Written Answers Nos. 86-101
86. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date, to include the public sector, in the Climate Change in the Irish Mind survey, as outlined in the climate action plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45621/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraClimate Action Plan 2023 identified increased climate literacy in the public sector as a key driver of public sector leadership. This question relates to Climate Action Plan 2023, action number PS/23/9/B**. My Department has engaged with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the delivery of this action. A survey is currently being designed and will be rolled out before the end of the year.
87. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average lifespan of a smart meter by model; the number of reported meter failures by model; and the average waiting period for smart meter repair. [45623/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the methodology used for estimated smart meter readings when a meter has failed; and the avenues individuals have to appeal these readings. [45624/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
The National Smart Metering Programme is overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and ESB Networks (ESBN) have been tasked with the roll out, which involves upgrading all of Ireland’s electricity meters to smart meters. To date over 1.4 million smart meters have been installed out of a total of 2.4 million to be exchanged by 2025.
This roll-out has to date focused on replacing domestic 24 hour (MCCO1) meters, and this has seen two phases of smart meter installed. The specification for both phase 1 and phase 2 meters indicate a lifespan of 15 years.
As of the end of September 2023, the total number of smart meters installed which have been classified as faulty was 2,796, or 0.19% of total installs. This is well within specified tolerance for contracted allowable failure rates. This total was comprised of 2,416 phase 1 meters (0.23%), and 380 phase two meters (0.08%). Both failure rates were within agreed tolerances, however an investigation confirmed that some meters were failing due to outdoor meter cabinets letting in water under certain conditions. Corrective actions were identified by ESBN and this has seen the number of water-related failures reduce significantly.
If a customer or supplier reports a faulty meter to ESBN, a service order is created for a Network Technician visit. It can take up to 22 days from service order creation to a site visit. If a meter is found to be faulty by a network technician, it will be exchanged immediately.
When remote meter readings are not able to be captured from a smart meter, this could result in an estimated bill. There are agreed estimation briefing documents that apply to both Non-Interval and Interval meters. These apply where reads aren’t returned from a meter irrespective of meter type. The technical details of these processes are available in the attached documents.
Where a meter has failed, and if the register reads are not available on exchange, an estimate will be generated based on the previous consumption pattern where the average usage is available from previous readings. If a customer is unhappy with the estimated readings, they can contact ESBN directly to raise a complaint. If they are dissatisfied with ESBN's response, they can raise a complaint with CRU.
Periodic consumption and initial EUF values
89. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the report into the external review of governance within Inland Fisheries Ireland including an examination of the respective roles of the IFI board and executive will be published, considering it was due to be published by the end of September of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45628/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been informed by Inland Fisheries Ireland that the Governance Review which the Section 18(5) appointees have been tasked with is ongoing and nearing completion. It is intended that a report will be completed during the terms of the appointees.
90. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will be appointing a new chair and board of Inland Fisheries Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45629/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSections 12 and 13 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 set out the processes by which the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland is appointed. These processes are well-advanced and I expect to be in a position to appoint the new Board and Chair before end November.
91. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his office is aware that the An Post post box was removed from a location (details supplied) during renovations and was not reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45732/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision or removal of post boxes at post offices are a operational matter for the board and management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister have a role or function.
92. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the people of Clare will benefit from his Department’s allocations in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45772/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has secured €1.159 billion in Budget 2024 to support families and communities with energy costs while continuing the drive towards a climate neutral, sustainable and digitally connected future. This is an additional €115 million in expenditure compared to the Budget 2023 allocation.
The various programmes and measures rolled out and delivered by my Department, with the exception of the Just Transition programme, are nationwide and not focused on specific geographic areas.
A number of key measures that will continue to be funded include:
Three €150 energy credits giving over two million households €450 towards energy bills throughout Winter 2023/2024 to help lessen the impact of energy bills as price reductions begin to take effect. There will be one before Christmas and one each in the January/February and March/April billing cycles.
A record €380 million allocation from carbon tax revenue for the SEAI residential and community energy upgrades schemes (including the Solar PV scheme) to support the delivery of our National Retrofit Plan. This funding will support the expansion of a range of schemes, to make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat. Figures from the SEAI show that in the first half of 2023, 479 property upgrades in County Clare were supported. This compares to 162 for the same period in 2022.
€348 million has been prioritised to further progress the roll-out of the high-speed broadband network under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention, delivering high-speed broadband services to an additional 100,000 homes and businesses in Ireland next year. In County Clare, to date nearly 5,300 premises have been passed with a connection to high-speed broadband under the NBP with this number increasing in 2024.
93. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of legal cases taken against his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023; and the costs associated with same in each of those years. [45392/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's Litigation Branch manages litigation claims taken against the Minister for Defence. In doing so, the Branch works closely with both the State Claims Agency (SCA) and the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO). Personal injury cases taken against the Minister for Defence are managed on behalf of the Minister for Defence by the SCA, and Employment Law matters taken against the Minister for Defence are managed on behalf of the Minister for Defence by the CSSO.
The total number of cases administered by the Department's Litigation Branch in each year from 2013 to 2022, and up to 30 September 2023 are outlined in the table below.
|
Year Received |
Total |
|
2013 |
130 |
|
2014 |
167 |
|
2015 |
158 |
|
2016 |
130 |
|
2017 |
135 |
|
2018 |
248 |
|
2019 |
179 |
|
2020 |
95 |
|
2021 |
104 |
|
2022 |
61 |
|
2023 (Up to 30 Sept) |
61 |
The Deputy will be aware that a case does not always start and finish in the same calendar year, and in some instances the cases can run over a number of years. The figures provided above show the number of new cases received in each of the years 2012 to date. The total number of cases that are ongoing as at 30 September 2023 is 494 cases.
Total Costs Incurred on Claims Managed by Litigation Branch per Year
|
2013 |
€3,701,690 |
|
2014 |
€4,036,483 |
|
2015 |
€3,629,844 |
|
2016 |
€3,797,539 |
|
2017 |
€3,660,409 |
|
2018 |
€7,019,502 |
|
2019 |
€3,267,834 |
|
2020 |
€6,910,113 |
|
2021 |
€5,491,304 |
|
2022 |
€5,597,332 |
|
2023 (Up to 30 Sept) |
€3,520,130 |
94. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how the people of Clare will benefit from his Department’s allocations in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45769/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor 2024, the total overall gross allocation provided to the Defence Vote Group, as set out in Budget 2024, is €1.23 billion, comprising of €921 million on the Defence Vote and €310 million on the Army Pensions Vote. This significant allocation represents an overall increase of €21 million on 2023 across the Vote Group.
This level of funding will enable the Defence Forces to deliver effectively on all its key domestic and international responsibilities, enhance our national and international security capability and facilitate progression on the structural and cultural transformation of the Defence Forces, as recently outlined in the Strategic Framework.
Expenditure on Vote 36 - Defence is managed through a single programme with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. Accordingly, my Department does not allocate funding on a geographical basis, with the exception of funding provided to local authorities in support of Civil Defence activities. As these funding applications are based on the actual expenditure incurred during the year and are submitted and paid retrospectively, it is not possible at this time to outline the funding allocation likely to be provided to Clare County Council for 2024.
95. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the lower mission vehicle toll incentive and will be continued beyond this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45386/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraProviding a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department.
The Low Emission Vehicle Toll Incentive (LEVTI) Scheme was introduced in July 2018 and offers toll discounts for alternatively fuelled vehicles (up to 50,000 vehicles). BEV and PHEVs qualify for 50% and 25% toll reductions respectively up to a maximum €500 annual threshold for private vehicles and a maximum annual threshold of €1,000 for commercial vehicles (greater off-peak rates also apply to the M50 toll).
The Scheme was expanded in 2020 to include toll reductions for electric motorbikes, hydrogen fuelled passenger cars and SPSVs, and heavy duty vehicles (trucks, buses and coaches) fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen or electricity.
The 2023 toll incentive scheme is due to end December 31 2023. I am currently considering options based on the overall funding envelope available for 2024 with a view to ensuring the right mix of incentives towards the continued electrification of the private vehicle fleet.
96. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if Bus Éireann or Local Link are looking at a bus route from Castleblayney to Navan to accommodate persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45371/23]
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to, if Bus Éireann or Local Link are looking at a bus route from Castleblayney to Navan to accommodate persons, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
97. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of legal cases taken against his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023; and the costs associated with same in each of those years. [45407/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy once available.
98. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the extra buses that will be provided to Bus Eireann arising from Budget 2024. [45430/23]
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 procurement of the national Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus fleet.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
99. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if an issue (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45445/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic (Control of Traffic) Regulations 2006 allow road authorities to restrict or prohibit certain non-passenger vehicles, including heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), from entering specified roads during specified periods. These regulations form the basis of the 5-axle HGV ban in operation in Dublin City and in a number of other locations.
Following engagement with An Garda Síochána and the local authority sector, my Department introduced regulations earlier this year which now make it a fixed charge notice offence for an HGV to enter a restricted area without the relevant permit. It is intended that this financial penalty will allow for speedier and more efficient enforcement of such restrictions and that this will, in turn, deter HGV drivers who might consider entering a restricted area without permission.
As individual road authorities are best placed to assess local vehicle requirements, based on road safety or traffic management grounds, my Department has no role in deciding where and in what circumstances HGV restrictions should apply.
100. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 7 March 2023, the current status of a pedestrian footbridge over the Owenriff River in Oughterard; if a designer will be appointed in October 2023; if he will provide a timeframe for the design phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45719/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
101. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he has received the correspondence regarding the unacceptable waiting times for driving tests, which are currently at an all-time high (details supplied); when he intends to issue a response to the correspondence received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45725/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Employee/employer relations between the RSA and driver testers are therefore an issue for the RSA in the first instance. Neither I, nor my officials, are party to RSA recruitment and employee contractual matters.
The letter referred to was received by my Department on 9 October, I intend to respond shortly.
