Written Answers Nos. 214-229
214. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which wind, wave or solar energy is being developed to meet Ireland’s climate change targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19124/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current level of investment in wind, wave or solar energy onshore or offshore with a view to moving towards self-sufficiency in the medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19125/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 includes a suite of actions to realise the full potential of Ireland’s onshore and offshore renewable energy resources including a commitment to the achievement of up to 8GW of installed onshore wind, up to 2.5GW of solar, and 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030. Additionally, there is a further commitment to develop a longer-term plan to harness the estimated potential of at least 30GW of offshore floating wind power in our Atlantic waters.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030. The RESS is an auction-based support scheme which invites grid-scale renewable electricity generation projects to compete to receive a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate for a period of up to 16.5 years. Over 1GW of new wind and solar generation was secured in the first RESS auction in 2020, and projects are expected to reach commercial operation before the end of 2023.
A significant volume of new renewable generation is expected to be secured in the second RESS auction which will take place next month. Alongside this, my Department have been drafting the terms and conditions for offshore wind-specific RESS auctions. At least three offshore RESS auctions are currently planned for this decade.
A schedule of future auctions through to 2025 was published in December 2021 so that generators can develop their renewable energy projects with confidence to line up with these regular auctions and deliver the steady supply of projects needed to meet our climate targets.
216. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the planned survey of areas of Beara and Sheep’s head peninsulas under the National Broadband Plan will commence. [19155/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra217. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the pending survey of the Kinsale area under the National Broadband Plan will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19156/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
I am advised by NBI that as of 31 March 2022, over 312,000 premises have now been surveyed and over 169,000 premises are under construction or complete across 26 counties. I am further advised that almost 60,000 premises are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 22 counties, with over 41,000 premises passed across 19 counties and available for immediate connection. In addition to the premises completed, build is underway on over 128,000 premises, demonstrating the project is reaching scale.
In County Cork surveying is underway in the Deployment Area of Clonakilty, surveying is complete in the Deployment Areas of Templemartin, Tallow, Kanturk and Fermoy, main works are underway in the Deployment Areas of Midleton and Youghal and network build is complete in the Deployment Area of Carrigaline. To date over 39,100 premises in County Cork have been surveyed, with over 16,360 premises under construction or constructed and over 6,700 premises now available to order or pre-order. With regard to the areas referred to in the Questions, Beara Peninsula is in the Lauragh Deployment Area and NBI has advised that surveys will be completed in the area in May 2022. Sheep’s Head Peninsula is in the Kilcrohane Deployment Area and NBI has advised that survey is due to commence in the area in H1 2023. Kinsale is in the Kinsale Deployment Area, and NBI has advised that survey is due to commence there in H2 2022.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. 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. NBI 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 31 March, 550 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 school BCPs. In County Cork 23 BCP’s have been installed to date. The site at Riverstick Community Centre is now installed by NBI which is located 15km from Kinsale. Further details can be found at www.nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
In County Cork 40 schools have been installed by NBI to date for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at www.nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
218. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if defibrillators are installed in all offices and buildings accessible by the public in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19169/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Headquarters in Dublin and offices in Cavan and Wexford have defibrillators installed.The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
219. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total value of consultancy contracts awarded to an organisation (details supplied) for work with his Department and bodies under auspices of his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19188/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2017, my Department has awarded four contracts to the value of €1,875,700 as set out in the table below.
|
Contract |
Contract Value (EX VAT) |
Date Awarded |
|
Provision of an updated Marginal Abatement Cost Curve and a report to identify least cost options for reducing GHG emissions in Ireland |
€318,000 |
Jun-19 |
|
Provision of two Marginal Abatement Cost Curves and assistance in the development of a pilot aggregated retrofitting model for Ireland |
€700,000 |
Dec-19 |
|
Sensitivity planning to assess potential sectoral costs of achieving more ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets out to 2030 |
€157,700 |
May-20 |
|
Appropriate Economic Analysis and Report and assistance in the development of additional sectoral actions to realise lower GHG Emissions |
€700,000 |
Feb-21 |
|
|
€1,875,700 |
|
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
221. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the status of National Cycling Policy Framework 2009-2020; if the Ministerial directive declaring it national policy has been revoked; if it will be replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18927/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraToday, on 7th April 2022, I am publishing the new Sustainable Mobility Policy which builds on and replaces the active travel policy set out in the National Cycling Policy Framework 2009-2020.
The new policy sets out a strategic framework to 2030 for walking, cycling and public transport to support Ireland's overall requirement to achieve a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by the end of this decade. The policy primarily focuses on measures to promote and facilitate active travel and public transport for all and, in doing so, encourage less private car journeys nationally to support our climate commitment.
The targets of the policy are aligned with the transport target metrics in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of 500,000 additional daily active travel and public transport journeys and a 10% reduction in kilometres driven by fossil fuelled cars by 2030.
A collaborative approach has been taken by my Department in developing the Sustainable Mobility Policy through public consultation and extensive stakeholder engagement. The policy includes a comprehensive set of actions to be completed by 2025 to increase walking and cycling infrastructure provision and improve public transport capacity and services across the country. These will be supported by behavioural change and demand management measures to make sustainable modes the preferred choice for as many people as possible. A further action plan will then be developed to cover the remaining period of the policy out to 2030.
The new policy is underpinned by capital funding under the National Development Plan which provides €35 billion for transport over the next decade. As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government has committed to Exchequer spending of approximately €360 million per annum on walking and cycling over the lifetime of the Government. 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.
I look forward to working with the Deputy on the implementation of the new Sustainable Mobility Policy in the coming years.
222. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the status of efforts to increase the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points in cases in which off-street parking is not possible including apartments; the steps that are being taken to increase uptake of the electric vehicle public charge point grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2021 set a target of 945,000 EVs by 2030. The Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years, to facilitate the expansion of EVs in the Irish car fleet. A draft National Charging Infrastructure Strategy has been published for public consultation which sets out a pathway for the provision of charging infrastructure to stay ahead of demand.
The EV Home Charger Grant Scheme has been in operation since January 2018 to support the installation of home chargers for purchasers of new and second-hand BEVs and PHEVs. The grant provides generous support towards the full cost of installation of a home charger up to a maximum of €600.
Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant. This scheme will be launched shortly.
The Infrastructure Strategy proposes that for those who cannot charge at home, provision of residential charging solutions that give the same benefits and mirror the home charging option should be the first objective.
There is an onus on national and local government to facilitate the provision of these charging solutions for citizens who do not have access to a home charge point.
The Strategy proposes a new Residential charging scheme that will replace the existing Public Points scheme, with 75% of funding to be provided to Local Authorities to support the design of local area charging networks, and also 75% of funding for delivery and installation of these networks. which are intended to comprise both on-street charging in areas where residents do not have access to home charging solutions, and destination charge points at Local Authority facilities.
223. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the number of cars that are awaiting an NCT test in County Kerry at present; the average waiting time in the county to have a car tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18908/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Test (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
224. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the national rail timetable in which the first service to Cork arrives at 9:50 am; if he will support the provision of earlier services from Dublin to Cork departing at 6 am to facilitate the large student population in the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18912/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the 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.
The issue of the timetabling of services on the Dublin to Cork route is first and foremost an operational matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, and I have therefore 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.
225. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the latest waiting list figures for driver theory tests, driver tests and motorcycle tests in each county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18921/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the Driver Testing Service. The information requested is held by the RSA. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
226. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport the annual amount that the DAA receives in airport passenger charges which are part of all fares in and out of the airport; if detailed information will be provided on the monies received by the DAA across all flights over the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18966/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) has statutory responsibility for the economic regulation of Dublin Airport and sets the maximum charge allowed per passenger, the 'price cap' in a given year.
As part of the compliance with the 'price cap' daa submit their regulatory accounts to CAR within 6 months of the end of the financial year. CAR publishes detailed documentation on its website which includes the information the Deputy is requesting.
The information is available at:
www.aviationreg.ie/regulation-of-airport-charges-dublin-airport/compliance-papers.123.html
227. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 27 January 2022, the reason that the question which he referred to Irish Aviation Authority for reply has not yet been answered; if he will raise the matter with the authority; the protocols he intends putting in place to ensure this does not reoccur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19016/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn respect of Parliamentary Questions that have been referred to agencies under my Department's remit, and where Deputies have informed my private office that they have not received a direct reply within the specified 10 working day period, my private office follows up with the agency concerned. In this case, I note that my private office did not receive a notification of this nature from the Deputy, but has since followed up with the IAA to request a reply be issued promptly.
228. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff within his Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities that are presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19043/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently four member’s of staff who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels.
The role of the Department’s representatives in the Permanent Representation Office (Perm Rep) is to represent Ireland's interests in the European Union on matters relating to transport. Three members of my Department are currently in the Perm Rep and based in Brussels on secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs - one Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal Officer and one Administrative Officer.
The role of the Principal Officer (also titled DOT Counsellor) includes responsibility for ensuring appropriate representation in relation to civil aviation, maritime transport, land transport, intermodal transport issues, promotion and protection of Ireland's interest in the EU and responsibility for management of staff in the Permanent Representative.
The role of the officer at the Assistant Principal grade involves the negotiation and furtherance of Irish interests in the sectors under the Department's remit, interacting with community institutions, informal communication between the institutions and the Department as well as general responsibility for EU matters in the area of transport.
The role of the officer at the Administrative Officer grade includes representing Ireland at transport related working groups as assigned by the DOT Counsellor, regular reporting and information exchange with officials of the Department, preparation of precise briefs for both the Ambassador and the Minister for meetings of the committee of Permanent Representatives and the Council of Ministers respectively, and maintenance of relations with the principal institutions of the Union and the European Parliament.
There are no roles currently vacant for Departmental staff in the Permanent Representation office.
The Department also has one staff member in a seconded national expert post in the European Commission, titled Directorate General for Mobility and Transport. Responsibilities include policy and legislative development toward road safety, monitoring of the application of EU road safety legislation by member states, supporting promotion and awareness-raising activities, completing the transposition control and launching potential infringements where necessary, contributing to the preparation of relevant committees and expert groups, launching preparatory works to adapt to technical progress and preparing reports to Council and Parliament as required by Directives.
There were three staff members seconded to the Perm Rep office on the 23rd of June 2016. One Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal and one Administrative Officer. Tourism and sport functions were also within the remit of the Department's representatives at that time.
229. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide this Deputy with a copy of the service level agreement that exists between the NTA and a company (details supplied) in respect of a bus route. [19088/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 question in relation to the provision of a copy of the service level agreement that exists between the NTA and Go Ahead Ireland 120 bus route to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
