Written Answers Nos. 507-526
507. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the advertising campaigns, promotional events and launches planned by his Department for the first six months of 2020; the budgeted costs of these campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51405/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public service broadcasting, as well as regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. My Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on a number of advertising campaigns to promote its policies / programmes from time to time. In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary.
At this point in time details of campaigns planned for the first six months of next year are outlined in the following table.
|
Details of Advertising Campaign/Promotional Event/Launch |
Budgeted Cost |
|
Proposed launch of the AIE Guidelines |
€2,200 |
|
BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition |
€26,249 |
|
Launch of data base templates for exploration and mining data |
€300 |
|
Launch of a social, environmental and economic assessment of Galmoy and Lisheen Mines. |
€250 |
|
Google Adwords campaign for the Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
€3,300 |
508. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the data sharing agreements his Department has in place with organisations that are not other Departments or State agencies; the purpose of these data sharing agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51422/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a number of arrangements in place which provide for the sharing of data with organisations who are not Government Departments or state agencies. The details of such arrangements are set out below.
|
Climate change and global warming |
There are a number of data processing agreements in place with service providers to facilitate production of research reports, commissioned by the Department, with regard to climate action policy. |
|
Digital Skills for Citizens Scheme |
Data processing agreements are in place with 12 community not-for-profit organisations who receive grant funding to deliver training on behalf of the Department under the Digital Skills for Citizens Scheme. |
|
eInvoicing |
A data processing agreement is in place with the service provider of the eInvoicing system for the purposes of sending / receiving supplier invoices. |
|
Environmental data |
A data processing agreement is in place with the service provider for the provision of advice regarding Environmental Assessments. |
|
Geological data |
The Department has a number of agreements in place to provide datasets to EU programmes giving outputs from national mapping programmes (INFOMAR and Tellus) and national geoscience programmes and research. |
|
Geo-scientific data and environmental data |
Agreements are in place with two external companies to provide data release and marketing services of geo-scientific technical data for petroleum exploration purposes. A number of data licence agreements are also in place in relation to the provision of access to this geo-scientific and environmental data to third parties for their own value-added product development. |
|
National broadband plan |
A data sharing agreement in place with a broadband telecommunications company, who submit updates regarding the rollout of rural high speed broadband. |
|
National Cyber Security Centre |
The National Cyber Security Centre has a number of legal agreements with private companies which deal with the sharing of technical information. The details of these agreements are not released for security reasons. |
|
Procurement training |
A data processing agreement is in place with the service provider for the purposes of organising and delivering procurement training. |
|
Travel administration |
A data sharing agreement is in place with our travel agent for the purposes of booking foreign travel. |
|
Waste data |
A data processing agreement is in place with the service provider to facilitate production of research reports by the Department. |
509. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of freedom of information requests in which his Department made a decision to deny; and the number in which the Information Commissioner overturned the decision of his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019. [51456/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests refused by my Department, where the decision was subsequently annulled by the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) for the period 2016 to 2019, is set out in the following table.
|
No. of FOI Requests Refused* |
No. Annulled by OIC |
|
|
2016 |
45* |
0 |
|
2017 |
48* |
1 |
|
2018 |
91 |
1 |
|
2019 (up to 3 Dec.), |
173* |
1 |
*figure includes requests carried forward from the previous year.
510. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if no officials attended an event hosted by a company (details supplied) which took place in County Clare on 19 November 2019. [51474/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither I, nor my Officials, attended the event referred to by the Deputy in his Question.
511. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the agencies or organisations under the remit of his Department; the number that have boards; the number of positions on each board; the number of vacant positions; and the agencies or organisations that have boards whose members have an obligation to appear before committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas. [51490/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out the information sought by the Deputy. In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards set out a requirement for prospective Chairpersons of State Bodies in relation to attendance before Oireachtas Committees.
Regulatory Authorities, while not organised as boards, also have obligations to appear before Oireachtas Committees.
|
Body |
Board |
Positions |
Vacancies at 30 November 2019 |
Obligations of board members to appear before Oireachtas Committees |
|
An Post |
Yes |
15 |
1 |
No specific obligation |
|
Bord na Móna |
Yes |
12 |
1 |
No specific obligation |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) |
Yes |
14 |
3 |
Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003, Sections 32 and 33 |
|
EirGrid |
Yes |
10 |
0 |
No specific obligation |
|
ESB |
Yes |
12 |
0 |
No specific obligation |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) |
Yes |
10 |
0 |
Inland Fisheries Act 2010, Sections 28 and 29 |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC) |
Yes |
3 |
0 |
No specific obligation |
|
Loughs Agency |
Yes |
12 |
2 |
British-Irish Agreement Act 1999, Annex 2, Part 7 |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) |
Yes |
6 |
0 |
National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007, Section 31 |
|
RTÉ |
Yes |
12 |
4 |
Broadcasting Act 2009, Section 92 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) |
Yes |
12 |
2 |
Sustainable Energy Act, 2002, Section 25(5) |
|
TG4 |
Yes |
12 |
0 |
Broadcasting Act 2009, Section 92 |
|
The Mining Board |
Yes |
3 |
1 |
No specific obligation |
|
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
Executive Directorate |
6 |
0 |
No specific obligation |
|
Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) |
Regulatory Authority |
3 |
0 |
Electricity Regulation Act 1999, Section 26 |
|
Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) |
Regulatory Authority |
3 |
0 |
Communications Regulation Act 2002, Section 34 |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) |
Regulatory Authority |
9 |
0 |
Broadcasting Act, 2009, Part 2, Section 20 |
512. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the budget and number of staff working in his Department in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51561/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below:
|
Year |
Staff number |
Department Budget (millions) |
|
2014 |
260 |
€440 |
|
2015 |
275 |
€419 |
|
2016 |
333* |
€481 |
|
2017 |
392 |
€540 |
|
2018 |
410 |
€587 |
|
2019 |
399 |
€680 |
* The increase in staff in 2016 is due primarily to the transfer of functions and associated from the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
514. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the 300 broadband hubs were selected for the national broadband plan roll-out; the level of consultation with the public and the successful bidder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51664/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra515. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the locations considered for the national broadband hubs which were not successful; the reason they did not make the list of 300; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51665/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 515 together.
The Government recognises the need to roll out high speed broadband as quickly as possible and is conscious that the full rollout of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State intervention area will take a number of years. The Government intends to ensure an early connection to high speed broadband in specific key locations in rural communities. 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.
All BCPs will have a free public Wi-Fi connection, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
My Department's November 2014 NBP High Speed Broadband Map Public Consultation was completed to identify where State investment would be required to enable access to high speed broadband. This consultation described a set of “Strategic Connection Points”, including schools, hospitals and business parks, described as locations which “may fulfil a common social or economic role for its surrounding community”.
Those making submissions to the public consultation were invited to share their views on the Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) and to suggest additional types of locations. The majority of submissions agreed on the importance of the SCPs. Some respondents expanded on the initial list and suggested that the list should also include innovation hubs, community enterprise centres, community centres, sports clubs and rural tourist locations. The list of SCPs was prioritised by Local Authority Broadband Officers into Priority 1, Priority 2 and Priority 3 SCP locations.
The Priority 1 locations, called Broadband Connection Points (BCPs), are targeted for priority deployment in 2020, the first year of the NBP State intervention network deployment.
In 2016, Broadband Officers, in consultation with their communities, selected up to 20 SCPs for evaluation as BCPs. In October of that year, the Regional Telecommunications and Innovation Unit in the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (now in the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD)) convened an evaluation panel comprised of representation from that Department, local authorities and also my Department. Potential BCP locations were evaluated on the basis of various criteria, including facilities available and the practicalities of access to the site for members of the public.
In April 2017, the NBP Map was further updated to reflect changes in the Intervention Area. As a result, a number of the BCPs were located in an area where they could avail of a commercial operator high speed service and they were removed from the list. At this time, the BCP list was refreshed by the Local Authorities. The updated list of BCPs reflected the priorities of the Local Authorities and characteristics of each county.
The final list of 298 BCPs was published on 19 November. There will be between 7 and 23 BCP locations in each county and they include 138 community centres, 19 tourism locations, 78 schools and 13 business locations. The BCP locations are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.
516. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the rolling stock purchased by Irish Rail in recent years is being stored in warehouses and cannot be used. [51512/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The use, procurement and/or refurbishment of rolling stock is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance who continue to examine how best to utilise existing and, in consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), source additional rolling stock as efficiently and effectively as possible while ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.
As the Deputy may be aware, an option considered by Iarnród Éireann/NTA to increase fleet capacity and utilise existing fleet was the proposed refurbishment and reintroduction of older train sets back into service. This option was ruled out following market consultations which returned costs far in excess of those originally expected and which meant the option would not represent value for money.
However, as the Deputy is also aware, the Government recently approved a proposal submitted by the NTA to proceed with the proposed purchase by Iarnród Éireann of 41 additional InterCity Railcars to increase capacity on the rail network particularly for the Greater Dublin Area. This additional stock will increase capacity by around 34% on the Northern, Maynooth and Kildare lines in the morning peak time and is expected to commence entry into service by late 2021.
The Deputy may also recall that, in May this year, the NTA and Iarnród Éireann commenced the pre-qualifying stage on a 10-year procurement framework for a minimum of 300 electric and battery-electric units with the potential for that to increase to 600 over the life of the procurement framework. This proposal forms part of the DART Expansion Programme which will see the further electrification of rail lines in the GDA and I expect to receive a business case in relation to the overall programme next year.
517. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to fund the regional road network nationwide, specifically those coded R; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of the regional road network; the funding made available for same since 2016, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51140/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra518. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a strategic regional roads scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51141/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 517 and 518 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each local authority under the Roads Act 1993, as amended, with works funded by Local Authorities’ own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works is a matter for each local authority.
There were major cutbacks in funding for the road network in general during the recession. Project Ireland 2040 provides for a gradual increase in grant assistance for regional and local roads and there has been a significant increase in Exchequer funding particularly in the last two years - the €483 million allocated this year represents an increase of nearly 50% compared to 2017. However, the amount available is not sufficient to achieve “steady state” levels of investment. For this reason, there continues to be very limited scope for funding road improvement projects under the Specific and Strategic Grant Programmes.
Within the budget available to my Department, grant funding is allocated on the basis of grant programmes and not on the basis of the category of road. My Department does not, therefore, have the details sought by the Deputy regarding funding for regional roads since 2016. The allocation of funding across specific roads or across categories is a matter for each local authority, having regard to the funding available to it from local and central sources as well as its particular priorities.
The main Regional and Local Road Grant programmes are focussed on specific policy objectives i.e. surface sealing to protect the road surface from water damage, road strengthening based on pavement condition rating to lengthen the life of roads and a Discretionary Grant Scheme which allows for a specified range of activities including winter maintenance. These 3 grant programmes account for most of the grant funding and are allocated taking into account the length of the road network and traffic factors in a particular local authority area.
The regional road network is an important component of the overall road network comprising over 13,000 kms and carrying approx. 30% of national road traffic. It is a requirement of Exchequer grants that at least 15% of the road strengthening grant is spent on regional roads.
A road condition survey of the whole regional road network was completed in 2011 and a new survey commissioned by my Department was undertaken in 2018. The results of this survey give a national overview of the current condition of the regional road network. As part of the survey various parameters were measured, including visual rating (PSCI), international roughness index (IRI), rut depth, mean profile depth (MPD) and Characteristic SCRIM coefficient (CSC). In general, the average values for each parameter were very similar in 2018 and 2011, despite the significant drop in investment in the same time period. Important values like IRI and PSCI had actually shown an improvement since 2011.
Nevertheless it is the case that there is still significant ground to be made up to improve the condition of regional roads. In light of the survey results, this year I introduced a pilot scheme to assist with the rehabilitation of former national roads.
The findings of the national survey have been conveyed to each local authority and can, therefore, be used to inform their prioritization of works and the allocation of grant funding and local authorities' own resources.
519. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the condition of the R312 road in County Mayo; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that it is the main road linking Erris to Mayo University Hospital and its condition is the cause of significant distress caused to persons accessing health services at the hospital especially via ambulance; if an emergency report on the condition of the road will be requested from Mayo County Council; and if the necessary support will be put in place for urgent works. [51142/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 prioritization of works is a matter for decision by the local authority.
Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific/Strategic Grant Programmes are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Department's Capital Appraisal Framework (CAF). Given the limited funding available for RLR improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
My Department has been providing grant support to Mayo County Council for the planning and design of a road re-alignment and bridge replacement scheme at Glenisland on the R312. The Council has recently submitted revised proposals for the scheme which are being reviewed.
It is also open to Mayo County Council to prioritise works on the R312 under the road surfacing and strengthening grant programmes. In this context Mayo County Council has received a significant increase in Exchequer grant support in the last two years in particular. Overall, the Council has seen an increase of over 33% in 2019 compared to 2017. I also continue to emphasise to Councils the importance of prioritising road maintenance and renewal when allocating own resources.
The regional and local road grant allocations for 2020 will be announced in the New Year.
520. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to compensate land owners who lose portions of their payments, for example, via the GLAS scheme specifically owing to land given up for the development of a greenway, cycleway and walkway in the context of his responsibility for the strategy for the future development of national and regional greenways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51143/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways sets out a number of options for the development of Greenways and the use of land for building Greenways. Walkways are generally funded by the Minister for Rural and Community Development.
In relation to Greenways, issues relating to compensation will be dealt with on a case by case basis as each landowner is impacted in different ways. Where the income of a landowner is impacted by the building of a Greenway on land that they previously owned and sold for a Greenway to be built or where they have given permissive access for the building of a Greenway it is likely that lost income will be reflected in payments to be made. It is important to note that the aim of project promoters when building Greenways is to limit the impact on landowners as much as possible.
Following the publication of the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways a Group was established to develop a Code of Best Practice. The Group is examining, inter alia, issues relating to consultation, compensation for land access and route options. Farming representative bodies are members of the group along with state agencies, local authorities and Government Departments.
521. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount drawn down by the end of October and November 2019 by local authority in respect of the national roads allocation 2019; if the allocations provided for will be drawn down by the end of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51161/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra522. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of spending in 2018 and to date in 2019 for the national roads allocations by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51162/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 521 and 522 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 of national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII is also responsible for the distribution and management of the national roads funding, allocated to it by my Department, to local authorities.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
523. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he has taken to include a feasibility study on the recommendation in the recent Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly recommendation to complete the construction of MetroLink from Swords to Sandyford and to UCD and Knocklyon from Charlemont; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51188/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe making, implementation and review of a Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) is a function of the relevant Regional Assembly, in this case the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
In accordance with section 23 of the 2000 Act, the objective of a RSES is to provide a long-term strategic planning and economic framework for the development of the region that is consistent with the National Planning Framework and the economic policies or objectives of the Government. There is also a statutory requirement for the Eastern and Midland Region RSES to be consistent with the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035.
The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is responsible for ensuring that each RSES reflects all relevant statutory requirements. In this regard, I am aware that the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government gave notice on 7 August 2019 to the EMRA that he intended to issue a Direction under Section 31A of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) in relation to objectives within the RSES that went beyond the scope of the NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, and the Government's National Planning Framework 2040 and National Development Plan 2018-2027. This statutory process is currently ongoing and accordingly it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
524. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be allocated for new bus shelters in County Kildare during the remainder of 2019; his plans for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51201/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and provision of bus stops and bus shelters throughout the State.
Noting their responsibility in relation to this matter, I have forwarded your query to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply. Please notify my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
525. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA will install bus shelters at locations (details supplied) in County Sligo; if it will consider moving a bus stop to a more suitable location to allow for the safer access to the bus by residents in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51208/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and provision of bus stops and bus shelters throughout the State.
Noting their responsibility in relation to this matter, I have forwarded your query to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply. Please notify my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
526. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of cars clamped to date at the Luas Red Cow Park and Ride; the number of these appealed; the number of successful appeals; the number of vehicles clamped as a result of an error when entering the car registration when purchasing a parking ticket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51268/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised are matters for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the Luas operator Transdev and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
