Tuesday, 19 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 339-358

Road Projects

Ceisteanna (339)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

339. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if a road safety project is included in estimates for Budget 2022 (details supplied). [51047/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer 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 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the improvement, upgrading and renewal of individual national roads is a matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. 

The aim of the National Roads aspect of the new NDP is to ensure that the existing National Roads and Motorways networks continue to be protected and renewed, while developing a number of priority new national road infrastructure projects, in line with Programme for Government commitments.  A key priority in the NDP, in line with the Department’s investment hierarchy, will be to maintain the quality of the existing national road network, including the circa 1,000km of motorways already developed to connect Ireland’s cities and regions. Investment is required to keep these road assets to a safe and robust level for all road users.

The latest information on the status of the N73 Mallow to Mitchelstown road safety project is available from TII. Noting this, I have referred your query to TII for a direct reply on the current project status. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Rights of Way

Ceisteanna (340)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

340. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport the reason that persons (details supplied) are not being offered compensation when they are set to lose their existing access right of way on a private road as it is taken for the new N5 Scramogue to Ballaghaderreen bypass; the reason they have not been offered a CPO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51068/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As 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 planning, design and construction of individual national roads 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.

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.

Departmental Offices

Ceisteanna (341)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

341. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the estimated amount spent by his Department on the procurement, purchase and rent of new office space; and the amount spent on the procurement, purchase and rent of office equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021. [51114/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the procurement, purchase and rent of office and other accommodation required for Government Departments, including the Department of Transport, this is a matter for OPW.

The table below outlines the amount spent by the Department of Transport on the procurement, purchase and rent of office equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021.

Year	Amount
2011	€147,024.94
2012	€53,263.94
2013	€163,836.95
2014	€68,183.82
2015	€83,924.00
2016	€60,422.73
2017	€152,271.78
2018	€177,541.84
2019	€219,138.20
2020	€427,019.67
2021	€161,285.34

Departmental Offices

Ceisteanna (342)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

342. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of offices currently being rented or in ownership of his Department which are currently not in use by the Department. [51131/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As all office and other accommodation occupied by the Department of Transport is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) which is responsible for the procurement of office and other accommodation required for Government Departments, this is a matter for OPW. 

My Department currently owns one vacant property, which is under the remit of the Irish Coast Guard. Details of this property are given in the table below.  

Vacant Property	Location	Square Footage	Last Date of occupation
Rocket House,  Dun Laoghaire Harbour	Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin	Internal Floor approx. 244.34   External floor 337.23	2010

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (343)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

343. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding spent to date on vehicle electrification; the amount of funding that will be provided to establish the office of low emission vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51148/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

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. The national car and van fleet accounts for almost 60% of all land transport emissions, and so a transition to low emissions vehicles, including

EVs, is a necessary step-change to effect a substantial reduction in transport emissions.

The Government has already committed significant funding to support low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund.  The following table outlines the EV programme allocations from 2011 to 2021.

Year	EV Budget Allocation
2011	€5,350,000
2012	€1,830,000
2013	€1,150,000
2014	€1,450,000
2015	€3,050,000
2016	€3,550,000
2017	€5,150,000
2018	€9,800,000
2019	€30,100,000
2020	€36,600,000
2021	€36,500,000

The eSPSV grant scheme was introduced in 2018 to support the uptake of electric vehicles in the taxi, hackney and limosuine sector. The following table outlines the budget allocations for this scheme from 2018 to 2021.

Year	Budget Allocation
2018	€500,000
2019	€500,000
2020	€2,000,000
2021	€15,000,000

The eSPSV infrastructure scheme was designed to encourage more taxi drivers to convert to electric vehicles. The project involves installing taxi dedicated electric vehicle chargers at major transport hubs nationwide. 1.5m in funding was allocated in 2020 which saw chargers installed in Dublin (Heuston), Cork and Limerick (Colbert) train stations as well as Dublin and Cork airports. Additional funding of €3m  was allocated in 2021.

An alternatively fuelled heavy-duty vehicle grant scheme was launched earlier this year to encourage operators in making the move towards more environmentally friendly models. €3m has been committed to this scheme with further funding to become available in 2022. 

The Electric Vehicle Toll Incentive Scheme was launched in 2018 to encourage private car commuters who regularly use tolled roads to consider switching to an EV. Under the Scheme, BEVs and PHEVs qualify for 50% and 25% toll reductions respectively up to a maximum €500 annual threshold for private vehicles and €1,000 for commercial vehicles. The Scheme received €1m in funding in 2018, €1.5m in 2019 and 2020, and €2m in 2020. It will continue to be funded in 2022.

 In addition, €100m has been allocated in 2022 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles.  This is an almost doubling of the provision made available in 2021 and underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all. This funding will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.

Preparations are underway to establish an appropriately staffed and resourced Office of Low Emission Vehicles.  Dedicated funding will be allocated to the OLEV as a part of the funds allocated to supporting a switch to electric vehicles in 2022.

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (344)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

344. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to introduce a grant scheme for cargo or e-cargo bikes for either personal or business use; if his attention has been drawn to the scheme in place in the UK; if he has considered such a model for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51182/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The use of e-bikes, including e-cargo bikes, is proving to be an increasingly popular method of travel, whether for commuting or leisure purposes, and is encouraging more people to choose to cycle.

I very much welcomed the announcement by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, of increased thresholds under the existing Cycle to Work Scheme as part of the 2020 July Stimulus package, as well as the expansion of the scheme to electric bikes, including e-cargo bikes. The changes to the Scheme are in line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government. 

My Department is in the process of preparing a new Sustainable Mobility Policy following public consultation last year. This new policy framework will provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government across the sustainable mobility programme, including active travel. Potential incentives for encouraging the purchase or use of e-cargo bikes as a means of active travel will be examined as part of this work, including identifying and considering existing schemes in other countries such as the UK and their adaptability to the Irish context.  I look forward to the completion of this important work by the end of this year.

Road Projects

Ceisteanna (345)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

345. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he will liaise with Transport Infrastructure Ireland in respect of the roadworks taking place on the link road between the N2 to the M1 motorway to ensure that disruptions to motorists as a result of these necessary works are minimised; the timeframe for completion of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51191/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As 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 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 on the current status and the timeframe for completion of the works at Ardee, Co. Louth on the link road between the N2 to the M1 motorway.

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.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (346)

James Browne

Ceist:

346. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding services included within the youth travel card scheme here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51192/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares.

Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts. 

As part of Budget 2022 I have secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a Youth Travel Card which will allow any person between the age of 19 and 23 to avail of a 50% discount on fares across the transport network and promote modal shift in the transport sector among this group.

Given the NTA's role in the introduction of the Youth Travel Card, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Vehicle Clamping

Ceisteanna (347)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

347. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the current regulations regarding the clamping of vehicles by private clamping companies; and when the legislation was last updated. [51244/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 came into full effect on 1st October 2017 and gave the National Transport Authority (NTA) responsibilty for the regulation of vehicle clamping activities in both statutory and non-statutory (privately-owned) clamping places throughout the State. 

There have been no further updates to this legislation to-date.

Road Projects

Ceisteanna (348)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

348. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will conduct a review of the State roads grant to increase funding to local authorities to allow for adequate maintenance and renewal of local roads in each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51285/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. 

There were major cutbacks in funding for the road network in general during the post 2008 recession. As a result there is a backlog of road repair works in all local authority jurisdictions across the country.

Funding is not yet at the level needed for the adequate protection and renewal of regional and local roads and so for this reason, the primary focus for capital investment under the revised National Development Plan continues to be the protection and renewal of the network with some limited investment in road improvement projects.

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. 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.  Apart from a requirement that 15% of the road strengthening grant is spent on regional roads, the allocation of funding to different categories of road is entirely a matter for decision by each local authority.  

My Department does operate a Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) facilitate local community participation (on a voluntary basis) in the repair of local roads. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme. 

Following the introduction of ring-fenced funding for a CIS programme in 2018 it was decided to provide funding over a two year period 2018/2019 so as to give local authorities more flexibility in delivering this programme. Following an application process €31 million approximately is being allocated over the 2 year 2020-2021 period. Applications have now been received from local authorities for funding for the 2022-2023 period.

Maritime Safety

Ceisteanna (349)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Ceist:

349. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the position of Irish vessels not been granted load lines which will result in non-Irish registered vessels supporting and guarding the future development of floating offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51300/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Any vessel carrying out guard duties for offshore renewable energy projects are cargo ship and as such must at least hold an Irish Load Line Certificate. Such certificates can only be issued to cargo ships and if a fishing vessel is proposed to be employed in such activities that they must be converted to a cargo ship, as fishing vessels are excluded from the application of the Load Line Act. All cargo vessels whether Irish flagged or otherwise are treated in the same manner and any such vessel which complies with the statutory requirements will be issued with such certification.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (350)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

350. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport the working groups his Department has with industry; the members of the groups; and the way the members of each group were selected. [51313/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

Details of the working groups my Department has with industry are provided below:

National Air Transport Facilitation Committee (NATFaC)

Annex 9 to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation embodies the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and guidance material pertaining specifically to the facilitation of landside formalities for clearance of aircraft and passengers, goods and mail, with respect to the requirements of customs, immigration, public health and agriculture authorities. Standard 8.19 of Annex 9 sets out that each Contracting State shall establish a National Air Transport Facilitation Committee (NATFaC) for the purpose of coordinating facilitation activities between departments, agencies, and other organizations of the State concerned with, or responsible for, various aspects of international civil aviation as well as with airport and aircraft operators.

Meetings of the NATFaC have been convened twice annually since 2012, with ad hoc meetings of the committee convened where necessary. In 2013 a Facilitation Sub-Group on Airport Immigration Matters was established with meetings of the sub-group convened one to two times annually.

The relevant organisations were asked by the Department of Transport to nominate suitable candidates for membership of the Committee. There are representative on the Committee from the following organisations: The Department of Justice, the Irish Passenger Information Unit, an Garda Síochana, The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, The Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, the Revenue Commissioners, the Commission for Aviation Regulation, US Customs and Border Protection, the IAA, daa, Shannon Airport Authority, Ireland West Airport Knock, Donegal Airport, Cork Airport, Kerry Airport, Aer Lingus, Ryanair, ASL Airlines, Norwegian Airlines, Skyhandling Partner and Swissport.

Regulatory Working Group of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF)

Within the structure of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF), which is chaired by my  Department, is a Regulatory Working Group. The group was established at the direction of the Steering Committee and members include government officials (Department of Transport) and stakeholders in the aviation industry such as Aer Lingus, Ryanair, daa, CAR, Ireland West Airport, Shannon Group, IAA and IBEC.

National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC)

The National Civil Aviation Security Committee  is a standing Committee which was constituted in 1974. The Committee comprises representatives of Government Departments, Irish Airports, Irish airlines, An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, An Post, Customs & Excise, the Irish Aviation Authority, and the Irish Airline Pilots Association. The Committee is established under the National Civil Aviation Security Programme which is classified on security grounds.  The National Civil Aviation Security Committee also has a Working Group on Threat and Risk which comprises of members of the main Committee.

Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF)  

The Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) sub-group on aviation consists of Departmental officials, and also IBEC and ICTU members as well as Aer Lingus and Shannon Group. 

Advisory Committee on SPSVs  

The Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles (the Committee) is an independent body established and operated under the provisions of section 72 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. The functions of the Committee are set out in section 73 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Its primary function is to provide advice, as appropriate, to the National Transport Authority (NTA) and to me, as Minister, in relation to issues relevant to small public service vehicles (SPSVs) and their drivers.

Details of the membership of the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles is available here:

www.nationaltransport.ie/about-us/advisory-committee-on-spsvs/.

Shipping Stakeholders

This working group was selected on the basis of the impacts of Brexit on their services and organisations.

- P & O Ferries

- Seatruck Ferries

- Irish Ferries

- Stena Line

- CMA- CGM

- Brittany Ferries

- Arklow Shipping Ltd

- DFDS

- CLDN

- BG Freight

- Samsskip

Haulage and Logistics Stakeholders

This working group was also selected on the basis of the impacts of Brexit on their services and organisations.  

- Freight Transport Association of Ireland (FTAI)

- Freightlink

- Reynolds Logistics

- Irish Exporters Association

- Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA)

- Wells Cargo

Port and shipping companies

My Department engages regularly with other relevant stakeholders including ports and shipping companies.  It has held and will continue to hold forums with stakeholders to discuss matters affecting the maritime transport sector when required.

Consultative National Maritime Pollution Response Forum

The Consultative National Maritime Pollution Response Forum is a group of external stakeholders, including private sector and non-governmental organizations.

This group is convened by the IRCG on an ad hoc basis but typically closely following meetings of the National Maritime Pollution Response Committee.

The Forum enables IRCG to consider feedback from non-statutory stakeholders concerning relevant issues arising from NMPRC’s discussions and implementation of the NCP.

Members of this Forum were selected based on a) their expertise and b) their interest and involvement in the Forum’s work. Private sector pollution response provides were selected on the basis of their having contracts with the State to provide services and/or on the basis that they were the main/large providers in the maritime pollution response field. Offshore development associations were selected on the basis of the requirement for offshore installations to have Oil/HNS Spill Contingency Plans and their representativeness of the sector.   

Member	Reason for being on Forum
Irish Coast Guard	Pollution response provider
Dept. Transport	Secretariat
Dept. of Housing, Local Government and  Heritage	Stakeholder
Dept. of Defence	Pollution response provider
Marine Survey Office	Regulator/Stakeholder
Dept. of Agriculture (Aquculture)	Stakeholder
National Parks & Wildlife - Department of Tourism,   Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media	Stakeholder
Health & Safety Authority	Regulator/Stakeholder
Irish Air Corps	Pollution response provider
Irish Naval Service	Pollution response provider
Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL)	Pollution response provider
County & City Managers Association	Stakeholder
Harbour Master Association	Stakeholder
Shannon Estuary Anti-Pollution Team (SEA-PT)	Pollution response provider
Faculty of Emergency Management in DCU	Stakeholder
Offshore Ireland	Stakeholder
Irish Wind Energy Association IWEA	Stakeholder
Bord Iascaigh Mhara	Stakeholder
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority	Stakeholder
Oiled Wildlife Trust Ireland	Stakeholder
Pollution Waste Services (PWS)	Pollution response provider
Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL)	Pollution response provider
Ambipar	Pollution response provider and training provider
Briggs	Pollution response provider
Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO)	Stakeholder
Marine Institute	Stakeholder/Pollution response provider

National Search and Rescue (SAR) Consultative Committee

This Committee aims to provide a national forum for Ireland’s SAR Stakeholders operating at a tactical and operational level to promote cooperation, information exchange, best practice and continuous improvement. 

Members of this Committee were selected based on a) membership of previous versions of this Committee, b) their expertise and c) their interest and involvement in the Committee’s work.

Membership of SAR Consultative Committee	Reason for being on Committee
Chair (currently IRCG)
Department of Transport	Committee Secretariat
National Level
IRCG	SAR Coordinator
IAA	SAR Coordinator
AGS	SAR Coordinator
National Ambulance Service	Ancillary SAR services
Marine Ambulance Response Team MART	SAR Provider
Naval Service	SAR Provider
Air Corps	SAR Provider
Irish Lights	SAR Provider
Medico Cork	Ancillary SAR services
Water Safety Ireland	Stakeholder
Met Éireann	Ancillary SAR services
Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS)	Ancillary SAR services
Local   Level
Dublin Fire Brigade (Marine Emergency Response Group)	SAR Provider
DHPLG (Emergency Planning)	Stakeholder
Chief Fire Officers’ Association	Stakeholder/SAR Provider
Civil Defence Officers’ Association	Stakeholder/SAR Provider
Harbour authorities	Stakeholder
Volunteer Organisations
RNLI	SAR Provider
Civil Defence	SAR Provider
Community Rescue Boats	SAR Provider
Irish Cave Rescue Organisation	SAR Provider
Mountain Rescue Ireland	SAR Provider
Coast Guard Unit Advisory Group	Stakeholder
Private sector
CHCI	IRCG helicopter service provider

Gambling Sector

Ceisteanna (351, 353)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

351. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the collapse of a company (details supplied); and the actions his Department plans to take to support those affected. [50391/21]

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

353. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Finance the considerations given by his Department in granting a company (details supplied) a remote gambling licence. [50393/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 353 together.

The regulation of gambling in Ireland is primarily the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and is provided for under the Betting Act 1931.

Under that Act, any business which involves entering into bets with persons in Ireland by remote means must hold a Remote Bookmaker’s Licence.  Revenue issues Remote Bookmakers’ Licences in accordance with provisions of the Act and collects Betting Duty from the operators concerned. Revenue’s role in this area is confined to that of a tax administration i.e. the collection of the relevant taxes and duties and the issue of the relevant excise licences on foot of:

- payment of the relevant excise licence fee,

- confirmation of tax clearance status by the applicant for a licence,

- confirmation that the applicant for a licence has a Certificate of Personal Fitness as provided for in section 5 of the Betting Act 1931.

A Certificate of Personal Fitness is a certificate indicating that an individual, or the relevant officers of a body corporate, is a fit and proper person to hold a Remote Bookmaker’s Licence.  For applicants that reside in the State, the Certificate of Personal Fitness is issued by the superintendent of the Garda Siochána located where the applicant ordinarily resides.  For applicants that reside outside of the state, the Certificate of Personal Fitness is issued by the Minister for Justice and queries in that regard should be addressed to my colleague.

The Minister for Justice may revoke a Certificate of Personal Fitness for stated reasons which are outlined in sections 5(C) and 6 of the Betting Act 1931. The Minister may also apply to the District Court for the revocation of a Remote Bookmakers Licence. In such instances Revenue will be informed of the revocation and will remove the relevant entry from the register.  It is also open to a Court under section 17 of the Betting Act 1931 to direct that an operator be removed from the Register of Remote Bookmakers in cases of conviction for an offence under that Act.

The Deputy is asking about a specific entity which, it is understood, has had its licence from the UK Gambling Commission suspended and is currently in administration in relation to its trading activities in that jurisdiction. I am advised by Revenue that the entity referenced by the Deputy was issued a licence in 2018 but is currently not licensed to provide remote gambling services in the State.

It will be for the administrators to resolve issues relating to the collapsed firm, including the potential for return of funds to affected consumers.

Finally, on a broader note, the Deputy may be interested to know that the Department of Justice is currently leading work on legislative proposals to comprehensively reform the regulation of gambling activities in Ireland and to provide for an independent Gambling Regulator.

Gambling Sector

Ceisteanna (352)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

352. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications for a gambling licence, remote or in person; and the number that were successful and refused respectively, in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [50392/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I am advised by Revenue that it issues Remote Bookmaker Licences, Remote Betting Intermediary Licences and Bookmaker Licences on receipt of a Certificate of Personal Fitness, tax clearance certification and the relevant Excise licence fee from the applicant. Revenue also issues Gaming Licenses on receipt of a District Court Certificate, tax clearance certification and the relevant Excise license fee from the applicant. Where this information is not provided it is not possible for Revenue to issue a license.

The Certificate of Personal Fitness is a requirement under section 5 of the Betting Act 1931 and is administered by the Department of Justice who has responsibility for the regulation of gambling in Ireland. A Certificate of Personal Fitness is provided directly by that Department to entities that reside outside the State or by the Garda Siochana where the entity ordinarily resides in the State.

The numbers of licences issued by Revenue in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021 for each (license) category are set out in the table below. Revenue does not maintain statistics on ‘refusals’ as licenses are only issued where all the relevant documentation is received. 

	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021 YTD
License Category	No. Issued	No. Issued	No. Issued	No. Issued	No. Issued	No. Issued	No. Issued
Bookmaker's License	269	147	174	139	205	79	8
Remote Bookmaker's License	32	21	65	16	70	11	54
Remote Betting Intermediary's License	8	4	6	4	6	3	7
Gaming License	58	76	84	94	101	70	44

Question No. 353 answered with Question No. 351.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (354)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

354. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the bike to work scheme to allow those outside of employment including those on social welfare payments to access the scheme; if he plans to also expand it to include students and children attending school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51181/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

Section 118(5G) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997) provides for the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme. This scheme provides an exemption from benefit-in-kind (BIK) where an employer purchases a bicycle and associated safety equipment for an employee. The scheme is designed to be administratively simple in order to encourage employers to participate.

Under section 118B TCA 1997 an employer and employee may also enter into a salary sacrifice arrangement under which the employee agrees to sacrifice part of his or her salary, in exchange for a bicycle and related safety equipment. 

Where a bicycle or safety equipment is purchased under the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme or through a salary sacrifice arrangement certain conditions must be met, for example:

- The exemption applies to the first €1,250 of expenditure incurred by the employer in obtaining a bicycle and related safety equipment. This exemption limit is increased to €1,500 for pedelecs or ebikes and related safety equipment. Employers may incur costs in excess of these limits, but any such excess will not qualify for the exemption and will be liable to tax. A salary sacrifice arrangement is subject to the same monetary limits.

- The bicycle and related safety equipment must be new and must be purchased by the employer.

- The bicycle and related safety equipment must be used by the employee or director mainly for the whole or part of their journey to or from work.

- An employee or director can only avail of the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme once in any 4 year period. A salary sacrifice arrangement is subject to the same time limits and any salary sacrifice arrangement entered into must be completed within a 12 month period.

The ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme is only applicable where the bicycle and safety equipment is provided by an employer to either a director or someone in its employment.

Thus, where an employer-employee relationship does not exist, for example, in the case of self-employed individuals, students, retired individuals, job seekers or those in unpaid work, such individuals cannot qualify for the scheme. Likewise, salary sacrifice arrangements may only be entered into between an employer and a director or employee. 

Further guidance regarding the scheme can be found on Revenue’s website.

While the scheme is kept under review by my officials, I have no plans at present for its expansion. 

Primary Medical Certificates

Ceisteanna (355, 356)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

355. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance the number of primary medical certificate applications that are currently pending appeal by county; the measures or additional resources being assigned to address this backlog; when requests of an appeal hearing will resume following the lifting of public health restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50394/21]

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

356. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance the number of assessments completed to the disabled drivers and passengers (tax concessions) scheme 1994, section 92 of the Finance Act 1989, for the primary medical certificate since their resumption at local community level in January 2021; and the progress to date on the delivery of a new scheme for disabled drivers and passengers. [50395/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together.

The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.

The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer (SAMO) or a Board Medical Certificate issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.

To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled, and satisfy at least one of the following medical criteria, in order to obtain a Primary Medical Certificate:

- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;

- be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;

- be without both hands or without both arms;

- be without one or both legs;

- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;

- have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.

The medical criteria were included in the Finance Act 2020, by way of amendment to Section 92 of the Finance Act 1989. This amendment arises from legal advice in light of the June 2020 Supreme Court judgement that the medical criteria in secondary legislation was not deemed to be invalid, nevertheless it was found to be inconsistent with the mandate provided in Section 92 of the Finance Act 1989 (primary legislation).

Assessments and appeals recommenced from January 2021 following the approval of the Finance Act 2020. The first appeal hearing was in March 2021.

In the context of the national effort to suppress and manage the impact of COVID-19, the ability to hold assessments has been impacted by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place and the role of the HSE Medical Officers in the roll-out of the COVID vaccination programme and in responding to outbreaks in residential care facilities across the country. The HSE has confirmed that the community medical doctors and their teams are predominately deployed to the COVID vaccination rollout in residential care facilities and other health care settings. HSE data published in April 2021 (latest data available) noted that 401 PMC assessments were conducted between January and March 2021.  

Hearings of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal are held on average twice a month at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire, which has the appropriate facilities to cater for people with mobility impairing disabilities of the kind provided for under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme.

Appeal hearings have run at reduced capacity for public health reasons. This is due to the need for social distancing between appellants and the board and also due to the capacity available in a busy outpatients department in a public hospital where public health measures are necessary for all.  Information supplied by the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal show that outstanding appeals from 2020 will be cleared by the 11th of November. There are 281 appellants waiting for appeal from January 2021 until the end of September 2021. This is not available on a county by county basis.

Question No. 356 answered with Question No. 355.

Pensions Reform

Ceisteanna (357)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

357. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Finance if monies invested in approved retirement funds which are linked to revenue rather than pension funds will be accessible to persons at age 65 if the retirement age rises to the proposed 68 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50403/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

It is assumed that the Deputy’s Question concerns the rules relating to retirement age and the level of drawdowns from Approved Retirement Funds (ARF).  I am advised by Revenue that there is no link between the age at which a person may access her/his ARF and the age at which a person may receive a State social welfare pension.  Such pensions are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.

Section 772(3)(a) Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA) provides that the rules of an occupational pension scheme should specify the age, between 60 and 70 years, at which members will normally retire.  The “normal retirement age” (NRA) may differ for categories of member and may also be agreed on an individual basis.  Section 772(4)(b)(ii) TCA allows benefits to be payable on retirement within ten years of the specified age or earlier on incapacity, if the member’s scheme so provides.

However, an ARF is not a pension fund or pension arrangement. Rather, it is a post-retirement investment product into which an individual may opt to transfer their pension fund on retirement as an alternative to annuity purchase.  An ARF holder may withdraw all funds from an ARF, if s/he has retirement income from outside the ARF in excess of €12,700 per annum.  Withdrawals from an ARF are subject to income tax deduction at source under the PAYE system, which is administered by the ARF provider.

Further information on ARFs can be found in Chapter 23 of the Revenue Pensions Manual, which is available at www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/pensions/chapter-23.pdf.

Tax Rebates

Ceisteanna (358)

John Brady

Ceist:

358. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a rebate for hauliers through the diesel rebate scheme given that there is no alternative fuel source available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50411/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

The Diesel Rebate Scheme (DRS) for hauliers and bus operators, has been continuously in operation since 1 July 2013.  

The DRS is operated by the Revenue Commissioners, who will repay some of the mineral oil tax paid by a qualifying road transport operator when the diesel is:

- purchased by the business within the state

- used in the course of business transport activities; and

- used in qualifying motor vehicles.

To qualify for inclusion in the DRS, road transport operators must hold an appropriate road transport licence. This licence must be active in the claim period.

Further information in relation to the operation of the scheme including qualifying criteria, guidelines on the application process and quarterly repayment rates are available on the website of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners at the link below:

www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/excise-and-licences/mineral-oil-tax/diesel-rebate-scheme/index.aspx

As the Deputy will be aware, VAT registered businesses are also eligible to claim a refund on the VAT paid for diesel used in the course of business activities.