Written Answers Nos. 292-308
292. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to calls from advocacy groups for a designated wind farm zone of 22km from shorelines, similar to that introduced in other European countries; the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20666/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is leading on the development of the Maritime Area Planning Bill, which will provide a modern, up-to-date regulatory and marine planning framework for offshore renewable energy developments. The Minister is also in the process of finalising Ireland’s first marine spatial plan, the National Marine Planning Framework. This work has been supported by a Marine Spatial Planning Advisory Group, comprising a large number of stakeholders representing social, economic and environment groups, as well as relevant public sector organisations. The new regime under the Maritime Area Planning Bill and the National Marine Planning Framework will ensure that there is public consultation throughout the various stages of offshore wind development, particularly the development consent stage. Furthermore, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will develop offshore wind statutory planning guidelines, which will inform decisions made by planning authorities concerning developments in Ireland's maritime area, and will aim to support best practice throughout the planning process for offshore renewable energy developments. My Department will be a primary stakeholder in the development of the offshore guidelines.
As is the case with onshore energy developments supported by the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), all offshore wind energy developments will be required to establish Community Benefit Funds prior to project operation. A Good Practice Principles Handbook will be published to ensure good governance and effective marine and coastal community involvement in the sustainable use of these funds.
293. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAppointments to State Boards under the Department’s aegis are made in compliance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. In September 2020, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform published a new Annex on Gender Balance, Diversity, and Inclusion to supplement the existing Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
The Annex sets out measures designed to enhance diversity on State Boards and addresses recommendations made by an Inter-Departmental Group on Gender Balance on State Boards. That report found that further work was required to build on recent improvements in gender balance on the Boards of State bodies.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has implemented the provisions of the Annex which includes:
New reporting measures designed to provide greater transparency around Boards which have not reached appropriate levels of gender balance;
State bodies which have not reached the 40% target will be required to set out the measures that will be taken to deliver on this target;
Ministers to be informed of the gender balance on State Boards at the time of making further appointments;
Each State Board to report annually on its progress in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within the organisation;
Board evaluation processes should be expanded to consider issues around gender diversity, as a means of enhancing Board effectiveness;
Board terms should be varied to allow for an acceleration towards better gender balance in membership.
The attached table sets out the overall gender balance of the boards under the aegis of the Department at 27 June 2020 and at 31 March 2021.
The Department will continue to implement Government policy and is committed to ensuring that every effort is made to identify and appoint candidates who contribute to gender diversity on its Boards.
Table showing gender balance change between 27 th June 2020 and 31 st March 2021 on State Bodies under the aegis of DECC
|
State Body* |
Gender balance 27.06.2020 |
Gender balance 31.03.2021 |
||
|
|
Male |
Female |
Male |
Female |
|
An Post |
71.43% |
28.57% |
64.29% |
35.71% |
|
Bord na Móna |
66.67% |
33.33% |
63.64% |
36.36% |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency |
54.55% |
45.45% |
54.55% |
45.45% |
|
EirGrid |
70.00% |
30.00% |
70.00% |
30.00% |
|
ESB |
66.67% |
33.33% |
75.00% |
25.00% |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
66.67% |
33.33% |
60.00% |
40.00% |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation |
66.67% |
33.33% |
66.67% |
33.33% |
|
Loughs Agency |
70.00% |
30.00% |
81.82% |
18.18% |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency |
66.67% |
33.33% |
66.67% |
33.33% |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |
44.44% |
55.56% |
50.00% |
50.00% |
295. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the policy statement to be produced in April 2021 regarding the approach to opposing the importation of fracked gas as noted in the Programme for Government; the measures he will take to ensure this position is raised with all relevant public bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20810/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government sets out that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and commits to developing a policy statement to establish that approach. My Department is in the process of developing the policy statement, which includes the consideration of any necessary legal and regulatory provisions. This includes detailed examination of the European energy and environmental frameworks, in which our national laws operate, to ensure the policy statement will be legally robust. In this regard my Department is actively engaged with the Office of the Attorney General to conclude the matter as a priority.
I will bring the policy statement to Government for approval as soon as the necessary work outlined above is concluded. The policy statement will be published once approved.
296. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric car charging points in each county. [18105/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric vehicle home charger grants provided in each year since the creation of the scheme; the spend in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18681/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric vehicle home charger grants provided by county since the creation of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18682/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the value of grants provided under the SEAI public charge point scheme since its introduction in 2019 for each local authority area; the number of charging points installed under this scheme by local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18683/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 322 to 324, inclusive, together.
The Deputies will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years.
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
The project is due to be completed in 2022.
Further details on ESB charge points nationwide can be found at https://esb.ie/ecars/charge-point-map
In light of the ESB eCars responsibility in the matter of the number of charge points provided by county, I have forwarded the Deputies' questions to the ESB for direct response. Please contact my Office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
While several private operators such as Tesla, Ionity & EasyGO are involved in providing charging infrastructure, my Department does not hold information on the location of charging infrastructure which has been installed without government support. I am aware, however, that ESB has partnered with Tesco Ireland to install 22kW Standard AC Chargers at 33 Tesco locations around the country in the last number of months. More than 50 of these are planned in total. My Department is also making €2 million available this year through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as hotels and shopping centres. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
In addition to the ESB project, the Public Charge Point Scheme has been in place since September 2019 and will continue to be available during 2021 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of this scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles (EVs), who donot have access to a private parking space but rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes, to charge their EVs. To date no chargers have been installed by local authorities under the scheme. The SEAI has, however, received requests from 13 local authorities for applicationsunder the scheme and two completed applications from Louth County Council and Dublin City Council to install a total of 29 charge points within their administrative areas. These applications are currently being assessed for approval.
Combined with an effective public charging network, Ireland's home charging policy will help sustain and service the expected growth of electric vehicles on Irish roads. Charging while at home accounts for around 80% of electric vehicle charging in Ireland and it is best practice, internationally, to promote home charging as the most common and cheapest form of charging. To support home charging, the SEAI, on behalf of my Department, administers an EV Home Charger Grant of up to €600 towards the purchase and installation of an EV home charger unit.
The table below indicates the total number of grants awarded from 2018 when the scheme was introduced and the annual spend in respect of the EV Home Charger Grant Scheme:
|
Year |
No of Grants |
Amount (Euro) |
|
2018 |
1,034 |
621,000 |
|
2019 |
2,548 |
1,528,828 |
|
2020 |
3,523 |
2,114,000 |
|
2021 (to end Feb) |
658 |
400,000 |
In light of this SEAI responsibility, in the matter of the number of home chargers installed by county, I have forwarded the Deputies' questions to the SEAI for direct response. Please contact my Office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
297. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport when the driver theory test will be available online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18182/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe RSA is working to deliver an online driver theory test service. It was trialled in December on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses. The pilot is now being evaluated and the RSA is committed to extending the service for all theory test types during 2021. There will be a limit on the number of customers that can avail of the service during the initial rollout phase, but the objective is that it should be an option for all theory test customers during later phases of the rollout.
298. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if an essential worker (details supplied) in County Kerry will be provided with a date for their driver test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18223/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to make the Deputy aware that the operation of the tests is handled by the RSA. My Department does not have access to individual applications nor have I any power to intervene in individual cases.
Under level 5 restrictions, driving tests are being conducted for essential workers only. I understand that anyone looking for an urgent driving test appointment who is an essential worker can apply to book a driving test at www.myroadsafety.ie. If there is no available slot and they have made an application, they can ask to be prioritised by accessing https://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Request-an-urgent-driving-test/and providing the relevant details. I have been informed by the RSA that, as tests are only available to essential workers, there is now surplus capacity. For that reason, the RSA is able to offer test slots to essential workers, almost on demand.
299. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if driving lessons will resume for essential workers once level 5 restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18230/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder level 5 restrictions, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date. Essential Driver Training (EDT) is thus currently suspended.
While my Department is fully aware of the difficulties that this poses for essential workers who have not yet completed their 12 EDT lessons, I must emphasise that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home and minimising social contacts in so far as is possible.
Officials both in my Department and in the Road Safety Authority are keeping the public health situation under constant review and are working hard to ensure that EDT can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
300. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the status of his plans to clear the backlog of driver tests once level 5 restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18231/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to help the service meet the growing demand for tests within the current public health situation. An additional 40 driver testers have been authorised by the Minister along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. Recruitment has commenced and a panel has been formed, which will permit additional numbers to be recruited expeditiously if required. Once selected, newly hired testers will require 7 weeks of training in order to be ready. It is expected new testers will be available in June 2021..
The RSA are also looking at a number of other measures, including whether the number of tests a driver tester can perform each day can be increased. Any decision on this matter will be guided by health protocols.
Until Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions have been eased, no progress can be made on addressing the backlog; however, the Road Safety Authority has plans in place for when the service is allowed to resume for all learner permit holders to be tested at the earliest possible date, and a gradual return of driving test times to their pre-Covid levels.
301. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the number of no-shows for driver tests in each of the years 2017 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18232/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is held by the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
302. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport the specific amount allocated towards each individual active travel project in County Wexford in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18253/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted to recently announce a new Rural Active Travel investment programme with allocations for 2021 totalling €72.8m for 340 sustainable transport projects in 19 local authorities outside the five cities. This is the first ever major active travel investment programme for rural Ireland, and is greater than the entire 2019 funding for national walking and cycling programme.
Wexford County Council received an allocation of €3,603,000 for 2021 under this programme, summarised in the table below:
|
- |
Wexford County Council 2021 Active Travel Allocations |
|
Project Name |
2021 Allocation |
|
Transport Studies/Mobility Plans: Towns including Wexford, New Ross, Enniscorthy, Gorey and County Cycle Network Plan |
€215,000 |
|
Beechlawn/Clonard Avenue Cycle Scheme, Wexford Town |
€600,000 |
|
Newtown Road Cycle Scheme, Wexford Town |
€285,000 |
|
Monck Street Pedestrianisation Scheme, Wexford Town |
€185,000 |
|
Rosslare Harbour to Kilraine Cycle Scheme |
€200,000 |
|
R723 Oakland Roundabout to Kents Cross, New Ross – Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme |
€20,000 |
|
Cycle Repair/Rest Facilities: Kilmore Quay and Hook Head |
€20,000 |
|
New Footpaths Package A: Including works in Enniscorthy, Davidstown, Kiltealy, Milehouse, Ballyhogue, Clohamon and Tombrack |
€335,000 |
|
New Footpaths Package B: Including works in The Ballagh, Gorey, Ballycanew and Riverchapel |
€300,000 |
|
New Footpaths Package C: Including works in Duncannon, Ballinaboola, Killanne, Campile, Ballymitty and Bridgetown |
€451,000 |
|
Footpath Improvement Schemes: Including works in Oilgate, New Ross, Fethard, Piercetown, Taghmon, Wellingtonbridge and Wexford Town |
€427,000 |
|
Light Segregation Cycle Schemes: Including works in Gorey and Wexford Town |
€145,000 |
|
Low Cost Junction Tightening / Pedestrian Crossing Schemes |
€200,000 |
|
Low-Cost Permeability Measures |
€100,000 |
|
Safe Routes to Schools Programme – Support Infrastructure |
€100,000 |
|
Total |
€3,603,000 |
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including cycling and walking infrastructure, and work in conjunction with the relevant local authorities on individual projects. If you require further information on any project listed above, the NTA can provide such information directly on request.
303. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 28 to 31, inclusive, of 4 March 2021, the timeframe for the completion of the preliminary business case for the DART expansion project. [18262/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra304. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 28 to 31, inclusive, of 4 March 2021, if the DART expansion project will be announced in advance of the launch of phase two of the review of the national development plan. [18263/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra305. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 28 to 31, inclusive, of 4 March 2021, the length of time it will it take to complete the DART expansion project once the technical review of the DART expansion commences. [18264/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 303 to 305, inclusive, together.
As outlined in my response of 4 March the Public Spending Code sets out the requirements for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects in Ireland and the Code applies to all public bodies and to all bodies whose projects are supported by Exchequer capital funding.
The Code sets out a number of Decision Gates in the development of a project proposal; these are points where major decisions need to be made about the progress of a project and, for projects expected to cost over €100million, Government approval is required at these stages. For a project in this category, "Decision Gate 1: Preliminary Business Case" is the first stage where the Public Spending Code stipulates that formal Government approval is required.
In accordance with the Public Spending Code's requirements, the National Transport Authority has in recent days submitted the DART+ Preliminary Business Case to my Department. The Code stipulates that it must be reviewed by both my Department and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform. Following completion of these necessary steps I will then bring the matter to Government for its decision.
The review of the National Development Plan obviously provides an opportunity to consider the funding requirements associated with the programme now that we have reached this milestone and I will certainly be engaging with my Government colleagues in that regard as that review process continues over the coming months.
In terms of delivery of DART+ itself, the Deputy is aware that the proposal is a programme comprised of various different elements primarily related to fleet expansion and then infrastructure improvements across the various lines: DART+ West, DART+ South West and DART+ Coastal. These elements will all move at slightly different times as they are all at different stages of development, with the fleet expansion and DART+ West elements the most advanced and these will be the first to be delivered, subject to Government approval of the Preliminary Business Case and of course the planning approval in relation to the infrastructure improvements.
306. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to any Minister, Minister of State or adviser to a Minister or Minister of State who requested or suggested to the HSE or any Department that a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin be used as a vaccination site for Covid-19. [18274/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe designation and identification of Covid-19 vaccination sites is a matter for the Minister for Health and the relevant public health authorities. I am not aware of any specific requests on this matter.
307. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will give permission for an emergency temporary pedestrian footbridge across the Owenriff River, Oughterard to ensure pedestrian safety particularly for the 600 schoolchildren who traverse the river daily across a narrow bridge without footpaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18328/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the improvement and upgrading of individual national roads, including bridges, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you with respect to a bridge across the Owenriff River at Oughterard.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
308. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has assessed the development plans on which Dublin Port is now consulting; his views on the possible impact on other users in the Dublin Bay area; and the way it fits in with optimal development of the city. [18348/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational Ports Policy outlines that Government expects the Ports of National Significance (Tier 1) to lead the response of the State commercial ports sector to future national port capacity requirements. The planning, financing and development of large-scale infrastructure projects such as major ports capacity proposals require significant organisational, operational and financial resources and a longterm vision often taking 20 years or more from conception to build and becoming operational.
Dublin Port Company is the largest State Port Company and a Tier 1 Port under National Ports Policy, as such, it has a clear mandate from Government to provide for the future port capacity needs of the State. Dublin Port’s Masterplan 2040 which they launched in 2012 and reviewed in 2018 is the port’s current overarching strategic plan for the Port. Dublin Port’s Masterplan 2040 covers the projects required to provide the additional capacity up to 2040. The three strategic Infrastructure Developments under the Masterplan 2040 are the Alexander Basin Redevelopment, their MP2 Project and their 3FM Project. Completion of all three projects is necessary to ensure that Dublin Port Company has sufficient capacity to meet projected throughput figures of 77m tonnes by 2040.
The ABR Project is currently under construction. The MP2 Project was granted planning in 2020 and works are currently being planned with construction due to commence in 2022. Dublin Port Company is now preparing the third and final strategic infrastructure development project which will deliver the full capacity envisaged in the Dublin Port Masterplan 2040. This project is called the 3FM Project and Dublin Port Company has begun the first stage of public and stakeholder consultation prior to commencing pre-application consultation with An Bord Pleanála this year. Completion of the 3FM Project is needed to provide the capacity required for growth up to 2040. Dublin Port have advised that they have engaged with the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Dublin City Council in relation to the proposed project.
In addition to the above, given the lengthy timelines involved in developing port infrastructure, Dublin Port Company has launched the Dublin Port Post 2040 Dialogue. The dialogue addresses the provision of capacity by Dublin Port and at other ports on the East Coast in the longer term as Dublin nears full capacity and how such capacity may be provided and financed.
The launch of the Dublin Port Post 2040 Dialogue provides stakeholders and other interested parties the opportunity to engage with the port on its future development and the wider issue of future port development on the east coast. It is open to all to put their views forward to Dublin Port as part of this consultation.
