Written Answers Nos. 485-507
485. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of suckler calves born in each of the past ten years by county; and the number of farmers in the sector by county in the same period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10161/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following table. It should be noted that:
- Beef calves are defined by breed of dam.
- Farm numbers are defined as any herd that contained at least one suckler cow in the defined period, therefore this data is not confined to specialist beef farms.
Calf births by county as well as a host of information on the profile of the national herd are available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/animalidentificationmovement/cattle/
486. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in each county that received 2019 CAP payments by amounts (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10162/20]
View answerThe number of beneficiaries of CAP payments in each county broken down by size of payments in respect of the CAP financial year 2019 (16th October 2018 to 5th October 2019) is provided in the attached document.
The information was compiled from the 2019 CAP beneficiaries database which was published on the Department’s website on 29th May 2020, in accordance with Article 111 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 which requires Member States to ensure the annual ex-post publication of all beneficiaries of CAP funding.
The information therefore includes the beneficiaries of all CAP payments so a small number of beneficiaries are not farmers as the CAP also funds programmes such as LEADER and schemes open to other bodies including food companies.
487. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason horse trotting racing, that is, harness racing behind closed doors is not being permitted to start at the same time as horse racing due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10199/20]
View answerOn the 1st May 2020, the Taoiseach set out a roadmap for easing the Covid-19 restrictions, which began on Monday 18th May. The Government plans to reopen the economy and society in a slow and phased manner. The roadmap was updated on 5th June, and now sets out the four stages for unlocking restrictions.
When announcing the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, the Government expressed a willingness to engage and consult with sectors on possible changes to the timings. A limited number of alterations to the plan have been made for specific sectors such as thoroughbred horse racing and greyhound racing based on detailed protocols put forward and agreed to by the relevant authorities.
I can confirm that Harness Racing is scheduled to recommence in Phase 3 of the Government's plan, on the 29th June 2020. This is in line with other sports that can operate "behind closed doors", where arrangements can be put in place to maintain social distancing. This decision has been taken bearing in mind at all times the pre-eminence of the protection of public health.
488. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding allocated to Ireland under the present Common Agricultural Policy; the estimated amount of funding that will be allocated to Ireland out of the total fund of €391 billion recently announced for the CAP 2010-2027; if under the forthcoming CAP, there will be further increased allocations to the countries in the east of the European Union; the effect this will have on Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10200/20]
View answerThe amount allocated to CAP under the Multi Annual Financial Framework in the period 2014 – 2020 was €403 billion. The amount allocated to Ireland in that period was €10.680 billion in current terms.
In May 2018, the EU Commission proposed an allocation of €365 billion for CAP in the period 2021 – 2027. The most recent proposal for the CAP in that period brings funding levels to some €375 billion (current prices), with a further special injection of rural development funds – of some €16.5 billion - from the new Next Generation EU fund, bringing the total allocation to €391 billion for the period 2021-2027. The budgetary proposals have been set out at overall EU-27 level. The breakdown for Member States is not yet clear.
The new MFF proposals will play an important role in supporting the economic recovery of Member States. In addition, they provide the much needed additional funding into the CAP budget that I and my European colleagues have fought very hard to maintain, since the original proposals were published in May 2018.
As regards allocations to eastern Member States, my understanding is that the latest proposals do not differ from the original MFF proposal with regard to how external convergence will work in the next period. The concept of external convergence is not new, and is continuing on from previous proposals. The original Commission proposals of May 2018 propose that all Member States whose Direct Payments are below 90% of the EU average will see the process of external convergence continuing from the 2014 – 2020 period.
For those Member States with direct payments levels per hectare below 90% of the EU average, the process of external convergence will close the gap between their current level and 90% of the EU average by 50%. All Member States are contributing to the financial cost of external convergence of Direct Payments, and this is taken into account in Member States direct payments allocations in the draft regulation (COM (2018) 392) which are calculated on this basis.
The new proposal contains a number of new elements including a new Next Generation EU Recovery Fund. Precise details are awaited on the latest proposals as to how all the elements will interact together and work in practice. My Department is in the process of thoroughly analysing the proposals, so that we can fully understand the precise implications for our agri-food sector.
489. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants in the AEOS and GLAS schemes in each year to date since AEOS was introduced; his plans to open a new environmental scheme in 2020 to replace GLAS or allowing those that have left GLAS and AEOS to re-join GLAS while the new CAP is being decided on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10215/20]
View answerIt is not possible, at present, to make decisions in relation to schemes implemented under the Rural Development Programme, including GLAS, until confirmation is available at EU level on the budget and timeframe for a transitional period. Ireland has pressed for the earliest possible adoption of these regulations, so that my Department may plan for the transitional period with legal and financial certainty and consequently provide clarity to farmers and rural communities as soon as possible.
Any extension to or replacement of schemes would be dependent on the appropriate budget being available, as well as sufficient time being available from the adoption of the legal framework to allow administrative provisions to be put in place. The Department is currently considering these matters in the context of giving effect in due course to the transitional arrangements should they be adopted.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Scheme |
Year |
Number of Active participants at Calendar Year End or YTD |
|
AEOS |
2010 |
9,991 |
|
2011 |
15,850 |
|
|
2012 |
15,568 |
|
|
2013 |
21,327 |
|
|
2014 |
21,036 |
|
|
2015 |
20,762 |
|
|
2016 |
11,334 |
|
|
2017 |
4,589 |
|
|
2018 |
4,546 |
|
|
GLAS |
2015/2016 |
37,028 |
|
2017 |
49,872 |
|
|
2018 |
49,119 |
|
|
2019 |
48,619 |
|
|
2020 (to date) |
48,468 |
490. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount provided for in the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 for GLAS and TAMS respectively; the amount expended to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10216/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
RDP 2014-2020 €000 |
Expenditure to Date (31st May 2020) €000 |
|
|
GLAS |
932,451 |
792,770 |
|
TAMS |
395,000 |
208,096 |
While the majority of the expenditure on 2014-2020 RDP measures will take place by the end of 2020, expenditure on some schemes will take place in the following years. Under EU regulations governing the 2014-2020 RDP, funds may be expended up to the end of 2023.
491. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the proposals he put to the EU Commission in relation to the need to increase the proposed budget for CAP post-2020; if he has outlined to the EU Agriculture Commissioner that the most recent budget proposals are not adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10252/20]
View answerI have long been opposed to the original Commission proposals for the CAP budget, announced back in May 2018, which proposed a 5% cut to the CAP budget post-2020. I have worked tirelessly with my European colleagues to successfully build a broad alliance to support the maintenance of the CAP budget for the next programming period.
Much of this has focused on the increased environmental ambition being asked of farmers as part of the CAP post-2020 proposals. We cannot ask our farmers to do more for less. The European Green Deal initiative and the recently published Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies set further climate and environmental targets that all sectors, including the agriculture sector, will have to achieve. The CAP post-2020 will be the mechanism that the agriculture sector will use to deliver on these targets.
In this context, I welcome the latest proposals from the European Commission of an increased CAP budget for the period 2021-2027 in the revised European Multiannual Financial Framework accompanying the new European Recovery Programme.
The new proposals represent a significant advance on the original Commission MFF proposal of May 2018. The revised proposal for the CAP sees additional funding being added to bring funding levels to some €375 billion (current prices), with a further special injection of rural development funds – of some €16.5 billion - from the new Next Generation EU fund, bringing the total allocation to €391 billion for the period 2021-2027.
The new MFF proposals will play an important role in supporting the economic recovery of Member States. However, these latest proposals are complex and my Department is examining them in detail so that we can fully understand the precise implications for our agri-food sector.
492. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the GLAS scheme will reopen for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10253/20]
View answer493. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to extend GLAS pending the introduction of a new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10254/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together.
It is not possible, at present, to make decisions in relation to schemes implemented under the Rural Development Programme, including GLAS, until confirmation is available at EU level on the available budget and the timeframe for a transitional period. Ireland has pressed for the earliest possible adoption of these regulations, so that my Department may plan for the transitional period with legal and financial certainty and, consequently, provide clarity to farmers and rural communities as soon as possible.
Any extension to or replacement of schemes would be dependent on the appropriate budget being available, as well as sufficient time being available from the adoption of the legal framework to allow administrative provisions to be put in place. The Department is currently considering these matters in the context of giving effect in due course to the transitional arrangements should they be adopted.
As GLAS is a voluntary scheme, farmers will not be obliged to participate in any transitional arrangements which are put in place, once they have completed their existing five year contract.
494. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for reviewing the licence for the use of a wood preservative (details supplied) for agricultural activities; the factors that will influence a decision in relation to the product; the stakeholder engagement that will be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10255/20]
View answerThe approval and use of wood preservative products, including creosote products, is regulated under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR - Regulation (EU) 528/2012).
Creosote is currently an approved active substance for use in wood preservative products. The current expiry date of the approval is 31st October 2020. It meets the exclusion criteria for the approval of active substances specified in the regulation but was approved on the basis of a socio-economic derogation provided for in the legislation. Products containing creosote can only be authorised by Member States for use where it is concluded on the basis of a socio-economic analysis that no appropriate alternatives are available. A comparative assessment report of the uses authorised in Member States, including Ireland, was prepared in 2016 and was last updated in 2019. This report was prepared on the basis of extensive feedback from relevant stakeholders regarding the feasibility of using potential alternative products.
Ireland has authorised creosote products for a small number of necessary uses, including the treatment of agricultural fencing by professional users. Current alternatives are not viable replacements and have to be re-applied after a much shorter interval compared to creosote treatments. The suitability of any new alternative products currently in development will be considered in due course.
The EU process for consideration of renewal of approval of creosote for use in wood preservative products is currently ongoing. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a public consultation on creosote in 2019. This consultation was closed in December 2019 and over 80 submissions were received. These comments are available for viewing on the ECHA website. The EU Commission have proposed to extend the expiry date for the current approval of creosote until the 31 October 2021 in order to allow sufficient time for the examination of all relevant information by the evaluating competent authority and ECHA.
Ireland will fully comply with any new product authorisation conditions that may be specified following this consultation process.
495. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when beef exports to China will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10334/20]
View answerOn 14 May 2020, my Department identified a suspected case of ‘Atypical BSE’ in a 14-year old cow as a result of its surveillance of ‘fallen’ animals – these are on-farm deaths which are sent to a collection centre (knackery) for sampling and destruction. On 22 May, confirmatory tests carried out at my Department’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory verified the suspect case as Atypical BSE. Atypical BSE is believed to occur spontaneously in all cattle populations at a very low rate and has only been identified in older cattle. There are no public health risks associated with this occurrence.
My Department promptly notified relevant competent authorities in importing countries, the EU Commission and the OIE (World Animal Health Organisation) of the test findings. Ireland is designated by the OIE as a country with a ‘controlled’ risk status since 2008; this classification recognises that Ireland’s BSE controls are effective and that, under OIE rules, Irish beef can be safely traded internationally. The discovery of a rare Atypical BSE case does not affect Ireland’s ‘controlled risk’ status.
Nevertheless, on an interim basis and in line with the specific protocol agreed with the Chinese authorities, Ireland has voluntarily suspended beef exports to China as and from 22 May, until an epidemiological report by DAFM on the occurrence is considered by the Chinese authorities. This report, which concludes that this case is consistent with the epidemiology of Atypical BSE and underlines the efficacy of our BSE surveillance system, has now submitted to the General Administration of Customs in China.
Beef exports to China have grown significantly in the short time that the market has been open. According to the latest data from the CSO, almost 8,200 tonnes of Irish beef worth approximately €40m were shipped in 2019, the first full year the market was open. Shipments in the first quarter of 2020 amounted to some 2,200 tonnes and were worth approximately €11m.
My officials are engaging intensively with the Chinese authorities with a view to seeking an early resumption of the beef trade to China. The decision to resume trade is a matter for the Chinese authorities.
496. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to implement the recommendations within the Review of Approval Processes for Afforestation in Ireland commissioned by his Department in 2019; when it will become fully operational; if a person has been identified or appointed to carry out the task of implementing the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10400/20]
View answerMr. Jim Mackinnon, CBE was engaged by my colleague Minister of State, Andrew Doyle, TD in July 2019 to review the forestry licensing approval process. Mr. Mackinnon, a former Chief Planner with the Scottish Government, had completed a similar report for Scottish Forestry.
The review was informed by, among other things, discussions with a range of stakeholders including the forestry sector, farming organisations, the environmental pillar, State Bodies, Teagasc and the Forestry Appeals Committee. In addition, written submissions were received.
Mr. Mackinnon presented his final report to the Forestry Programme Implementation Group (FPIG) on 16 January, 2020 at which the Department also presented a draft implementation plan in response to the 'Ways Forward' recommended. The members of the FPIG were asked to provide their feedback on the draft implementation plan, which has been received by officials of my Department.
The finalisation of the Implementation Plan, in order to ensure the successful delivery of the 'Ways Forward" recommended, is currently under consideration.
497. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the latest EU Commission MFF budget and CAP funding proposals; if he will provide a breakdown of total EU funding proposed under Pillars 1 and 2 at EU and member state level. [10433/20]
View answerI welcome the latest proposals from the European Commission for an increased CAP budget for the period 2021-2027 in the revised European Multiannual Financial Framework accompanying the new European Recovery Programme.
I have long been opposed to the original Commission proposals for the CAP budget, announced back in May 2018, which proposed a 5% cut to the CAP budget post-2020. I have worked tirelessly with my European colleagues to successfully build a broad alliance to support the maintenance of the CAP budget for the next programming period.
The new proposals represent a significant advance on the original Commission MFF proposal of May 2018. The revised proposal for the CAP sees additional funding being added to bring funding levels to some €375 billion (current prices), with a further special injection of rural development funds – of some €16.5 billion - from the new Next Generation EU fund, bringing the total allocation to €391 billion for the period 2021-2027, with some €290 billion in Pillar I and €101 billion in Pillar II. The budgetary proposals have been set out at overall EU-27 level.
The new MFF proposals will play an important role in supporting the economic recovery of Member States. However, these proposals are complex and my Department is examining them in detail so that we can fully understand the precise implications for our agri-food sector.
498. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the detail of the commitment to the establishment of the proposed gas import facility at Ballylongford, Tarbert, County Kerry; and if his attention has been drawn to the vital importance of the erection of the facility both nationally and its creation of employment in the rural areas of northern County Kerry and western County Limerick. [9699/20]
View answerThe project to which to Deputy refers, the Shannon LNG project, is a commercial project and the location, development and final investment decision for this project is the responsibility of the project promoters. It is the responsibility of the project promoters to comply with all legal, planning and regulatory requirements. My Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review will include a full updated technical analysis of the security of supply challenges and a public consultation. The outcome of the review will inform future policy. I expect the formal procurement process for the technical analysis to commence in the coming weeks.
499. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of residential holdings in each local authority area; and the estimated number of residential properties, industrial and office buildings in each local authority area dependent on oil fired and gas fired heating systems. [9704/20]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy is not compiled by the Department. The information set out in this response has, therefore, been prepared using Central Statistics Office (CSO) data.
Part One: Number of Residential Holdings in each Local Authority Area and Number of Residential Holdings with Oil Fired and Gas Fired Heating Systems
The data is found in Table E1053: Private Households in Permanent Housing Units 2011 to 2016 by Type of Central Heating, Aggregate Town or Rural Area, County and City and CensusYear at the CSO StatBank website at the following link:
https://statbank.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?MainTable=E1053&TabStrip=Select&PLanguage=0&FF=1
The data is drawn from the census of 2016; the data was published on 20 April 2017.
Table 1: Number of Private Households in Permanent Housing Units 2016 and Number using Oil and Gas Heating according to Local Authority Areas.
|
|
Households |
Oil |
Natural Gas |
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) |
|
State |
1697665 |
686004 |
569166 |
9990 |
|
Carlow |
20465 |
11121 |
4838 |
102 |
|
Dublin City |
211591 |
12243 |
134096 |
248 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
78568 |
9541 |
58280 |
131 |
|
Fingal |
96607 |
16831 |
67456 |
267 |
|
South Dublin |
92393 |
14089 |
66948 |
141 |
|
Kildare |
73348 |
30246 |
28311 |
364 |
|
Kilkenny |
34743 |
19193 |
7679 |
242 |
|
Laois |
28997 |
12292 |
7250 |
145 |
|
Longford |
15092 |
8346 |
288 |
128 |
|
Louth |
45363 |
20916 |
18345 |
246 |
|
Meath |
63861 |
31112 |
21783 |
351 |
|
Offaly |
27184 |
11153 |
2073 |
112 |
|
Westmeath |
31685 |
15798 |
3206 |
304 |
|
Wexford |
54006 |
36098 |
550 |
444 |
|
Wicklow |
49005 |
21531 |
17255 |
308 |
|
Clare |
43348 |
25640 |
5229 |
425 |
|
Cork City |
49370 |
5959 |
31869 |
51 |
|
Cork County |
146052 |
73879 |
38721 |
1880 |
|
Kerry |
54288 |
33883 |
1097 |
630 |
|
Limerick City and County |
71022 |
32463 |
20297 |
398 |
|
Tipperary |
59071 |
35443 |
7045 |
323 |
|
Waterford City and County |
43455 |
19321 |
12913 |
263 |
|
Galway City |
28827 |
14510 |
4410 |
227 |
|
Galway County |
62729 |
36459 |
2522 |
637 |
|
Leitrim |
12404 |
8030 |
201 |
98 |
|
Mayo |
48745 |
29250 |
999 |
401 |
|
Roscommon |
23962 |
13082 |
914 |
175 |
|
Sligo |
24761 |
14987 |
680 |
270 |
|
Cavan |
26806 |
18698 |
2000 |
269 |
|
Donegal |
58305 |
37409 |
624 |
232 |
|
Monaghan |
21612 |
16481 |
1287 |
178 |
Part Two: Number of Industrial and Office Buildings in each Local Authority Area dependent on Oil Fired and Gas Fired Heating Systems
Table 2 below covers the heating systems of non-domestic buildings according to County. County data is the closest approximate data available for Local Authority Areas. The data has been compiled from the CSO statistical release. The data is found at the following link under the table title: Table 7 Main Space Heating System Fuel by County (Non-Domestic) 2009-2020.
https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/ndber/non-domesticbuildingenergyratingsq12020/
The data was collected from non-domestic BER audits conducted in the period 2009 to 2020. The data was published on 16 April 2020.
Table 2 Main Space Heating System Fuel by County (Non-Domestic) 2009-2020
|
% of row |
|
|||||
|
Heating System Fuel |
||||||
|
County |
Mains Gas |
Heating Oil |
Electricity |
LPG |
Other |
Total |
|
Carlow |
27 |
10 |
59 |
2 |
1 |
763 |
|
Dublin 01-24 |
39 |
4 |
56 |
0 |
1 |
16,122 |
|
Dublin County |
37 |
5 |
58 |
0 |
1 |
4,209 |
|
Kildare |
27 |
8 |
63 |
1 |
1 |
2,379 |
|
Kilkenny |
26 |
14 |
55 |
3 |
2 |
905 |
|
Laois |
24 |
15 |
58 |
1 |
2 |
706 |
|
Longford |
12 |
21 |
61 |
5 |
1 |
450 |
|
Louth |
30 |
8 |
61 |
1 |
1 |
1,639 |
|
Meath |
30 |
11 |
57 |
1 |
1 |
1,979 |
|
Offaly |
17 |
18 |
60 |
2 |
2 |
713 |
|
Westmeath |
19 |
16 |
60 |
4 |
1 |
1,274 |
|
Wexford |
11 |
15 |
67 |
5 |
2 |
1,621 |
|
Wicklow |
27 |
9 |
62 |
1 |
1 |
1,729 |
|
Clare |
21 |
18 |
58 |
2 |
1 |
1,609 |
|
Cork City |
31 |
3 |
64 |
– |
1 |
535 |
|
Cork County |
25 |
8 |
64 |
2 |
1 |
5,240 |
|
Kerry |
9 |
16 |
67 |
6 |
2 |
1,464 |
|
Limerick City |
26 |
2 |
71 |
0 |
– |
484 |
|
Limerick County |
25 |
10 |
63 |
1 |
1 |
2,097 |
|
Tipperary |
19 |
19 |
59 |
2 |
1 |
1,636 |
|
Waterford City |
31 |
5 |
62 |
2 |
2 |
699 |
|
Waterford County |
24 |
10 |
62 |
3 |
2 |
897 |
|
Galway City |
11 |
7 |
81 |
1 |
0 |
653 |
|
Galway County |
12 |
14 |
70 |
3 |
1 |
2,977 |
|
Leitrim |
7 |
26 |
62 |
4 |
1 |
292 |
|
Mayo |
9 |
20 |
67 |
4 |
1 |
1,536 |
|
Roscommon |
12 |
23 |
59 |
4 |
2 |
612 |
|
Sligo |
9 |
19 |
66 |
5 |
1 |
903 |
|
Cavan |
14 |
20 |
57 |
8 |
2 |
714 |
|
Donegal |
12 |
27 |
53 |
6 |
2 |
1,531 |
|
Monaghan |
16 |
20 |
57 |
4 |
3 |
572 |
|
Total |
27 |
10 |
60 |
2 |
1 |
58,940 |
– No non-domestic unit indicated the usage of this main space heating fuel type for this county
Further data on “Non-Domestic Building Type” is available on the CSO website under the title Table 8 Main Space Heating System Fuel by Type of Building (Non-Domestic) 2009-2020 at the following link:
https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/ndber/non-domesticbuildingenergyratingsq12020/
500. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has estimated the probable cost of replacing oil fired and gas fired heating systems nationwide over specified periods. [9705/20]
View answerThe Government’s Climate Action Plan has set an ambitious target to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 (or cost optimal equivalent), and to install 400,000 heat pumps to replace existing heating systems by 2030. Achievement of these targets will be supported by the financial allocation under Project Ireland 2040 of EUR 3.7 billion, and a range of other measures identified in the Climate Action Plan. A cross-Departmental Retrofit Taskforce has been established to develop a new retrofit delivery model capable of achieving the above mentioned targets. Upgrading oil-fired and gas-fired heating systems to more efficient heat pumps is a core component of this new approach. The new retrofit delivery model will address barriers to energy efficiency investments in four key areas: customer proposition and demand generation, financing and affordability, supplier capacity and delivery structure. The Taskforce is also working to determine the estimated cost of achieving our retrofit targets.
The Retrofit Taskforce report, which will include an estimate of the retrofit programme, is to be published in Q3 2020.
501. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason accommodation businesses are excluded from applying for the trading online voucher scheme in view of the damage caused to the industry by Covid-19; if he will investigate the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9903/20]
View answer503. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the local enterprise office trading online voucher scheme will be reviewed to include restaurants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10173/20]
View answer504. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the trading online scheme under south Dublin LEO is oversubscribed; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the scheme is currently paused; if this is the case in other LEO areas; his views on whether the projected funding allocated is insufficient; and his plans to increase funding and meet the demand from businesses impacted by the fallout from the lockdown and other responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. [10305/20]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 501, 503 and 504 together.
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is funded by my Department and delivered nationwide in partnership with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and the 31 Local Enterprise Offices. The Scheme offers skills training, mentoring and a grant of up to €2,500 to help small and micro-businesses to develop their ecommerce capability.
New flexibilities to the Scheme were introduced in April 2020 including reducing the requirement for co-funding from 50% to 10% and allowing businesses to apply for a second voucher of up to €2,500 where they have successfully utilised their first one. In addition funding for the scheme was increased from €2.3m to €5.6m.
There has been a positive response to these changes and significant uptake of the Scheme. On 8 June the Government announced additional funding of €14.2m for the Scheme, bringing the total funding allocation in 2020 to €19.8m. This additional funding will allow LEOs and Údarás na Gaeltachta to approve additional vouchers to successful applicants.
Following advice from the LEOs a decision has been made to include the restaurant and accommodation sectors as eligible sectors under the Scheme. The original decision to exclude these sectors was based on the assumption that businesses in these sectors were already digitally engaged or by their nature required physical attendance for the final payment. In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic these sectors have had to adopt new business strategies to continue trading and to address customer needs which involve the development of their ecommerce capability.
502. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason for the exclusion of credit unions from accessing the trading online voucher scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10125/20]
View answerThe Trading Online Voucher Scheme is funded by my department and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and delivered nationwide in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the 31 LEOs. The Scheme offers skills training, mentoring and a grant of up to €2,500 to help small and micro-businesses (10 or less employees, turnover of less than €2m and which have been registered and trading for at least 6 months) to develop their ecommerce capability. With up to 70% of Ireland’s annual online spend historically going overseas, targeting Irish small and micro-businesses for trading online is a key jobs and economic imperative, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Scheme aims to encourage and support such businesses in developing their online trading presence so that they can reach new markets, sustain and grow their business, retain and employ more people and export more.
Credit Unions do not fall within this enterprise ambit and as such are ineligible to apply under the Scheme.
505. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the review on the SEAI scheme to consider revisits for additional works under the scheme will be completed; when urgent consideration for applications will be reopened for homeowners that are seeking to avail of free upgrades under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10346/20]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 140,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The Warmer Homes Scheme budget allocation for 2020 is €52.8 million - a record level of funding for this scheme. The Climate Action Plan includes a commitment to review ways to improve how current energy poverty schemes target those most in need. Recommendations on issues including repeat upgrade visits and how to best target those in need will be made shortly.
Although retrofit work under the scheme has been postponed in recent months due to COVID-19 related restrictions, the SEAI has continued to accept new applications and process payments for works completed. SEAI will now engage directly with its panel of retrofit contractors providing services under the Warmer Homes Scheme, to agree a timeline, protocols and processes for resumption of works on homes which can be categorised as lower risk. The SEAI hopes to conclude this process very speedily and recommence works within Phase 2 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. Notices on this scheme and other schemes administered by the SEAI can be found on their website (www.seai.ie/covid-19-notice).
506. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if each application to the trading online voucher scheme for businesses impacted by Covid-19 will be fully honoured; the amount granted under the scheme to date against original allocation; the number of applications to date by county; the number approved and not approved, respectively by county; the value of approved applications by county; the number of applicants that have received and not received, respectively funding to date; and if additional funding will be required to meet the demand for the scheme. [10463/20]
View answerThe Trading Online Voucher Scheme is funded by my Department and delivered nationwide in partnership with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices and Údarás na Gaeltachta. The Scheme offers skills training, mentoring and a grant of up to €2,500 to help small and micro-businesses to develop their ecommerce capability. New flexibilities to the Scheme were introduced in April 2020 including reducing the requirement for co-funding from 50% to 10% and allowing businesses to apply for a second voucher of up to €2,500 where they have successfully utilised their first one. In addition funding for the Scheme was increased from €2.3m to €5.6m. There has been a positive response to these changes and significant uptake of the Scheme.
On 8 June the Government announced additional funding of €14.2m for the Scheme, bringing the total funding allocation in 2020 to €19.8m. This additional funding will allow LEOs and Údarás na Gaeltachta to approve additional vouchers to successful applicants.
The table below sets out the current position and is informed by the most up to date information received by my Department from the individual LEOs
|
LEO |
Allocation for 2020 as of January 2020 |
Allocation for 2020 as of 8 June 2020 |
Vouchers approved to 29 May 2020* |
Completed applications not yet approved |
|
Carlow |
13 |
98 |
38 |
40 |
|
Cavan |
18 |
73 |
33 |
6 |
|
Clare |
30 |
170 |
35 |
44 |
|
Cork City |
32 |
367 |
52 |
154 |
|
Cork N&W |
40 |
340 |
78 |
52 |
|
Cork South |
30 |
345 |
47 |
110 |
|
Donegal |
40 |
255 |
65 |
101 |
|
Dublin City |
90 |
335 |
88 |
113 |
|
Dublin DLR |
50 |
430 |
55 |
160 |
|
Dublin Fingal |
50 |
615 |
107 |
260 |
|
Dublin South |
50 |
540 |
60 |
250 |
|
Galway |
45 |
215 |
95 |
90 |
|
Kerry |
44 |
354 |
31 |
140 |
|
Kildare |
30 |
160 |
113 |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
29 |
279 |
44 |
50 |
|
Laois |
25 |
70 |
30 |
8 |
|
Leitrim |
10 |
70 |
10 |
28 |
|
Limerick |
30 |
290 |
59 |
153 |
|
Longford |
15 |
75 |
26 |
10 |
|
Louth |
35 |
235 |
50 |
42 |
|
Mayo |
35 |
110 |
35 |
32 |
|
Meath |
35 |
390 |
67 |
112 |
|
Monaghan |
15 |
60 |
25 |
12 |
|
Offaly |
20 |
80 |
21 |
12 |
|
Roscommon |
22 |
67 |
32 |
22 |
|
Sligo |
19 |
109 |
24 |
35 |
|
Tipperary |
30 |
235 |
60 |
122 |
|
Waterford |
23 |
148 |
70 |
45 |
|
Westmeath |
25 |
150 |
50 |
17 |
|
Wexford |
30 |
205 |
65 |
92 |
|
Wicklow |
40 |
170 |
70 |
32 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
n/a |
160 |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Total |
1000 |
7200 |
1635 |
2351 |
Based on information received from the LEOs covering the period 16 March to 2 June the average value of vouchers approved is €2,355
507. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the National Broadband Plan; when the roll out will commence in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9661/20]
View answerThe government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in the country. The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas in Sligo which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode.
Premises in the AMBER area of Sligo will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The LIGHT BLUE area represents eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises, including in Sligo, as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.
|
County |
AMBER Premises within the NBP State Intervention Area |
BLUE Premises within Commercial Operator's Area |
LIGHT BLUE Premises within eir's commercial rural deployment |
|
Sligo |
37% (14,809) |
63% (25,143) |
>1% (187) |
The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass in the region of 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. My Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout.
Further information on deployment activities associated with the rollout can be found on the NBI website http://www.nbi.ie
To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) were identified by Local Authorities to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment. There are 13 BCP's planned for Co. Sligo. Proposed BCP locations including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map (www.broadband.gov.ie). The BCP delivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing which will facilitate detailed design and installation. BCP locations are subject to change and a number of the premises initially identified are in the process of being replaced with alternative locations. The remaining BCPs remain on track for delivery by the end of 2020.
The BCPs in identified public places will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
