Written answers

Tuesday, 12 February 2019

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Carbon Budget

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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93. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the underspend from the 2018 carbon reduction programme will be carried forward and added to the €7.6 million allocation for 2019 (details supplied); the programmes and projects that will be supported under same in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6432/19]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Carbon Reduction Programme was established to fund measures that support decarbonising transport. As noted in my recent response to the Deputy’s PQ (No. 1623), this funding only represents a single element in a wider range of transport mitigation efforts underway, including significant support for new and improved public and sustainable transport; a number of incentives to encourage a transition away from conventional fuels towards low and zero emitting alternatives; increasing the proportion of biofuels in the fuel mix; and working to improve EU efficiency standards for all vehicles produced. Collectively, these measures are assisting in decarbonising the sector. The most recent emission inventories indicated a small fall in transport emissions for the first time in four years.

In 2019 the Carbon Reduction Programme is allocated €7m to further support some of these measures and help maintain this downwards trend in transport emissions. Noting that the measures funded under this Programme are largely new, innovative and often associated with emerging technologies/research and, accordingly, tend to take more time to develop, establish and gain acceptance, there was an underspend in 2018. To continue and expand projects and programmes commenced last year €1.965m was carried over from 2018 to the Programme in 2019. Funding reallocated during 2018 was supportive of sustainable transport generally, with increased expenditure in 2018 recorded across both public transport and active travel projects and programmes.

It is envisaged that the 2019 allocation will support four main work streams. Firstly, the Low Emission Bus Trials, which commenced in 2018 and will run into Q2 this year, which will help to further inform purchasing decisions for transitioning the bus fleet to lower emitting alternatives. Secondly, supporting electric vehicle uptake through the Electric Vehicle Tolling Incentive Scheme and the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle Grant Scheme – based on recent electric vehicle sales I expect to see significant increase in demand in both Schemes in 2019. Thirdly, funding from the Carbon Reduction Programme will be used to cover the cost differential of purchasing low-emission public transport vehicles, beginning with nine hybrid double-deck buses for the Dublin Bus fleet and a small pilot programme in rural Ireland. Finally, in support of evidence building, the Programme will support much needed Irish-specific transport mitigation research; four projects have commenced and will be co-funded in 2019 examining subjects such as behavioural change and the decarbonisation of the freight sector in Ireland.

Tackling national emissions is an evolving challenge, affected greatly by population levels, economic activity and strongly influenced by behavioural change. In tandem, the mitigation measures and technologies currently available to us are constantly developing. In recognition of this, Ireland’s responses to tackling challenge must be equally dynamic. Accordingly, the work streams for the Carbon Reduction Programme will evolve and be informed by the actions in the forthcoming All of Government Plan to Tackle Climate Disruptionand the deliberations of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce.

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