Written Answers Nos. 59-80
59. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an investigation is being undertaken by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement into the substance of a complaint submitted to the ODCE by a person (details supplied) in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28212/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Companies Act 2014, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement is responsible for enforcing and encouraging compliance with company law, investigating suspected offences under the Act, prosecuting detected breaches of the Companies Act, referring cases to the Director of Public Prosecutions on indictment and exercising a supervisory role over the activities of liquidators and receivers.
Section 949(3) of the Companies Act 2014 provides that the Director of Corporate Enforcement shall be independent in the performance of his statutory functions.
Neither the Tánaiste, nor I, as Minister, have a function in such matters.
60. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an eircode that was applied for months ago will be immediately assigned to an house in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28202/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, assigns Eircodes to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on all new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory (APG), a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their licence agreement. An Post and OSi have confirmed to my officials that the property in question has been assigned a verified postal address and geo-location and this information has been added to the An Post database. However, the new postal address, geo-location and other information for the property in question was added to the An Post database subsequent to the database being released to Capita in early April for the assignment of an Eircode. My officials have been informed that this information will be included in the next quarterly update of the database being supplied to Capita.
Also, Capita have advised my officials that they have been in direct contact with the individual in question and will continue to monitor the case, reverting to the property owner with updates as soon as further information is available.
The next quarterly release of new Eircodes is due mid-August and will include a notification letter sent to each property providing the Eircode of that address; new Eircodes will be published on the free to use Eircode Finder website and an updated Eircode Database will be provided to licenced businesses for their use.
61. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Government policy in relation to payment for surplus energy which is fed back into the national grid by small commercial businesses using photovoltaic roof panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28231/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI signed Regulations on 15 February which impose an obligation on suppliers to provide the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff for micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for all surplus renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value.The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework on 1 December 2021, which outlines the interim arrangements for the implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. The CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. Several suppliers are now advertising their CEG tariffs. Eligible customers are already accruing the value of the CEG for exported electricity and payments, which will commence after 1 July, will be backdated to the date of eligibility or the 15th February, whichever is latest. Under the Microgeneration Support Scheme the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland will extend the domestic solar PV grant scheme to businesses in the near future, with a maximum grant of €2,400 available. Non-domestic projects greater than 6kW up to 50kW will be eligible for the Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff per kWh exported for a period of 15 years from their electricity supplier. The CEP will be €0.135/kWh in 2022. Any shortfall between the CEP tariff and wholesale electricity prices will be supported by the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy. Exported volumes of electricity eligible for the CEP tariff will be capped at 80% of generation capacity to incentivise self-consumption. The CRU will undertake a public consultation on the implementation plan for the CEP in Q3 2022.
62. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the situation with respect to electricity costs imposed on small businesses which have reduced their energy consumption from the national grid by installing photo voltaic panels; if it is Government policy that higher charges would pertain in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28235/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the independent regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity market following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, and subsequent legislation.Prices in the electricity retail market have been fully deregulated since April 2011. Price setting by electricity suppliers is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned. An electricity supplier can increase or decrease the rates charged to customers in line with what has been signed up to in the contract. This may include increasing/decreasing the unit rate, the standing charge or any additional charges on bills. The CRU encourages customers to shop around for better offers from other suppliers and has accredited a number of switching websites to assist customers in this process. For more information visit https://www.cru.ie/home/switching-supplier/
63. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the long-term Climate Action Strategy which was to be completed in quarter one 2022 as set out in the Annex of Actions of the Climate Action Plan 2021, has not been completed. [28240/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s Long-term Climate Action Strategy (LTS) is currently being finalised and will be submitted to the European Commission this quarter. Ireland prepared a draft of the LTS in 2019 in line with the then climate ambition set out in Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. However, with the Programme for Government commitment to substantially increase our climate ambition, including our 2050 objective, submission of Ireland’s draft LTS to the European Commission was paused to ensure it fully aligned with our enhanced climate ambition. In July 2021, Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 was enacted giving legal effect to a 2050 climate neutrality target. The Act also provides for a 51% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030, compared to 2018 levels, and puts in place a rigorous governance structure, including a requirement for Government to prepare a National Long-term Climate Action Strategy at least once every five-years. As we finalise Ireland’s LTS, we are ensuring that the ambition aligns with our recently legislated for national climate targets, as well as making a strong contribution to the overall EU ambition of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and achieving an interim reduction in overall EU greenhouse gas emissions of 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Similarly, the LTS will support our commitment to the international objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels, as established under the Paris Climate Agreement, and recently reaffirmed in the Glasgow Climate Pact. Ireland, as one of several Member States still to submit its Long-term Climate Strategy, has continued to engage with the European Commission on this issue, and has fully appraised the Commission of the approach as set out above.
64. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if steps are being taken to ensure that persons on low fixed incomes can access essential communication services such as mobile phone and internet given the sharp increase in the costs of living and to ensure that they can fully participate in the economy and society. [28296/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraProviding electronic communication services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. While as Minister, I do not have statutory authority to influence the prices set by the commercial companies concerned, I understand, that competition in the market at retail level is resulting in mobile phone and broadband packages currently being available to users at a monthly cost of €15 to €20 for mobile and €30 to €35 for broadband. The Deputy will also be aware that the Department of Social Protection offers a telephone support allowance to people who are in receipt of certain qualifying payments and both the Living Alone Allowance and Fuel Allowance. Further details can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/4d2773-telephone-support-allowance/.
65. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the broadband roll-out timeframe for when areas in mid-Cork that are currently in the survey pending phase will move to survey underway; and when the areas in the survey underway phase will move to the design and network build phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28347/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra66. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the area in mid-Cork that is currently in the survey pending phase of broadband roll-out will be next to move to survey underway phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28348/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 20 May 2022, over 327,600 premises have now been surveyed and over 175,300 premises are under construction or complete across 26 counties, demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. I am further advised that almost 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. NBI has advised that almost 5,800 premises have been passed with high speed broadband in County Cork.
The queries raised in the Questions regarding the timeframes for surveying phases in mid-Cork are an operational matter for NBI. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. 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 made recent improvements to its 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.
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 20 May, 584 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. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
In County Cork 45 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 nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
67. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected yield from the 20 cent levy on disposable beverage containers in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28351/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022 (‘the Bill’) aims to support Ireland’s transition to a circular economy by providing the necessary legislative basis for several key measures including the Circular Economy Strategy; the Circular Economy Programme; the National Food Loss Prevention Roadmap; and the Circular Economy Fund.
The Bill will also provide for the power to introduce environmental levies on certain single-use disposable items, including single-use disposable cups, containers and packaging, and to prohibit their placing on the market where a suitable re-usable alternative is, or could be made, readily available. These levies will work in a similar way to the plastic bag levy, which has been so successful in tackling plastic bag litter, and all proceeds will be ringfenced in a Circular Economy Fund to support environmental projects and initiatives. These new environmental levies will be introduced incrementally, with the initial focus on the introduction of levies on single-use disposable hot drinks cups later this year.
Revenue generated will, of course, be determined by numbers of disposable cups used following the introduction of the levy. However, it is important to note that this environmental levy is not primarily intended as a revenue raising measure, but rather as a means of incentivising increased use of affordable, re-usable alternatives to disposable coffee cups. Such cups are single use items which represent an almost entirely avoidable waste stream. In that context, the more successful the levy is in terms of affecting behavioural change the lower the revenue generated.
68. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the investment required in the national grid to deliver on Ireland’s renewable energy targets by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28352/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAchieving the Climate Action Plan 2021 target to produce up to 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 will entail investment of tens of billions of euro, including in the installation and maintenance of generation assets, and associated infrastructure and services at transmission and distribution level, as well as in the development of supply chains and port infrastructure. Matters relating to the cost and focus of grid investment are operational matters for EirGrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). EirGrid is the transmission system operator and its responsibilities include the appropriate development of the grid and power system to achieve our energy policy objectives and underpin economic development. The CRU is the independent energy regulator and, through a formal price review process (the most recent being Price Review 5 (PR5)), it decides on the appropriate spend by EirGrid and ESB Networks (as the distribution system operator) on a five-year basis. The PR5 decision by the CRU in December 2020 signalled a significant and necessary increase in funds for grid enhancement. EirGrid already seeks to optimise the existing electricity grid to minimise the need for new infrastructure through upgrades, refurbishment or up-voltaging of existing infrastructure, where possible. However, in light of the Government's ambition to have up to 80% renewable electricity on the power system by 2030, and with demand profiles increasing as we continue to electrify more sectors of our economy, such as transport and heating, further investment in the power grid will be required over the coming decade. The CRU issued a final determination for funding over the next five years to the end of 2025 which can be found on the CRU website. It indicates a capital investment of €4 billion across the transmission and distribution network.
69. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the purchase of carbon credits for Ireland to meet Ireland’s renewable energy target in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28353/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s overall renewable energy target for 2020 was a minimum of 16%. SEAI forecasts, in November 2020, indicated that Ireland would not achieve its renewable energy target by 2020 and would instead have a shortfall of between 3-4%. On an ex-ante basis, statistical transfers were purchased at a cost of €50m, with 1,000 GWh purchased from Denmark at a cost of €12.5m and 2,500 GWh from Estonia at a cost of €37.5m. The final energy outturn for 2020, which became available in October 2021, confirmed that, prior to the purchase of statistical transfers from Denmark and Estonia, Ireland's energy use from renewable energy sources was 13.53%.
Following the purchase of statistical transfers, this resulted in Ireland achieving an outturn of 16.16%. Therefore, no further purchases were required, as the 2020 target had been met.
70. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the purchase of international project credits, where relevant, to meet Ireland’s 2019 and 2020 targets, under the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and for greenhouse gas targets under the EU Effort Sharing Decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28354/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis reply addresses the purchase of international project carbon credits to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets under the 2009 EU Effort Sharing Decision (ESD). The use of international project credits is not required under the EU Energy Efficiency Directive.
The ESD set annual binding emissions reduction targets for EU Member States for the period 2013-2020. These targets cover emissions from sectors outside of the EU Emissions Trading System, such as agriculture, transport, buildings and waste.
Other than domestic emissions reductions, Member States can achieve their annual targets via a number of compliance options set out in the legislative framework of the ESD, including banking any excess allowances for future years, purchasing ESD-eligible international credits, and trading excess allowances between Member States.
Ireland availed of the compliance option to purchase international credits to meet the 2019 target and since 2019 has spent €2.1m purchasing international carbon credits. Ireland currently holds 2.9 million international credits. In the context of a gap to our 2020 target of about 6.75 MtCO2eq., according to the latest estimates of greenhouse gas emissions published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland will need to purchase an additional c. 4m credits (from the international market) or allowances (from other Member States) to comply.
The most recent estimates of the additional costs of purchasing credits for compliance with these targets were in the region of €6 million to €13 million, depending on the price and final quantity of credits/allowances required.
As the designated purchasing agent on behalf of the State, the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) administers and manages purchases of carbon credits. Details of all transactions entered into by the NTMA are published annually in a Carbon Fund Report at www.ntma.ie in accordance with section 6 of the Carbon Fund Act 2007.
71. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 28 April 2022, the status of the review of the implementation of the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty 2016-2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28508/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnergy poverty, or fuel poverty is influenced by a person’s income, the energy efficiency of their home, and the cost of the energy they use in their home. In 2020, the ESRI estimated that 17.5% of households in Ireland could be at risk of energy poverty. Lower income households living in inefficient homes are more at risk of energy poverty when energy prices increase, as the proportion of their income needed to meet their energy needs increases.
The Government has put a range of policies and measures in place to support households who are at risk of energy poverty. These measures supplement lower income households through the Fuel Allowance, the Household Benefits Package and other payments, as well as providing free energy efficiency upgrades through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland schemes and the Social Housing retrofitting programme. This year, 58% (€203 million) of the total Government retrofit budget of €352 million will be spent on dedicated energy poverty retrofit supports and local authority retrofits. Recognising the unprecedented rise in energy prices facing people the Government put in place a number of additional measures earlier this year including:
-an increase in the weekly rate of the Fuel Allowance by €5 to €33 a week so that €914 was paid to eligible households over the course of the winter, an additional lump-sum payment of €125 was paid to the 370,000 households receiving the fuel allowance in mid-March.
- the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment of €176.22 (excl. VAT) credited to domestic electricity accounts.
- specific measures in the new National Retrofit Schemes to support householders in taking actions to reduce energy bills, including up to 80% grant funding for low-cost, high-impact measures such as attic insulation.
-To further manage the impact of price increases the Government, in the recently published National Energy Security Framework, announced a number of additional measures for households and businesses including:
- A new targeted €20 million scheme for the installation of Photo Voltaic (PV) panels for households that have a high reliance on electricity for medical reasons.
-A package of measures to enhance protections for financially vulnerable customers and customers in debt in the electricity and gas sectors.
-A review of the price-drivers behind electricity and natural gas bills (including network costs) with a view to mitigating cost increases for consumers and businesses in the near term.
-The continuation of the excise duty reduction on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil until the Budget in October 2022.
-A reduction in VAT from 13.5% to 9% on gas and electricity bills from the start of May until the end of October.
-An additional payment of €100 for all recipients of the Fuel Allowance.
-The reduction to zero of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy on electricity bills.
In addition to the measures outlined above, electricity and gas suppliers, overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, have a range of protections against disconnections in place for consumers. In brief, priority customers cannot be disconnected, while vulnerable customers are protected over winter months from 1 November to 31 March each year. Additionally, under the supplier led voluntary Energy Engage Code, suppliers will not disconnect a customer who is engaging with them at any time. Accordingly, any customers who are experiencing difficulties with their Bills should engage with their supplier to discuss the various options and assistance available.
A research network on fuel poverty chaired by the Economic and Social Research Institute was established in 2021. The Group consists of representatives from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Department of Social Protection, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the Central Statistics Office. The Group has commenced examination of the data and metrics needed to improve existing measures for fuel poverty in Ireland. The main goal is to provide insights that enhance policy design to protect vulnerable households. A work programme, proposed outputs and timelines will be agreed and finalised shortly.
A review of the implementation of the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty will be completed in the coming weeks to inform future policy in this area.
72. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 10 of 6 April 2022, the status of the preparation of the finalised terms of reference for the offshore renewable energy scheme one; the status of his Department’s response to the public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28509/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to develop the terms and conditions for ORESS 1, the first offshore wind auction under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme. As noted in Question No. 10 of 6 April 2022, the ORESS 1 auction is scheduled to commence in Q4 2022, subject to the availability of a sufficient quantity of eligible projects for a competitive auction. A key auction eligibility criterion will be for offshore wind projects to hold a Maritime Area Consent (MAC). MACs were established under the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021 and the MAC application window opened on 25 April 2022. Award of MACs is expected in Q3 this year.
A public consultation on the draft terms and conditions for ORESS 1 was held between October 2021 and December 2021 and over 150 responses were received. My Department plans to issue a formal response to consultation feedback in the coming days, with final terms and conditions to be submitted for Government approval later this summer.
73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 185 of 1 March 2022, the status of the promised statutory guidelines on the development of local authority climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28510/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 was commenced on the 23 July 2021. Section 16 of the Act requires each Local Authority to prepare a climate action plan, specifying the mitigation and the adaptation measures to be adopted by the Local Authority. Local Authorities will have 12 months to complete their individual plans once requested by the Minister, with the request to be made within 18 months of the coming into operation of the Act.
Local Authority plans will have to be consistent with national climate plans and strategies and will include both mitigation and adaptation measures to be updated every five years. Local Authorities will liaise with each other in the preparation of these plans. My Department is working with the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs), Local Authorities, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to finalise a set of statutory guidelines detailing the approach Local Authorities are to take in the development and implementation of Local Authority climate action plans. Each plan will drive adaptation and mitigation measures required at local level. The guidelines will also include the issue of implementation of decarbonising zones.
74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 244 of 2 March 2022, the status of the development of the proposed coastguard station on the lands designated for an airstrip in Cleggan; if a planning application has been submitted to date; the engagement that his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department have had with the Department of Rural and Community Development with regard to progressing this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28529/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) building programme – essentially aimed at ensuring Coast Guard Units along the coast are fit for purpose. The programme is managed through the Office of Public Works (OPW) from planning design to build and on-going maintenance, with legal assistance as necessary from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.
The provision of a new Coast Guard station for the Cleggan Unit has been a priority on the Building Programme for the IRCG for a number of years.
The OPW have been in contact with the Department of Community and Rural Development regarding the potential use of some of their land for the provision of this much needed facility.
A feasibility study has been completed and a potentially suitable site has been identified.
The discussions with the Department of Community & Rural Development have been positive and the OPW are now commencing the pre-planning process in advance to the preparation of a planning application to the statutory authority.
75. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport the plans, if any, to reopen the train station in Dunleer, County Louth; the estimated cost of reopening the existing station; his views that Dunleer offers the potential for an improved rail service for the mid and south Louth areas and that a cost-benefit analysis should be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28239/22]
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.
The issues which the Deputy has raised regarding the reopening of Dunleer train station and the potential benefit from services to that station are first and foremost operational matters for Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority respectively, and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's questions to the companies for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
76. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the areas in which the money that is raised through tolls on the M50 is spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28279/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
Toll revenue is used by TII to fund essential services including the operation and maintenance of the national road and motorway network. Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
77. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if he will address concerns in relation to disabled parking spaces that are routinely being taken by non-disabled drivers; if he is satisfied that there is sufficient enforcement of the regulations regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28317/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisabled parking bays on public roads and in local authority car parks are a limited resource that must be managed in such a way as to ensure that they are available for those for whom they are essential. Anyone parking in one of these specially designated spaces without holding a valid permit is taking a space away from someone who genuinely needs it and depriving that person of access to essential services.
Motorists who park illegally in a designated disabled bay currently face a fixed charge penalty of €150, rising to €225 if not paid within 28 days. By way of context, I would like to point out that most other parking offences incur either a €40 or an €80 fine. A decision was taken in 2018 to substantially increase the penalty for parking in a disabled space so as to reflect the gravity and anti-social nature of the offence. This penalty incurred is now the highest of all fixed charge driving and parking offences.
My Department's role in the disabled parking scheme is limited to the drafting of the relevant legislation and the setting of appropriate penalties. I would suggest therefore that the Deputy raise any concerns about enforcement with the relevant bodies, namely An Garda Síochána and local authority traffic and parking sections.
78. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost to the Exchequer due to the various financial incentives being offered of increasing the fleet of electric vehicles and low emitting vehicles on the road to 945, 000 by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28350/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the National Development Plan €1bn has been allocated to specific carbon reduction measures, including vehicle electrification. 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. This funding includes both capital grants to support the purchase of EVs and capital funding for the delivery of EV charging infrastructure.
€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. Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, ZEVI, is currently being established to coordinate this work.
This includes:
- Continuation of the purchase grant scheme at existing levels for fully electric passenger cars and vans, and the refocusing of exchequer funding on zero tailpipe emission vehicles.
- Continuation and expansion of the home charging infrastructure scheme to include multi-unit dwellings.
- Continuation of a grant scheme for taxi and hackney drivers.
- Continuation of an alternatively fuelled heavy goods vehicles purchase grant scheme.
- Continuation of the Low Emission Vehicle Toll Incentive Scheme.
- Introduction of a revised scheme for public point charging.
- Introduction of a new scheme for electric vans.
- Introduction of a new scheme for destination charging.
As part of preparations for Budget 2023, I have asked Departmental officials to review the full range Exchequer supports currently provided to EV owners to ensure that they not only offer value to the Exchequer as part of decarbonisation of transport, but are also fit for purpose moving forward.
79. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he is giving active consideration to allowing a pension increase for CIÉ pensioners who have been denied their pro-rata cost of living increases since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28531/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CIÉ Group has two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme ("RWS") and 1951 superannuation scheme ("1951 Scheme") and issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.
As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to the schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority.
In relation to the Deputy's specific question regarding consideration of a pension increase for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners, would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
80. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a report detailing the number of vacant residential units that were returned to active residential use in each local authority after availing of funding from the living city initiative scheme for each year from 2014 to date, in tabular form. [28274/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Living City Initiative is a tax-based measure aimed at the regeneration of the historic inner cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford.
The scheme provides income or corporation tax relief for expenditure on refurbishment and conversion work that is carried out in either residential properties or certain commercial properties.
The Initiative targets particular areas of the cities which are most in need of regeneration, especially inner city areas. These are areas chosen by the relevant councils which are largely comprised of dwellings built before 1915, where there is above average unemployment and which demonstrate clear evidence of neglect, dereliction and under-use.
Revenue advise me that it is not possible to specify the extent to which tax relief under the scheme may have supported qualifying work within each of the local authority areas; and that statistical data are not available on the specific number of vacant residential units that have been returned to active residential use under the Living City Initiative from 2014 to date.
Data in relation to claims for the Living City Initiative are available on the Revenue website for the years 2013 to 2018, the latest year for which fully analysed data are available, at:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/property-reliefs.aspx.
This report will be updated over the coming months with data for both 2019 and 2020. The available data for the scheme are reproduced below:
Living City Initiative
|
Tax Year |
Amount claimed (€m) |
Maximum tax cost* (€m) |
Number of claimants |
|
2018 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
27 |
|
2017 |
0.4 |
0.2 |
23 |
|
2016 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
15 |
|
2015 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
13 |
|
2014 |
0.2 |
0.10 |
N/A |
|
2013 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
N/A |
*assumed at 40% for IT and 12.5% for CT.
