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of requests fully denied by reason; the number of requests partially denied; the number of appeals made against denials; the number of such appeals upheld; the number of such appeals rejected; the number of requests that required a fee; the amount received for freedom of information requests in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50589/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 to 29.11.2019 |
|
|
No of requests |
347 |
391 |
535 |
358 |
|
Refused |
44 |
59 |
61 |
47 |
|
Reason for refusal |
Article 15(1): 19 Article 29(1): 6 Article 30(1): 1 Article 32(1): 1 Article 35(1): 1 Article 36(1): 2 Article 37(1) 11 Article 42(m): 3 |
Article 11(4): 1 Article 15(1): 28 Article 28(1): 1 Article 29(1): 3 Article 30(1): 1 Article 31(1): 1 Article 35(1): 6 Article 36(1): 5 Article 37(1): 13 |
Article 11(4): 1 Article 15(1): 34 Article 28(1) : 1 Article 29(1): 3 Article 30(1): 2 Article 31(1): 3 Article 35(1): 6 Article 36(1): 2 Article 37(1): 9 |
Article 15(1): 25 Article 29(1): 10 Article 31(1): 1 Article 35(1): 2 Article 36(1): 2 Article 37(1): 7 |
|
Part grant |
108 |
122 |
121 |
100 |
|
Appeals |
21 |
45 |
37 |
14 |
|
Appeal Upheld - decision overturned |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Decision varied |
3 |
12 |
7 |
6 |
|
Appeal Rejected- decision confirmed |
18 |
32 |
29 |
8 |
|
Fees |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
Articles
7.1 Prescribed bodies
11.4 Access to records
15.1 Refusal on administrative grounds
28.1 Meetings of Government
29.1 Deliberations of FOI bodies
30.1 Functions and negotiations of FOI bodies
31.1 Parliamentary, court and other matters
32.1 Law enforcement and public safety
35.1 Information obtained in confidence
36.1 Commercially sensitive information
37.1 Personal information
Beef Industry
Ceisteanna (187)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:187. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the beef market task force will meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50668/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The inaugural meeting of the Beef Taskforce took place on 3rd December. The Taskforce, which I established on foot of the Beef Sector Agreement, will provide for a robust implementation structure for commitments entered into as part of the Agreement.
Agreed minutes and relevant update documents will be made available on my Department's website in due course.
Broadband Service Provision
Ceisteanna (188)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:188. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a centre (details supplied) will have access to high-speed fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50436/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government’s plan to rollout high speed broadband to the 1.1 million people living and working in the nearly 540,000 premises including almost 100,000 businesses and farms, along with 695 schools where commercial operators will not commit to deliver the service. The Deputy's Question relates to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on NBP High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed on 19 November with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
Work has already begun and a deployment plan will be made available by NBI shortly. All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
Approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs), including schools, library hubs and local sports halls in every county in Ireland, will be connected to high speed broadband during 2020, to enable communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband. The BCP locations are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.
By the end of 2021, NBI plans to pass approximately 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. NBI has indicated that the network rollout will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment.
Public Consultation Process
Ceisteanna (189)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:189. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the public consultations held by his Department in 2018 and to date in 2019; the date on which such consultations were held by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50443/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Public consultations held by this Department in 2018 and 2019 are outlined in tabular format contained in the link below:
Online consultations are advertised and published on the Department website https://www.dccae.gov.ie/
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (190, 191, 193, 195)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:190. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a company (details supplied) underwent a process of due diligence for its inclusion in the NBP consortium; the date on which the due diligence commenced; when it was concluded; the areas of concern regarding the company that arose; the way in which they were addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50459/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:191. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a service level agreement exists between his Department and the NBP contract winner; if so, the details of the agreement; if he can apply financial sanctions if the agreement is breached; the way in which progress in relation to the NBP will be tracked; if milestones and or targets have been set in the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50460/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:193. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date on which a company (details supplied) was inserted into the consortium that was awarded the contract in respect of the NBP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50504/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:195. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a company (details supplied) was subject to the pre-qualifying process and other rigours in order to join in the consortium of the preferred bidder for the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50533/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 191, 193 and 195 together.
The Government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland. It is vital that we ensure that people of rural Ireland have the same opportunities as people in our towns and cities.
The fundamental building blocks of the project, which is designed to bring fibre to the home to over 1.1 million people in the intervention area, have not changed since the procurement process commenced. The project is led by Granahan McCourt, supported by key subcontractors enet and the Kelly Group, with Nokia as the provider of electronic equipment.
After appointment as the preferred bidder, the sponsors were required to finalise a number of steps before a contract could be signed. The Department was also required to carry out the necessary due diligence.
These steps included:
- Closing out contracts with infrastructure access providers (eir and enet), civil engineering companies and equipment providers;
- concluding the contractual provision in the 3,000 page contract and
- finalisation of the committed equity documents with the shareholders of the new company, National Broadband Ireland.
As is standard in large projects, including PPPs, the final mix of shareholders to the project is concluded where all contractual documents have been finalised. The NBP process has been no different in this regard.
The bidder proposed for contract award that McCourt Global LLC be replaced by Oak Hill. The proposed bidder change was submitted to the Department on 11 November 2019. The entity referred to by the Deputy submitted documentation, as a bidder member, as part of the submission by the lead bidder (Granahan McCourt). The due diligence was carried out against the conditions set out in the assessment process and was approved. The procurement process for the National Broadband Plan contract includes a mechanism for the Department to assess and approve, or reject, changes to the membership of bidders. This assessment is carried out by ring fenced teams with similar make up to the teams that carried out the evaluation of the final tender, and overseen by a review panel and the Procurement Board. I have no role in the assessment.
The Project Information Memorandum (PIM) dated December 2015 sets out the procurement process for the NBP. Relevant documents are published on my Department’s website.
As part of the assessment of a change, the relevant bidder is required to demonstrate that it continued to meet the economic and financial standing, together with technical and professional capacity, set out in the original pre-qualification criteria. The Department could not approve a change in bidder composition unless the relevant bidder met those criteria.
The fact that any modifications to shareholding made after Final Tender would be reviewed by the Department in advance of Contract Award, was set out in information provided to the Oireachtas after the appointment of NBI as preferred Bidder and this information is included in the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action and Environment in relation to the NBP.
The funding commitments of National Broadband Ireland (NBI), including the equity investment commitments, have been contractualised as part of the contract award.
The NBP contract with NBI is very detailed and comprehensive, setting out targets for delivery and implications for under performance. The Department as the contracting authority will manage all of the elements of contract governance. The Department has a core existing team of experts, which will be augmented by specialist external services to effectively manage the contract, including technical issues, financial advisory, business consultancy, economic diversity, quality assurance, environmental and legal services.
A suitably redacted version of the contract will be made available on my Department’s website in the coming weeks.
Departmental Staff Data
Ceisteanna (192)
John Curran
Ceist:192. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff members allocated a car parking space; the number of these spaces equipped with electric vehicle charging points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50473/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are four spaces reserved for staff in my Department's head office in Adelaide Road in Dublin and none of which have dedicated electric vehicle charging points. There are two electric vehicle charging points in the car park which are available for use by all members of staff.
Question No. 193 answered with Question No. 190.
Broadband Service Provision
Ceisteanna (194)
Robert Troy
Ceist:194. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a property (details supplied) will be supplied with fibre broadband through the State supported roll-out by Eir. [50511/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government’s plan to rollout high speed broadband to the 1.1 million people living and working in the nearly 540,000 premises including almost 100,000 businesses and farms, along with 695 schools where commercial operators will not commit to deliver the service. The Deputy's Question relates to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on NBP High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed on 19 November with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
Work has already begun and a deployment plan will be made available by NBI shortly. All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
Approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs), including schools, library hubs and local sports halls in every county in Ireland, will be connected to high speed broadband during 2020, to enable communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband. The BCP locations are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.
By the end of 2021, NBI plans to pass approximately 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. NBI has indicated that the network rollout will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment.
Question No. 195 answered with Question No. 190.
Legislative Process
Ceisteanna (196)
Niall Collins
Ceist:196. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of Bills in his Department awaiting Committee Stage. [50543/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is currently one Bill in my Department which is awaiting committee stage. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2019 (No. 64 of 2019) which was published on 31 July 2019 is currently before Dáil Éireann and awaiting a date for Committee Stage. The Broadcasting Amendment Bill 2019 provides for:
- the part funding of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) through TV licence receipts so as to reduce the levy burden on broadcasters;
- the creation of a new funding scheme that would allow the granting of bursaries to journalists in local or community radio stations;
- the BAI to retain part of the levy to fund its working capital requirements and allows the BAI the scope to determine exemptions and deferrals to the levy.
In addition, I have received Government approval to bring an amendment at Committee stage that will allow TV licence collection to be put out to public tender.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (197)
Niall Collins
Ceist:197. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the photography costs for his Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used in tabular form; if there is a policy in his Department regarding the booking of photographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50567/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The contracting of photography services for my Department is carried out as part of competitive procurement processes in line with Office of Government Procurement guidelines. Where possible, every effort is made to minimise costs. I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 601 and 604 of 14 December 2017 which covers photography costs for my Department for the period 2011 to 2017 and to Question No. 2216 of 23 July 2019 which covers photography costs for my Department for 2018.
The following table sets out the photography costs incurred by my Department to date in 2019.
|
Photography Costs to date in 2019 |
||
|
Company |
Event |
Cost € |
|
Fennel Photography |
Event to mark the banning of single use plastics |
461 |
|
Event Capture |
Smart Community Launch in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo |
397 |
|
Fennel Photography |
Food Cloud event |
461 |
|
Gareth Chaney |
International Energy Agency Review of Irish Energy Policy 2019 |
150 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Announcement of the preferred bidder to the National Broadband Plan |
301 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Launch of Eircodes for Machinery |
135 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Regulation of Online Content announcement |
510 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Anti-Dumping Initiative |
320 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Visit to Covanta regarding Climate Action Fund |
412 |
|
Gerard Photography |
Launch of the Local Authority Adaptation Strategy Development Guidelines |
300 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Sustainable Development Goals Stakeholder Forum |
455 |
|
Fennell Photography |
Tellus Seminar 2019 |
578 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme Event |
283 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Launch of ‘new labelling to make recycling easier’ |
394 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Climate Action Plan Launch |
338 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
International Energy Action Fourth Annual Conference |
664 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Signing of Local Authority Charter |
301 |
|
Fennell Photography |
First Progress Report on Climate Action |
461 |
|
Fennell Photography |
Proposed New Environmental Levies |
400 |
|
Total to date in 2019 |
7,321 |
Payments from Ministerial allowances are not a charge on the Vote of the Department and therefore my Department does not hold information on these payments.
Freedom of Information Data
Ceisteanna (198)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:198. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of freedom of information requests made to his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of requests fully denied by reason; the number of requests partially denied; the number of appeals made against denials; the number of such appeals upheld; the number of such appeals rejected; the number of requests that required a fee; the amount received for freedom of information requests in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50592/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The number of requests received under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (the Act) are set out in the table below. Freedom of Information requests can only be refused as provided for under the various sections of the Act. Requests received by my Department are generally refused or part-granted for the reasons listed below: - Record relates to security and defence of the State
- Record relates to current deliberations of the public body
- Record relates to meetings of government
- Record does not exist
- Record contains commercially sensitive information/disclosure of trade secrets
- Record already in the public domain
- Constitutional protection applies to record i.e. private papers of Oireachtas member
- Legal professional privilege applies to record
- Record to be published within six weeks
- Voluminous request
- Insufficient particulars provided to allow for the record to be identified.
|
Year |
No. of Requests Received |
No. of Requests Refused |
No. of Requests Part- granted |
No. of Internal Reviews Received |
No. of Internal Reviews Affirmed |
No. of Internal Reviews Varied |
No. of Internal Reviews Annulled |
No. of Requests To Which Search and Retrieval Fee's Applied |
Amount Received in Search and Retrieval Fees € |
|
2016 |
159 |
45 |
46 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
721.33 |
|
2017 |
195 |
48 |
68 |
11 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
2,040.00 |
|
2018 |
362 |
91 |
137 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
242.44 |
|
2019 (up to 30 Nov.) |
443 |
173 |
112 |
18 |
14 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
*figures for number of requests refused, part-granted and internal review include requests carried forward from the previous year.
Energy Schemes
Ceisteanna (199)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:199. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a grant is available to a person who wants to move from a solid fuel stove to a more environmentally friendly heating source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50654/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government currently funds a number of schemes, administered by the SEAI, to assist homeowners in upgrading the energy efficiency of their properties, including switching to new heating systems. These include free upgrades for low income households and fixed grants for those who can invest some of their own money. The grants promote a fabric first approach – advising people to first reduce heat losses by installing insulation and ventilation, making it easier to keep a home warmer and more comfortable for longer periods, before moving to installation of new or renewable heating systems. Since 2000, over 400,000 homes have received direct support under these schemes to carry out work to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. This year, I have allocated €100 million funding for these schemes.
Details of the grants available under the Better Energy Homes, Solar PV and Better Energy Communities Schemes are set out in the following table.
|
Scheme |
Who |
What |
How much (fixed grants) |
|
|
- Detached House |
€2400 |
|||
|
- Semi-D/End of Terrace |
€2200 |
|||
|
Internal Wall Insulation |
- Mid-Terrace/Apart |
€1600 |
||
|
Attic Insulation |
€400 |
|||
|
Cavity Wall Insulation |
€400 |
|||
|
Solar thermal |
€1200 |
|||
|
Heating controls |
€700 |
|||
|
Heat Pump1 (air/ground source/water/exhaust air to water) |
€3,500 |
|||
|
Heat pump1 (air to air) |
€600 |
|||
|
BER |
€50 |
|||
|
- Detached House |
€6,000 |
|||
|
- Semi-D/End of Terrace |
€4,500 |
|||
|
Better Energy Homes |
Homeowners of homes built before 2006 (or before 2011 in the case of solar thermal and heat pump grants) *Homes that previously received a grant for wall insulation are not eligible for a second grant for a different type of wall insulation. However, they can still avail of grants for other measures |
External Wall Insulation |
- Mid-Terrace/Apart |
€2,750 |
|
Solar PV Scheme |
All owners of dwellings built and occupied before 2011 and where SEAI have not previously provided support for solar PV system at that address |
Solar PV panels and battery storage |
€700 for each kW of solar PV installed up to 2kW without battery storage or up to 4kW with battery storage |
|
|
Better Energy Communities |
Community energy efficiency projects |
Grants for upgrades to homes, businesses, public and community buildings as part of a single community project. |
Grants in 2018 ranged from €100,000 to €940,000 |
1 To be eligible for a heat pump grant the home must meet a certain level of energy efficiency first.
Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements
Ceisteanna (200)
Robert Troy
Ceist:200. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an asylum seeker who has an international driver licence and has suitable vehicle insurance can exchange their licence for an Irish driver licence as per information supplied by the NDLS under the heading holders of foreign licences. [50438/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An international driving permit, that the Deputy has referred to as an international driving licence, is effectively a translation of a person's driving licence. A person must carry their driving licence along with their international driving permit when driving. An international driving permit cannot be exchanged for an Irish driving licence.
Currently under the Convention on Road Traffic 1949 (Geneva Convention), drivers from Contracting States carrying a valid driver’s licence can drive on each other’s roads for up to a year as a visitor. Such drivers may be required to carry an international driving permit provided for under the provisions of the Convention.
Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements
Ceisteanna (201)
Robert Troy
Ceist:201. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person that holds an EU driver licence which has expired within the past ten years can exchange it for an Irish licence in view of the fact asylum seekers seem to be prevented from doing so. [50439/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Irish driving licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. Under the EU Directive on driving licences, driving licences issued by Member States are mutually recognised. The European Communities (Recognition of Driving Licences of Other Member States) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 464 of 2008) provides for this in national law.
A person who has held a driving licence, or a recognised driving licence issued by the competent authority of a Member State, for any period within the period of 10 years preceding the date of application, can submit such licence when applying for a driving licence.
Public Consultation Process
Ceisteanna (202)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:202. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the public consultations held by his Department in 2018 and to date in 2019; the date on which such consultations were held by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50456/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There were five public consultations held by my Department in 2018 and to date in 2019. Submissions were invited from the all interested parties including members of the public, public representatives and stakeholders. The details are set out in the following table:
|
Consultation |
Opened |
Closed |
Current position |
|
Consultation on the Report of the Wise Persons Group (WPG) on the future of the Single European Sky (SES) |
23/05/2019 |
30/06/2019 |
In review |
|
Public Consultation on the Draft Statutory Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Transport Sector |
15/07/2019 |
12/08/2019 |
In review |
|
Regional Airports Programme Public Consultation |
30/08/2019 |
30/09/2019 |
Outcome published |
|
Public consultation on Personal Powered Transport |
01/09/2019 |
01/11/2019 |
In review |
|
Public Consultation on a Review of Sustainable Mobility Policy |
14/11/2019 |
24/01/2020 |
Open for submissions Documents as |
Documents associated with these Consultations are available on the gov.ie website at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/consultations/?organisation=department-of-transport-tourism-and-sport