Written Answers Nos. 184-204
184. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the background, take-up and roll-out of the digital skills for citizens scheme over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54136/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2016 my Department issued a competitive Call for Proposals inviting community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations to apply for a grant to deliver basic digital skills training under the new ‘Digital Skills for Citizens Grant Scheme’.
In responding to the Department’s call for proposals, it was a matter for each entity to determine the number of citizens it proposed to train and the geographic spread of training, in accordance with the Department’s published Statement of Requirements. Following evaluation of the proposals received, my Department entered into Grant Agreements with 15 organisations. Pre-funded grants were paid by way of instalment and all payments were subject to verification that specified training targets were met. The Department envisaged that 25,000 citizens, at a cost of €2.2m would be trained annually over a three year period.
Since training under the Scheme commenced in 2017, €5.5 million has been invested in providing training to almost 60,000 participants. The final payments permitted under existing Grant Agreements for the Scheme were paid to grantees in December 2019 and training classes were due to be completed by end of June 2020.
In March 2020 the ability to deliver training classes was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and classes were cancelled in compliance with the public health guidance. New Covid-19 Amended Grant Agreements were put in place to take account of the additional measures required to ensure a safe return to face-to-face training. The Department also approved a number of pilot agreements to deliver training remotely using a blend of supports including phone and online platforms.
The position as of October 2021 is that nine organisations are in receipt of pre-funded grants of €291,787 to train between about 2,000 and 3,000 people depending on their respective classroom/remote grant agreements. The date for completion of training has been extended to 31 December 2021. The number of participants during the period 2019 to October 2021 is set out below:
2019 17,777;
2020 3,116;
2021 1,285
185. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Dublin local authorities that applied for and were successful under the environmental fund for local authorities since 2010; the amount each of these applications were for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54137/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy prior to 2016 is not readily available. However, I have identified in the table below total grant funding paid, including support for waste enforcement activities, from the Environment Fund to the Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin County Councils from 2016 to 2020, inclusive. Section 74(9) of the Waste Management Act, 1996 (as inserted by Section 12 of the Waste Management (Amendment) Act, 2001) specifies the purposes for which payments may be made from the Environment Fund.
|
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
Total |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
1.83m |
2.30m |
1.84m |
1.63m |
1.10m |
8.7m |
|
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown County Council |
0.04m |
0.37m |
0.40m |
0.40m |
0.18m |
1.39m |
|
Fingal County Council |
0.11m |
0.32m |
0.29m |
0.29m |
0.13m |
1.14m |
|
South Dublin County Council |
0.001m |
0.36m |
0.30m |
0.21m |
0.09m |
0.96m |
186. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way to obtain payment for electricity supplied to the National Grid as a result of installation of solar panels at a property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54149/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff will represent the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland. This will allow them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid, reflective of the market value of that electricity.
The CEG will be available to all renewables self-consumers later this year, subject to regulatory arrangements and the transposition of Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive. My Department is engaging with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on transposing these Articles into Irish law, and it is expected that this will be completed before year end.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlined the details for the introduction of the CEG payment. The consultation is now closed and I understand a decision is expected to be published this month and a compensation regime expected to follow shortly afterwards.
The final eligibility criteria will be outlined as part of the CRU's decision on the CEG enabling framework. It is expected that these criteria will include having notified ESB Networks via the relevant notification form that the consumer has installed micro-generation and an export connection from ESB Networks.
Where the customer's meter type is eligible for upgrade under the National Smart Metering Programme (NSMP), a smart meter must be installed. Where a customer's eligible meter type has not yet been upgraded under the NSMP, the CRU proposes that a deemed or estimated export calculation will apply.
187. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the investment programme by EirGrid on improving the national grid; the way this investment is prioritised in connectivity for renewable energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54166/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters relating to the cost and focus of grid investment are operational matters for EirGrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). EirGrid is the transmission system operator and its responsibilities include the appropriate development of the grid and power system to achieve our energy policy objectives and underpin economic development. The CRU is the independent energy regulator and, through a formal price review process (the most recent being Price Review 5 (PR5)), it decides on the appropriate spend by EirGrid and ESB Networks (as the distribution system operator) on a five-year basis.
The PR5 decision by the CRU in December 2020 signalled a significant and necessary increase in funds for grid enhancement. EirGrid already seeks to optimise the existing electricity grid to minimise the need for new infrastructure through upgrades, refurbishment or up-voltaging of existing infrastructure, where possible. However, in light of the Government's ambition to have up to 80% renewable electricity on the power system by 2030, and with demand profiles increasing as we continue to electrify more sectors of our economy, such as transport and heating, further investment in the power grid will be required over the coming decade.
The CRU issued a final determination for funding over the next five years to the end of 2025 which can be found on the CRU website. It indicates a capital investment of €4 billion across the transmission and distribution network.
Earlier this year EirGrid carried out a comprehensive public consultation on 'Shaping our Electricity Future'. The aim is to make the electricity grid stronger and more flexible so that it can carry significantly more renewable generation as well as meet increasing demand from high volume energy users. The new Strategy will be published later this week.
188. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the average monthly electricity wholesale price in Ireland is greater than the European average; the steps being taken to address rising energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54178/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which is an independent regulator. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. It is a function of the CRU to regulate the electricity market. The Minister has no statutory function in the matter of the regulation of electricity prices.
The Electricity Regulation Act provides that the CRU shall account for the performance of its functions to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas. Energy commodity prices have reached unprecedented high levels across Europe. Wholesale electricity prices have also increased driven mainly by the increase in gas prices. The main driver of the high energy prices in Europe is the global gas price surge, due to significant increase in demand (which in turn is driven by rapid economic recovery and certain weather patterns) combined with tight supply and lower than normal gas storage. These factors have fed through to increases in gas and electricity prices in Ireland.
In response to increased prices, the European Commission has published a ‘toolbox’ of measures that the EU and its Member States can use to address the immediate impact of current prices increases, and further strengthen resilience against future shocks. The Government increased targeted welfare supports in Budget 2022 including increases in the Fuel Allowance, with a substantial proportion of this funded through the carbon tax.
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which microgeneration of electricity might be used by the agri-food producing sector to mitigate against carbon emissions; the availability of models whereby this might be successfully done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54179/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to expanding and incentivising micro-generation to allow electricity users, including farmers, to generate their own renewable electricity for their own use and to sell excess electricity to the grid. At farm level, micro-generation should be seen firstly as a cost saving measure which will also assist in lowering a farm’s carbon footprint.
The pending introduction of a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro- and small-scale generators in Ireland, including those in the agri-food sector. This will allow them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid, reflective of the market value of that electricity.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlines the details for the introduction of the CEG payment. The consultation is now closed. A decision is expected to be published this month, with a compensation regime to follow shortly afterwards.
To help encourage renewable technology uptake and usage on Irish farms, grant aid is provided through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II). This scheme continues to support farmers in maximising their contribution to the carbon reduction of energy usage through the installation of mainly roof-top solar PV technology along with battery storage.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 sets out actions to introduce a Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) to support the deployment of rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV. My Department is developing a final scheme design for the MSS. It is expected that a proposal on the supports to be offered under the Scheme, including for farms, will be submitted to Government later this year.
190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which his Department has examined the various potential options for micro electricity generation, farm management, tree planting and or any other measures likely to offset against or reduce carbon emissions with particular reference to the need to ensure family farm viability into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54181/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4 November 2021, the Government published the Climate Action Plan 2021. This plan sets out indicative ranges of emissions reductions for all sectors of the economy. It also sets out the practical policies and measures that we need to take to meet our climate targets. My Department has engaged proactively with the public, stakeholders and other Government Departments and Agencies to deliver an ambitious, fair and achievable Climate Action Plan. This ambitious plan has been developed following a range of analyses conducted across all sectors of our economy.
There are different levels of ambition for each sector, which take account of each sector’s respective starting point and the potential to reduce emissions within the sector. All sectors will reduce emissions by an ambitious and achievable percentage, each playing a vital role in meeting our overall targets.
The plan includes measures for micro-generation, farm management and afforestation and other measures, such as organic farming which will mean the agriculture sector will play an important role in meeting our targets while protecting farm incomes and ensuring that Ireland maintains its key role and reputation for sustainable food production.
The measures which are set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021 will require fundamental changes across many aspects of Irish life. However these challenges will present us with opportunities to create a cleaner, greener economy and a society which cuts emissions, while creating jobs and protecting our people and the planet.
191. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that have applied for SEAI solar grants; the number of homes that have been granted for each year since its inception and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54237/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland administers the grant scheme to assist homeowners to install solar PV panels. The scheme was launched in July 2018. The table below outlines the applications and number of homes supported to date under the scheme, as of 31 October 2021.
|
Year |
No. of apps |
Apps supported |
|
2108 |
250 |
71 |
|
2019 |
3,692 |
1,820 |
|
2020 |
3,620 |
2,916 |
|
2021 (ytd) |
5,788 |
2,845 |
Solar PV is also funded under the Communities Energy Grant Scheme, which makes grant funding available to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock, and is open to domestic and non-domestic applications. Latest available figures show that in 2020, 137 domestic applicants received support for solar PV installations under this scheme.
192. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the installation of fibre broadband in Cadamstown, County Offaly (details supplied) will proceed under the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54294/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 29 October, almost 273,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed or have surveys underway and over 125,000 premises have build currently underway. NBI has also advised that the first premises are connected in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan and over 30,000 premises are available to order and pre-order across 12 counties. Surveys are complete or underway in County Offaly in Brosna, Shinrone, Mount Heaton and areas close to the county boundary with Tipperary.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Offaly through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the Intervention Area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. NBI has recently published details of its full deployment schedule on its website which enables all premises within the intervention area to have an anticipated service activation date range. Given the scale and complexity of delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the NBP, I am advised that any dates provided by NBI on its website are based on the best available information at the time and may be subject to change.
In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 29 October, 388 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCPs are installed at Killavilla Community Centre, Seir Kieran Community Hall (12km from premises referred to), Coolderry Community Hall, Shannon Harbour, Primo Coaches, Kilclonfert Community Centre, Ballycommon Telework and Training Centre, Irish Parachute Club and Croghan Community Hall. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Lumcloon National School and Shinrone National School have been installed by NBI for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
193. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a new policy on microgeneration will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54309/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to expanding and incentivising micro-generation, to allow people to generate their own electricity for their own use and to sell excess electricity to the grid. The Climate Action Plan 2021 reaffirms the Government's commitment to delivering a micro-generation policy framework.
The pending introduction of a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff will represent the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland. This will allow them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid, reflective of the market value of that electricity. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlined the details for the introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee payment. I understand a decision is expected to be published this month and a compensation regime expected to follow shortly afterwards.
My Department is also developing a final scheme design for a Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) that incorporates the feedback from a public consultation held earlier this year, and subsequent additional analysis. A proposal on the supports to be offered under the MSS, which may include grants or premium tariff payments for new installations, will be submitted to Government later this year. It is intended that a final scheme design will be published early next year.
194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount paid by the State in respect of it missing its climate change targets to date; and the estimated amount forecasted or accounted for that the State will pay in each of the next ten years. [54436/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2009 Effort Sharing Decision (ESD) set annual binding emissions reduction targets for EU Member States for the period 2013-2020. These targets cover emissions from sectors outside of the EU Emissions Trading System, such as agriculture, transport, buildings and waste. For the year 2020, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their level in 2005. The Effort Sharing Decision allows Member States to meet their targets by means of unused emissions allowances from earlier years, or through purchasing allowances from other Member States or on international markets.
The latest estimates of greenhouse gas emissions, published in October 2021 by the EPA, indicate that 2020 emissions from those sectors of the economy covered by the ESD are expected to be approximately 7% below 2005 levels. The most recent estimates of the additional costs of purchasing carbon credits for compliance with these targets were in the region of €6 million to €13 million, depending on the price and final quantity of allowances required. This is in addition to a total of €117 million that has already been spent as part of Ireland’s strategy to meet its targets under the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012).
As a follow up to the ESD, the EU Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) sets further binding emission reduction targets for Member States for the period 2021-2030. The current target for Ireland is a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. Climate Action Plan 2019 set out the policies and measures that Ireland must take to meet this target and avoid any costs arising from not meeting the target. The recently published Climate Action Plan 2021 sets out the practical measures that we need to take to meet a higher level ambition of reducing our emissions by 51% versus 2018 levels.
195. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there will be a payment under National Just Transition Fund for owners of bogs that are not permitted for cutting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54543/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 128 of 2 November 2021.
In relation to the Just Transition Fund, the Government is committed to a just transition in the Midlands region and has dedicated significant funding to supporting workers, companies and communities affected by the closure of the peat-fired power stations and the end of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna. The national Just Transition Fund will continue to support projects across the wider Midlands region, (including east Galway, Kildare, Laois, Longford, north Tipperary, Offaly, Roscommon and Westmeath), and will have significant employment and enterprise potential. These will be in areas and sectors of the economy most impacted by the ending of peat harvesting for power generation. Payments to owners of bogs that are not permitted for cutting is not within the scope of the Just Transition Fund. Details of all projects supported by the Just Transition Fund can be found on www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund/.
196. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will request confirmation from all public bodies under his aegis and all bodies publicly funded by his Department that they are in compliance with the Web Accessibility Directive (EU 2016/2102) with regard to web sites from 23 September 2020 and mobile apps from 23 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54661/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s digital content migrated to a central platform, gov.ie, in September 2020. As users, my officials ensure relevant staff are trained according to the standard set out by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) who have responsibility for the platform and its accessibility. Following the last accessibility audit, 65 issues were identified and fixed, and the OGCIO has since released updates to the core code of the site to improve accessibility. Our agencies have been made aware of their obligations under this directive and compliance is a matter for each individual organisation.
197. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action that will be taken by his Department for any public body or any publicly funded body under his aegis which is non-compliant with accessibility requirements under the 2005 disability and equality legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54662/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disability Act 2005 provides for accessible public buildings, insofar as is practicable, as well as accessible services and information. In addition, the Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services, accommodation and education. They cover the nine grounds of gender, marital status, family status, age disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, and membership of the Traveller community.
Both pieces of legislation include complaints mechanisms for those who consider that they have not been able to access the relevant services. The National Disability Authority (NDA) have prepared codes of practice, under the Disability Act 2005, on the accessibility of public services and information and on accessible heritage sites.
The NDA have recently commenced the drafting of a code of practice on accessible public buildings. The Workplace Relations Commission is the adjudicator in cases under the Equal Status Acts.
198. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications approved and number of charge points delivered by county under the public point charge scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54591/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra199. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the progress being made under the eCar scheme; the number of high-powered charging points, fast charging points and replacement charging points installed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54592/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years.
My Department is currently developing a national charging infrastructure strategy that will set out a pathway to stay ahead of EV demand over the critical period out to 2030.
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022.
This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
Further details on the progression of this project can be found at esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.
In light of the ESB eCars responsibility in the matter of the installation of charge points under the eCar scheme, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the ESB for direct response. Please contact my Office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
In terms of supports for public charging under the Public Charge Point Scheme, this scheme continues to be available during 2021 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. My Department has committed to reviewing the Scheme shortly to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.
To date, Louth County Council and Dublin City Council have been allocated funding under the local authority public charge point scheme. This funding will see an additional 29 charge points rolled out for public use. I encourage all other local authorities to follow Louth and Dublin’s lead so we can grow this scheme all over the country.
200. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider a series of matters in relation to diesel vehicles (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53956/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently published Climate Action Plan clearly recognises that Ireland must significantly step up its commitments to tackle climate disruption. The transport sector, which accounts for almost 20% of Ireland's greenhouse emissions annually and which has a heavy reliance on fossil fuel usage, has an important role to play in this national decarbonisation effort.
The movement of goods by road is the second biggest source of transport emissions after private car use, and without significant policy intervention these types of emissions are predicted to rise.
Utilising the most efficient and lowest emitting vehicles is of course essential in limiting freight emissions. For this reason, Ireland is very supportive of the introduction of new EU Regulations that set maximum fleet emission averages for new HDVs. New vehicles must emit 15% and 30% less CO2 by 2025 and 2030 respectively relative to average emissions over the period July 2019 to June 2020. Similar legislation has proved to be a very effective approach in other jurisdictions (e.g. Japan, the USA and Canada) and has already been demonstrated to deliver marked emission reductions with cars/vans in Europe.
As well as making the vehicles more efficient, lower emitting fuels must be employed. Although the EURO VI standard for HDVs represents a considerable improvement over older and more polluting EURO standards, for climate and air quality reasons Ireland must begin to move beyond the use of fossil fuels. The recent Climate Action Plan sets a target of 3,500 low-emission trucks in the fleet by 2030, on the basis that the technology pathway for decarbonising HGVs is still developing and not as clear as it is for private cars. Policy supports for decarbonising the sector reflect this and are not technology-specific with a purchase grant, reduced tolls available to hydrogen, electric, and gas-powered vehicles alike.
For HGVs, where electrification is not likely in the short term, emissions reductions will be achieved in the interim through:
- Increasing the blend rate for biodiesel to 20% and bioethanol to 10% by 2030
- Developing robust supply chains, including sustainable sourcing of biofuel blends
- Supporting technological progress as viable vehicle/fuel alternatives come to market
- Promoting greater eco-practices within the HGV sector
- Examining the feasibility of developing logistics hubs near urban centres to consolidate and rationalise freight transport, taking account of safety and air quality benefits
- Supporting EU regulations that promote more stringent HGV vehicle emission standards
- Complying with the provision of EU mandatory alternative fuel infrastructure deployment targets
- From 2025, green hydrogen may offer a viable pathway for HGVs.
Our focus remains on delivering finite resources to removing our reliance on fossil fuels in the HGV sector and support the uptake of new lower emitting alternatives.
201. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a course (details supplied) will be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53962/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirement to have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is set out under EU law and applies to nationals of Member States and to nationals of third countries who are employed or used by an undertaking established in a Member State.
EU Directive 2003/59/EC, which introduced driver CPC and which was updated in 2018 by EU Directive 645 of 2018, is transposed into Irish law by SI 359 of 2008.
Following the initial CPC qualification, professional drivers are required to complete periodic training. Periodic training is completed in cycles of 5 years, with drivers completing one day of training per year in each training cycle, at the end of which they receive a driver qualification card valid for the following five years. Driver CPC which was introduced in 2008 for bus drivers and 2009 for truck drivers and it is currently in the third training cycle. Drivers are required to maintain their driver CPC qualification for the duration of their driving career. Accordingly, they are required to complete one day of CPC training per year on an ongoing basis.
202. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if express lanes for HGVs will be put in place in line with other EU countries (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53963/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing 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 Guidelines 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.
203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a matter in relation to the ability of hauliers to charge for delays experienced at unloading and loading points (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53966/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither national nor EU road haulage legislation deals with the charging by road haulage operators for delays experienced at unloading and loading points. It would appear that the issue of any such charges is a contractual matter between hauliers and their customers.
204. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting for a driving test in County Tipperary since 1 January 2021 until 30 October 2021 in each test centre in tabular form; the additional resources being provided to the Road Safety Authority to enable it to reduce driving test waiting times and lists; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that since the resumption of driving tests applicants are waiting up to six months or more for a driving test which is impacting severely on applicants' employment prospects or students' ability to get to and from college; if his attention has been drawn to the need for driving test waiting lists to be substantially reduced in order that all applicants are provided with a driving test without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53992/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to County Tipperary is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, and I am forwarding the query to the Authority for direct response.
If the Deputy has not received a reply within 10 working days he should contact my office directly.
I am well aware of the difficulties faced by driver testing services in addressing backlogs which developed under the pandemic. The service was closed from March 2020, reopening in stages over June and July of 2020. The service was limited again during later lockdowns, being restricted to essential workers only.
In 2020, in response to the backlog, my Department approved the retention of 36 temporary driver testers whose contracts were due to expire, and subsequently approved the hiring of a further 40 temporary driver testers, who have now been recruited and trained and are at work. Approval was subsequently given to hire a further 40 testers.
Under health protocols, the number of tests conducted by each tester per day on reopening in summer 2020 was 5, as opposed to a norm of 8 before the pandemic. This was later raised to 6 and is now at 7 tests per day.
It will take time to clear the backlog. We also have to remember that the pandemic limited people's ability to undertake the driver theory test and to receive mandatory driving lessons. As the theory test and lessons have resumed, this places further pressure on the driver testing service.
The RSA is working hard to address the backlog, but Covid is still with us and it is important to ensure that the driver testing service continues to operate in a safe way. Nearly 128,000 tests have been conducted so far this year, and it is remarkable that there has been no case of Covid transmission attributable to the driving test in that time.
