Written Answers Nos. 109-134
109. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh - Artsakh region of Azerbaijan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19923/24]
View answerTensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain an issue of concern for Ireland and the European Union. Ireland joined EU leaders in condemning Azerbaijan’s military escalation in September 2023 and calling for a return to dialogue. The military operation resulted in the mass exodus to Armenia of over 100,000 people – almost the entire ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. In response to the humanitarian crisis, the European Commission announced €12.15 million in humanitarian aid to support those affected by the conflict, along with €15 million in budgetary support and a package of wide-ranging assistance measures. Ireland also provided humanitarian support via its core funding for the UNHCR and ICRC, organisations that played a vital role in helping those displaced by the conflict. We also provided aid for Start Fund and People in Need, NGOs that were on the ground assisting vulnerable people.
We support Karabakh Armenians’ right to return to their homes. My officials continue to raise this during our bilateral contacts as well as multilaterally.
I discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the welfare of the local population in my call with Foreign Minister Mirzoyan on 11 August 2023. The Taoiseach subsequently met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in October in the margins of the European Political Community Summit in Granada and emphasised Ireland’s concern for the welfare of those displaced by the conflict, and our support for a lasting peace in the region.
The European Union regularly discusses the situation in the region, and how the EU can play a role in facilitating peace, most recently during the Foreign Affairs Council meetings in January and March 2024. Ireland also continues to engage on this issue at the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE.
Territorial disputes should be resolved through dialogue, and not use of force. President of the European Council Charles Michel has been involved in efforts to mediate between the two sides, and hosted the sixth round of in-person trilateral negotiations at leaders’ level on 15 July 2023. Ireland supports the EU’s commitment to normalising relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
I also welcomed the meeting of Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev during the Munich Security Conference in February, and the subsequent meeting of Foreign Ministers in Berlin. We encourage all efforts that bring the sides together for dialogue. As underscored in the European Council conclusions of October, any peace agreement should be based on the principles of recognition of sovereignty, the inviolability of borders and territorial integrity.
Ireland supported the decision to deploy a civilian EU monitoring mission to the border region in February 2023. Following the military escalation in September 2023, the Foreign Affairs Council in November agreed to increase the size of the EU Mission in Armenia from 138 to 209 staff. Two Irish Deployees joined the Mission in October 2023.
I welcome the announcement that Armenia and Azerbaijan reached a preliminary agreement on the delimitation of four border sections between the two countries, following the 8th border commission meeting which took place on 19 April 2024. Ireland will continue to support efforts to arrive at a negotiated, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan to the benefit of all people in the region.
110. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports of German police banning the use of the Irish language at gatherings outside of the Reichstag building in Berlin; whether he or his Department has engaged with German or EU authorities in relation to this incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20001/24]
View answerI am aware of reports regarding the incident in question.
The incident described took place in the context of a protest within Berlin’s government district. I understand that the rules surrounding this protest related to all languages other than English and German, and not to Irish in particular. There are domestic German administrative and legal avenues open to the group to raise this matter with the relevant authorities and the group may wish to consider this.
The Embassy has strong and regular outreach to the Irish community in Germany. I was pleased to meet with members of the community, including those that speak and promote the learning of the Irish language, during some of my recent visits to Germany.
111. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the engagement his Department has had with the German Government regarding the suppression of the use of the Irish language at public events in Germany; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20048/24]
View answerI am aware of reports regarding the incident in question.
The incident described took place in the context of a protest within Berlin’s government district. I understand that the rules surrounding this protest related to all languages other than English and German, and not to Irish in particular. There are domestic German administrative and legal avenues open to the group to raise this matter with the relevant authorities and the group may wish to consider this.
The Embassy has strong and regular outreach to the Irish community in Germany. I was pleased to meet with members of the community, including those that speak and promote the learning of the Irish language, during some of my recent visits to Germany.
112. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that a passport will be processed for a person in County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20098/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on
25th April 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.
113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the details of his recent visit to the Middle East; the outcome of discussions with the different groups he met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20100/24]
View answerI travelled to Egypt and Jordan from 23 – 25 April 2024 as part of this Government’s continued efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both Egypt and Jordan are at the forefront of regional and international efforts to halt the conflict in Gaza, address the dire humanitarian situation and resume a meaningful political pathway.
The programme included meetings with Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry in Cairo and with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi in Amman, along with visits to humanitarian partners at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, and to UNRWA programmes supporting Palestine refugees in Jordan.
My meetings with the Egyptian and Jordanian Foreign Ministers, as well as with King Abdullah of Jordan, focused on our collective efforts to bring about an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza. We discussed how Ireland can support regional efforts to return to a political pathway towards a sustainable and peaceful resolution of this conflict and a two-state solution, including through building support for the Arab Peace Vision with European partners, advocating for full membership of the United Nations for Palestine, and a decision by a number of European partners on the recognition of a Palestinian State.
I travelled to the Rafah crossing at the border of Egypt and the Gaza Strip, where I met with representatives of humanitarian partners, including UN OCHA, UNRWA and the Egyptian Red Crescent, and witnessed first-hand the unacceptable restrictions Israel continues to impose, which impede a comprehensive humanitarian response in Gaza.
My engagement on the ground with UNRWA in Egypt and Jordan made clear its irreplaceable and indispensable role, not only for the humanitarian response in Gaza, but in ensuring regional stability by providing for the human and economic development of almost 6 million Palestinian refugees across the region.
114. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to detail Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund reporting or projects to be carried out by news organisations which received grant-aid in the 2024 round of funding. [20101/24]
View answerIn December 2020, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the establishment of the Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund (GIMCF) on a pilot basis. The Fund aims to support the provision of information about major geo-political developments and the changing nature of Ireland’s role in the world, to the public in Ireland, by helping build the capacity of Irish media outlets to undertake international reporting.
A core principle of the Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund is editorial independence . Accordingly, following the allocation of funding to organisations to support their coverage of international issues, the Department does not direct the organisations in terms of the projects selected, the tone of the coverage, or the allocation of staff to carry out this work.
The organisations that are currently in receipt of funding under the GIMCF are Reach Media, RTÉ, The Business Post, Bauer Media, and The Examiner. The Journal and Virgin Media Television concluded their two year pilot funding at end 2023.
On application, each organisation detailed the activity they proposed to undertake using funding from the GIMCF, which was deemed by the External Expert Advisory Panel, and the DFA Internal Application Review Group, to have met the threshold to be awarded funding under the initiative. Organisations which received grant-aid in the 2024 round of funding are required to engage in a mid-term review process which will take place in July 2024, and submit an end of year report detailing the outputs of their work in December 2024.
115. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider attaching 'donor' or 'gift rings' to current public waste bins in order that people can leave their can or bottle for somebody else in the community to recycle and so claim the deposit (as is operational in parts of the Netherlands in the Doneerringen scheme); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19937/24]
View answerA national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been introduced to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium/steel cans and to ensure we meet our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those containers.
Since the DRS went live on 1 February over 74m containers have been returned and nearly €13m has been refunded. Daily return rates are reaching 2m containers more frequently now and continuing to rise.
A transition period will remain in place until 1st June 2024 to manage selling off old stock and introducing new, Re-turn logo-ed stock. After that date, I expect the scheme to become much more firmly embedded in our lives and initiatives like the the ‘Donerringen ’ scheme in the Netherlands could be considered. While public waste receptacles are owned and maintained by local authorities, I expect the sector to be open to collaborative projects with Re-turn, the DRS operator.
116. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to review a case (details supplied); and if he will expedite the NBI in getting broadband for this person. [19944/24]
View answerIn December 2022, my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
• all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028
• all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
• digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023
NBI reports that all 955 Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) sites have been installed before the end of 2023, of which 283 are publicly accessible Broadband Connection Point sites now connected with high-speed broadband service through a service provider contract with Vodafone. The remaining 672 installed SCPs are part of the SCP Schools Programme.
The remaining targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area is to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to this premises can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at nbi.ie/map/ . This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
NBI have advised that the premises in question is now ready to connect and an order can be placed through one of the local providers in the area, a list of which can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at nbi.ie/map/.
Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 1.1 million homes. SIRO has recently reached a milestone of enabling over 560,000 premises for full fibre and is on track to reach 700,000 premises by 2026. Virgin Media’s ongoing €200m network upgrade to full fibre is continuing to 2025 and will support speeds up to 10Gbps. Virgin Media Ireland has already upgraded over 250,000 premises to fibre across the Virgin network.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 4 of 2023, saw a 7.51% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to Quarter 3, 2023, and a 33.33% increase when compared to Quarter 4 of 2022. This demonstrates that the take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing greatly as the services are deployed to areas where they had previously been unavailable. The same ComReg data also indicates that c. 40% of homes and business throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (667,771) or cable (348,251) infrastructure.
117. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will have any role in the appointment of a new CEO of EirGrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20027/24]
View answerThe Chief Executive Officer of EirGrid is appointed by the Directors of EirGrid, and holds office upon and subject to such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration, superannuation and allowances) as may be determined by the Directors, with the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
118. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the occasions, if any, in 2024 when he met the outgoing the CEO of EirGrid prior to his resignation in April; the purpose of any such meetings; if he was informed in advance of the CEOs decision to resign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20028/24]
View answerAs a matter of course I, as Minister, meet with the CEO or equivalent of the Agencies under the aegis of my Department as the opportunity or need arises. I last met formally with the CEO of EirGrid on the dates outlined below to discuss a range of issues:
• Friday 8 March 2024
• Tuesday 19 March 2024
The Secretary General of my Department was informed by the Chair of EirGrid on 10 April of discussions surrounding Mr. Foley’s departure, at which point she informed me.
EirGrid notified the Department of Mr. Foley’s decision on 12 April, which was formally approved by the board of EirGrid on 15 April.
There is frequent and ongoing engagement with management and staff in the bodies under my aegis at official level on all matters of mutual interest. This includes regular scheduled quarterly meetings and governance meetings, in addition to ad hoc engagement on issues arising.
119. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if registered BER assessors can be included in the ‘home energy assessment’ required by the SEAI and SBCI to apply for a loan under the home energy upgrade loan scheme as currently the published scheme states the energy assessment can only be conducted by a ‘SEAI registered One Stop Shop, Energy Partner or Community Project Co-ordinator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20053/24]
View answerTo be eligible for the recently launched Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, homeowners must avail of a grant under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, Community Energy Grant Scheme or Better Energy Homes Scheme. Applicants must also utilise an SEAI registered One Stop Shop, Project Coordinator or Energy Partner to carry out home energy upgrade works. These SEAI-approved providers will supply homeowners with a Home Energy Summary Report of the planned energy upgrade works to enable them to apply for the Loan Scheme. These approved providers offer homeowners all the services required for a complete home energy upgrade and can advise whether the planned works meet the requirements for the loan scheme, as well as advising on the grants that may be available from SEAI.
The Home Energy Summary Report is a one-page report setting out, inter alia, the current published BER and the proposed energy upgrade project details which a One Stop Shop, Energy Partner or Community Project Coordinator shall provide to the homeowner, together with a quotation. The Home Energy Summary Report must be submitted to participating finance providers by the homeowner as part of a loan application under the Home Energy Upgrade Loan scheme.
Regardless of which grant route the homeowner chooses, there must be a valid, published BER certificate undertaken by a registered BER assessor, on the home before the One Stop Shop, Energy Partner or Community Project Coordinator can provide a fully completed Home Energy Summary Report to the homeowner. All applicants must therefore have a valid BER certificate on their home before they can access the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme.
120. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to confirm how a person (details supplied) can claim their electricity account credit if they changed supplier and their previous supplier is refusing to pay credit from 2023, despite acknowledging they are due a repayment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20075/24]
View answerAs part of Budget 2024 Government approved a new tranche of Emergency Electricity Credits which over 2.2 million households are benefitting from - worth €450 in total per household.
The payments are being applied to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2).
Under Scheme III, usage levels were assessed to ensure that payments were withheld in relation to low usage electricity accounts identified by the distribution system operator, to prevent the payment from being applied to vacant houses.
ESB Networks identified accounts which consumed less than 150 kilowatt hours of electricity per quarter for four consecutive quarters between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. Domestic electricity accounts flagged as low usage accounts, were not allocated a payment for that payment period. The payment was not withheld for accounts with a financial hardship meter, accounts held by registered as a vulnerable customer or accounts which have low usage due to the exporting of energy to the grid through microgeneration.
It is the supplier that a customer was registered with on 29 November 2023, in respect of the first payment, 20 December 2023, in respect of the second payment, and 28 February 2024, in respect of the third payment, that was allocated a payment in respect of the customer’s account.
The Scheme allows for review by a customer’s electricity supplier, if contacted by a customer who has not received the payment. The customer can seek further review by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, which has oversight of the Scheme, following the decision of the electricity supplier. I would encourage any customer who thinks that they should have received the credit to contact their supplier at the first instance, and then the CRU if they have still not received the credit.
121. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a pension for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20079/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is examining the available records and if a file matching details supplied can be identified, my Department will forward the file to the National Shared Services Office pensions team for a decision on the individual's entitlement to a pension.
122. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the steps he will take to ensure that the benefits of CIÉ 1951 scheme active members will be protected and maintained, and that 1951 scheme pensioners will be awarded their long-awaited pension increase without delay. [19950/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to their pension schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term.Regarding the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to Labour Court recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by ballot of trade union members in May 2021. The Department is still in the process of considering the draft SI in conjunction with NewERA. The Deputy may also be aware that the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days. While original indications were that a judgement would be expected in the Autumn of 2022, the matter was deferred on multiple occasions, with the judgment being delivered on 19 April 2024.
In his judgement, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey found that both CIÉ and the 1951 Scheme members were obliged to provide funding to the pension scheme to resolve any solvency issues. Justice Sanfey instructed both sides to meet to consider and agree what orders should be made on foot of the judgment ahead of a hearing date on 3 May 2024. The Department continues to engage with CIÉ, and advisors in NewERA in relation to this matter.
Concerning pension increases 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 aspect of Deputy's question related to an increase in pension payments for members to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
123. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the steps he will take to ensure that CIÉ immediately complies with its obligations to appoint CIÉ board-nominated members to the statutory CIÉ 1951 scheme pensions committee, pursuant to rule 12 of the scheme. [19951/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
Issues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. This included matters relating to board-nominated members.
Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's questions to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
124. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport to confirm, in tabular form, the number of staff or contractors and their grades in his Department assigned to the active travel and sustainable mobility section of the transport investment and public transport policy division on1 January 2023, 1 January 2024 and 1 April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20000/24]
View answerThe number of staff/contractors and their grades in my Department assigned to the active travel and sustainable mobility sections on 1 January 2023, 1 January 2024 and 1 April 2024 are outlined below:
|
Date |
Grade |
Number of staff |
Division |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Infrastructure - High Power Lead |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Principal Officer |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Assistant Principal |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Executive Officer |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Assistant Principal |
1 |
National Roads, Greenways and Active Travel |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
National Roads, Greenways and Active Travel |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Executive Officer |
1 |
National Roads, Greenways and Active Travel |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
National Roads, Greenways and Active Travel |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Principal Officer |
1 |
Sustainable Mobility, Management and Implementation |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Assistant Principal |
1 |
Sustainable Mobility, Management and Implementation |
|
January 1st 2023 |
Administrative Officer |
2 |
Sustainable Mobility, Management and Implementation |
|
14 |
|||
|
Date |
Grade |
Number of staff |
Division |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Infrastructure - High Power Lead |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Data and Interoperability Manager |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Local Authorities Infrastructure Manager |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Local Infrastructure Lead |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Networks Planning |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Standards and Design Manager |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Vehicles Lead |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Principal Officer |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Assistant Principal |
2 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Executive Officer |
2 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Assistant Principal |
1 |
National Roads, Greenways and Active Travel |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
National Roads, Greenways and Active Travel |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Executive Officer |
1 |
National Roads, Greenways and Active Travel |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
National Roads, Greenways and Active Travel |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Principal Office |
1 |
Sustainable Mobility, Management and Implementation |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Assistant Principal |
2 |
Sustainable Mobility, Management and Implementation |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Administrative Officer |
2 |
Sustainable Mobility, Management and Implementation |
|
January 1st 2024 |
Executive Officer |
1 |
Sustainable Mobility, Management and Implementation |
|
23 |
|||
|
Date |
Grade |
Number of staff |
Division |
|
April 1st 2024 |
Data and Interoperability Manager |
1 |
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland |
125. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the date in 2024 when on board catering will resume on rail services out of and into Kerry; if this will include trolley service, dining car or both; if the tender went out in relation to this and if a successful tenderer was chosen; when the successful tenderer was chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20016/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to on-board catering in and out of Kerry is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
126. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on a situation with regard to livestock transport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20045/24]
View answerThis question concerns enforcement of road transport (haulage) legislation, which is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
127. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport why it is compulsory to have a Public Service Card in order to renew your driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20076/24]
View answerA Public Services Card (PSC) is not compulsory to renew a driving licence, except when someone wishes to renew their driving licence online. In that case, the PSC serves as verified authenticated online identification. If an applicant renews their driving licence in person, a PSC is not required as other forms of identification are accepted.
128. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 190, 191 and 192 of 23 April 2024, if he will address matters in respect of the difficulties second hand car dealers are facing with regard specifically to the mobile VRT trade appointment procedure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19928/24]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the average wait times as provided are correct and that as of 29 April 2024, appointment dates were available for 30 April at the Kells NCTS centre and 6 May at Northpoint/Dundalk NCTS centres. In addition, appointments may become available sooner, due to cancellations which the NCTS booking helpline team allocate in consultation with customers.
Online appointment booking slots for the NCTS are released on a weekly basis, generally two to three weeks in advance. In cases where these slots are booked up before the next tranche is released, customers are advised to contact the NCTS booking helpline, where they may be placed on the priority list for the next tranche of appointments and/or for cancellations in the following days.
As the Deputy is aware, there is also a mobile service provided to dealers, involving a member of staff travelling to the premises of the dealer to inspect vehicles and accompanying documentation. This is supplementary to the core service provided at the NCTS centres and is not subject to the wait time criteria set out in the Service Level Agreement with the Service Provider.
Due to the time-consuming nature of the mobile service and to ensure the efficient use of resources, this service is only offered where a dealer has a minimum of 15 vehicles for inspection. There are no plans to change this requirement and I understand that most mobile appointments involve a significantly higher number of vehicles.
Revenue advises that while there is currently a high demand for mobile appointments, the Service Provider is working closely with dealers to ensure that appointments can be arranged as promptly as possible. Additional resources are being deployed for mobile appointments in an effort to reduce waiting times.
Finally, I am advised that both Revenue and the Service Provider are actively engaging with the dealership in question and that a mobile appointment has been scheduled for the 11 June 2024, the earliest date on which the dealership expects to have a sufficient number of vehicles for inspection.
129. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance in cases where an individual does not meet the criteria as laid down for a primary medical certificate (details supplied), if there is consideration of criteria being adjusted or flexible in such cases; if there are plans to revive a scheme previously in place to assist individuals not entitled to a primary certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20046/24]
View answerThe Deputy should note at the outset that whilst my Department has oversight of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, I do not have responsibility for disability policy. Consequently, I am not in a position to comment on your question about the revision of a previous support scheme, as my understanding is that such a scheme did not fall within the remit of my Department.
As you are aware, the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on the use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.
The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons, as defined by the criteria in the Finance Act 2020, as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the relevant Principal Medical Officer (PMO) or a Board Medical Certificate issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.
My Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) is no longer fit-for-purpose and these views were reflected in the final report of the National Disability & Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) Transport Working Group's review of mobility and transport supports including the DDS. In summary, this report endorsed proposals put forward by my Department for a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme in line with international best practice that would replace the DDS.
The Working Group was chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte and led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
As access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies, the Department of Taoiseach has established a Senior Officials Group (SOG) to discuss the issues arising from the NDIS report and to map a way forward.
My officials are proactively engaging with this SOG’s work as an important step in considering ways to replace the DDS, as one specific personal transport response, in the context of broader Government consideration of holistic, multifaceted and integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability. Four meetings of the group have been held, in July, November, December 2023; and March 2024.
My Department submitted a note to the group with my approval in mid-January 2024. This note outlines a proposal for a replacement scheme for the DDS which would be a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual. This proposal is in line with what the NDIS Transport Working Group Report endorsed. Further consideration is being given to the principles and parameters for a new scheme in line with best international practice.
In that context, any further changes to the existing DDS would run counter to NDIS proposals to entirely replace the scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme.
Finally, it is important to note that any proposal to replace the DDS will be a matter for Government to decide upon .
130. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide a breakdown of the non-core expenditure allocation of €4.5 billion, which includes provision for Covid-related spending primarily in health, costs relating to accommodating and supporting beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine and expenditure related to EU funds, disaggregated by programme type. [20095/24]
View answerSince the onset of Brexit the Government has had to cater for unforeseen external events and make room for significant expenditure on these challenges within the overall government expenditure ceiling. As the Deputy knows, this was done through the use of what was termed non-core expenditure.
Non-core expenditure has proved a useful approach to expenditure policy as it provided flexibility to respond to external shocks while protecting core, day-to-day investment in public services. Separating the two categories prevented the non-core from being subsumed into the annual core allocations. It is the intention of the government to wind down such expenditure as it is no longer needed as evidenced by the steep fall Covid related spending from €15.4 billion to €1.3 billion to this year.
In Budget 2024 a total of €4.5 billion was provided for non-core expenditure and subsequently allocated to Departments in the Revised Estimates for Public Services based on the requirements of line Departments.
The provision of this sum will, of course, be subject to the normal budgetary monitoring processes by my Department and assessed for over or underspends as happens with core expenditure. The present allocations for the funding is as follows;
• €2.6 billion for Ukraine related expenditure;
• €1.3 billion for Covid related expenditure;
• €0.3 billion for EU Funds and Brexit related expenditure;
• €0.3 billion for other non-core expenditure.
Taking into account the uncertainty in relation to the war in Ukraine and the trend in expenditure over the recent past, a contingency reserve of €4.5 billion from 2025 to 2027 was included in the recent Stability Programme Update.
131. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide a breakdown of the core expenditure increases provided in Table 12 of the Stability Programme Update for the years 2025 to 2027, disaggregated by existing levels of service, capital allocations under the National Development Plan, and any other items. [20099/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will know the Stability Programme Update is a legal requirement, a technical document for reporting back to the European Commission every year. It reports on the Government's out-turn for the previous year while setting out its forecast of the macro-economic position to the medium term. As part of this we also set out the expenditure ceilings for medium term on a no policy change basis.
The SPU compares the overall economic and expenditure position in April to where we were at the previous Budget. It also allows us to take stock of the economic environment and reflect on our ongoing investment path in public services and infrastructure in advance of setting our budgetary framework for 2025 in the Summer Economic Statement.
Our expenditure policy remains rooted in the Medium Term Expenditure Strategy agreed by Government in the Summer Economic Statement of 2021, with an anchor growth rate in core of 5 per cent per annum. It was on this basis that the core expenditure increases were calculated in Table 12 of the SPU as stated on page 30 of the SPU. Allocations will be made to individual Departments as part of the annual budget process.
The overall provision for spending of €97.1 billion this year continues our investment in schools, transport, health and childcare. It also encompasses the recently agreed Public Service Pay Agreement and the additional capital investment into the National Development Plan (NDP) agreed by Government last year.
Looking to the future, spending in 2027 is projected at over €110 billion. This increased investment will help us to improve living standards, supporting economic growth and help us tackle the challenges of climate change and the green transition.
The continued capital investment through the recently reviewed National Development Plan will make a difference to our lives, particularly in areas like Housing. The 2024 NDP Ceiling now stands at €13 billion due to the additional €250 million provided by Government. This grows out to €14.35 billion in 2025 following an additional €750 million in funding and rises to a record €15.45 billion in 2026 with the addition of an €1.25 billion extra funding that year.
Over the coming months Government will be assessing our plans ahead of the Summer Economic Statement, which will set out more detailed parameters for Budget 2025.
132. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to set out the capital allocation under the National Development Plan to expand the capacity of the schools of dentistry in University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin; the plans he has in the NDP to deliver a new dental school and hospital in UCC and the timeline envisaged for such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19912/24]
View answerThe Government has committed €165 billion towards capital investment through the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-30 published in 2021. Following the conclusion of more than 30 bilateral meetings which took place from January to March with my Ministerial colleagues, on 27 March I was pleased to announce that I had reached agreement on the distribution of an additional €2.25 billion of windfall corporate tax receipts which we are committing to shovel-ready capital projects out to 2026. This builds on the existing funding of €165 billion already available under the NDP and it will mean more education, housing, transport and healthcare projects can be progressed and delivered for our people.
Significant uplifts have been provided to key sectors of NDP delivery such as: Housing increasing from €3.87bn in 2024 to €4.34bn in 2026, Transport going from €2.66bn to €3.35bn from 2024 to 2026, Education going from €0.94bn to €1.3bn in the same period and Health increasing from €1.22bn in 2024 to €1.56bn in 2026 and Higher Education going from €620m to €725m.
As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under his remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
As regards the specific projects mentioned by the Deputy in his question, progression of these projects will be a matter for the responsible Department within the overall NDP ceilings and in line with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
133. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 23 April 2024, to list the County Cork areas included under tranche 1 of the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme (CFRAM); the criteria for inclusion in tranche 1 of the programme when launched in 2018; the reason Mogeely, County Cork was not included in tranche 1 of the CFRAM at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19976/24]
View answerThe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management or CFRAM Programme, the largest study of flood risk in the state, was completed by the OPW in 2018. The output from this study was the Flood Risk Management Plans that are providing the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing 150 flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities.
Since 2018, the OPW has trebled the number of schemes, to some 100, in the pipeline being designed and at construction. Prioritisation of these has maximised local authority and OPW capacity and has also maximised the return to the state. So, while the State has commenced 60% of projects in the pipeline, it has work complete or underway to protect 80% of at risk properties.
It is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes identified by these Plans simultaneously, due to the limited availability of the professional and specialised engineering skills required to design and construct flood relief schemes.
The following schemes are in Tranche 1 for County Cork. Nine schemes are completed with a further ten underway:
|
Bandon |
Completed |
|
Clonakilty |
Completed |
|
Douglas (including Togher Culvert) |
Completed |
|
Dunmanway |
Completed |
|
Fermoy North |
Completed |
|
Fermoy South |
Completed |
|
Mallow North |
Completed |
|
Mallow South |
Completed |
|
Skibbereen |
Completed |
|
Macroom |
Scoping Stage |
|
Carrigaline |
Scoping Stage |
|
Ballinhassig |
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
|
Ballymakeera / Ballyvourney |
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
|
Bantry |
Stage I: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design |
|
Bride River (Blackpool) |
Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation |
|
Lower Lee (Cork City) |
Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation |
|
Midleton |
Stage II: Public Exhibition / Confirmation |
|
Morrison’s Island |
Stage III: Detailed Design |
|
Glashaboy (Glanmire / Sallybrook) |
Stage IV: Implementation / Construction |
Mogeely was not designated as an Area of Further Assessment in the CFRAM programme and flood risk in the village was therefore not assessed during the study. However, Cork County Council plans to include Mogeely in the flood relief scheme for Castlemartyr. The flood relief scheme for Castlemartyr, is not in the first tranche of schemes being progressed. The Government is committed to funding this scheme as part of the €1.3bn for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.
The OPW strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with the minimum of delay and currently provides funding for five full-time engineering staff in Cork County Council. The OPW are currently in discussions with Cork County Council to fund additional engineering and administrative staff for the purpose of delivering flood relief schemes across the County and expect to conclude these discussions shortly.
Pending the commencement of the design of a flood relief scheme, Cork County Council can introduce localised flood mitigation measures with funding from the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Since 2009, €5.7m has been approved for County Cork. The OPW understands that Cork County Council is currently preparing an application to the scheme for interim flood risk mitigation works at Gleann Fia and at other locations in Mogeely. I understand that Cork County Council are considering all possible solutions to mitigate against flooding in that area.
134. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the procedure and engagements with individual Departments to determine the share of capital increase that was allocated from the €2.25 billion over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20038/24]
View answerThe Government committed €165 billion towards capital investment through the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-30 published in 2021. An additional €2.25 billion from the windfall tax receipts was made available to capital expenditure over the period 2024-26 in the Summer Economic Statement (SES) last year. This was to facilitate the progression of important projects and enable more rapid development of key Programme for Government commitments. An additional capital expenditure of €250 million is being made available for 2024 from windfall exchequer receipts with a further €2 billion is being made available across 2025 (€750 million) and 2026 (€1.25 billion).
The additional €2.25 billion builds on the existing funding already available under the NDP out to 2026 and it will mean more schools, housing, transport and healthcare projects can be progressed and delivered for our people. As a percentage of national income, annual capital investment is among the largest in the EU. Deliverability was of critical focus in the recent NDP allocation process with funding to be provided to those projects and programmes that will be successfully delivered or on track for delivery at end-2026.
The process commenced in December 2023, with a Memorandum to Government setting out the parameters of the review and the key criteria that should guide the sectoral prioritisation. The Departments were asked to respond with their key programmes and projects for consideration by late-January 2024. The first set of Ministerial-level engagements commenced in the last week of January and continued throughout February and March.
Throughout this process, there was significant Ministerial engagement as well as extensive negotiations at senior official level, with approximately 35 Ministerial bilateral meetings between myself and my Ministerial colleagues. On the agreement of allocations with each of the sectoral Ministers, the distribution of the additional €2.25 billion across Departments was agreed by Government on March 27.
Recognising the capacity constraints in the economy, the additional funding will be targeted at projects that are at the appropriate stage of development for advancement in 2025 and 2026. This would include the consideration of which sectors have been able to utilise existing NDP allocations in recent years and who have a good track record of delivery. This funding will facilitate the progression of important projects and enable more rapid development of key Programme for Government commitments, such as the delivery of actions to fulfil our climate action plan commitments, the provision of more housing and enhanced education facilities.
Significant uplifts have been provided to key sectors of NDP Delivery such as: Housing increasing from €3.87bn in 2024 to €4.34bn in 2026, Transport going from €2.66bn to €3.35bn from 2024 to 2026, Education going from €0.94bn to €1.3bn in the same period and Health increasing from €1.22bn in 2024 to €1.56bn in 2026.
Any increase in public investment to meet demand needs to be planned and sustainable over the lifetime of the ten-year plan in order to reduce risks of over-heating and poor value for money. This would also allow for delivery capacity to continue to be expanded. It is also critical that the implications of additional capital funding for the wider fiscal strategy are considered.
Overall capital allocations out to 2030 were published in the NDP 2021-30. The setting of sectoral allocations for each Department beyond 2026 is not under consideration at this time.
