Written Answers Nos. 214-236
214. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount the State has spent on carbon credits in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021 (details supplied); the sources of these credits; if these credits were ethical; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26299/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2009 Effort Sharing Decision 406/2009/EC (ESD) sets annual binding emissions reduction targets for EU Member States for the period 2013 to 2020. These targets cover emissions from sectors outside of the EU Emissions Trading System, such as agriculture, transport, buildings and waste. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their value in 2005. The ESD allows Member States to meet their targets using surplus emissions credits from earlier years or through purchasing credits from other Member States or on international markets. Ireland has already met its emissions targets from 2013 to 2018. However, the latest greenhouse gas emissions report, published by the Environmental Protection Agency in January 2021, indicates that Ireland will cumulatively exceed the 2019 and 2020 annual targets by approximately 11 to 12Mt. Ireland will, therefore, need to purchase additional allowances to meet the projected shortfall. In anticipation of a requirement for the State to purchase carbon credits in partial fulfilment of Ireland’s Kyoto Protocol and ongoing obligations, in 2007 the Carbon Fund Act established a carbon fund and empowered the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) to undertake such purchases on behalf of the State. As the designated purchasing agent on behalf of the State, the NTMA administers and manages purchases of carbon credits. Details of all transactions entered into by the NTMA are published annually in a Carbon Fund Report at www.ntma.ie in accordance with section 6 of the Carbon Fund Act 2007.
Any requirement to use already purchased or additional credits for compliance under the ESD will be undertaken in accordance with all relevant regulations as set out by the European Union, the European Commission, the United Nations and all relevant international agreements.
215. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will he consider proposals to introduce utilising a digital deposit and return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans which would have a much lower carbon footprint and offer greater public convenience compared to the proposed return to retail digital return scheme model under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26354/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Single Use Plastics Directive, Ireland must achieve a collection target of 90% recycling for plastic bottles by 2029 with an interim target of 77% by 2025. A deposit and return scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminum drinks cans will be critical to help achieve this. I am working towards the introduction of a DRS based on the return to retailer model by the third quarter of 2022. This model has a proven track record over many years in other jurisdictions. While digital schemes are being trialled in some locations at present, and may have a role here in future in complimenting the return to retailer model, I am not aware of any major national DRS that operates on a digital basis solely.
I expect to approve the appointment of a system operator for our DRS in the coming months and this operator will be tasked with reviewing new technologies in this area to ensure that the most efficient collection methods are deployed.
216. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the specific initiatives for which his Department has provided An Taisce with funding in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26390/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides An Taisce with funding for a variety of initiatives, including the National Spring Clean; Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL); the National Litter League; and the Green Schools Programme. A total of €675,474 was provided in 2020 in respect of a range of such environmental activities and public awareness initiatives. The estimated allocation for 2021 is in line with the 2020 allocation of €675,000. Final details on payments in 2021 will not be available until the end of the year.
An Taisce is a non-governmental organisation active in the areas of the environment and built heritage in Ireland. The following link to the website of the organisation may be helpful to the Deputy: https://www.antaisce.org/
217. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the costs incurred by An Taisce for the various appeals it has made in relation to the planning process since 2016 to date. [26391/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Taisce is a non-governmental organisation active in the areas of the environment and built heritage in Ireland. I as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, have no statutory function in relation to this organisation. The following link to the website of the organisation may be helpful to the Deputy: https://www.antaisce.org/
218. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a broadband connection at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26393/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a broadband connection for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26542/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 227 together.
The Questions refer to premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website 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.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot obtain a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 13 May 2021, over 215,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Cork, premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick, Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh. Main works are ongoing in Carrigaline, Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown and Upper Rochestown. Pre-build works are ongoing in Midleton. NBI has advised that the premises referred to, located in the Minane Bridge area, is available for pre-order and NBI anticipate that high speed broadband should be available in the area in the coming months. The premises referred to in the Bandon area will also be served by the NBP State led intervention but it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for availability as yet.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website, www.nbi.ie, which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 13 May, 315 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for schools. BCP sites connected in Cork include Ballydaly Community Hall, Aubane Community Centre, Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, Mealagh Valley Community Centre, Laharn Heritage Centre, Clogagh Community Hall (located 12.36 Kilometres from the premises located in the Bandon area), Ballindangan Community Centre, T.O. Park Labbamollaga, Glash Community Centre, Bere Island Heritage Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre and Whitechurch Community Centre. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Clogagh National School and Ballycroneen National School are planned as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
219. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of his engagement to date with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to supporting and promoting efforts at the local government level on climate action particularly in relation to County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26394/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Climate Action Plan 2019, a Climate Action Charter for Local Authorities was agreed between my Department and the Local Authorities. The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government was consulted as part of this process. The goal of the Charter is to ensure that every Local Authority embeds decarbonisation, sustainable development and climate resilience into every aspect of the work they do. The Charter acknowledges the need to take collective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the impacts of climate change, while also committing Local Authorities to being advocates for climate action.Under the Charter, Local Authorities will measure the carbon impact of activities and implement measures to reduce carbon emissions in line with national objectives, including a 50% improvement in energy efficiency by 2030.
In 2018, my Department entered into a five year financial commitment of €10 million to establish four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs). Cork County Council is the lead authority for the Atlantic Seaboard South region, which also includes the Local Authorities for counties Clare, Limerick and Kerry, as well as Cork City . My Department engages with all four CAROs on a regular basis, in particular through participation in the National Local Authority Climate Action Steering Group. Under the National Adaptation Framework, each Local Authority has developed a Local Adaptation Strategy. These strategies are now being implemented, and each CARO is working with the Local Authorities in its region to both facilitate and monitor implementation of the local climate adaptation actions within the strategies.
The Climate Action Bill further strengthens the role of Local Authorities in climate action. It sets out legislative requirements for each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan, which will include both mitigation and adaptation measures and be updated every five years. These plans will have to be consistent with national climate plans and strategies, and Local Authorities will have to liaise with each other in the preparation of these plans.
To build the necessary capacity, my Department is also funding and engaging with the CAROs in relation to the implementation of a new Local Authority climate action training programme. This programme is increasing knowledge of climate change and the need for action among all Local Authority staff, and will facilitate both climate mitigation and adaptation at local level.
220. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he has taken to promote and encourage participation in the consultation Climate Conversation - Climate Action Plan 2021, including all media advertisements and social media posts between 16 March 2021 and 12 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26395/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Conversation asks citizens and communities to tell us what getting to net zero means to them – the challenges, their hopes, and the ways Government can support them to take action. My Department has taken a number of steps to promote and encourage participation in this process.
Firstly, much consideration has been given to the design of a consultation that is user-friendly, easy to complete, and housed on an accessible platform. My Department has ensured that the open consultation period is long enough to support widespread engagement.
In order to accommodate the two-way dialogue that a process like this requires, my Department worked closely with Local Authorities and Public Participation Networks to organise virtual discussion forums, in order to give the opportunity to individuals and communities across all regions to have their say. As part of this process my Department conducted 28 virtual worskhops across 26 counties. This included 18 Public Participation Network sessions, organised with the support of the Local Authorities, and 12 youth conversations, organised with the support of Foróige and Comhairle na nÓg. In addition, two in-depth dialogue sessions were held, with almost 50 householders, community representatives, NGO representatives and students. My officials conducted briefings and information sessions with Environmental NGOs and stakeholders to promote and discuss the consultation.
In terms of wider communications, my Department has invested a great deal of time and resources into ensuring that this consultation is highly visible and that the public are encouraged to participate. This includes the following promotional activities:
- A national radio campaign, broadcast in a burst when the consultation first opened, and targeted at citizens who may be less active online or on social media. This campaign achieved an audience reach of 750,000, representing over half the radio listenership of the selected stations nationally.
- Regular media engagement from myself and my Government colleagues, including print, TV, radio and podcasts, aimed at a variety of audiences.
- A 6-week social media campaign across Facebook and Instagram, targeted at the 16-35 age groups, and utilising a variety of content including video, Instagram Stories and static posts. The performance of this campaign up to the end of April was as follows: Reach: 812,754; Impressions: 4,674,247; Post engagements: 19,402.
An ongoing organic campaign across Twitter and Linked In, targeting specific themes related to the consultation, including Home, Travel, Waste and Community. A summary of these organic posts is contained in the table below.
In addition, my Department has leveraged the communications network across government and the wider public sector to ensure all messages around participation in the Climate Conversation consultation are shared and amplified.
221. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has provided funding for the purchase of solar photovoltaic PV panels from 1 January 2019 to date; the country of origin of such purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26528/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Solar PV scheme, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI), commenced in 2018 to support the installation of solar PV panels on domestic homes built and occupied prior to 2011. From 1 January 2019 to date, a total of €13,389,593 of grant supports have been provided for the supply and installation of solar PV panels and all ancillary equipment. This has allowed a total of 19.8 MW capacity to be installed across 5,506 installations, and has brought a carbon saving of 5,206 tonnes of CO2 in the same period.
The grants administered by the SEAI assist homeowners in privately engaging contractors to install solar PV works. A Declaration of Works is provided by scheme participants to the SEAI, on which data concerning the brand and quantity of panels installed is recorded. All installers must meet the standards specified by the SEAI's Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications document and the Domestic Solar Photovoltaic Code of Practice for Installers. Both of these documents are available on the SEAI website.
As the solar PV market in Ireland is relatively small and dominated by a few key players, SEAI do not disclose specific details regarding the origins of products, as in some cases this information may disclose the brand of panel used and so offer information to market competitors regarding the activities of individual contractors.
222. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of his engagement to date with the Minister for Rural and Community Development regarding supporting and promoting climate action in community and rural development programmes and funding streams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26535/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government recognises that the transformation to a low-carbon, digital economy, requires the mobilisation of every element of Irish society, and will require fundamental changes in how we live our lives. My Department is currently consulting In relation to the forthcoming Climate Action Plan under the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA). As part of this process, my Department established an Interdepartmental Group, with representation from the Department of Rural and Community Development, to design the consultation. One of the cornerstones of this consultation is a series of climate conversations facilitated by the Public Participation Networks (PPNs) across 16 Local Authority areas. In addition, there is a citizen focused on-line consultation which remains open until May 18, to everyone over the age of 16, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/5bd95-climate-conversation-climate-action-plan-2021/
My Department is also collaborating with the Department of Rural and Community Development on the development of an enduring citizen engagement model which will motivate changes in behaviour, and create structures at local, regional and national levels to support the generation of ideas and their translation into appropriate cost-effective actions.
My Department is also currently developing proposals to provide further support from the Climate Action Fund through a community climate action programme and is engaging with the Department of Rural and Community Development on the design of the programme, which will also be informed by feedback received through the climate consultation referred to above, in particular, the conversations that took place at local level through the PPNs.
The analysis on the feedback from these conversations will help further shape the community programme and the enduring model for citizen engagement in terms of identifying where financial support is required, where capacity building is needed, and the types of projects and initiatives that are being considered at local level. Information on the types of projects that may be supported, who may apply for this support, and the application process, will be published on my Department’s website when the programme is launched shortly.
223. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the work of the Sustainable Development Goals Interdepartmental Working Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26536/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments. The first National Implementation Plan 2018-2020, published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs. The complexity and interconnectedness of the SDGs requires continued and regular cross-government engagement to support effective and coherent implementation. To this end, a priority in developing the first SDG National Implementation Plan was establishing an effective governance structure that would oversee delivery of the Agenda from a whole-of-government perspective. A Senior Officials’ Group [SOG] on the SDGs was established, and is assisted by the SDG Interdepartmental Working Group [IDWG], each comprised of representatives from all Government Departments.
21 meetings of the Interdepartmental Working Group have taken place to date, the most recent meeting taking place on 23 April 2021. Further details on the most recent IDWG meetings are set out in the table below.
|
Meeting Date |
Actions and commitments discussed at meetings |
|
13/01/2020
|
National Implementation Plan 2020 UN High-Level Political Forum Stakeholder Forum |
|
16/06/2020
|
UN High-Level Political Forum SDG Stakeholder Forum 2020 SDG Champions Programme |
|
23/07/2020 |
UN High-Level Political Forum Stakeholder Forum 2020 SDG Champions Programme Statements of Strategies – including SDGs |
|
03/09/2020 |
National Implementation Plan – Next steps SDG Stakeholder Forum 2020 |
|
23/04/2021 |
Enhanced SDG Policy Map Statements of Strategies – including SDGs Communications Protocol |
224. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made in preparing a new sustainable development strategy taking Ireland’s commitments directly into account as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26537/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) National Implementation Plan 2018 – 2020 was developed to oversee and facilitate coherent implementation of the SDGs across Government, and to promote awareness of the SDGs. The SDG Plan included a commitment to prepare a new sustainable development strategy to replace Our Sustainable Future, which remained Ireland’s national sustainable development strategy in 2018. A review of actions that were not fully achieved during the lifetime of the first SDG National Implementation Plan was recently undertaken, to inform preparation of the next SDG Plan due for publication later this year. While a new sustainable development strategy was not completed during the period of the first SDG Plan, the national policy space surrounding sustainable development has evolved significantly since the SDG National Implementation Plan was adopted in 2018, and a number of complementary Government plans and strategies have been produced which include targeted actions and measures to deliver Ireland’s sustainable development objectives. Some further details on these policies which my Department are leading on are set out below: -The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement require transformational shift across all sectors towards a climate resilient and sustainable economy and society. The Climate Action Plan 2019, published in June 2019, provided the first framework of actions necessary across all sectors to deliver the integrated policy required to achieve our 2030 EU climate targets (which are to be revised upwards shortly) and put us on a pathway to climate neutrality by 2030.
- A public consultation was launched in March 2021 to inform the Climate Action Plan 2021, which will build on the Climate Action Plan 2019, and provide additional actions necessary to meet the Programme for Government climate ambition, as well as ensuring we meet any revised EU targets.
- In September 2020, the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy was published, which provides Ireland’s new roadmap for waste planning and management. The Plan outlines the contribution of the sector to support the achievement of a number of other national plans and policies including the Climate Action Plan. It also matches the level of ambition being shown across the European Union through the European Green Deal, which encompasses a range of actions supporting circularity and sustainability. To support the policy, regulation is already being used (Circular Economy Legislative Package), or in the pipeline (Single Use Plastics Directive).
- Further cementing the commitment to Ireland’s transition to a circular economy, the Waste Action Plan commits to develop Ireland’s First Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy to set a course for Ireland to transition across all sectors and at all levels of government toward circularity. The Department is currently finalising a draft which will be issued for public consultation shortly. All committed SDG actions will be reviewed in the context of developing the next SDG Implementation Plan later this year.
225. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he has taken to seek stakeholder input to all sustainable development goals reports prepared under the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26538/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments. A fundamental feature of the 2030 Agenda is the inclusive and active voice stakeholders had in both the negotiation and adoption of the Agenda. Achieving sustainable development, and particularly the targets and commitments set out in the 17 SDGs, will require not only action by Government but all individuals across society.
The first National Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020 published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs and committed the Government to establish a national Sustainable Development Goals Stakeholder Forum.
The National SDG Stakeholder Forum brings together organisations and individuals to discuss and workshop innovative ideas and solutions for achieving the SDGs in Ireland.
Six meetings of the National Stakeholder Forum have taken place to date, with two meetings in 2018 and four further meetings in 2019. Further details are set out in the table below.
|
Year of Fora |
Date |
Details |
|
2019 Fora |
18 December 2019 |
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/88b77-december-2019-national-sustainable-development-goals-stakeholder-forum/ |
|
2019 Fora |
18 October 2019 |
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/71f18-october-2019-national-sustainable-development-goals-stakeholder-forum/ |
|
2019 Fora |
30 July 2019 |
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/30e167-july-2019-stakeholder-forum-on-sustainable-development-goals/ |
|
2019 Fora |
31 January 2019 |
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/daa679-january-2018-national-sustainable-development-goals-stakeholder-foru/ |
|
2018 Fora |
19th October 2018 |
https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/19493/5b93283df8e44b8a978ec794ef2bad9a.pdf#page=1 |
|
2018 Fora |
June 2018 |
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b551d5-2018-forums/ |
Ensuring and improving policy coherence across the Goals is a critical feature and area for consideration in developing a revision of the National Implementation Plan. An important element of this Plan is the SDG Policy Map and Matrix, which enhances the ability of stakeholders to track Ireland’s implementation of specific SDGs and associated targets, and to assess Ireland’s response to the SDGs for potential policy gaps. It also supports and enhances cross-Government engagement in implementing each of the Goals and associated Targets. This policy map has recently been updated and is available online at gov.ie
A roadmap and timeline for completion of the new Plan is currently being finalised, with publication envisaged later this year. Engaging with stakeholders will remain an important feature in the development and implementation of the next Plan. Scheduling of stakeholder engagement will be informed by the finalised roadmap.
226. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to highlight the issues that wipes cause to wastewater systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26541/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I have no remit with respect to the issue raised by the Deputy. All matters relating to waste water are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage. However, The Waste action plan for a circular economy, published in July 2020, has signalled the outright banning of non-medical wet wipes and the preparation of extended producer responsibility of certain other wet wipes.
228. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts and platforms that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; the percentage of posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts and platforms that featured bilingual translations in Irish and English between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26579/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to ensuring that information and services are accessible to all citizens. Our Irish Language Scheme sets out our commitments in terms of providing information, services and participation through Irish. We are developing a new Scheme to be in place by the end of 2021 and we have a new Irish Language Officer working in the Communications and Media Relations Division who will work with the social media team to ensure that we are growing our bilingual and Irish language content across all platforms.On social media, my Department posted once in the period in question exclusively in Irish (0.28% of total posts) and 4 posts were published bilingually (1.11% of total posts). This is out of a total of 361 posts across Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. My Department will increase these figures for 2021. It is also worth noting that certain documents are published by my Department bilingually on gov.ie, including policy documents and public consultations. In some cases where my Department uses social media to raise awareness of policy initiatives, the information being highlighted by the post or tweet is available bilingually on gov.ie.
229. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount the NGO and charity sector receive in funding from his Department per annum. [26623/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a record will be provided of the annual funding received by the NGO and charity sector from his Department in each of the years 2000 to 2020. [26643/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra231. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated to each NGO and charity in each of the years 2010 to 2020 by his Department. [26656/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 229 to 231, inclusive, together.
My Department has been reconfigured on several occasions over the time period referenced by the Deputy. In view of this, the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time. The information below covers the period since the current government formed.
My Department has provided funding to NGOs and Charities for a number of projects including National Spring Clean (NSC) and the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) programmes. Details of these and other funding provided to NGOs are set out in the table below:
|
Non-Governmental Organisation |
Funding in 2020 € |
|
Offaly Local Development Company |
22,790 |
|
Green Offaly |
15,682 |
|
Baylin Development Association |
24,800 |
|
Athlone Co-Working Hub |
19,456 |
|
Ballycommon Telework & Training Centre |
14,963 |
|
Eco-unesco |
50,000 |
|
Environmental Ecological NGOS Core Funding Ltd |
1,060,000 |
|
Cork Environmental Forum (CEF) |
18,000 |
|
CUMANN LÚTHCHLEAS GAEL (GAA) |
5,000 |
|
Laois Education Centre |
5,000 |
|
Irish Association for Economic Geology (IAEG) |
750 |
|
An Taisce |
458,563 |
|
ESRI* |
200,000 |
* This payment relates to an Energy Research Grant.
232. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the details of his engagements to date with regard to supporting and promoting efforts to increase active travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26534/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government committed that €360 million in cross-Government funding will be spent on walking and cycling per annum over the lifetime of the Government, equivalent to 20% of the entire transport budget. This investment will help support the planned delivery of almost 1,000 kilometres of improved walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025 as well as additional investment in Greenways.
In Budget 2020 my Department was allocated €130 million to support walking and cycling projects. This year, we have seen a significant increase in funding, in line with the Government’s prioritisation of Active Travel and Greenways. I was delighted to announce earlier this year an allocation of €240 million to Active Travel projects in Dublin, the Greater Dublin Area and the four regional cities, along with an additional €72.8 million to projects in the other local authorities. The latter funding stream constitutes the first ever major Active Travel investment programme for rural Ireland. An additional €50 million has been allocated to the Department’s Greenways programme. This increase in funding will not only support the construction and improvement of walking and cycling infrastructure but also the deployment of almost 250 Active Travel staff in local authorities around the country.
In addition to the increased funding for walking and cycling infrastructure, a number of smaller-scale initiatives are being progressed by my Department to support and promote efforts to increase active travel. The Department of Transport funds the delivery of CycleRight training through Cycling Ireland, which delivers cycling training to school-children around the country. In partnership with the Department of Education we also launched the Safe Routes to Schools Programme earlier this year, which aims to accelerate the delivery of walking, scooting and cycling infrastructure on key access routes to schools. Around €15 million will be allocated to this Programme in 2021 and it has had a great response, with applications received from schools in every county in Ireland.
An additional €15 million has been allocated by my Department to an 'Additional Outdoor Infrastructure Fund' to help ensure a Safe Outdoor Summer. The funding will support local authorities in enhancing outdoor urban space and improving walking and cycling infrastructure through short term measures. This will assist the safe outdoor re-opening of society as Ireland gradually emerges from current COVID-19 public health restrictions. This Fund will be administered by the NTA on behalf of the Department and the deadline for applications passed last week, on 14th May 2021.
Finally, I was delighted to recently announce the launch of a three-year pilot initiative along with my colleague the Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Joe O'Brien TD, for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and/or those who are most marginalised and disadvantaged. Funding of €1 million per annum is being provided by my Department for this initiative over a three-year period and will be made available through the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Community Services Programme.
The step-change in funding committed in Budget 2021 and the introduction of numerous innovative measures to encourage Active Travel is proof of the Government's commitment to this area, and I look forward to the delivery of the numerous projects and programmes around the country.
233. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact the Irish citizens that are also Irish taxpayers have provided civilian search and rescue to the Irish Coast Guard for over 20 years and if he were to accept the submission of the Irish Air Corps as publicly reported, then these same Irish citizens would suffer redundancy. [25538/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra234. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he has received the unredacted version of the Air Corps submission on the provision of military search and rescue to the State in March 2021. [25539/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra235. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport the process he deployed in rigorously evaluating the Air Corps submission on the provision of military search and rescue service to the State in March 2021; and the recommendations of that evaluation if an evaluation process was used. [25540/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra236. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to amend the current policy on the provision of search and rescue services from a single provider to more than one provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25541/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 236, 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. 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 –
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/ed653-irish-coast-guard-search-and-rescue-sar-aviation-project/
