Written Answers Nos. 167-180
167. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a work permit (details supplied); when it is likely a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12078/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that on 2nd March 2023 a General Employment Permit application was submitted in respect of the person named in the details supplied. On 6th March 2023 the application was formally accepted and placed in the processing queue.
New applications accepted in the processing queue are currently being processed within 7-8 business days.
168. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in the case of an employer who successfully applies for work visas for non-European nationals to come to Ireland, but who are not permitted work visas by the Department of Justice to travel to Ireland to undertake this work, if these employers can be refunded the cost of the work permits that are no longer viable to them; if not, if these permits could be transferred onto other individuals to come to Ireland to take up the same employment, considering the unfairness and cost associated with this on a business that does not get the employees it needs and is entitled to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12083/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits legislation provides for a refund of 90% to be paid where an application is either withdrawn or refused. There is no provision in the legislation to provide for a refund once an employment permit has issued. Employers are advised to check that prospective employees meet all of the permit and visa criteria prior to submitting an application.
Employment permits are both employer and employee specific, therefore it is not possible to transfer permits from one employer to another or between non-EEA nationals. If the proposed employment is not taken up by a permit holder, the employment permit must be cancelled. This information is set out in the Employment Permits section of the Department's website.
My Department and the Department of Justice are currently examining the development of a single application procedure for work permits and entry visas. An Inter-Departmental Group has been established to examine the legal and operational changes required to deliver a more seamless customer experience for users of the employment permits and entry visa systems. It is expected to make recommendations to Government within six months.
Information in relation to the different permit types, fees, Checklist documents for General and Critical Skills Employment Permits and a FAQ document which answers the most common questions is available on the Department's website and can be accessed through this link:- Employment Permits - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie).
169. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if licences have been issued for specific minerals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10910/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no current Prospecting Licences which have been issued in Co. Mayo in respect of gold or silver.
My Department has received an application for 8 PLs in County Mayo covering the following minerals; base metals, barytes, ores of gold, ores of silver, ores of platinum group elements. A decision in relation to that application will be made in the coming weeks.
170. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of meetings his officials had with the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities to examine the current prices being charged by regulated utilities between 1 September 2022 and 1 March 2023, in tabular form; the efforts being made to ensure that reductions in wholesale energy prices are being passed on to consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12044/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) was assigned consumer protection functions under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation and has statutory responsibility for the compliance by energy suppliers with their consumer protection obligations.The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial and liberalised. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the matters raised by the Deputy, is solely a matter for the CRU.In line with long standing policy on deregulating price setting, CRU ended its regulation of retail prices in the electricity market in 2011, and in the gas market in 2014. Price setting by electricity suppliers, including standing charges is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned. Each such company has its own different approach to pricing decisions over time, in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base. Within a competitive environment, providers also have costs such as staffing, Tax, infrastructure, and cost of Network Tariffs which in turn affects end users’ bills. Officials from my Department meet on an ongoing basis with a range of stakeholders including the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) Government throughout 2022 introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 introduced a bundle of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This includes the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme, lump sum payments to fuel Allowance recipients, and persons on the working family payment. More recently, in February of this year, Government announced a €1.2 billion package to help families, businesses, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities. CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
171. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has engaged with the CRU regarding the regulation of companies providing heating to multiple unit dwellings, so that the accuracy of metering systems for recording usage and consumer protection in contracts can be properly regulated; and if it is intended to seek sanction for new regulations. [12049/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDistrict heating schemes are large-scale systems that are supplied by one or several centralised or decentralised heat sources and serve multiple buildings and multiple customers. Group, or communal, heating schemes are smaller-scale systems that supply single buildings or complexes. End users in group or communal heating schemes are supplied with heat rather than fuel and the heat supplier in these schemes purchases the fuel at commercial rates, primarily natural gas.
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has been assigned responsibility for regulation of district heating networks.
The statutory functions of the CRU in relation to regulation of district heating are contained in SI 350 of 2022 and SI 630 of 2022. Under SI 350 of 2022, which transposed Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001/EU, suppliers to district heat networks shall provide information on the energy performance and the share of renewable energy in district heating and cooling systems to final consumers in an easily accessible manner. SI 630 of 2022 contains regulatory provisions in relation to metering and billing for district heating and units of multi-apartment or multi-purpose buildings where such units are supplied from a central source.
My Department is currently liaising with the CRU to ensure the development of an appropriate regulatory framework for district heating, to include making currently assigned functions fully operational as soon as possible. The CRU is also assessing the specific regulatory needs of group heating schemes to ensure their inclusion in a regulatory framework, as a priority.
172. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No.141 of 28 February 2023, the reasons he stated there are no plans to amend the turf development Acts to ensure that Bord na Móna is required to take into account climate, biodiversity, and water objectives, despite the Programme for Government commitment to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12065/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans to amend the amend the Turf development Acts as Bord na Móna (BnM) is already obliged to comply with climate, biodiversity, water and other environmental objectives set out in the Programme for Government, Government strategy and policy documents and legislation. There are a number of tools and mechanisms available to ensure that this happens such as Shareholder Letters of Expectations, rolling corporate plans and strategies and consideration of consent requests from the Company.As I indicated, BnM's significant programme of investment, in line with its Strategy and as supported by the Government is facilitating delivery of the targets and ambition set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and the Climate Action Plan 2023, and the delivery of the Government's circular economy agenda.
I do not believe legislative change is required at this time.
173. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received correspondence (details supplied) in relation to an issue relating to the Eircom Superannuation Scheme; if he will set out his function and intentions in relation to a proposal on a 3% increase dated from July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12069/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Eircom Main Superannuation Scheme (as amended) was established by Statute for the purpose of providing for the pension liabilities of staff transferred from the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs to Telecom Éireann on its establishment on 1st January 1984, the Vesting day. The pre-vesting and post vesting liabilities of the scheme members were paid entirely out of the Main Fund until 1996.
Following extensive discussions with the Department of Finance at the time, formal arrangements for payment of the sums due in respect of pre-vesting service were settled between the company, Fund Trustees and that Department. The arrangements involved, inter alia, the establishment of the Eircom No. 2 Fund in 1999 to provide funding towards pre-vesting liabilities while the Main Fund continued to provide only for the post-vesting day liabilities arising.
The provisions of the eircom Superannuation Scheme (Section 10) stipulate that eircom Limited may grant pension increases to members as may be authorised from time to time by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance
Therefore, all pension increases require authorisation at Ministerial level across two Departments; my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (in line with delegated functions).
In October 2022, my Department received a request from the trustees for sanction for an increase of 3%, backdated to 1 July 2022. In order to consider the request, a report was requested from NewERA on the pension increase proposal, which was received at the end of February.
My Department is currently awaiting confirmation of concurrence from the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to sanction the request, following which the decision will be communicated to the trustees.
174. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Inland Fisheries Ireland published the 2021 Lough Melvin Water Framework Directive Fish Survey Report on 23 February 2023, which highlighted the first anthropogenic existence of invasive roach in this SAC lake, if he, and his Department support the conservation of invasive roach in Lough Melvin SAC under the current Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12139/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 referred to by the Deputy relates to measures concerning the catching and retaining of all coarse species (including roach). The Bye-Law is in force for the last 17 years on a National basis.
The management of any species in a particular fishery is an operational matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I nor my Department have any function. I would also emphasise that Lough Melvin is a transboundary waterway and the practicalities of management involves frequent IFI collaboration with fisheries authorities in Northern Ireland
Inland Fisheries Ireland (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
175. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans that are in place to hold events in person in County Wexford in relation to the public consultation on the draft OREDP, II taking into consideration the location of the Department and MARA and the survey activity that is taking place in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12142/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan II (OREDP II), which is now open for public consultation, is one of the key building blocks for developing the enduring regime for offshore renewable energy. The Enduring Regime is the long-term vision for how the State will develop on our significant renewable energy potential to deliver economic, environmental and social benefits for all. The eight-week Public Consultation on the draft OREDP II was launched on Friday, 24th February. Over the course of the consultation period, my Department will be running a series of online and in-person events to raise awareness of the OREDP II and to encourage people to give their feedback on the draft OREDP II as part of the public consultation process.
The events taking place over the coming weeks include several local outreach events across many coastal community areas around the country. Kilmore Quay, Wexford, is one of the locations for these outreach events to take place later in March. An online consultation event on the OREDP II for the general public has also been scheduled to take place on Tuesday, the 21st of March, from 6.30pm-8pm to ensure that those who cannot attend the in-person events have a chance to take part. Registration details for this event can be found at Gov.ie/OffshoreEnergyPlan
176. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether it is fair to target motorists at a time when the cost-of-living is soaring (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12173/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest Climate Action Plan (published in December) and the associated Annex of Actions (published yesterday) include a commitment to develop a new National Demand Management Strategy for the transport sector over the course of this year with the aim of reducing congestion and complementing an extensive range of supports being provided by Government to help halve our transport emissions by 2030.
Such supports including incentives and investment to facilitate a large-scale transition to electric vehicles, increased penetration of biofuels in the fuel-mix, and unprecedented levels of funding in active and public transport infrastructure and services. While these supports are critical, they are not enough to help us achieve our emissions targets or to help us address gridlock, and air quality issues in our towns and cities.
To this end, the new Strategy will be a high-level strategy with the aim of reducing congestion and improving the air quality, safety and liveability of our urban spaces. It will support a just transition by encouraging the alignment of demand management measures with other planned measures, such as public transport service enhancements in urban and rural areas, new active travel infrastructure, the Safe Routes to Schools Programme and supports for shared mobility facilities and services. It will take account of people with additional mobility needs, ensuring the same or better access to towns and services, and it will ensure our road networks can appropriately and efficiently support the movement of goods and people, particularly public transport services, and ongoing national and regional economic development.
While CAP23 outlines the range of measures that may be considered in the development of this new strategy, such as road space reallocation, car-free zones and user charging, nothing has been decided to date. Government fully recognises that demand management measures are most effective and equitable when alternative, more sustainable, public transport and active travel options are readily available.
As part of the process to develop the strategy, my department will work closely with key departments, agencies, and local authorities and will consider the potential impacts and opportunities of various demand management measures across the whole of society, including rural communities. My department also intends launching an initial phase of public consultation in the coming months alongside targeted engagement with key stakeholders throughout the course of 2023.
Details of transport-related charges referenced in some media coverage recently relate to modelling assumptions used to inform the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) which were published on the NTA website recently. The modelling inputs do no represent agreed policy measures and this is made clear in the Climate Action Plan itself.
177. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving testers in each county, in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form, and if he has plans to recruit additional driving test staff. [12005/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the number of people waiting for a driving test in each county in each month since February 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on any change in the waiting times for driving tests. [12006/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service, including test applications and scheduling matters. I have therefore referred these questions to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
I believe the RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process, such that those who are eligible and have been waiting the longest are offered a test first. On the broader issue of waiting times, the driver testing service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand which is 28% up on 2021 figures and 27% up on 2018 pre Covid-19 pandemic figures.The current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include an increase in learner permits in circulation, increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test and an increase in Approved Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers.The RSA conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver testing service in 2022, following which my Department sanctioned an increase in the permanent driver tester headcount from 100 to 130. Deployment of these successful candidates is almost complete and has been focused on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists.Given the continued backlog, demand and capacity of the driver testing service was further reviewed in late 2022 and early 2023. My Department is actively engaged with the RSA in evaluating a subsequent request for additional resources at the present time.
179. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider reviewing a speed limit on a road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12011/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to your question regarding the speed limit on the L3020. The Road Traffic Act 2004 sets out default speed limits for the road network. Local Authorities have the discretion to decide on varying these limits through Special Speed Limit byelaws for roads within their administrative area.
The making of such byelaws is a reserved function of the elected members of the relevant Council. Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 (amended by Section 86 of the Road Traffic Act 2010) sets out the range of Special Speed Limits that may be applied through byelaws.
To assist Local Authorities in the application of Special Speed Limits, the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland (2015) were published by this Department. These are available to view on the www.speedlimits.ie website.
These guidelines apply to all public roads and provide guidance to Local Authorities as to how to decide appropriate speed limits. The Local Authority also has responsibility for traffic calming measures in its administrative area.
In addition, a Speed Limits Appeals Procedure was introduced in December 2021. This allows members of the public or interested parties to appeal an existing speed limit to the relevant Local Authority, Clare County Council in this instance.
Appeal Forms can be downloaded from the Speed Limits website at www.speedlimits.ie/appeals under the Documents tab. Anyone who wishes to make an appeal, should complete the relevant form and send it to the Roads and Transportation Section of Clare County Council. Contact details for each Local Authority are also available on the website.
180. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 184 of 4 October 2022, for an update on the 203 stop at the Dominican Centre in Cork. [12023/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, and their previous reply to the Deputy in the matter, I have referred the question to the NTA for a further update on an alternative stop by direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
