Joe Carey
Ceist:202. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport when a plan will be published in relation to opening up international travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25325/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (202)
Freagraí scríofa
On 14 April, industry members of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum published an Aviation Restart Plan which made several recommendations they considered necessary for the restart and recovery of the Irish aviation sector. These recommendations require engagement across all relevant government departments and consultation with public health authorities, which is now underway.
We are now also assessing additional details that I had requested of the NCADF on their plan on how key stakeholders will ramp up operations incrementally as restrictions ease, while ensuring agreed public health and safety measures remain in effect.
Government continues to advise against all non-essential international travel, to protect public health and to mitigate the risk of new variants of COVID-19 entering Ireland.
A roadmap for the re-opening of international travel will be considered in the coming weeks, which will take account of both the progress made with our national vaccination programme and public health advice. Several Government Departments are involved in the restart of international travel, including work on EU COVID-19 Certificates.
Driver Test
Ceisteanna (203)
Joe Carey
Ceist:203. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport the status of the roll-out of online driver theory tests for tractor, car and motorbike applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25329/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Road Safety Authority, (RSA), the body responsible under the Road Safety Act for the operation of the Theory Test Service, is working to deliver an online driver theory test service.
A pilot online driver theory test is underway for trucks and buses. This will be extended to car and motorbikes drivers, initially with 3,200 online tests being conducted per month. Online services will be made more widely available towards the end of 2021.
Aviation Industry
Ceisteanna (204)
Joe Carey
Ceist:204. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a report by organisations (details supplied) published in March 2021; the actions will he take in response to recommendations made in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25337/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to thank the Deputy for this question relating to the recently published Business Case for Multi-Annual Funded Action Plan for Regional Air Access Recovery & Growth, produced by Shannon Chamber in collaboration with other regionals Chambers and the Irish Hotels Federation.
On 6th May 2021 I met with representatives from Shannon, Galway and Ennis Chambers and representatives also from the Irish Hotel Federation's who gave a presentation on the findings of the report.
I can assure the Deputy that Government fully appreciates the importance of regional air access and in this context my Department continues to work to ensure the aviation industry is well positioned to weather the current crisis and for recovery and growth into the future once circumstances allow.
Driver Licences
Ceisteanna (205)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:205. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25346/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to individual applications.
I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (206)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:206. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the discussion his Department had at senior official level on the introduction of a scrappage scheme for fossil fuel cars to facilitate the uptake of electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25370/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. Electrification will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the 2019 Climate Action Plan, and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 936,000 EVs on our roads by 2030. This target is challenging but indicates the scale of the transformation that is needed across all sectors if Ireland is to achieve its climate targets in the coming years.
To this end, my Department has convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. The EVPP Working Group comprises senior officials and has considered regulatory, financial, and taxation policies to help drive a significant ramp-up in passenger EVs and electric van sales. Scrappage schemes were discussed as part of these considerations. The recommendations of the EVPP Working Group are being considered at senior level and will be brought to Government shortly.
Furthermore, considerable progress has been made, as a result of the work of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, to ensure that conditions and policies are in place to support citizens in making greener vehicle choices. As the Deputy will be aware, a comprehensive suite of measures is available to EV drivers, including purchase grants for private car owners and taxi drivers, VRT relief, reduced tolls, home charger grants, favourable motor and BIK tax rates, as well as a comprehensive charging network. These measures have collectively contributed to increased take up of EVs in Ireland in recent years, albeit from a low base, to around 32,000 now.
Driver Licences
Ceisteanna (207)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:207. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport when an approved driving instructor licence and certificate will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25382/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This is an operational matter which I have sent to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a response within 10 working days he should contact my office directly.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Coast Guard Service
Ceisteanna (208)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:208. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the provision of military search and rescue is of a lower regulatory oversight and enforcement standard than that of civilian provided search and rescue services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25388/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is responsible for response to, and coordination of, maritime accidents which require search and rescue and ship casualty operations. The aviation search and rescue activities of the IRCG are carried out by a commercial aviation operator. Currently European aviation safety regulations (Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and rules and regulations flowing from it) do not apply to aircraft and personnel engaged in coast guard aviation activities. Aviation activities carried out by or/and on behalf of the IRCG are regulated at national level by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) as provided for by the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993. I understand that, state aircraft and Air Corps personnel may on occasion, when available, provide assistance to the Coast Guard in search and rescue missions. The regulation and oversight of the state aircraft and Air Corps personnel that provide such occasional assistance in relation to civil search and rescue is a matter for the Minister for Defence.
Coast Guard Service
Ceisteanna (209, 210, 211, 212, 213)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:209. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Irish citizens have provided civilian search and rescue to the Irish Coast Guard for over 20 years; and if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that should he accept the submission of the Air Corps, these persons will be made redundant. [25389/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCathal Crowe
Ceist:210. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the process that was deployed in rigorously evaluating the Air Corps submission on the provision of military search and rescue services to the State March 2021. [25390/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCathal Crowe
Ceist:211. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he has received the redacted version of the Air Corps submission on the provision of military search and rescue service to the State in March 2021. [25391/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCathal Crowe
Ceist:212. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he deployed a process to evaluate the Air Corps submission on the provision military search and rescue service to the State in March 2021; and if so, the recommendation of that evaluation. [25392/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCathal Crowe
Ceist:213. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to modify the current policy on the provision of search and rescue services from a single provider to more than one provider. [25393/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 213, inclusive, together.
The current helicopter service contract between the then Minister for Transport and CHC Ireland DAC commenced on 1st July 2012 for a period of 10 years. It contains an option to extend for a period(s) up to a further 3 years. The contract has been extended initially for one year to July 2023 to facilitate the procurement of a new service in accordance with Public Spending Code requirements and a seamless transition from one service to another.
In November 2019 the Department of Transport commenced a process to prepare for the next iteration of the Coast Guard Aviation service. This involved an extensive consultation process with all key State and other SAR stakeholders to consider the scope and demand for the service over the lifetime of a new contract.
An initial report was brought to Government in July last, following approval by a Steering Group of State stakeholders. This report included a strategic assessment, setting out the context for the SAR aviation programme, an organisational overview, and a survey of existing policies and strategies relevant to the programme. It identified the spending objectives of the programme, including existing arrangements and relevant business needs. It also included an appraisal of various service delivery options, including the State assuming full responsibility for the service, either through the Air Corps or a dedicated IRCG Aviation Branch. Both were ruled out for a variety of reasons. The process is now at detailed business case stage which is focused on the remaining viable options. While it is not envisaged that the Air Corps take full responsibility for this service on the basis of that initial assessment, my Department was asked by the Department of Defence to explore the viability of the Air Corps providing some element of the SAR aviation service.
The Air Corps submission that the Deputy refers to was received by my Department last March and is being reviewed as part of the preparation of a detailed business case on the entire IRCG aviation service. This is part of a deliberative process which will lead to a Government decision in due course and on which it would not be appropriate for me to comment.
To be clear, I have no role in the business case development. This is being led by KPMG and a Project Team which includes officials in my Department and independent expertise. The outcome of this will be brought to Government shortly.
All relevant and reliable information on the current status of this project can be found on our dedicated SAR Webpage – Irish Coast Guard: Search and Rescue (SAR) Aviation Project.
Question No. 210 answered with Question No. 209.
Question No. 211 answered with Question No. 209.
Question No. 212 answered with Question No. 209.
Question No. 213 answered with Question No. 209.
Insurance Industry
Ceisteanna (214)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:214. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the practice of some insurance companies charging higher premiums for car insurance in cases in which the customer has a car adapted due to a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25399/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Motor insurance companies are private companies who enter into contracts with their customers; EU rules specifically prohibit Member States from interfering with the terms and conditions, or pricing of such policies.
Insurance companies use more than 50 different criteria when pricing an insurance policy. Each company places different loadings on the range of potential risk factors, so the customer is advised to seek a number of quotes before purchasing a policy of insurance.
Any motorist who does not receive a quote for motor insurance, or who receives a quote so high that it can be considered as tantamount to a refusal to quote, can refer their case to Insurance Ireland under the Declined Cases Agreement by emailing declined@insuranceireland.eu and quoting the Declined Cases Agreement.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (215)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:215. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the details of the information his Department collates as per circular 20/2019 (details supplied); the date this report was issued; the location on his Departmental website on which it can be found; and the progress in relation to green procurement that has been made to date. [25442/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In line with the requirements of Circular 20/2019 my Department will report on its progress relating to green public procurement in its 2020 Annual Report which is currently being prepared.
Fuel Prices
Ceisteanna (216)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:216. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide clarification on the rising costs of fuel oil and coal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25199/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The final retail price of fuel is determined by a number of factors which include the costs of production, distribution, global market factors, international exchange rates, taxation, wholesale market contracts as well as individual retail pricing policies.
2020 saw historic lows in oil markets in light of the fall off in demand caused by Covid-19 lockdown measures. According to energy market analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA), supply constraint measures taken by the industry, in combination with re-opening of major economies, widespread fiscal stimulus responses, as well as optimism surrounding the roll out of vaccines, has supported a rebound in demand and upward price movement in the oil market. IEA analysis also points to restricted production and increased costs in light of Covid-19 health protection measures in 2020, as well as increased demand for coal as a fuel input in power production in China and unusually cold conditions in North America and Europe in early 2021 contributing to increased retail prices in coal.
Petrol and auto diesel are subject to Mineral Oil Tax which comprises a carbon charge and a non carbon charge, as well as VAT at the standard rate and the NORA levy of 2 cents per litre. The non carbon charge and NORA levy have not been increased since 2012 and 2009 respectively. In line with this Government’s commitment to tackling climate change as set out in the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan, Budget 2021 increased the rate of carbon tax from €26 per tonne of carbon dioxide emission to €33.50. The increase applied to transport fuels with effect from 14th October 2020 but I delayed its application to all other fuels until 1st May 2021 to allow for the passage of the winter heating season.
The impact of the carbon tax increase on the most commonly used fuels is shown in the table below.
|
Fuel |
Unit |
VAT Rate |
VAT Inclusive Impact of €7.50 Carbon Tax Increase |
|
Petrol |
Litre |
23% |
2.1 cents |
|
Auto Diesel |
Litre |
23% |
2.5 cents |
|
Kerosene |
Litre |
13.5% |
2.2 cents |
|
Coal |
40KG bag |
13.5% |
90 cents |
|
Natural Gas |
11,000 kWh* |
13.% |
€16.94 |
*Average annual household usage as per the Commission for Regulation of Utilities
From September 2020 until 1st March 2021 auto fuels benefitted from a reduction in the standard rate of VAT from 23% to 21% which I announced as part of the July stimulus plan. On the basis of March 2021 average retail auto fuel prices, the return to the 23% Standard rate of VAT comprised approximately 2 cents per litre. According to the monthly AA Fuel Price Survey, the average retail price of both petrol and diesel increased by approximately 16 and 15 cents respectively between October 2020 and April 2021.
With reference to smokeless coal, Solid Fuel Carbon Tax legislation does not set out separate definitions and rates for ‘smokeless coal’ and ‘regular coal’. I understand that distinctions between regular and smokeless coal are made in the regulatory regime for environmental standards of solid fuel that is overseen by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment which is enforced by local authorities in areas that are designated for use of certain types of solid fuel under air pollution legislation. This is a separate legal and regulatory regime and is not linked to the rates of Solid Fuel Carbon Tax, which is based on the amount of CO2 emitted by a given solid fuel product.
My advice to consumers is to shop around and if possible use price comparison websites to ensure they receive the best value for money.
If an individual believes that a breach of their consumer rights has occurred, they may make a complaint directly to the business concerned. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory independent body responsible for the promotion of consumer rights and the enforcement of consumer law. The CCPC provides advice and guidelines on the process of making a complaint. Full information is available at: www.ccpc.ie
Primary Medical Certificates
Ceisteanna (217)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:217. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance his plans to change outdated legalisation on the strict qualifying criteria for persons to avail of the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25205/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following approval of the Finance Act 2020, which provides for the medical criteria for the Disabled Drivers Scheme in primary legislation, a comprehensive review of the scheme, to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities and the criteria for qualification for the Scheme, will be conducted this year. On foot of that review new proposals will be brought forward for consideration.