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Thursday, 24 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 203-217

Air Quality

Ceisteanna (203, 204)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which air quality monitoring stations continue to show improvement in air quality or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10783/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and locations of air quality monitoring stations throughout the country; the degree to which air quality has fluctuated at each station in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10784/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for monitoring ambient air quality in Ireland via the national Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme 2017-2022 (AAMP). Under this programme the national monitoring network has undergone a significant upgrade in recent years and has been expanded from 29 stations in 2017 to 97 today. The final expansion of the network will be completed this year and will increase the number of official stations to 110.

All stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants in order to provide information to the public, and for assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values. Details of the locations of all monitoring stations, along with real-time and historic data from each station, can be found at www.airquality.ie.

As many monitoring stations have only been in place for a short while, an analysis of longer terms trends, improvements and fluctuations across the network is not yet available. However, the EPA produce an annual report on Air Quality in Ireland which provides an overview of our air quality and key issues that impact upon it.

The LIFE EMERALD project, which commenced in 2021, will use the information from our monitoring network to provide a national 3-day air quality forecast and near real-time mapping of air pollutants throughout the country; and to create historical maps of air pollutants. The project will improve Ireland’s ambient air quality management capabilities, by using an air quality modelling system to gain a better understanding of the factors contributing to poor air quality and develop a system that will provide better information to the public. 

Question No. 204 answered with Question No. 203.

Energy Conservation

Ceisteanna (205)

Michael Creed

Ceist:

205. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expert advice available to him with regard to cavity wall insulation versus external wrap insulation; if it is possible to get grant aid for both insulation works on the same house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10786/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government recently approved a package of significantly improved supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions. The supports include a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump (up from the previous level of 30-35%).

One Stop Shops will offer homeowners all the services required for a complete home energy upgrade including an initial Home Energy Assessment and management of the grant application process. The most appropriate type of wall insulation depends the wall type of the property. The three main wall types are cavity walls, solid walls and hollow block walls. A recommendation on the appropriate type of wall insulation for a given property is included in the Home Energy Assessment.

Under the National Home Energy Upgrade scheme, homeowners can receive grants for the measures recommended to achieve the B2 and heat pump standard as outlined in the Home Energy Assessment. Specific measures that were previously funded by the SEAI are not eligible for a second grant. However, in cases where the wall was previously insulated through another SEAI scheme and the Home Energy Assessment determines that a second wall insulation is required to meet the heat pump requirement, then a second measure is allowed as follows:

- Internal Wall Insulation is eligible where cavity has previously been funded.

- External wall insulation is eligible where either cavity or internal wall insulation has been funded.

Two wall insulation measures cannot be grant funded under the same Home Energy Upgrade Scheme application.

Airport Security

Ceisteanna (206)

Joe O'Brien

Ceist:

206. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the delays that businesses in Dublin Airport are experiencing with the new enhanced background checking system and the impact that this is having on their ability to successfully recruit new staff; and his plans to address this issue. [10619/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Arrangements were put in place to implement enhanced background checking arrangements for certain aviation employees from 1 January 2022 in line with updated European regulatory requirements.

The updated regulation adds a security intelligence check to the existing requirement for a criminal history check as well as increasing the frequency of the checks for existing employees. The checks are undertaken by the relevant employer informed by criminal history information and a security intelligence indicator provided by An Garda Síochána.

While enhanced background checks are an important part of the recruitment process for a significant number of aviation staff, the processing times for the provision of the supporting material are a matter for An Garda Síochána.

Student Travel Card

Ceisteanna (207)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Ceist:

207. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if there is a refund procedure for student card holders, who are charged full travel prices as a result of not presenting their student cards at the time of travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10748/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to a possible refund procedure for student card holders who are charged full travel prices as a result of not presenting their student cards at the time of travel on public transport services, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (208, 209)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the use of electric vehicles has contributed to carbon reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10778/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the number of electric vehicles has increased on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10779/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.

Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of the 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 Climate Action Plan, and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 945,000 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.

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 of 3,799 at the end of 2017, to over 50,500 now.

Ireland has introduced its objective to be a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050 in a robust fashion through primary legislation. The commitment has been placed on a statutory footing through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. Core Measures will focus on a shift to transport modes with lower energy consumption, including walking, cycling, and public transport; accelerating the electrification of road transport; and the use of biofuels. Examples of key initiatives include a requirement, from 2023, that all new vehicles being purchased by the State are BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles), unless there is no viable electric option.

Modelling for the Climate Action Plan included electrification of the Irish fleet. A number of scenarios were modelled based on all future vehicle sales becoming 100% electric by a given year. The core scenario assumes plug-in electric vehicles rising to 100% of new private car sales (80% battery electric vehicles and 20% plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) by 2029. This uptake profile delivers around 845,000 plug-in electric private cars ‘on the road’ in 2030. The private car fleet emission model suggests that this rate of uptake of electric vehicles will deliver a 36% reduction in tail-pipe carbon emissions per car Km. The overall impact of improved vehicle technology, including electrification, is a 4.0Mt (=29%) reduction in total transport-related carbon emissions by 2030.

Question No. 209 answered with Question No. 208.

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (210)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

210. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the ESB ecar cards require a minimum credit of €5 at all times; the rationale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10544/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The ESB eCars charging network was free to use from 2010 until 2019. In November 2019, ESB eCars introduced fees for fast charger use. The prices are set at 29c per KWh, for subscribers (€5 yearly subscription), and 33c per KWh for pay-as-you-go customers. In addition there is a fee for overstaying at a fast charger. The overstay fee is €5 if a car is charging over 45 minutes.

The fees for use of fast chargers are in keeping with the recommendations of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce which set out that home charging should be the most cost-effective method of charging, followed by on-street public charging and then fast charging – with fast charging no more expensive than the cost of fuelling a conventionally powered vehicle for the same journey.

In 2020, ESB eCars introduced user charges for ESB eCars standard charge points. The pricing is set at 23c per KWh for ESB subscribers and 26.8c per KWh for pay-as-you-go customers. The introduction of fees aimed to encourage further investment in charging infrastructure, ensure consumers are incentivised to charge at home and avoid overstaying at chargers. Electric vehicle owners, including the Irish Electric Vehicle Owners Association, have been broadly supportive of the ESB's introduction of fees.

The application of a minimum credit limit is an operational matter and as such I have referred the Deputy's question directly to ESB ecars for reply. Please advise my Office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (211)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

211. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if an exception can be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10557/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The current fitness to drive requirements in relation to epilepsy have been in place since 2010. There was no rule change in November of last year.

The standards of fitness to drive are set out in EU legislation and national law. A person diagnosed with epilepsy must provide a medical report completed by a general practitioner (GP) when applying for a driving licence for any category.

Sláinte agus Tiomáint - Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines, to assist doctors and other healthcare professionals to assess medical fitness, to drive are available on the National Office of Traffic Medicine website, www.rcpi.ie/traffic-medicine/.

Vehicle Registration Tax

Ceisteanna (212)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

212. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if motor tax can be refunded for a vehicle that was off road for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10560/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, there is a facility in place to declare a vehicle off the road where it is not going to be in use in a public place. This is underpinned by the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013. The primary purpose of the Act was to replace retrospective declarations of vehicles being off the road with a system where the vehicle must be declared off the road in advance.

The current procedures, only allowing for a future declaration of non-use, have been in place since 2013. An owner can indicate that a vehicle is going to be off the road by making a declaration of non-use at any time in the last month of an existing motor tax disc or previously made declaration of non-use.

Where a declaration is not made in advance, motor tax must be paid for a minimum of 3 months, along with any arrears of motor tax incurred between the expiry of the last motor tax taken out and the renewal of motor tax.

Motor tax legislation does not provide for exemptions in individual cases. You will appreciate the difficulties in providing for exemptions in particular cases, given that other people have had to pay arrears in motor tax where the Declaration of Non-use of a Motor Vehicle was not made on time, and the necessity generally of maintaining a consistent approach in the application of the legislation.

Road Projects

Ceisteanna (213)

David Stanton

Ceist:

213. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the funding that has been made available in 2022 to progress proposals for the construction of a relief road for Castlemartyr, County Cork; the current status of such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10564/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 planning, design and construction 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 and the necessary statutory approvals.

I can confirm that an allocation has been made by TII to Cork County Council for the N25 Castlemartyr and Killeagh bypass, which is on the N25 Midleton to Youghal corridor. TII is best placed to provide information concerning the current status and funding of this proposed project.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Departmental Meetings

Ceisteanna (214)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

214. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings he or officials from his Department have had with the National Women’s Council of Ireland from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10587/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Neither I, nor officials from my department, have had direct engagement with the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) during the period specified.

Officials from the department have attended meetings and webinars where the NWCI have also been represented. My officials have also reached out to the NWCI as part of our programme of regular stakeholder engagement in relation to areas which may be of interest to them.

Road Safety

Ceisteanna (215)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

215. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding motorway lighting along the M1 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10593/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This includes the matter of lighting along motorways.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (216)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

216. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport if she will assist in issuing a renewed driver licence to a person (details supplied) given the significant delay that has been encountered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10620/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

National Transport Authority

Ceisteanna (217, 218)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

217. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm a company (details supplied) has won a competitive tender from the National Transport Authority for the operation of new orbital routes W4 and W6; the reason the authority believes the company can operate these services given widespread non-operation of its existing services as a result of either driver absences or the inability to retain staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10653/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

218. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the weighting that is given by the National Transport Authority to the payroll costs of the company that won the tender to operate the new orbital routes W4 and W6; if the authority compares payroll costs between the different companies tendering for these routes; the way it appraises these costs; the weighting that it gives to the driving schedules and time spent driving by each driver on the new expected schedules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10654/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to procure public transport services by means of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific questions in relation to the tendering of the new orbital routes W4 and W6 to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

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