Written Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish-Israeli dual citizens currently in Israel; the number currently in the occupied Palestinian territories, specifically the number in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem; of those, the number who have their habitual residence there; the number in the Gaza Strip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51319/23]
View answerIrish citizens travelling or living overseas are encouraged to register their contact details with the Department of Foreign Affairs, in particular those travelling to high risk destinations. The information allows the Department to contact citizens, and provide assistance, if necessary and possible, if there is an unforeseen crisis such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or if there is a family emergency while overseas.
Registration is however voluntary, and citizens are not required to provide information on whether they hold an additional nationality. Therefore there will always be citizens who choose not to register or provide information on dual nationality.
Therefore, it is not possible to estimate the number of Irish-Israeli citizens in the region.
22. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, given the indications of wide-spread violations of international humanitarian law being committed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, and in light of the IDF's widespread commission of war crimes related to Israel's settlement regime in the occupied West Bank, and illegally annexed East Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan Heights, Ireland has communicated advisories to Irish citizens and residents of Ireland who may be serving or volunteering in the IDF on the potential legal consequences and individual criminal liability that would arise under Irish criminal law (Geneva Conventions Act 1962 and International Criminal Court Act 2006) for any of their acts or omissions in the course of their service or volunteering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51321/23]
View answerI have been consistently clear that International Humanitarian Law applies in all conflicts, in all circumstances, to state and non-state actors alike. All potential violations of International Humanitarian Law, by state and non-state parties, should be thoroughly investigated.
I have also underlined repeatedly that Israel’s response to the attacks of 7 October must comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Likewise, the taking of hostages and the use of human shields are clear breaches of international humanitarian law.
My priority is to take relevant and practical steps in support of the role of the International Criminal Court. Last week the Government announced a voluntary contribution of €3 million to the Court. This contribution is in response to the urgent needs of the Court, which the Court’s prosecutor has repeatedly emphasised, most recently in his statement of 17 November.
With regards to the application of Irish criminal law, a number of offences, including war crimes, apply extra-territorially in respect of Irish nationals.
23. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to speak to his Indian counterpart before the end of 2023. [51331/23]
View answerIreland’s renewed Asia-Pacific Strategy commits to deepening our strategic relationship with India across all strands of cooperation, including strengthened political contacts, a deeper trade and investment relationship, and support for the conclusion of a comprehensive and ambitious EU-India Free Trade Agreement.
Earlier this year Minister O’Gorman made a successful visit to India for St. Patrick’s Day and in July I attended the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Stockholm, where a number of Foreign Ministers from the Asia Pacific region, including Dr. Jaishankar, attended to discuss issues of shared concern.
Political consultations with India took place in New Delhi in autumn 2022 and officials in my Department are in frequent contact with Indian counterparts, whether in Dublin, in New Delhi or in multilateral fora.
24. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of funding provided to the International Criminal Court in each year since 2002; the purpose of any ring-fenced funding by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51417/23]
View answerAs the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute the world’s most heinous crimes, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is the cornerstone of the system of international criminal justice. The Court was established in 2002 with the entry into force of the Rome Statute. By its very existence the Court not only promotes and upholds the rule of law but also provides a means of bringing to account the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. In this way it contributes in a fundamental way to the cause of international peace and justice.
Ireland has been, and continues to be, a consistent and strong supporter of the ICC. We believe that the ICC should have sufficient resources to deliver upon its unique and important mandate. The ICC is funded mainly by means of annual assessed contributions made by the States Parties to the Rome Statute, determined every year at the Assembly of States Parties. The portion of the agreed budget that each individual State Party contributes is based on the UN Scale of Assessment, modified to take into account the composition of the Assembly of States Parties. The amount of Ireland’s assessed contribution for each year since 2002 is laid out below in tabular form.
Some of the Court’s work is also supported by voluntary trust funds established for specific purposes and Ireland has made voluntary contributions to the following such funds since 2002, in addition to its assessed contributions.
The ICC’s Trust Fund for Victims was established to respond to the harm resulting from the commission of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court by implementing reparations awards ordered against a convicted person by the Court, and providing assistance to victims and their families in ICC situations through life-changing programmes.
The Office of the Prosecutor’s Trust Fund for Advanced Technology and Specialized Capacity supports the use of new technological tools in the collection and analysis of evidence, the provision of enhanced psycho-social support to witnesses and the enhancement of specialised capacity to investigate crimes of sexual and gender-based violence and crimes against children across all situations seized by the Court.
The Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries provides financial assistance to representatives of the least developed countries and other developing countries in order to participate in the activities of the Assembly of States Parties of the ICC.
The Special Fund for Relocations assists States which are willing but do not have the financial capacity to enter into witness relocation agreements with the Court.
The Trust Fund for the Development of Interns and Visiting Professionals (“IVPs”) bolsters the Court’s commitment to fair geographical representation, and creates opportunities for individuals from developing countries who are disadvantaged due to limited financial means, to undertake a placement as an IVP at the Court.
The Trust Fund for Family Visits contributes to protecting the right to and respect of family life for the families of all indigent persons detained at the ICC Detention Centre and contributes to the efficient conduct of Court proceedings.
The amount that Ireland has contributed to each voluntary trust fund for each year since 2002 is laid out below in tabular form.
The Government is committed to continuing its support for the vital work of the ICC and on 14 November announced that it will make a new voluntary contribution of €3 million to the ICC. This contribution is in response to the urgent needs of the Court, which the Court’s Prosecutor has repeatedly emphasised, most recently in his statement of 17 November. Officials in my Department will liaise with the Court to determine how this voluntary contribution can be dispersed to help the ICC achieve the important mandate that States Parties have tasked it with.
Ireland’s Contributions to the ICC 2002-2022
|
Year |
Assessed Contribution |
Voluntary Contributions to Trust Fund for Victims |
Voluntary Contributions to Other Trust Funds |
Other |
|
2002 |
€47,062 |
|||
|
2003 |
€142,822 |
|||
|
2004 |
€384,178 |
€75,000 |
||
|
2005 |
€483,931 |
€100,000 |
€15,000 (Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries) |
|
|
2006 |
€559,478 |
€100,000 |
||
|
2007 |
€640,506 |
|||
|
2008 |
€497,649 |
|||
|
2009 |
€474,355 |
€100,000 |
€25,000 (Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries) |
|
|
2010 |
€729,632 |
€100,000 |
€25,000 (LDCs) |
|
|
2011 |
€765,647 |
€50,000 |
€10,000 (Least Developed Countries)€5,000 (Joint Regional Seminar with African Union)€50,000 (Special fund for Relocation of Witnesses) |
|
|
2012 |
€802,759 |
€50,000 |
€5,000 (Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries) |
|
|
2013 |
€743,932 |
€50,000 |
€5,000 (Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries) |
|
|
2014 |
€699,424 |
€50,000 |
€5,000 (Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries) |
€1,039,355 (one-time payment to permanent premises project) (€9,690 returned in 2015, resulting in a final contribution of €1,029,665) |
|
2015 |
€821,758 |
€75,000 |
€5,000 (Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries) |
|
|
2016 |
€779,355 |
€75,000 |
€5,000 (Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries) |
|
|
2017 |
€807,827 |
€125,000 |
€10,000 (Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries) |
|
|
2018 |
€820,789 |
€175,000 |
€10,000 (Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries) |
|
|
2019 |
€981,784 |
€200,000 |
€10,000 (Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries) |
|
|
2020 |
€986,522 |
€200,000 |
€10,000 (Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries) |
|
|
2021 |
€983,348 |
€300,000 |
||
|
2022 |
€1.4m |
€1.5m |
€300,000 (Special Fund for Relocations); €150,000 (Trust Fund for the Development of Interns and Visiting Professionals) €50,000 (Trust Fund for Family Visits) |
25. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will engage with other nations with regard to bringing a Uniting for Peace Resolution (General Assembly Resolution 377(V) to the United Nations General Assembly with a view to making appropriate recommendations for collective measures regarding the situation in Palestine, including the calling for ceasefires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51418/23]
View answerOn 27 October, the President of the General Assembly reconvened the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly, following a request by Jordan and Mauritania in their respective capacities as Chair of the Arab Group and Chair of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. This emergency special session was first convened in 1997 in accordance with Resolution 377(V) of 3 November 1950 ("Uniting for Peace").
Ireland delivered a national statement at this emergency special session, which included a renewed call on Israel to end the blockade of Gaza and to allow meaningful humanitarian access, especially of fuel, to enable hospitals and relief organisations to function. Ireland also echoed the call of the UN Secretary General for a humanitarian ceasefire or humanitarian pause, to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the population can be comprehensively met.
During this emergency special session, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution, calling for a “durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities”. The Resolution also reaffirmed that “a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means, based on the relevant United Nations resolutions and in accordance with international law, and on the basis of the two-State solution”. Ireland voted in favour of this Resolution, one of eight EU Member States to do so.
More broadly, I have made it clear that the efforts of the international community aimed at addressing the immediate crisis must also lay the foundation for the path towards a sustainable peace in the long term. I will continue to underline this point in my ongoing engagement with EU, regional and international partners.
26. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will engage with the South African government and seek to join their recent referral to the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51419/23]
View answerI am aware that on 17 November 2023, South Africa alongside Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros, and Djibouti, referred the Situation in the State of Palestine to the International Criminal Court.
In his response to this initiative, the Prosecutor, Karim Khan issued a statement on 17 November where he confirmed that situation in Palestine is already under investigation by the Prosecutor’ office. The investigation covers what is happening currently in Israel and Palestine, including the events of October 7 and all actions since that date.
Furthermore, the Prosecutor called on States Parties to the Rome Statute to provide the Court with the tools it needs to fulfil its mandate effectively across all situations and reiterated the resource needs of his office. Ireland will make a voluntary contribution of an additional €3 million to the Court in support of its important work, in addition to our annual contribution, which was €1.4 million in 2023. We have consistently promoted a budget that meets the needs of the Court and will continue to do so at the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute in December. We must focus on practical steps that can make a difference.
It is important that we do not take any steps that could be perceived as undermining the independent and impartial nature of the Court, and its mandate to investigate all potential crimes under its jurisdiction, irrespective of who the perpetrator or perpetrators may be. We will continue to support the important work of the Court in relation to all the matters that it is currently investigating.
27. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish citizens that have vacated Gaza since the onset of the most recent Israeli attacks; the supports that have been provided to these citizens by the Irish Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51501/23]
View answerAs 20 November, 51 citizens and dependants have been assisted to depart Gaza by the Department of Foreign Affairs. They were met by staff from the Irish Embassy in Cairo and provided with consular assistance, including support to depart Egypt.
The majority of these citizens and dependants arrived in Ireland last weekend, many of them to be reunited with family. The Government is providing medical, housing and other appropriate supports as needed.
28. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the meetings and events that he attended during his visit to Egypt, Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of each engagement. [51504/23]
View answerI travelled to the region from 14-16 November as part of the Government’s continuing and intensive engagement on the current crisis in Israel and Gaza. A key focus was the situation of Irish citizens in Gaza and the case of Irish citizen Emily Hand, who is believed to be held hostage in Gaza.
My engagements during the visit also provided an opportunity to repeat my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, to underline the need for urgent and meaningful humanitarian access to Gaza, and to stress the urgency of de-escalation.
I had a substantive discussion in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry. I expressed our appreciation for Egypt’s help with the exit of our citizens from Gaza. We spoke about the ongoing crisis, and the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and rapid, unimpeded humanitarian supplies of water, food, fuel, and medical supplies. While in Cairo I also met with League of Arab States Secretary General Aboul Gheit.
I travelled to Ramallah in the occupied Palestinian territory and expressed my sympathy to the Palestinian people over civilian deaths in Gaza and the West Bank to Prime Minister Shtayyeh. We discussed the role the international community must play in the path to peace and Ireland’s support for the two State solution. I also met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Malki in Ramallah.
I also visited southern Israel and witnessed the devastation caused by the 7th of October attack in Sderot and Kibbutz Be’eri, where Emily Hand was taken hostage. I met Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen and expressed my grave concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reiterated my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. I also met President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, during which I stressed the urgent need to dramatically increase the supply of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
29. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will take the necessary steps to ensure the adoption of the 2021 World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines as legally binding targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51491/23]
View answerAir pollution is a significant issue across Europe, which is why Ireland is working closely with the Commission and other Member States to ensure that the most ambitious measures are introduced in the revised Clean Air for Europe Directive.
Ireland’s first Clean Air Strategy published in April this year, sets out a high level of ambition for air quality improvements. In terms of the 2021 WHO air quality guidelines the Strategy commits us towards full alignment by 2040, and the achievement of interim targets in 2026 and 2030.
Progressing on this pathway will save thousands of lives over the coming years and improve people’s quality of life. Working together across Government is essential to realise the full environmental and health benefits of cleaner air.
The cross government Clean Air Strategic Implementation Group has been established to ensure the integration of clean air considerations into policy development across Government. This group will ensure that we are held accountable for delivering on our ambition through a comprehensive cross-Government programme of policies and measures that will tackle all sources of air pollution, including priority actions from the transport, agriculture and residential sectors.
In addition, the new Ambient Air Quality Directive will include legally binding targets for Ireland for air quality, moving towards the WHO Guidelines, this together with the measures described in the Clean Air Strategy will inform the steps required to ensure Ireland achieves its ambition in relation to clean air for all.
30. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if ComReg will investigate the poor mobile coverage at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51203/23]
View answerThe roll-out of infrastructure for mobile telecommunications services in Ireland is primarily a matter for private mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with section 11 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002.
My officials have investigated the area in the details supplied, and see that coverage for 2G services is reported as good from all operators and 3G and 4G services are reported as fair. However to assist consumers to choose the network provider that best meets their needs, ComReg continually updates and enhances its online national outdoor mobile coverage map (available at: Service Coverage - Commission for Communications Regulation (comreg.ie), which provides clear information on the level of coverage provided by operators.
The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has been in operation since 2016 and has been a driving force for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide. The Taskforce continues to implement actions specifically designed to remove barriers to telecoms infrastructure rollout. Through the work of the Taskforce, providers have now made Wifi calling available for all consumers. This allows consumers to benefit from using their in home Wifi to make mobile voice calls, thus significantly improving the availability of indoor mobile coverage.
31. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of islanded data centres that are already connected to the gas grid, those that contracted to connect, and those that are seeking contract to connect; and for each category to outline the amount of capacity involved, in tabular form. [51239/23]
View answerThe Government's Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy describes and an ‘Islanded’ data centre as a development that is not connected to the electricity grid and is powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation. Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) have advised my Department that they do not hold information on the electricity grid connection of existing customers. Therefore GNI has advised my Department that it is not in a position to provide data on the number, if any, of the small number of data centres connected to the gas grid that would meet the description of "islanded".
GNI has provided the following data in relation to data centres connected to the gas grid. There is an expectation that the majority of these gas connection requests are also connected to the electricity network and therefore would not meet the description of "islanded."
|
Category |
Number |
Aggregated Max Hourly Load (MW) |
|
Data Centres contracted to connect to the gas network |
11 |
2,100 |
|
Formal Enquiries received from Data Centre Sites (but not contracted) |
19 |
8,103.5 ** |
**Projected demand from these enquiries’ ranges from 40MW up to 1,300MW
32. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will respond to the recommendation of the Climate Change Advisory Council that the Government should take immediate action to amend the Gas Act 1976 as amended (details supplied). [51240/23]
View answerMy Department will consider recommendations of the Climate Advisory Council in conjunction with other relevant Departments and Agencies where appropriate, including the recommendations in the letter of 16/10/2023 to the joint Oireachtas Committee, a copy of which has forwarded to me by the Committee Chair. Any proposed legislative change would need to align with EU law and policy objectives.
The Department is actively working with other relevant Departments and Agencies to implement the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy dated 27 July 2022, including identifying what additional measures may be needed to facilitate this.
33. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the options available for funding for fishing stands along the river Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51241/23]
View answerThe funding allocation provided to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) by my Department is not generally disaggregated for individual specific purposes such as those raised by the Deputy.
The allocation of such resources towards development and other functions, related to fisheries, under, for instance, the National Strategy for Angling Development and other funding programmes, is an operational matter for IFI in which neither I nor my Department have any function.
IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
34. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what percentage of Meath homes and businesses have benefitted from the roll-out of fibre broadband as part of the National Broadband Plan; of those that have yet to be reached, the predicted timeline before they are connected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51299/23]
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.
These targets will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and through the State investment in the rollout by National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
In County Meath, Open eir have already passed over 35,800 homes and businesses with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c. 25,000 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €32m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Meath, with SIRO recently passing over 20,000 premises for full fibre, and Virgin Media passing over 18,000 premises.
Along with the progress made by commercial operators’ in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State, the National Broadband Plan intervention contract provides for the roll out of a high speed and future-proofed broadband network to primarily rural areas. The intervention area covers over 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
I am advised by NBI that, over 200,000 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 60,000 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. In County Meath, 3,423 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection. This represents 16% of premises in the Intervention Area (IA) with 925 premises now connected which is a take up of 27%.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Meath can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. A county update can be selected to provide the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed and connected to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2 of 2023 saw a 7.4% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to the first 3 months of the year, and a 33.7% increase when compared to Quarter 2 of 2022. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing substantially as it is deployed to areas where it 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 (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure.
35. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes at each pre-works BER ratings that achieved a B2 cost-optimum standard in each of the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [51343/23]
View answerThe National Retrofit Plan sets out the Government's approach to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a BER of B2/cost-optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps to replace older, less efficient heating systems by 2030. To support the achievement of these targets, last year the Government launched a package of enhanced supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake energy upgrades.
As set out below, since the introduction of the new measures, demand across the relevant SEAI schemes has been exceptionally high:
• 2021: 17,546 property energy efficiency upgrades, of which 4,345 achieved a post works BER of B2 or better.
• 2022: 27,199 property energy efficiency upgrades, of which 8,481 achieved a post works BER of B2 or better.
• Year to end October 2023: 38,826 property energy efficiency upgrades, of which 14,081 achieved a post works BER of B2 or better.
With regard to the specific data sought by the Deputy, it is important to note that a pre work BER assessment is not a requirement across all of the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes:
• Pre-BER Assessment required: National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (OSS Scheme); Community Energy Grant Scheme; and Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme (introduced as a requirement in February 2022).
• Pre-BER Assessment not required: Better Energy Homes Scheme; Solar PV Scheme.
All energy upgrade works, regardless of SEAI Scheme, require a post-work BER assessment.
A detailed overview of the SEAI 2023 performance can be found in the SEAI Quarterly Progress Report for Quarter 3, 2023, on its website at: www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q3-2023.pdf. The Report shows that, to date this year, under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, the average pre-work BER was E1 for private homes and C3 for Approved Housing Body homes.
I have asked the SEAI to provide the specific data requested directly to the Deputy, in so far as it is available, as soon as possible.
36. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed, per month, under the warmer homes scheme in 2023, in tabular form. [51344/23]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is a top priority for the Government delivering a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department. The budget allocation for the scheme this year is over €148 million.
Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme are driving increased levels of demand for the scheme. This is evidenced by the increase in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and over 10,000 additional applications received up until the end of August this year.
It should also be noted that the scheme has been delivering a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades in recent years. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have increased from €2,600 in 2015 to €24,000 in 2023.
A range of have been introduced by the Department and SEAI to support the Scheme, including enhanced budgets; increased staffing resources in SEAI; and, actions to address supply chain challenges.
Over 4,500 homes have been upgraded this year to end October, an average of over 450 homes per month. The scheme is working towards upgrading 6,000 homes by the end of the year.
The average waiting time from application to completion in Q3 2023 was just under 20 months. This is a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022.
SEAI established a new contractor panel in September of this year, adding 7 additional contractors bringing the total to 36. This should further increase capacity under the scheme.
My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate output of free energy upgrades.
Warmer Homes Scheme
Monthly Breakdown of Property Upgrade Completions in 2023
|
Month |
Property Upgrades |
|
January |
197 |
|
February |
269 |
|
March |
480 |
|
April |
374 |
|
May |
692 |
|
June |
334 |
|
July |
785 |
|
August |
303 |
|
September |
735 |
|
October |
344 |
|
Total |
4,513 |
37. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the hardship scheme for draft net fishing on the river Boyne is still open for applicants; if the scheme has been updated in any form; if he will provide details of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51358/23]
View answerIn 2007, the Government established a €25m hardship scheme open to all holders of a commercial salmon licence. In relation to such schemes, as no fishing or property rights are conferred on the holder of an annual licence, the issue of “buyout” or compensation does not arise. The majority of active fisherpersons availed of payment under the measure and the scheme closed in 2008 with all funds expended.
There are no plans to reintroduce a similar scheme.
38. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications why the appropriate assessment screening document as legally required under the EU Habitats Directive was not published by his officials in the Inland Fisheries Division for the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2023 that went to public consultation on 16 November 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51455/23]
View answerSection 69(8)(a) and (b) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 provide for the requirements in making a notice in respect of the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations and my Department and I are undertaking this public consultation in accordance with those requirements.
The Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) present the salmon advice - regarding the scientific assessment of salmon stocks in Irish rivers - annually to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) for a forthcoming season as soon as the advice becomes available. The earliest possible date this occurs is generally the first week of November as the advice is dependent on average catch data taken from the most recent five years of catch data and fish counters' data. As the season runs to 30th September for the majority of the rivers, the salmon advice is generated by TEGOS in October before being presented to Inland Fisheries Ireland.
IFI then forward their recommendations on the catch options for the forthcoming season after receipt of the TEGOS advice. When the IFI recommendations are received in my Department, this initiates the start of the 30-day statutory public consultation process for the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations. The generation of the Appropriate Assessment Screening (AAS) is dependent on the TEGOS Advice and the IFI Salmon Catch Advice as this scientific data forms the basis of the AAS. The AAS is prepared independently of IFI and once generated is sent for review to an independent external consultant.
The AAS can take several weeks to generate after TEGOS advice and IFI recommendations are finalised, therefore it is not possible, given time constraints, to publish the AAS along with the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations. To do so would delay the statutory public consultation process which would jeopardise the completion of Regulations in advance of the opening of the season on January 1st each year.
I have been informed by officials within IFI that the AAS for 2024 is currently underway and due for completion by the end of November. Once reviewed externally and approved, the AAS will be sent to my Department to support the 30-day public consultation process. As Minister, I will review the draft catch advice, the outcomes of the public consultation process and the AAS before consideration and approval of the Regulation.
39. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his inland fisheries division officials, in conjunction with the senior management team of Inland Fisheries Ireland, have any plans to reduce the number of blue gill tags from the accustomed ten gill tags that may be issued to individual salmon anglers on Lough Corrib SAC in 2024 considering the quota has reduced from 3,331 salmon to 1,938 salmon in twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51456/23]
View answerThere are no plans to reduce the number of blue gill tags from the accustomed ten gill tags that may be issued to individual salmon anglers on Lough Corrib SAC in 2024 considering the quota has reduced from 3,331 salmon to 1,938 salmon in twelve months.
The following table sets out the total salmon rod catch for both salmon Caught and Released (C&R) and harvested for the years 2018-2022 on the Corrib (2023 data not yet available) taken from the salmon angling logbooks returned to Inland Fisheries Ireland for each of those years. It was considered for 2024 season, that the reduced quota to 1,938 salmon was not in danger of being breached given the average harvest per annum is 1,322 salmon in the 2018-2022 period, therefore no reduction in gill tags is required or proposed at this time.
The rod catch for the past 5 years has been as follows;
|
Year |
C&R |
Harvest |
Total Catch |
|
2022 |
245 |
1,329 |
1,574 |
|
2021 |
256 |
1,437 |
1,693 |
|
2020 |
199 |
1,154 |
1,353 |
|
2019 |
205 |
1,212 |
1,417 |
|
2018 |
194 |
1,479 |
1,672 |
40. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will establish an inter-departmental working group with a specific focus on the health co-benefits of working towards the GHG emission targets for 2030, as specified in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51492/23]
View answerTo support the achievement of our ambitious climate action and emission reduction objectives, a number of climate action delivery taskforces have been established to support the delivery of key actions in areas with the potential for particularly high-impact results in terms of emissions reductions.
The establishment of an inter-departmental working group with a specific focus on the health co-benefits of working towards Ireland's GHG emission targets for 2030 is not currently under consideration. However, public health impacts and benefits are considered as part of the broader inter-departmental engagement for the development, implementation and monitoring of Ireland's climate action policy, including the preparation of the annual update to the Climate Action Plan, and its synergies with our Clean Air Strategy.
