Pauline Tully
Ceist:104. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Ministerial contact details for persons (details supplied). [26124/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment Communications
Ceisteanna (104)
Freagraí scríofa
Contact details for my office in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications: Phone 01-6782004
Email minister.ryan@decc.gov.ie
Post: Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, D02 X285
Contact details for my office in the Department of Transport:
Phone: 01-6041062
Email: minister@transport.gov.ie
Post: Department of Transport, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, D02 TR60
Contact details for the Ministerial Office of Ossian Smyth, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform:
Phone: 01-6045315
Email: Minister.Smyth@decc.gov.ie
Post: Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, D02 X285
Contact details for the Ministerial of Office of Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Transport:
Phone 01-6041034
Email: MinisterNaughton@transport.gov.ie
Post: Department of Transport, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, D02 TR60.
Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 95.
Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 95.
Question No. 107 answered with Question No. 95.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (108)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:108. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the emissions saved per-retrofit scheme for the years 2016-2020, in tabular form. [26228/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested in the Question is being complied and will be forwarded to the Deputy.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (109)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:109. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of each retrofit scheme per kWh of primary energy saved annually and per-lifetime tCO2 saved over 15 years, in tabular form. [26229/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested in the Question is being complied and will be forwarded to the Deputy.
Question No. 110 answered with Question No. 95.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (111)
Michael Ring
Ceist:111. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if investigations are being carried out in relation to the management of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26310/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has been informed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that an investigation is being carried out in relation to a number of matters which were the subject of anonymous disclosures earlier this year and that a member of staff has been suspended pending the outcome of this investigation. It is important to note that this investigation is entirely within the remit of IFI and neither I nor my Department have any role. I have initiated a separate review under section 18 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 (which section is entitled ‘Removal of Members from Office’, ‘Members’ being members of the Board). This review relates to issues raised in correspondence between my Department and IFI during the period 1 February and 27 April 2022.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (112)
Michael Ring
Ceist:112. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if all vehicles are properly insured for use by staff in an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26311/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This issue is an operational matter for IFI in which neither I nor my Department have no role. However, I am advised that all vehicles for use by staff in Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) are fully insured. IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie
EU Funding
Ceisteanna (113)
James Lawless
Ceist:113. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the European Union loans and grants that are available to companies (details supplied); if he will support, encourage and assist such rehabilitation, recultivation, regreening proposals and support any European Union grant and funding application relating to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26322/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
EU supported financing is available for companies through business loans, microfinance, guarantees and venture capital. There are also EU funded programmes for research and innovation projects. My Department is always encouraging of the need to avail of suitable EU funding opportunities.An example is the LIFE Programme 2022 Calls for project proposals which was launched by the European Commission on 17 May 2022. LIFE funds projects under its four sub-programmes; nature and biodiversity; circular economy and quality of life; climate change mitigation and adaptation; and clean energy transition.
Departmental Investigations
Ceisteanna (114)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:114. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of investigations, internal or external, commissioned by his Department into instances in which Departmental documents or information was leaked to the media, which were commissioned or conducted in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; the nature of such leaks and investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26336/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
No such investigations were commissioned by my Department in the period concerned.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (115)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:115. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide updated figures on the National Broadband Plan targets for 2022; the number of premises that were targeted for installation in 2022; the number that have been completed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26349/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In April this year, my Department agreed an Updated Interim Remedial Plan (UIRP) with NBI, which recalibrated the targets for 2022 to take account of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and other delays to the Programme. The UIRP has a revised target of 102,000 premises to be passed by the end of January 2023 (Contract Year 3). I am advised by NBI that as of 13 May 2022 over 56,600 premises have been passed across 22 counties and are available for immediate connection, while almost 67,700 premises can order, or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 23 counties.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (116)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:116. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of surveying that has been completed in relation to the National Broadband Plan in rural intervention areas in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26350/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
NBI has advised that, as of 31 December 2021, over 285,500 premises within the Intervention Area were surveyed or had surveys underway, which equates to almost 51% of the total Intervention Area of almost 560,000 premises. I am advised by NBI that, as of 13 May 2022, almost 327,000 premises have now been surveyed or have surveys underway which equates to over 58% of the total Intervention Area. Over 175,300 premises are under construction or complete across 26 counties, demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. I am further advised that over 67,700 premises are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 23 counties, with over 56,600 premises passed across 22 counties and available for immediate connection. The number of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is in line with or exceeding projections. Further details are available on specific areas 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.
NBI has made recent improvements to their website to enhance the provision of information to Oireachtas members. NBI has now completed a suite of changes, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) in all 26 counties. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie/reps.
Departmental Strategies
Ceisteanna (117)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:117. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Connecting Ireland strategy; when he expects the consultation analysis process to be finalised and a report issued; if he will provide an overview on the intended roll-out of improved services on a phased basis up to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26351/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Digital Connectivity Strategy sets out the digital targets to be delivered by the telecommunications sector by 2030 and the initiatives needed to deliver these targets. A draft of this strategy was published as part of a public consultation launched on 23rd February. Comments and observations were invited from all interested parties on the draft strategy. The public consultation closed on 8th April. A broad range of submissions were received from individuals, representative bodies and industry. These submissions are currently being reviewed by officials within my Department and due consideration is being provided to the views expressed. Engagement with other Departments and agencies is then anticipated to develop and finalise any recommendations relevant to those bodies, following which, recommendations will be brought forward to update and finalise the strategy in Q3 of this year.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (118)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Ceist:118. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will seek clarification from the relevant Department that the costs of judicial review by a State agency, that is a statutory consultee in the aquaculture licensing process will be funded by public expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26424/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
IFI's has a statutory remit to conserve and protect the inland fisheries resource under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 and obligations under the EU Habitats Directive under includes wild Atlantic salmon as a protected species. A number of parties, including Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), have sought a judicial review of a decision of the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board in respect of an aquaculture licence at Shot Head in Bantry Bay, Co. Cork.
As the matter is currently before the commercial High Court is would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.
Illegal Dumping
Ceisteanna (119)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:119. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects the use of CCTV to be authorised to combat illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26451/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Circular Economy Bill, currently progressing through the Oireachtas, will advance a number of priority provisions identified in the 2020 Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, including providing for the GDPR-compliant use of a range of technologies, such as CCTV for both waste and litter enforcement purposes. The Bill will facilitate both the use of CCTV and, in more limited situations, the use of other Audio-Visual-Recording technologies, such as body cams and drones, in deterring and prosecuting litter and waste offences.
Electric Vehicles
Ceisteanna (123)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:123. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if a taxi driver who has secured the purchase of an electric vehicle on foot of the Government announcement in February 2022 can avail of the electric vehicle taxi scheme; if not, if they must hold off to register the car until the scheme is reactivated later in the year, meaning that they can neither drive the car nor work in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25659/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The aim of the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is to support the greening of the SPSV sector. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO2 emissions of a sector which typically has very high mileage, and also can positively influence the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.
The Scheme is available nationwide to persons applying for new SPSV licences and existing SPSV licence holders who wish to upgrade their current vehicle with a replacement EV. As per the terms and conditions of the scheme, it is important that an EV is not purchased prior to acceptance of a Grant Offer Letter by the Approved Applicant.
The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs. €15m was allocated in 2022 to support SPSVs to switch to electric.
The scheme is kept under continuous review and is currently paused to allow for the drawdown and payment of provisional grant offers which usually have a time limit of three months. In addition, applicants can apply for a further three month provisional grant offer extension if they have a letter from their dealer stating that the vehicle will be delivered within this timeframe. I anticipate the scheme will reopen for applications in the second half of the year.
Taxi Licences
Ceisteanna (124)
Niall Collins
Ceist:124. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if advice will be provided regarding an extension to a licence for a person (details supplied); the options that may be available to the person going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25703/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Driver Licences
Ceisteanna (125)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:125. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport the reason that a person (details supplied) is being requested to fill out another driver licence renewal form given that they did same only ten months ago and were informed at the time that their licence was being extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25710/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to individual applications.
I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from the RSA in 10 working days, I would ask that he contact my office directly.
Coast Guard Service
Ceisteanna (126)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:126. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the formal site transfer of a project (details supplied); the length of time that it will take once the formal transfer happens and for the procurement process to begin; the length of time before a contractor is appointed; the length of time the build will take; the funding that has been set aside for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25711/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Coast Guard is fully committed to providing this much needed facility for the Greystones Unit. I can confirm there are dedicated funds allocated to this project . This has been a priority build for the IRCG for a number of years. Following formalisation of the lease agreement between OPW and Wicklow Co. Council, the OPW will be in a position to commence the tendering process.
The exact length of time it will actually take for the formalization of the lease is unfortunately beyond our control as my Department is not directly involved in this part of the process.
However, I understand the tendering process should be complete and a contractor in place to commence construction by quarter 4 2022.