Darren O'Rourke
Question:29. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach to provide a breakdown, by fuel source, of the cost of importing energy in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [43510/24]
View answerEnergy Prices
Questions (29)
Written answers
The data requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below.
Table A: Imports of Fuel 2020-August 2024
|
Product Group |
Jan-Dec 2020 |
Jan-Dec 2021 |
Jan-Dec 2022 |
Jan-Dec 2023 |
Jan-Aug 2024 |
|
Imports |
Value (€000) |
Value (€000) |
Value (€000) |
Value (€000) |
Value (€000) |
|
Coal, coke & briquettes |
67,431 |
214,461 |
394,085 |
188,059 |
33,533 |
|
Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials |
2,543,714 |
3,939,661 |
7,477,870 |
6,036,142 |
4,089,340 |
|
Gas, natural & manufactured |
701,545 |
1,707,219 |
4,850,983 |
3,532,625 |
1,453,188 |
Consular Services
Questions (30)
Paul Donnelly
Question:30. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to open a new Irish consulate general office in Phuket, Thailand, during 2025. [43366/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s diplomatic presence has expanded significantly in recent years, under the Global Ireland Strategy, which aimed to double Ireland’s global footprint and influence in the period 2018 to 2025.
Twenty six new missions were planned for under the Strategy, and we have now opened or announced the opening of twenty seven, comprising fourteen embassies and thirteen consulates general. This wider and deeper international presence is helping Ireland to defend our economic interests and promote our values in a changing and uncertain international landscape. It has also assisted Ireland in building stronger bridges to our diaspora and promoting our culture.
Thailand is an important partner for Ireland in the Asia Pacific region, and the two countries have very positive trade and people-to-people links. As part of the Government’s Asia Pacific Strategy, Ireland aims to develop its relationships with countries in South East Asia, including Thailand. Ireland is represented in Thailand by our Embassy in Bangkok, which opened in 2014. The Embassy is supported in its work by an Honorary Consul based in Chiang Mai. At present, there are no plans to further expand Ireland's diplomatic representation in Thailand.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (31)
Niamh Smyth
Question:31. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign birth application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43455/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for processing applications for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Once a person is entered on the Foreign Births Register, they are deemed an Irish citizen and is entitled to apply for an Irish passport. By its nature, Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) is a detailed and complex process; it can involve official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. To protect the integrity of the citizenship process, these applications require careful processing to validate the identity of the applicant, the documents they have submitted and their entitlement to Irish citizenship. Accordingly, all applications undergo rigorous and detailed checking by experienced officers at the passport service.
Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, it takes approximately nine months to process a fully competed FBR application that requires no further submissions. The processing time begins when the application form and supporting documents are received by the FBR Unit. When the application’s position in the queue is reached, an Entitlement Officer will be in contact with the applicant should any further clarification be required.
With regard to the application to which the Deputy is referring, the physical application form and supporting documents were received in the FBR Unit on 16/07/2024. Therefore, this application is still within the normal turnaround times for processing.
Passport Services
Questions (32)
John Brady
Question:32. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43462/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Service has issued over 916,000 passports to date this year. All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. In order to meet this requirement, when making a first time passport application, each applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship, by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement. To protect the integrity of the Irish passport, first-time applications are the most complex applications due to the necessary checks involved to verify the identity and citizenship status of the applicant. The turnaround time to complete first-time online applications is 20 working days. It is important to note that turnaround times for applications that require supporting documents begin from the date the supporting documents are received by the Passport Service.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly to request further supporting documents.
Overseas Development Aid
Questions (33)
Denis Naughten
Question:33. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of overseas development aid drawn down for science capacity building in the past year for which data is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43469/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs supports education within our overall development strategy and supports young people's engagement with science. This includes support for Masters programmes for students from developing countries and for second level students participating in young scientist programmes and in the BT Young Scientist Programme in Ireland. The Department also supports science-based research partnerships with institutional partners.
For the past eighteen years, the Department and the development NGO, Self-help Africa have organised the Science for Development Award at he Young Scientist Exhibition in Dublin. We provided €26,000 in 2023.
We collaborate with the BT Young Scientist Exhibition through programmes established by our Embassies in Kenya and Jordan. We provided €170,000 in Kenya in 2023 for the programme, which reaches over 200,000 students in 700 schools, including more than 15 special needs schools. The Jordan Young Scientists programme, which is still developing, engaged 638 students from 121 schools in 2023, 60% of whom were female. We provided €36,500 for the programme in 2023.
The Department of Foreign Affairs also supports science capacity building through the Ireland Fellows Programme, our development scholarship programme. In 2023, we provided some €3.8 million so that 102 fellows from developing countries could undertake Masters of Science programmes in Ireland.
We provided €228,166 to the Irish Research Council for research under the Collaborative Alliances for Societal Challenges programme which provides opportunities for new collaborations between researchers in Ireland and researchers in developing countries.
In addition, Science Foundation Ireland received €1,000,000 for the SFI-DFA Sustainable Development Goals challenge. This supports interdisciplinary research on the implementation of the SDGs with a focus on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger, with a specific emphasis on food systems). A grant of €500,000 was also made to the Marine Institute for the Our Shared Ocean Programme which develops capacity and supports research in partner countries, particularly Small Island Developing States, on marine issues.
The Trinity Impact Evaluation Unit received €40,000 to provide scholarships for participants from Irish Aid partner countries to attend an online impact evaluation course, aimed at building capacity in development economics in developing countries.
We also work in partnership with the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, a global research partnership, with a grant last year of €5.8 million. This was focused on investment in technological and institutional innovations, partnerships, capacity development, and policy engagement on the creation of sustainable and resilient food, land, and water systems.
Waste Management
Questions (34)
Patricia Ryan
Question:34. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding Dublin City Council’s pilot programme to bring bin collection services back under public control, if he will provide the number of local authorities intending to run the same pilot scheme, the parameters of the scheme, and the length of time it is intended to run for, in tabular form. [43495/24]
View answerWritten answers
Local Authority Executives are statutorily responsible for municipal waste collection and waste management planning within their functional areas. It is open to the Chief Executive of any local authority to exercise their executive function in relation to waste collection to re-enter the waste collection market as direct service providers if they so choose, either alongside existing permitted service providers or subject to making arrangements to replace those providers.
Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 I am, as Minister, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory executive function vested in it. Notwithstanding this, I can say that I am unaware of any proposals in any local authority area for piloting the re-municipalisation of waste collection services.
The Deputy may wish note that I will shortly commission a comprehensive study to explore the feasibility, potential benefits and risks associated with transitioning our waste collection system from its current model of side-by-side market competition to a franchise tendering system for local authority areas or regions. This study will assess the economic, social, environmental, and regulatory implications of such a transition and, as appropriate, offer recommendations for implementation.
Grant Payments
Questions (35, 36)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:35. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the grant for technical assessment of homes, provided by the SEAI, is only available if a person purchases and installs a heat pump within eight months of completing the technical assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43419/24]
View answerJim O'Callaghan
Question:36. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he believes that the preconditions for technical assessment of homes is preventing people from retrofitting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43420/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 36 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manage a number of residential and community energy upgrade grant support schemes on behalf of my Department. These schemes provide an unprecedented opportunity for people all over Ireland to upgrade to a warmer, healthier and more comfortable home, with lower energy bills and emission.
The owners of dwellings built prior to 2007 applying for a heat pump grant under the Better Energy Homes Scheme are required to engage an independent Technical Advisor. Since earlier this year, dwellings built since 2007 no longer require a Technical Assessment because the homes are considered to have a sufficiently low level of heat loss.
The Technical Advisor guides the homeowner on: the energy performance of the dwelling; the suitability of the dwelling for a heat pump system based on the dwelling’s heat loss; and measures necessary to ensure that the dwelling fabric heat loss is lowered to an acceptable level for a heat pump system to perform effectively and efficiently. Given that the Technical Assessment is linked to the eligibility requirements for a heat pump install on this scheme, the grant for the Technical Assessment and heat pump grant are paid in tandem.
It should be noted there is not a validity period on completing a Technical Assessment and creating a heat pump grant therefore a Homeowner could complete a Technical Assessment, carry out any required upgrades within their own time and then proceed with the heat pump grant based on the original Technical Assessment carried out.
However, as an alternative, under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, grant support is also available for homeowners to apply to a One Stop Shop for a stand-alone Home Energy Assessment which provides information on: Pre-works BER; Heat Loss Indicator & Heat Pump design; design for upgrade to BER B2 and beyond; and cost estimate quotes and grants available.
My Department and the SEAI will continue to ensure that grant schemes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates are kept under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technology and other relevant factors.
Question No. 36 answered with Question No. 35.
Telecommunications Services
Questions (37)
Robert Troy
Question:37. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail any supports or schemes open to applications from community centres to connect to broadband. [43428/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) are connecting circa 4,200 homes each month.
I am advised by NBI that over 300,180 premises are passed across 26 counties, which is over half the premises in the Intervention Area. Over 100,609 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.
There are no specific schemes being operated by my Department to connect community centres to broadband.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP and are located in areas of community importance, allowing local residents to quickly get free public access to high-speed broadband in advance of fibre deployment under the National Broadband Plan.
NBI reports that all 955 SCP sites have been installed, of which 283 are publicly accessible BCP sites now connected with a high-speed broadband service through a service provider contract with Vodafone. The remaining 672 SCPs are part of the SCP Schools Programme.
To find the nearest public BCP, an Eircode can be searched on NBI’s website (nbi.ie/bcp-map/).
Departmental Funding
Questions (38)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:38. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the funding for national home retrofit programmes in each of the years 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [43450/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manage a number of residential and community energy upgrade grant support schemes on behalf of my Department. These include the Better Energy Homes Scheme; Warmer Homes Scheme; the Community Energy Grant Scheme, the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme through One Stop Shops and the Solar PV Scheme. These schemes provide an unprecedented opportunity for people all over Ireland to upgrade to a warmer, healthier and more comfortable home, with lower energy bills and emission.
Between 2016 and the end of the third quarter of 2024, almost 240,000 home energy upgrades were supported by SEAI. The budgets for SEAI residential and Community energy efficiency upgrade schemes have increased from €58 million in 2016 to over €430 million this year and in 2025 will grow further to over €469 million (current and capital funding). Demand across the SEAI schemes is growing and so is spend and output.
The table below sets out the annual funding budgets to the SEAI Residential/ Community Energy Efficiency Upgrade Schemes for the period 2016-2024.
|
Year |
Current funding budget €m |
Capital funding budget €m |
TOTAL €m |
|
2016 |
2.26 |
55.81 |
58.07 |
|
2017 |
2.65 |
74.81 |
77.46 |
|
2018 |
3.93 |
84.8 |
88.73 |
|
2019 |
3.68 |
87.5 |
91.18 |
|
2020 |
3.68 |
119.1 |
122.78 |
|
2021 |
4.19 |
209 |
213.19 |
|
2022 |
4.48 |
255.2 |
259.68 |
|
2023 |
4.45 |
348.27 |
352.72 |
|
2024 |
4.82 |
429.75 |
434.57 |
Electricity Grid
Questions (39)
Richard Bruton
Question:39. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of caps that apply to the sale by domestic solar into the grid; and if he believes they should be lifted. [43504/24]
View answerWritten answers
For safety reasons, all microgeneration systems must be registered with ESB Networks, with Domestic Solar PV systems up to 6 kWp using the NC6 notification process. This is first and foremost to ensure that ESBN’s Network Technicians are aware of generation when carrying out repairs on the local electricity network. To maintain balance and prevent strain on the low voltage distribution grid, ESBN has set limits based on the size of the inverter through which the PV panels transport their generation. Under the NC6 process, these limits require that the peak export from inverters should not exceed 25A (approx. 6kVA) for single-phase connections or 16A/phase (approx. 11kVA) for three-phase connections.
While inverter limits are in place to protect the grid, households can still install larger systems through the NC7 mini-generation process or adopt solutions to maximise self-consumption of solar PV generated electricity.
It should also be noted that there are no regulated caps to the sale of renewably generated electricity exported to the gird, under the Clean Export Guarantee scheme, with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) deciding that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis.
Furthermore, Budget 2024 increased the exemption available for tax years 2024 and 2025 from €200 to €400 per year; for certain profits arising to a qualifying individual who generates energy from renewable, sustainable, or alternative energy sources for their own consumption.
Public Sector Pensions
Questions (40)
Joe Flaherty
Question:40. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his response to issues (details supplied) for retired workers in An Post; the estimated full-year cost of increasing An Post pensions in 2025 by an amount equivalent to the increase in the State contributory pension next year; the average annual increase in An Post pensions since 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43531/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post.
The operation of the schemes, including costings is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (41)
Robert Troy
Question:41. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current waiting list for persons for the warmer homes scheme under the SEAI; and the measures in place to reduce the waiting list or to prioritise those in most urgent need. [43563/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households in or at risk of energy poverty is a top priority for the Government. Since 2000 over 161,190 homes have been upgraded under this scheme.
In recent years, the scheme has delivered a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have seen an almost tenfold increase from €2,600 in 2015 to €26,464 in 2024. These deeper upgrades mean that more lower income homeowners are benefitting to a far greater extent from the scheme. However, it is important to acknowledge that deeper retrofits take longer to complete.
The improvement in the upgrades provided under the scheme in tandem with increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit are driving significantly increased levels of demand. Approximately 24,000 applications from homeowners were received in 2022 and 2023 combined and 10,511 applications to date in 2024.
Applications to the scheme are assessed on the basis of when they first apply to SEAI. Homes with the worst Building Energy Ratings (E, F or G) are then prioritised for works. No other prioritisation takes place under the scheme.
Significant reductions in the average waiting time for works to be completed have been achieved this year, reducing from 26 months in 2022 to 17 months for the worst performing homes (rated E, F and G) for homes completed so far in 2024.
This has been achieved in part through the following actions taken to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:
• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
• SEAI work to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.
• Actions to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures.
• A record budget allocation of €208.8m for 2024.
• ERDF funding of €264 million has been secured for the period 2021 until 2027 to supplement Exchequer funding for the Scheme.
• A new €700 million contractor panel has been put in place for the next 4 years, which has increased contractor capacity to 36.
My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.
Naval Service
Questions (42)
Paul Donnelly
Question:42. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if any of the Naval Service ships have capabilities for a helicopter landing pad within the ship; and, if not, whether there are plans to have this facility. [43370/24]
View answerWritten answers
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes. The potential procurement of a new multi-role vessel (MRV) for the Naval Service is being examined by Marine Advisers. Work is currently underway that will inform next steps in this regard.
Further additions to the EDP are kept under consideration, including in the context of the Government’s decision to move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), in light of specific recommendations made in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
The Commission of the Defence Forces specifically recommended an accelerated programme of naval vessel replacement, to ensure a balanced fleet of nine modern ships is reached by early in the next decade. This recommendation has been accepted in principle by Government.
The former Naval Service flagship, LÉ Eithne was the only vessel in the fleet with a capability for helicopter operations. The Deputy will be aware that LÉ Eithne has been decommissioned and a process to recycle the vessel, in an environmental manner in line with Government and EU policy, is currently underway.
Grazing Rights
Questions (43, 44, 45)
Patricia Ryan
Question:43. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide the acreage of the Curragh, County Kildare. [43496/24]
View answerPatricia Ryan
Question:44. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide the number of sheep grazing on the Curragh, County Kildare, for the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [43497/24]
View answerPatricia Ryan
Question:45. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will clarify the system, if any, in place for identifying who owns any particular sheep or flock of sheep currently grazing on the Curragh, County Kildare. [43499/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 to 45, inclusive, together.
The Curragh Plains is approximately 4,870 acres. Grazing of sheep on the Curragh Plains is permitted under the Curragh of Kildare Acts of 1870, 1961 and 1969. “Claims” in this regard belong to various land owners in townlands surrounding the Curragh of Kildare. I am advised that the current available number of sheep claims is 5,997. The Department of Defence requests farmers to complete forms to identify each year the numbers of sheep claims they are using in order to ensure that “rights of pasture” can be verified. Once the sheep claims have been verified as correct, the Curragh brand is then applied to the sheep by the Maor. I understand that individual sheep farmer's also identify sheep with their own mark.
Sheep are allowed graze on all Curragh lands with the exception of the Defence Forces Training Centre (Curragh Camp) and other enclosed lands such as the Curragh Racecourse. I am advised that a previous review in this regard estimates the area available for grazing is approximately 3286 Acres.
The below table shows the sheep claims submitted and verified in the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024.
|
Year |
No of sheep claims verified |
|
2022 |
3542 |
|
2023 |
3780 |
|
2024 (To date) |
3078 |
Question No. 44 answered with Question No. 43.
Question No. 45 answered with Question No. 43.
Defence Forces
Questions (46)
Patricia Ryan
Question:46. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will clarify the working practices of the Curragh Rangers. [43500/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Land Staff Team (comprising the Curragh Maor and two Fó-Mhaor) employed by my Department are tasked with assisting with the management of the Curragh Plains, which includes but is not limited to:
- Assisting the Department's Property Management Branch with the supervision of the “Green and Blue” (i.e. outside the Curragh Camp) lands of the Curragh specifically relating to the management, protection and enhancement of the environment, as well as reporting any concerns or issues arising from routine patrols of the Curragh area;
- Ensuring compliance with local Curragh By-Laws;
- Inspecting property boundaries and identification of illegal encroachments onto Department lands;
- Engaging with sheep farmers in the day-to-day management of sheep-grazing rights on the Curragh Plains and for branding and identification of sheep herds;
- Ensuring there is no unauthorised grazing of sheep, horses or other animals or no misuse of the lands generally;
- Reporting any illegal encampments or instances of trespass, nuisance or illegal dumping on the Curragh Plains land;
- Organising and undertaking as required tasks relating to the day-to-day care and maintenance of the Curragh Plain, including but not limited to litter removal, minor repairs, and remedial works.
Air Services
Questions (47)
John Paul Phelan
Question:47. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the significant impact that An Bord Pleanála’s draft decision to limit the number of night-time flights at Dublin Airport's north runway would have on businesses, including an increase in uncertainty, instability, and costs, as well as impacts on the productivity of businesses, results in a knock-on impact on GDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43373/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the draft decision published on September 17 by An Bord Pleanála concerning the night time use of the runways at Dublin Airport.
The draft decision of the planning regulator provides for a number of conditions in relation to the operation of the runways at Dublin Airport. As the draft decision indicates that An Bord Pleanála is considering adopting noise mitigation measures and operating restrictions, it is required to hold a public consultation. Submissions or observations to the Board can be made by 23 December 2024.
I am encouraging all interested parties to make a submission to ABP in relation to the draft decision before the public consultation closes.
Regional Airports
Questions (48, 49)
Michael Lowry
Question:48. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the status of the Waterford Airport development proposal, considering the urgent need for a decision before the Dáil dissolves, to avoid a delay of six to nine months, which could jeopardize the project and its potential economic benefits for the south east region; if he will outline the steps being taken to ensure this critical investment is secured promptly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43337/24]
View answerMichael Lowry
Question:49. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport how the Government plans to address the apparent funding disparities, highlighted by the significant investments in other infrastructure projects and airports, in contrast to the lack of support for Waterford Airport; if he will commit to prioritizing the Waterford Airport proposal to foster regional economic growth, enhance tourism, and support the business community in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43338/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
Policy on regional airports has always been focused on optimising conditions for connectivity and balanced regional development. As a result, Exchequer funding under my Department’s Regional Airports Programme is contingent on airports operating scheduled passenger services.
It must be recognised that Waterford Airport had been eligible for Exchequer funding under previous Regional Airports Programmes. In fact, since 2003 Waterford Airport has benefited from almost €26 million in Exchequer funding, supporting vital safety and security activities and operations at the airport.
The Deputy will be aware that following a continued decline in demand for services over successive years from 2008, all remaining scheduled flights ceased at the airport in June 2016. In the absence of scheduled passenger services, Waterford Airport has not been eligible for supports under the Programme since then.
In relation to Waterford Airport’s development proposal, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has undertaken a detailed appraisal of the proposal put forward. This appraisal has included the assessment of significant documentation and responses to queries raised by Department officials and addressed by the airport up until 17 July. This level of appraisal is necessary to ensure that due diligence is exercised in accordance with my Department’s “Transport Appraisal Framework” and the Government’s “Infrastructure Guidelines” (previously known as the Public Spending Code).
The Transport Appraisal Framework requires that in the transport sector, where the proposal has an estimated potential cost of €15m or more, the Sponsoring Agency (in this case Waterford Airport) must produce a Project Outline Document, to be reviewed by the relevant Approving Authority (in this case the Department of Transport). The purpose of the Project Outline Document is to outline the rationale for an intervention and the intended impacts; verify the alignment of the proposal with wider government strategy and policy; and describe the appraisal, governance, and financial approach.
My Department has completed its assessment of the detail provided by the airport in line with the Project Outline Document requirements. This assessment was recently submitted to both Minister Ryan and I for our consideration.
While the processes governing capital investment projects are onerous and rigorous and may take considerable periods of time to execute to the required standards, it needs to be recognised that Waterford Airport is currently in a position to operate scheduled passenger services without any major runway extension.
Indeed, the existing runway can facilitate propeller plane services which are successfully operated at other airports currently, including for example on services operating out of Donegal, Kerry, Cork and Dublin airports to the UK and France.
I will be meeting with the board of Waterford Airport tomorrow afternoon, Thursday Oct 24th.
These matters need careful consideration by both Minister Ryan and I before next steps can be determined. Until that time, I reserve an open mind on the matter.
Question No. 49 answered with Question No. 48.
Rail Network
Questions (50)
Brendan Howlin
Question:50. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport his views on the reopening of the Wexford to Waterford rail line; the current status of necessary repairs to the Barrow Bridge; if it is his Department’s policy to re-open this rail link; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43349/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Following two public consultations, the Review’s Final Report was published on the 31st of July 2024.
The Review's Final Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds, higher service frequencies and new routes, including the rehabilitation of the Waterford to Wexford line.
The Final Review Report will inform the development of rail on the island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050. It should be noted that individual projects referred to in the Report will be subject to funding and relevant approvals as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines in Ireland.
Assisted by the European Investment Bank, the Department of Transport and Department for Infrastructure, and agencies north and south, are working to progress the Report’s recommendations in the years ahead. This includes a more detailed identification of rail priorities to pursue over the next decade. A report on this matter is expected to be published at some stage. Progress in following-up on the Rail Review will be reported on as appropriate through the North South Ministerial Council.
Regarding the Deputy’s query in relation to the necessary repair works to the Barrow Bridge, the operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including any works to the Barrow Bridge, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter I am referring your letter for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Tax Code
Questions (51)
Pa Daly
Question:51. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport his plans to review the policy regarding charging motor tax on blood bikes. [43350/24]
View answerWritten answers
Current motor tax rates from motorcycles vary from €35 to €88 per year depending on the engine capacity. There is no exemption for blood bikes, unless they qualify as a State owned vehicle. Changes to motor tax rates, including any exemptions, are a Budgetary matter for the Minister for Finance.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland
Questions (52)
Paul Donnelly
Question:52. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the amount TII spent on provision of security personnel onboard the Luas in the years of 2023 and 2024; and the budget allocation for same in 2025, in tabular form. [43367/24]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 is a matter for TII. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.