Written Answers Nos. 425-445
425. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the defined benefit schemes for public sector employees are exempt from the same funding standards that apply to defined benefit schemes in the private sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24663/13]
View answerDefined benefit pension schemes are required to satisfy the Funding Standard requirements as set out in the Pensions Act 1990. Under EU law (Directive 2003/41/EC on the Activities and Supervision of Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision, the Act provides that defined benefit pension schemes may be excluded from the requirements of the Funding Standard if they are Exchequer ‘pay as you go’ schemes or, in the case of a funded scheme, if it has a State guarantee. The schemes which are excluded from the requirements of the Funding Standard are set out in regulations.
426. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the provisions that she is making to ensure that employment creation and retention forms part of any youth guarantee scheme. [24442/13]
View answerThe EU Council Recommendation on a Youth Guarantee received political agreement at the EPSCO Council meeting on 28 February 28 and was formally adopted by the Council last month. The Recommendation is that Member States should: "Ensure that all young people under the age of 25 years receive a good-quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within a period of four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education."
While it is recommended that the guarantee should be implemented as soon as possible, it is recognised that implementation will be more gradual in the Member States experiencing the most severe budgetary difficulties and higher rates of youth unemployment. The government will now review the current range of youth employment policies in Ireland to assess what measures will need to be taken to commence the gradual implementation of the guarantee.
With regard to job creation for youth in support of the guarantee, the Government’s primary strategy to tackle youth unemployment is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth. Past experience suggests that youth unemployment, which tends to rise relatively rapidly in a downturn, can be expected to fall relatively rapidly during the recovery. The government’s job-creation policies are outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs, which sets out a target for 100,000 net new jobs to be created by 2016, many of which will be filled by young people. Under the updated Action Plan for 2013, a new recruitment incentive – JobsPlus – has also been developed by my Department and was approved by the Government. This incentive will cover the cost of c. €1 in every €4 of an employer’s wage costs and will be launched for availability by July 2013. Young people are likely to be major beneficiaries of this initiative as employers tend to hire young people when there is a recovery in employment. This incentive will be launched for availability by July 2013.
The scale and nature of any additional measures required will depend on the trend in youth unemployment, and in particular the number of young people likely to experience periods of unemployment of more than four months under current policies. In this context, it is a welcome development that the official labour market figures published by the CSO recently indicated that the number of young unemployed at the end of 2012, at 59,000, a reduction of almost 9,000 on the same time a year earlier. It is to be hoped that this is the beginning of a sustained downward movement in youth unemployment as the economy recovers. Even so, the implementation of a guarantee will, almost certainly require an expansion in the range of opportunities currently on offer to young people in the form of further education and training, internships, subsidised private-sector recruitment, and supports for self-employment. In this regard the State already provides a significant number of initiatives which are of relevance to young people and the Department of Social Protection took steps in Budget 2013 to increase funding and places for schemes such as JobBridge, Community Employment, TÚS and a new state employment scheme in the local Government sector. In total an additional 10,000 places will be provided.
The size and the timescale for any additional provision, over and above that outlined above that is both desirable and feasible will be established over the coming months.
427. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions her Department is taking to tackle youth unemployment; if she will give an assessment of the effectiveness of these actions; and the targets for increased youth employment. [18615/13]
View answerIn the first instance, the Government’s primary strategy to tackle youth unemployment is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth. Past experience suggests that youth unemployment, which tends to rise relatively rapidly in a downturn, can be expected to fall relatively rapidly during the recovery.
The Government is implementing a number of programmes to assist young unemployed persons and keep young jobseekers close to the labour market. There are five main approaches being taken to tackle youth unemployment: education, training, job search assistance/guidance, work experience, and encouraging job creation. These actions range across a number of Departments and Agencies and include:-
- The Youthreach programme providing 6,000 integrated education, training and work experience for early school leavers without any qualifications or vocational training who are between 15 and 20 years of age;
- The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme scheme, which provides a range of courses to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people over 21 years of age, particularly focusing upon early school leavers;
- The Back to Education Allowance scheme run by the Department of Social Protection provides income maintenance for unemployed people returning to further or higher education. Over 6,500 young people participated on this scheme in the last academic year;
- Approximately 12,000 persons aged under 25 completed a training course with FÁS in 2012. This excludes apprenticeships and evening courses;
- This year MOMENTUM, a scheme for education and training interventions, which is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs initiative, is currently being rolled out by the Department of Education. MOMENTUM will support the provision of free education and training projects to allow 6,500 long term jobseekers to gain skills and to access work opportunities in identified growing sectors. Over 1,250 of these places are assigned specifically for under 25s;
- The JobBridge National Internship Scheme is focused on providing work experience to young people with the total number of placements of young people on JobBridge during 2012 at 2,700. The recent interim independent evaluation of the Scheme conducted by Indecon Independent Economic Consultants found that 61% of individuals who have participated in JobBridge progressed into employment within five months of completing their internship placements. This high level of progression suggests JobBridge is an appropriate labour market intervention which has achieved very significant progress in a short period of time.
- Long-term unemployed youth will also benefit from the JobsPlus initiative which is designed to encourage employers to recruit long-term unemployed people. Under this scheme the State will pay circa €1 of every €4 it costs the employer to recruit a person from the Live Register;
- In the December Budget, funding was secured for an additional 10,000 places this year across a range of programmes -- including JobBridge, TÚS and Community Employment. About a quarter of these places are expected to be taken up by unemployed young people.
With regard to targets, the original Action Plan for Jobs sets out a target for 100,000 net new jobs to be created by 2016, many of which will be filled by young people. In addition, the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 includes the Pathways to Work initiative’s targets for increasing the number of people who are long-term unemployed moving into employment and reducing the average length of time spent on the Live Register. Specifically, these targets are that:
(i) at least 75,000 of those currently long-term unemployed will move into employment by 2015.
(ii) Increase the exit rate of people on the live register for two years or more by 50% (to 40%) by the end of 2015
(iii) Reduce the persistence rate (the rate at which short term unemployed people become long term unemployed) to 25%.
As two out of five young unemployed are long-term unemployed, these targets are pertinent to young people. A new recruitment incentive – JobsPlus – has also been developed by my Department and was approved by the Government as part of the Action Plan for Jobs. This incentive will cover the cost of c. €1 in every €4 of an employer’s wage costs and will be launched for availability by July 2013. Young people are likely to be major beneficiaries of this initiative as employers tend to hire young people when there is a recovery in employment.
Following from the formal adoption of the EU Recommendation on Implementing a Youth Guarantee, the government will review the current range of youth employment and training policies in Ireland to assess what measures will need to be taken to commence the gradual implementation of the guarantee. This will include the identification of what would be the appropriate timescale for implementation in Ireland's current employment and budgetary circumstances. The scale and nature of the measures required will depend on the trend in youth unemployment, and in particular the number of young people likely to experience periods of unemployment of more than four months under current policies. In this context, it is welcome that the official labour market figures published by the CSO indicated that the number of young unemployed at the end of 2012, at 59,000, showed a reduction of almost 9,000 on the same time a year earlier. It is to be hoped that this is the beginning of a sustained downward movement in youth unemployment as the economy recovers. Even so, the implementation of a guarantee will almost certainly require an expansion in the range of opportunities currently on offer to young people in the form of further education, training, internships, subsidised private-sector recruitment, and supports for self-employment.
428. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will list the cost of each Ombudsman under her remit in the years from 2000 to 2012, within the ongoing economic difficulties which challenge us all to work differently. [26445/13]
View answerThe Office of the Pensions Ombudsman, established in April 2003, is a State agency which comes under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. The total cost of the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman for each year of its operation to 2012 inclusive is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Amount - € |
|
2003 (part) |
225,470 |
|
2004 |
509,951 |
|
2005 |
634,631 |
|
2006 |
793,810 |
|
2007 |
912,625 |
|
2008 |
1,052,578 |
|
2009 |
1,015,479 |
|
2010 |
986,771 |
|
2011 |
973,372 |
|
2012 |
1,038,529 |
Under the Government’s Public Service Reform Plan, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman was recently subject to a Critical Review with a proposal to merge the office with the Financial Services Ombudsman. The Report of the Critical Review Steering Group recommended that both offices be merged. This recommendation was accepted by Government in April 2013. The reform measures will be implemented within the next two years.
429. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on the work on special areas of conservation (details supplied); if documents are now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25030/13]
View answerMy Department has recently produced two reports detailing site specific conservation objectives for the sites to which the Deputy refers. These reports can be found on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department at www.npws.ie.
430. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding his Department has allocated, and to which projects, in Tramore, County Waterford in each of the past five years. [25208/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established in June 2011. The Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures, descriptions of which are available on its website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/.
While expenditure under these programme areas takes place countrywide, it is not possible to give a town-by-town or county-by-county breakdown of that expenditure. For example, a number of my Department’s programmes are delivered through agencies and other intermediary bodies that operate across county boundaries and in respect of which there is no detailed breakdown on a county basis held by my Department. In addition, groups and organisations that receive grants directly from my Department are not necessarily constituted on a single-county or a single-town basis.
In view of the wide range of my Department’s schemes and programmes, and the large volumes of payments and grants made on an ongoing basis, it is not feasible to compile and collate the breakdown of expenditure sought by the Deputy.
431. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the additions to the protected structure list, his plans to open a grant scheme in order that owners of these facilities may be able to avail of some financial assistance when carrying out improvement works. [25330/13]
View answerPart IV of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012 provides for the protection of architectural heritage. The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including them on the Record of Protected Structures. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
A number of State financial supports provide for the conservation and restoration of heritage structures in general. I recently announced that 45 protected structures have been offered grant awards under the Structures at Risk Fund 2013, which is operated by my Department, to a total value of €475,000. The purpose of this Fund, which is administered by the local authorities, is to assist with urgent works to safeguard structures protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and in certain cases, works to structures within Architectural Conservation Areas. This Fund is not intended to assist in the carrying out of routine maintenance, alterations or improvements, demolition, reconstruction or restoration. Given current budgetary constraints, I have no plans to expand this Fund at present.
It should be noted that certain conservation projects may be eligible for funding under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme Ireland 2007-2013 which supports the conservation and upgrading of rural heritage.
432. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action being taken for the upkeep of State owned artefacts, as these artefacts need to be protected in specialised wrapping that were gathered during the course of excavation works by archaeological companies that have since ceased trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25353/13]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that National Museum of Ireland is an independent autonomous body and that I as Minister, have no statutory responsibility in relation to the day-to-day operational issues.
I am advised that the National Museum of Ireland is making every possible effort to ensure the safety and proper storage of artefacts excavated by private archaeological companies. All archaeological excavation in the State is carried out under the terms of a Licence issued by myself as Minister, and those terms confer on the licensed archaeologist a responsibility to care for any artefacts discovered during the excavation until these are deposited with the National Museum of Ireland, or by agreement, with a Designated Local Museum. That responsibility of care includes the requirement to provide for the proper conservation, documentation and packing of the artefacts and because of the complexity of modern archaeological excavation, there can often be a considerable lapse of time between the completion of the on-site phase of excavation works and the final deposition of artefacts.
The Museum operates a dedicated store for artefacts from archaeological excavations in its new Collections Resource Centre. I am further advised by the National Museum that a relatively small number of archaeological companies have ceased trading and in most of these cases the archaeologists involved have continued to work with the National Museum in preparing material for deposition, even after the company had technically ceased trading. As a result, a considerable amount of the artefacts held by these companies has already been deposited in the Museum and most of the remainder is being actively prepared for deposition.
The National Museum continues to maintain active communication with all archaeological companies (including the personnel of companies that have ceased trading) to ensure that everything possible is being done to prepare artefacts for deposition in the Museum, and to ensure that the artefacts are being properly cared for in the meantime.
433. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the costs associated with the hosting of the Drogheda 2012 National Famine Memorial Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25512/13]
View answerThe cost associated with the hosting of National Famine Commemoration day in Drogheda in 2012 was approximately €56,000. This total includes costs associated with the stage erection, sound systems, health and safety consultancy, the erection of a marquee, barriers etc. In addition it includes the cost of printing ceremony booklets, printing information regarding the local programme of events in the run up to the national event, a contribution towards basic catering costs, a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion in the local community and a photographer for the event. It also includes the cost of the wreaths laid by members of the diplomatic corps as part of the official ceremony.
It is important that we appropriately commemorate the victims of the Great Irish Famine and also raise awareness of food security issues worldwide. The hosting of a national day of commemoration provides an excellent opportunity to do this.
434. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to offering grant aid towards the holding of the annual Canal Festival at Robertstown, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25545/13]
View answerI am advised by Waterways Ireland that it supports events taking place along the navigations throughout the year through the Waterways Ireland Sponsorship Programme. Applications open in October each year for the following year to maximise opportunities for promotion. Following an evaluation process, financial, operational or promotional support, or a combination of these, may be offered to events meeting the criteria.
If the festival organisers wish to seek sponsorship from Waterways Ireland they should apply for 2014 programme when it is advertised later this year. I am informed that Waterways Ireland did not receive an application for sponsorship from representatives of the 2013 Canal Festival at Robertstown and wish to advise that Waterways Ireland is unable to offer support to events outside the Sponsorship Programme process.
Question No. 435 withdrawn.
436. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has addressed the concerns of turfcutters in respect of special areas of conservation; if an alternative bog is an available option; when he expects a final and satisfactory conclusion to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25778/13]
View answer441. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update in the situation regarding the redesignation of the approximately eight difficult bogs; if consideration has been given to the phased transition model as proposed by the TCCA; if he will provide an update on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25934/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 441 together.
Following the Dáil motion of 7 March 2012, which called on the Government to “- engage actively with the European Commission to seek a resolution within the terms of the Habitats Directive, and to prepare and submit a National Raised Bog Restoration Plan to the Commission as a matter of urgency” I secured the agreement of the European Commissioner for the Environment for the development of a National raised bog SAC management plan, in keeping with the recommendations of Mr. Justice Quirke. The approach of the national plan may unlock some flexibility, within the terms of the Habitats Directive, in regard to the most difficult of sites, where relocation options are limited.
My Department has now engaged a team of specialists who are undertaking the necessary scientific work to underpin the national plan and to inform the future restoration and management of each of the SACs. This work is being overseen by an independent steering group with input from the Peatlands Council.
In collaboration with the Peatlands Council and with the assistance of Bord na Móna, my Department is also working with local communities to arrange for relocation to nearby bogs of those who wish to continue turf-cutting. Arrangements have been made for the relocation of turf-cutters from Clara Bog in County Offaly, who have now commenced turf-cutting on their relocation bog, and from Carrownagappul Bog and Curraghlehanagh Bog in County Galway who will be cutting in their bog next year.
In the remaining 49 raised bog special areas of conservation, the Department has identified potential relocation sites for a further 32 bogs and work is ongoing on identifying and investigating sites. Relocation is unlikely to be required, or is likely to be small-scale, for another 16 raised bog special areas of conservation. The provision of financial payments or deliveries of turf is available to those awaiting relocation and to those awaiting the finalisation of the National Plan.
Relocation is a complex process requiring the investigation of suitable sites for turf quality and quantity, assessment of infrastructure/drainage works required, establishment of the number of turf-cutters who can be accommodated on the site, assessment of the cost and feasibility of land purchase or lease, and in certain cases securing required planning and environmental consents. Accordingly, it will take a number of years to bring this process to a conclusion in respect of all the relocation sites.
If it becomes apparent, following detailed analysis, that no relocation possibilities exist for a particular SAC, then a case can be made to the EU Commission for a more flexible approach, as provided for in the Habitats Directive. I hope that the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan can be completed by November, in time to submit an application to the European Commission under Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive, if required, prior to the 2014 cutting season.
The Turbary Rights Transfer Programme for Irish Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation was submitted by the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA) to me and to the European Commission in March 2012, some weeks after the passing of the Private Member’s Motion. This document represents an honest and genuine attempt to find an acceptable resolution to this difficult issue. In fact, many of the suggestions made in this document, and in previous documents submitted by the TCCA and by other groups were subsequently incorporated into my own document, the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan – Proposed Approach , which was published in September last.
However, there is one crucial element contained in the TCCA proposal that is clearly not within the terms of the Habitats Directive. The proposed continuation of turf-cutting on many of the SACs for several years while a national plan is put in place is clearly at variance with EU law, and in particular Article 6 of the Habitats Directive. The European Commission and the Government have concluded that we simply do not have the legal discretion to follow that path. In face of our current infringement proceedings, to do so would be to invite certain litigation against the State, including potential injunctive action and substantial fines.
The clear majority of domestic turf-cutters on the raised bog SACs are now engaging with my Department in finding acceptable solutions within the law. The door is still open for the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association to engage in this process with me, my Department and with other stakeholders to address the needs of turf-cutters and other interested parties. Such engagement would, I am sure, help to address the needs of turf-cutters more speedily.
437. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will give details of Ireland's contribution to the European Maritime Day Conference recently held in Valletta, Malta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25853/13]
View answerWhile I do not have statutory functions in relation to maritime issues I had the pleasure to represent the Irish Presidency of the EU at the annual European Maritime Day Conference held in Malta on 21-22 May. I was also guest at a pre-Conference dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of Malta on 20 May. The theme of this sixth annual European Maritime Day Conference was Coastal Development and Sustainable Maritime Tourism.
The European Maritime Day 2013 Conference was organised by the European Commission in partnership with the Maltese Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, and the Maltese Ministry for Tourism. Approximately 850 participants participated in one or more of the 27 sessions of the Conference, among them a number of Irish participants.
I addressed the opening session of the Conference and detailed Irish Presidency priorities in the area of Blue Growth, including the adoption of an Action Plan for the Atlantic Area Strategy. I outlined the measures we are taking in Ireland to harness the potential of coastal and maritime tourism, as part of an overall integrated approach to the management of our marine assets as set out in the Government’s Integrated Marine Plan: Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth launched by the Government in 2012, aims to double the value of Ireland’s ocean wealth to 2.4% of GDP by 2030 and increase the turnover from our ocean economy to exceed €6.4bn by 2020. The Integrated Marine Plan provides momentum for growth in the marine area and seeks to ensure that government ministries work together more efficiently and effectively on the diverse issues related to the marine. Work to implement the Plan is being overseen by the Inter-Departmental Marine Coordination Group, chaired by the Minister for the Marine, Simon Coveney.
As is customary for the Presidency in the first half of the year, the Irish Presidency also convened a Senior Officials Meeting and lunch en marge of the Conference, with the theme of delivering the objective of maritime growth and jobs.
438. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the Book of Kells is owned by the people of Ireland; the ownership arrangements of the Book of Kells; if his attention has been drawn to trademark restrictions relating to the Book of Kells (details provided); his views on the potential impact of same on potential heritage industries in Kells, County Meath. [25875/13]
View answer439. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he supports the call to return one volume of the Book of Kells to the town of Kells, County Meath on a rotational and trial basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25876/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.
The matters referred to by the Deputy are matters for which I have no statutory function.
440. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding options available through his Department which may be available to support a project (details supplied) in County Meath. [25879/13]
View answerThe scope to provide additional funding for the protection, conservation and development of the State’s heritage is constrained by the current national economic difficulties and the significant reduction in the public finances. The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, administers a number of heritage grants schemes. It is a matter for the Heritage Council to allocate its funding appropriately given competing priorities within the heritage sector. I understand from the Heritage Council, however, that it’s funding for 2013 is fully committed.
If a Heritage Centre engages in Arts Programming, it could consider applying for the Arts Philanthropic Leverage Initiative, under the scheme, culture organisations can apply for funding if they can augment the amount with private fundraising in the following ratios:
- Up to €5,000 of funds can be accessed through the scheme if the organisation can match each €1 from the taxpayer with €2 from private sector funding;
- Up to €10,000 if each €1 from the taxpayer can be matched by €3 from private sector funding;
- Up to €15,000 if each €1 from the taxpayer can be matched by €4 from private sector funding.
It is available across all art forms. The application form is on my Department's website.
442. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will list the cost of each Ombudsman under his remit in the years from 2000 to 2012, within the on-going economic difficulties which challenge us all to work differently. [26442/13]
View answerMy Department, which was established in June 2011, provides funding to the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga. This Office was established under the provisions of the Official Languages Act in 2004. The figures provided in the following table consist of the operating costs of this Office for the full year for 2011 and 2012.
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2011 |
€630,000 |
|
2012 |
€607,000 |
443. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the context of Delivering Our Green Potential, published in 2012, the progress that has been made towards the commitment to achieve a 33% reduction in public sector energy use by 2020; if he will outline the steps being taken to achieve the required 3-4% reduction this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25323/13]
View answerDelivering our Green Potential, the Government’s Policy Statement on Growth and Employment in the Green Economy outlines the Government’s ambition for growth and job-creation in the various sectors which make up the Green Economy. The Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and the Green Economy, chaired by An Taoiseach, oversees delivery of the various actions contained in the policy statement. In relation to Energy Efficiency a number of actions enhancing the public, private and household sectors are identified in the report for implementation by my Department and include the following:
Publish a second National Energy Efficiency Action Plan
I published the second National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) in February which reaffirms Ireland’s commitment to a 20% energy savings target in 2020 in pursuit of our EU obligations. This is equivalent to 31,925 Gigawatt hours (GWh) or a reduction in annual CO2 emissions of around 7.7 Mega tonnes (Mt). Recognising that Government must lead by example, we are committed to achieving a 33% reduction in public sector energy use by 2020. The Plan contains 97 actions, each of which will play a part in securing a more sustainable energy future for Ireland and will play an integral role in the delivery of the national target.
Introduce an Energy Framework for the Public Service which will further improve the level of energy consumption by the sector.
In 2010-2011 the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and my Department developed and launched a comprehensive monitoring and reporting system to record each individual public body’s progress towards the 33% target. A database of over 30,000 meters has been established to enable the accurate gathering of public sector data. This database is being developed with linkages to the National Procurement Service and will lead to better procurement of energy supplies for the public sector. A report on public sector consumption will be published later this year. This report will set out progress towards achieving the 33% public sector reduction target. Work on the National Energy Services Framework, which will standardise energy performance contracting in Ireland and provide a robust process for establishing investment-ready projects, is well advanced and the first draft of the Framework will be published shortly. The Framework will be underpinned by an Energy Efficiency Fund, to which Government has already committed €35 million in the 2013 Budget as seed capital.
Continue to support energy efficiency improvements in homes through the Better Energy scheme up to the end of 2013.
The SEAI administers the Better Energy Programme that consistently delivers energy efficiency improvements across a number of sectors including energy saving targets for energy suppliers. Since the start of the programme over €250 million in Exchequer funding has been disbursed. The Government has committed to spending €44.519 million on the Better Energy Homes Programme during 2013 allowing substantial economic activity supporting jobs and generating anticipated energy savings of 418GWh (99.6 kt CO2) at a time of severe budgetary constraint.
Introduce a Pay As You Save (PAYS) scheme to replace the Better Energy Homes scheme from 2014, and a strand of the PAYS scheme to improve energy efficiency in the public and commercial sectors in 2013.
The NEEAP and the Programme for Government include a commitment to roll out a Better Energy Financing (formerly known as Pay-As-You-Save) energy retrofit scheme for domestic buildings after 2013. The Better Energy Financing (BEF) model proposes that the current suite of Exchequer funded grants for energy efficiency measures, excluding the low-income housing retrofit programme, will be replaced by a new financing scheme open to households and commercial operators. My Department has put in place a project team to design a replacement retrofit financing scheme under the direction of a Project Board representing key State and industry stakeholders. Project resources have been drawn from industry experts and elsewhere in the public sector. It is planned that the design of the scheme will continue to be developed over the coming months and that a public consultation process will be undertaken in quarter three of this year.
Continue to provide supports to business to improve their energy and resource efficiency and manage their costs through the SEAI, EPA and Enterprise Ireland.
The Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) and the Energy Agreements Programme is a well-established networking and information programme for large industrial energy users. Now in operation for over 16 years, it engages 160 of the largest energy users in ongoing relationships, including site visits, workshops and annual performance reporting. Energy spend across the LIEN is approximately €800 million and accounts for approximately 60% of all industrial energy usage.
The Energy Agreements Programme supports large industry to implement an energy-management system through the EN 16001 standard. Consistent annual saving across the Network averages between 2% and 3% accounting for annual energy saving of €16 million and above.
Competitiveness is high on the Government’s and the business community’s agendas and SEAI’s focus continues to be on promoting energy efficiency and associated cost reduction programmes throughout small and large business sectors. Over 200 SMEs participated in a wide range of activities including energy assessments, small business training, EnergyMap training and a number of networking events. 140 registrations to the Advice Mentoring and Assessments (AMA) programme in 2012 were recorded and the projected savings were 42 GWh. Annual savings of over 10% are being generated by the participating businesses year on year.
444. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will expedite a warmer homes scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25325/13]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme. Warmer Homes provides a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is delivered through a combination of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage and through an area based programme. The measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation and are provided free of charge to the customer.
The SEAI has confirmed to my Department that it received the application in question on 25 March 2013. The SEAI is currently arranging surveys for clients who have applications submitted between January and April 2013. The relevant application is therefore with their surveying team who will make contact with the applicant to confirm eligibility and complete a survey. The eligibility criteria are clearly outlined on the SEAI website and include the following:
- Owner occupied non-Local Authority homes
- Constructed before 2002
- The owner is in receipt of one of the following: Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme; Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and with children under 7 years of age; or Family Income support.
I understand that the applicant is in receipt of grant-aid under the Farm Assist scheme. This however, is not one of the qualifying criteria for the Warmer Homes scheme. The Deputy should note therefore that the applicant will need to confirm that he meets one of the eligibility criteria set out above, in order to be eligible for service delivery of energy efficiency measures under this scheme.
445. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his response to correspondence (details supplied) regarding broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25249/13]
View answerThe broadband service contracted under National Broadband Scheme (NBS) was designed as a basic, affordable, scalable product in keeping with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme. Under the terms of the contract which my Department has in place with “3”, the NBS service provider, the NBS mobile wireless service is required to offer minimum download and upload speeds of 2.3 Mbps and 1.4 Mbps respectively, subject to a maximum contention ratio of 18:1. The NBS satellite service, which is utilised in a small number of cases for technical reasons associated with the location of the premises, offers minimum download and upload speeds of 3.6 Mbps and 384 kbps respectively, subject to a maximum contention ratio of 48:1.
As regards service quality, my Department has well-established monitoring arrangements in place to ensure that the NBS delivers the minimum specified service or better to all users. The NBS contract guarantees service levels and imposes a service credit regime on “3”, with significant financial consequences in the event that minimum specification service levels are not met. The NBS contract also provides that where NBS customers do not receive the minimum guaranteed service, as set out in the terms and conditions of their contract, they are entitled to service rebates. Should any NBS customer experience problems with the NBS service, they are advised to contact “3”’s customer care centre, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, by phone at 1913 (free of charge), via email to nbssupport@three.ie or by post to 3 Customer Services, Hutchison 3G Ireland Limited, PO Box 333, Dublin 2. I note that the customer in question had contacted the customer care centre, but was not satisfied with the response received.
My Department has a role where customers have fully utilised the established complaints process and consider that their complaint has not been resolved. My officials operate a dedicated NBS mailbox, which NBS customers can contact by email at nationalbroadbandscheme@dcenr.gov.ie, with any comments or complaints they may have about their NBS service. My Department will then liaise with “3” personnel at its Head Office in Dublin to remedy any service performance issues.
In this instance, my officials had, directly upon receipt of the correspondence from the person referred to in the Question contacted this NBS customer on Thursday, 9th May last. The details of the complaint were forwarded to “3” who arranged for an engineer to visit the premises. “3” have confirmed that, following the visit by the engineer, the NBS service provided is now within the contracted specification and that a rebate for three months, in relation to the time taken to resolve the complaint, has been applied to their account.
The NBS customer in question has informed my officials that they are satisfied to close the complaint. The customer has been advised to contact my officials directly should they experience any further difficulties.
