Written Answers Nos. 183-210
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which Covid-19 supports have sufficiently addressed job losses in the manufacturing sector; his plans for further investment in this area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35401/20]
View answerEssential manufacturing, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices has remained open throughout the pandemic under the public health guidelines. However initial restrictions in March 2020 saw 37% of manufacturing employment move to employment supports. This reduced gradually following the opening of residual elements of manufacturing in Phase I of the Roadmap for Reopening the Economy and Society to 17% at the end of August.
The numbers in the manufacturing sector in receipt of Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) remained relatively steady between May and October and at around 5-6% of total PUP claimants. While recipients increased by approx. 3,000 as of November 3rd due to Level 5 Restrictions introduced on 21 October, the increase was lower than average. EWSS data indicates an ongoing impact on the manufacturing sector with the sector accounting for 8% of employments supported under scheme.
The manufacturing sector faces ongoing challenges of capacity constraints, reduced demand and supply chain disruption. Given its export intensity, the manufacturing sector is very reliant on international trade flows and functioning global supply chains and on recovery in EU and global markets. Wider external economic and policy developments will also will also affect prospects for the sector and there is a longer-term risk of countries seeking to repatriate their supply chains to avoid the risk of future pandemic related disruption.
Manufacturing has a significant vulnerability in terms of international competition and, for multinationals, intra-corporate competition. Connectivity is crucial and the sector is emphasising the need for a system allowing international travel at the earliest opportunity. Supporting digital transformation of the manufacturing sector and its supply chain under Ireland’s Industry 4.0 Strategy will underpin the competitiveness of the manufacturing base into the future to support recovery and drive productivity.
Looking further ahead, the National Economic Plan currently being developed will set out the Government’s guiding priorities and policy objectives for a sustainable recovery, restoring employment and supporting the longer-term capacity and reorientation of our economy with an integrated and multi-sectoral coordinated approach taking account of the pandemic, Brexit and broader trends.
184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of access to overseas markets for Irish goods and services in the aftermath of Brexit; his plans for specific or corrective measures in the event of unforeseen difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35402/20]
View answerMy Department’s budget allocation for 2021 has been increased by €154 million or 15.9% on the 2020 allocation in addition to €100 million earmarked from the Recovery Fund for Brexit. This is a record allocation for the Department and will significantly bolster the capability of our enterprise and regulatory agencies to help businesses examine their Brexit exposure, seek advice, avail of customs training and make plans to protect their business.
Ireland's overall export performance over the last 10 years has been marked by year-on-year growth with total exports of goods and services reaching further record levels of €374Bn in 2019.
While the UK is and will remain a major market for Irish companies, expanding the Irish export footprint in markets beyond the UK is a key priority. In that context, Enterprise Ireland’s strategy is to support Irish exporters to be more innovative, competitive and market diversified.
The Irish exporting landscape has been strong and companies in Ireland have been succeeding in winning business worldwide for their products and services. Enterprise Ireland client companies achieved record levels of exports in 2019 of €25.6bn, against the backdrop of Brexit uncertainty. In 2019, the Eurozone region, which is a key focus of Enterprise Ireland’s diversification strategy, saw growth of 15% to €5.65bn, with Germany, France and the Netherlands each exceeding €1bn in exports. Exports to North America increased from €4.08bn in 2018 to €4.72bn, an increase of 16%. Our Enterprise agencies are now opening new offices around the world to support our companies in competing and thriving in global markets.
Ministerial-led Trade Missions have supported the Government's major drive towards market diversification. The majority of trade missions in recent years have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represented the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These Trade Missions focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and lifesciences. Trade Missions will resume as soon as is practicable. In the meantime, promotion of our companies abroad will continue through the work of our State agencies, and in particular their offices located on the ground internationally.
As well as the global efforts supported by our agencies, key to our success has been our commitment to trade liberalisation in order to open new markets for our indigenous sectors. The EU has successfully concluded a number of important trade agreements with trading partners and is in the process of negotiating or upgrading its agreements with many more. The existing suite of EU Free Trade Agreements and new trade deals will continue to be very important for Ireland. With a small domestic market, further expansion in other markets is essential to our continued economic growth and, in this regard, Ireland will continue to support the EU’s ambitious programme of negotiating new Free Trade Agreements, opening new markets for Irish companies and increasing export and investment opportunities.
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he plans to ensure the continued attractiveness of the economy for both indigenous and foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35403/20]
View answerIreland’s economy was in a strong position prior to the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. There were an unprecedented 2.3 million people at work and unemployment levels at below 5 per cent were at an all-time low. However, the economy was highly exposed to the performance of a small number of firms in a small number of sectors, and a small number of export markets.
The pandemic has accelerated many pre-existing trends including the green and digital transitions and has exacerbated the two-tiered structure of our economy, increasing the gap between domestic and export orientated firms. It has intensified sectoral and regional imbalances, divergence of productivity, unequal impacts on the labour market and potential changes to global trade and supply chains. Other issues such as decarbonisation have become increasingly central to the approach to recovery.
Multinational firms in Ireland have not been immune to the Covid-19 crisis, but their relative resilience has underlined the importance of foreign direct investment to Ireland. We cannot afford to take the resilience of MNCs, and their valuable contribution to communities across the country, for granted.
The SME sector, particularly firms in the employment intensive non-traded sector, has been disproportionately affected by the crisis. The threat of a hard Brexit widens the range of sectors exposed to economic risk.
To ensure a broad-based jobs-led economic recovery, the National Economic Plan will include a renewed focus on domestic SMEs through the delivery of an ambitious SME Growth Plan, while also enhancing our value proposition for FDI in an increasingly competitive global environment. It will set out our approach to developing both the indigenous and FDI sector in tandem, including through spillovers and clusters.
186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department have examined the manufacturing and services sectors with a view to identification of the extent to which each has suffered as a result of circumstances outside their control; his plans for specific supports or incentives in the future having particular regard to Brexit, Covid-19 or other such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35404/20]
View answerWhile the majority of manufacturing and supply chains remain open as essential services, the sector faces ongoing challenges of capacity constraints, reduced demand and supply chain disruption. Given its export intensity, the manufacturing sector is very reliant on international trade flows and functioning global supply chains and on recovery in EU and global markets. Wider external economic and policy developments will also affect prospects for the sector and there is a longer-term risk of countries seeking to repatriate their supply chains to avoid the risk of future pandemic related disruption.
Manufacturing has a significant vulnerability in terms of international competition and, for multinationals, intra-corporate competition. Connectivity is crucial and the sector is emphasising the need for a system allowing international travel at the earliest opportunity.
Supporting digital transformation of the manufacturing sector and its supply chain under Ireland’s Industry 4.0 Strategy will underpin the competitiveness of the manufacturing base into the future to support recovery and drive productivity.
The services sector is broad and spans multiple subsectors. Broadly the internationally traded services sectors, including financial and business services sectors have remained relatively stable with the vast majority of companies effectively transitioning to remote working. Others, including aviation and locally traded services sectors that require close proximity with customers including hospitality and food services as well as personal services, remain more vulnerable to the impact of restrictions.
Pandemic Unemployment Payment data indicates that services sectors dependent on close proximity remain most impacted. Hospitality, retail and administrative and support services, accounted for 54% of PUP claimants as of November 3rd. Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) data also shows the high impact on hospitality and retail, with 30% and 11% respectively of employments supported by the scheme from those sectors. EWSS data also highlights an ongoing impact on manufacturing at 8% of supported employments.
In the near term, the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme announced as part of Budget 2021 will allow us to provide targeted support for those sectors and businesses that are impacted by health restrictions. Looking further ahead, the National Economic Plan currently being developed will set out the Government’s guiding priorities and policy objectives for a sustainable recovery, restoring employment and supporting the longer-term capacity and reorientation of our economy with an integrated and multi-sectoral coordinated approach taking account of the pandemic, Brexit and broader trends.
187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of job opportunities for women likely to emerge in the manufacturing or services sectors over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35405/20]
View answerAccording to the Central Statistics Office's (CSO) Labour Force Survey, female employees make up 29.5% of those employed in manufacturing and 53.1% of those employed in services. These proportions have not changed significantly in the past decade. Please see table below.
Table 1: Employment in manufacturing and services by gender, Q2 2020
|
Sector |
Male (000's) |
% Male |
Female (000)'s) |
% Female |
|
Industry/ Manufacturing |
204.2 |
70.5% |
85.3 |
29.5% |
|
Services |
797.4 |
46.9% |
904.3 |
53.1% |
Source: CSO, Labour Force Survey
My Department and I, and our enterprise development agencies, are committed to optimising all available skills and talent throughout the country. Enterprise Ireland has placed a focus on increasing the number of women-led start-ups and the number of women in leadership positions in companies. To support this, in early 2020, Enterprise Ireland launched an Action Plan for Women in Business with the objective of:
- Increasing the number of women-led established companies growing internationally;
- Increasing the number of women in middle and senior management and leadership roles in Irish companies;
- Increasing the number of women becoming entrepreneurs; and
- Increasing the number of women-led start-ups with high growth potential.
The 2025 ambition for the delivery of the objectives is to achieve:
- 100 per cent increase the number of women-led companies growing internationally;
- 100 per cent increase in participation rate of women on Enterprise Ireland Management Development programmes;
- 50 per cent increase in women participants on start-up programmes;
- 50 per cent increase in Local Enterprise Office supports to women in business: and
- 30 per cent increase in the proportion of female founded High Potential Start-Ups.
Enterprise Ireland informs me that, in 2019, it had 38 women led start-ups.
In the most recent call under Enterprise Ireland's Competitive Start Fund in April 2020, 27 of the 117 applications put forward for evaluation had a female shareholder (minimum 25% shareholding) and had women in the lead management team.
Following evaluation, 38% of the successful applicants had a female shareholder (minimum 25% shareholding) and had women in the lead management team.
188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which new markets for Irish manufactured goods can be or have been identified with a view to maximisation of beneficial economic impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35406/20]
View answerNow more than ever, it is important to assist Irish companies increase their presence in existing markets and expand into new ones. The exporting sector will continue to be a strong engine for growth and jobs in the Irish economy as we rebuild after the pandemic. Over half of companies expect to grow their exports next year and that 83% expect to hire new staff. This is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Irish business owners.
Irish business is facing two major challenges – to recover from the impact of COVID-19 and mitigate any disruption to trade from the impending Brexit deadline. The government has provided targeted grants and advisory services to address both these vital issues through our agencies, including Enterprise Ireland and I would urge every exporting company to seek advice and support now.
Enterprise Ireland’s primary remit is the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. Working in partnership with client companies, the agency assists Irish enterprise to start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets.
With almost 222,000 people employed by Enterprise Ireland clients who spent €29bn in the domestic economy last year and exported €25.6bn of goods and services, Irish enterprise is a major contributor to the economy. The coming months, however, will be challenging for exporters. My Department has mandated Enterprise Ireland to continue to focus on promoting internationalisation activity of client companies by:
- Achieving continued growth in the Eurozone, a strategic focus of the agency
- Continuing to support clients enter new markets and diversify their global footprint.
Through the agency’s network of 40 international offices, Enterprise Ireland assisted client companies to increase their exports to a record €25.6 billion in 2019, a growth of 8 per cent on 2018’s export results. The table below presents Enterprise Ireland’s clients’ export results for 2019.
Enterprise Ireland Client Exports by Territory
|
Region |
Export value |
Per cent change on 2018 exporting results |
|
North America |
€4.72bn |
+18% |
|
UK |
€7.9bn |
+2% |
|
Latin America |
€0.23bn |
+23% |
|
Northern Europe |
€1.13bn |
-5% |
|
Eurozone |
€5.65bn |
+15% |
|
M. East/Africa/India |
€1.4bn |
+12% |
|
Central/Eastern CIS/Russia |
€0.65bn |
+19% |
|
Asia Pacific |
€2.14bn |
+6% |
In October, as part of International Markets Week, over 700 companies met with 140 market advisors from 40 overseas offices in 2,000 individual virtual one-on-one meetings to plan their COVID-19, Brexit and market diversification strategies. Travel restrictions and the curtailment of major trade events in many markets have presented challenges to exporters to find new customers and to stay in touch with existing clients. Access to Enterprise Ireland's experts in the markets will help Irish businesses find new ways of establishing and protecting business relationships.
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the processing of work permits can be expedited to ensure minimum delay in their issuing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35407/20]
View answerIn March 2020, the Employment Permits Section of my Department implemented a COVID-19 contingency plan to ensure that the employment permit regime could continue to operate throughout the crisis. Since 30th March, the employment permit system has been operating fully remotely and online.
Operational practices have been adjusted to replace the paper-based elements of the service to allow for a fully online process involving electronic/scanned documents and all decisions/outcomes now issue via e-mail rather than by post. Agreement was reached with the Immigration Service Delivery in the Department of Justice and Equality on arrangements to introduce, on a temporary basis, a type of “e-employment permit” and a similar soft copy process to transition to permanent residence permission.
At the end of October 2020, Employment Permits Section issued 13,931 permits. This figure is only slightly lower than the number of permits issued for the same period during 2019, which was 13,977. The current processing waiting times for trusted partner applications is 1 week and for standard applications 4 weeks, which is within our ambitious customer service targets of 2 and 4 weeks respectively, and is a considerable improvement on the waiting times at the start of March 2020 when they were 6 and 13 weeks respectively.
Full details in relation to the contingency arrangements introduced by the Employment Permits Section in response to the pandemic can be accessed on my Department's website through the following link: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/COVID-19-Employment-Permits-System-Contingency-Arrangements.html
190. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of full-time equivalent and part-time equivalent roles filled by his Department of posts at principal officer, assistant principal officer, higher executive officer, executive officer and clerical officer grades for the past five years; the cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35483/20]
View answerThe tables below set out the numbers of staff in post in each grade at the end of each year as follows:
Table 1 - The overall numbers of staff in the relevant grades and grade equivalents at each year end for the past five years.
Table 2 - Provides further breakdown of the overall totals for each year by grade to those in post in a full-time capacity.
Table 3 - Provides further breakdown of the overall totals for each year by grade to those in post in a part-time or work-sharing capacity.
The year-end totals provide number of filled posts by my Department and they do not include vacancies at that point in time.
|
Table 1 |
||||||
|
FTE – Overall Total filled posts |
||||||
|
Year |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 (6th Nov) |
|
Grade |
||||||
|
PO |
35 |
34 |
43 |
38.6 |
43 |
45.8 |
|
PO Equiv |
14 |
12 |
12 |
17.1 |
20.3 |
20.3 |
|
AP |
94.8 |
96.1 |
108.5 |
119.3 |
121.5 |
116.9 |
|
AP Equiv |
5 |
10.9 |
10.7 |
16.4 |
13.4 |
13.6 |
|
HEO |
121.6 |
122.1 |
117.9 |
128.6 |
133.1 |
128.4 |
|
EO |
187.7 |
188.8 |
213.8 |
207.2 |
206.5 |
212.7 |
|
CO |
230.7 |
230.4 |
233.7 |
238.7 |
236.7 |
239.2 |
|
Table 2 Full-Time filled posts |
||||||
|
Year |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 (6th Nov) |
|
Grade |
||||||
|
PO |
35 |
34 |
43 |
38 |
43 |
45 |
|
PO Equiv |
14 |
12 |
12 |
16 |
19 |
19 |
|
AP |
91 |
93 |
103 |
110 |
111 |
109 |
|
AP Equiv |
5 |
10 |
9 |
14 |
11 |
12 |
|
HEO |
106 |
106 |
101 |
112 |
112 |
110 |
|
EO |
163 |
165 |
186 |
184 |
182 |
189 |
|
CO |
183 |
186 |
192 |
199 |
192 |
197 |
|
Table 3 Part-Time filled posts |
||||||
|
Year |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 (6th Nov) |
|
Grade |
||||||
|
PO |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.6 |
0 |
0.8 |
|
PO Equiv |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.1 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
|
AP |
3.8 |
3.1 |
5.5 |
9.3 |
10.5 |
10.7 |
|
AP Equiv |
0 |
0.9 |
1.7 |
2.4 |
2.4 |
1.6 |
|
HEO |
15.6 |
16.1 |
16.9 |
16.6 |
21. |
18.4 |
|
EO |
24.7 |
23.8 |
27.8 |
23.2 |
24.5 |
23.7 |
|
CO |
47.7 |
44.4 |
41.7 |
39.7 |
44.7 |
42.2 |
Insofar as the cost to the exchequer is concerned, the table below sets out the total pay expenditure for the Department, as per the published Appropriation Accounts from 2015-2019. The complexity of recruitment and staff turnover does not allow for a further breakdown in the manner sought by the Deputy. Nevertheless, the table includes the cost to the Exchequer of all full-time equivalent and part-time equivalent filled posts in the Department at principal officer, assistant principal officer, higher executive officer, executive officer and clerical officer grades. The table also includes the pay costs of other filled posts, including Secretary General, Assistance Secretary, technical grades and services grades which it is not possible to separate out.
The expenditure in the table includes the expenditure of pay by the Department and its Offices including, the Workplace Relations Commission, the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, and the Companies Registration Office. Additionally, the 2015 and 2016 expenditure includes pay costs of the Low Pay Commission which was part of the Department’s Vote during those years. Also reflected is expenditure arising from the cost of certain severance payments during the period in question.
Department Total Pay (Appropriation Account)
|
YEAR |
EXPENDITURE (€,000)* |
|
2019 |
€49,814 |
|
2018 |
€48,321 |
|
2017 |
€44,535 |
|
2016 |
€44,661 |
|
2015 |
€45,160 |
*The totals listed include other payroll costs to the exchequer such as pension payments to former members of Labour Court, the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency (now known as the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission). Total pay includes administration pay and the pay elements of the Offices of the Department – Workplace Relations Commission, Intellectual Property Office Ireland, Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, Companies Registration Office and the Low Pay Commission - 2015 and 2016 only before its transfer to the DEASP. The 2020 exchequer figures are not yet available.
191. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the action and steps he will take to ensure rural communities under the national broadband plan or otherwise with particular reference to a person (details supplied) will be able to avail of high-speed broadband to support their needs particularly in view of the demands on many working remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34666/20]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. I am advised by NBI that, as of 4 November 2020, almost 122,000 premises across 25 counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. In Kerry, townlands have been surveyed around Killarney including Muckross, Fossa, Kilcummin, Lissivigeen, Ballycasheen, Faha, Firies and Ballyhar. Surveying is ongoing in Tralee, Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine and Ardfert. This activity involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The first fibre to the home connections are expected next month in Carrigaline, Co Cork and they will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. I am advised that from the end of January retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in these areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network. Further details are available on specific areas within Kerry through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence. Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP and will provide high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of the 30 October, some 187 BCP sites have been installed by NBI with 59 already connected. The high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills (DES) for schools. Valentia Cable Station and Chapeltown BCPs are now live. Further BCPs installed by NBI and awaiting connectivity in Kerry include Gneeveguilla (Tureencahill), Railway Station Heritage Centre and Community Space, Killenagh, Kielduff Community Centre, and Cillín Liath. I note that Kielduff Community Centre is 8 kilometres from the premises referred to in the Question and this may be of assistance pending the rollout of the National Broadband Plan. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. A number of schools in Kerry including Boheeshil National School, Dunloe Upper and Coars National School have been installed by NBI and will be connected to high speed broadband as part of the BCP initiative in the coming months. My Department will work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP. While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network. The extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible. The Covid 19 pandemic has also highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. This is reflected in the commitments in the Programme for Government where delivery of the National Broadband Plan will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working.
The Programme for Government has committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19.
In April 2020, all major telecommunications providers committed to a number of measures to help people stay in touch and work from home during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, a number of operators have implemented further supports for consumers, such as for students in education, who require a high data usage package, by increasing data limits on many existing packages and by the introduction of new packages with very high, or unlimited data offerings. The market for mobile packages with very high, or unlimited data offerings, is becoming increasingly competitive and this is positive for all consumers.
192. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the initiatives being planned to promote recycling in multi-dwelling complexes in which such options are not now available. [34908/20]
View answerI refer the reply to Question 23 of 4 November 2020.
The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy , which I launched in September this year, contains a commitment to deliver behavioural change campaigns for individuals, businesses and the public sector to encourage improved waste segregation and recycling. The plan contains the following specific commitments in relation to waste collection for apartment dwellers:
- We will work with relevant stakeholders to improve waste segregation in apartment complexes;
- We will develop a quality waste management assurance scheme for businesses - including apartments serviced by management companies;
- We will work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make regulatory changes in planning and tenancy laws to ensure apartment dwellers are provided with infrastructure to support food waste segregation.
Work has already commenced in determining which stakeholders are needed to progress these commitments and an initial stakeholder engagement with representative organisations is planned before the end of the year. Work has already taken place with some local authorities examining the issues around managing waste in apartments. In addition, the incorporation of recycling targets into waste collection permits will incentivise the waste collection industry to drive enhanced waste segregation including for apartment complexes.
193. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if grants are available for a new roof and energy efficient works for persons refurbishing an old house in a rural area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35030/20]
View answerThe SEAI operates a number of energy efficiency upgrade schemes on behalf of my Department. These schemes include partial grants for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of energy efficiency upgrades as well as schemes that provide free energy efficiency improvements for people who are in receipt of certain welfare payments. Information on the grant levels available by scheme is available from the SEAI on 1850 250 204 or their website at https://www.seai.ie/grants/ Grants are available for a range of measures including:
- Attic insulation
- Wall insulation (cavity wall, drylining or external insulation)
- Heat pump installation
- Heating controls
- Solar thermal panels for hot water
- Solar PV panels for electricity generation
- Window and door replacement
SEAI grant schemes will be a central element of the Government’s approach to achieving our national retrofit targets. Budget 2021 provided €221.5 million in capital funding for residential and community retrofit programmes next year to be funded by my Department through the SEAI. This represents an additional €100 million, or 82% increase, on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever in the budget for the schemes. A further €65 million has been provided for retrofitting the social housing stock through the Vote of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Replacement of a roof is not an energy efficiency measure and is not funded by the schemes administered by the SEAI. Local Authorities administer a number of home improvement schemes that can help private homeowners in certain circumstances, including upgrades to heritage properties. More information is available form the relevant Local Authority.
194. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for the introduction of a simpler application process for homeowners in accessing home energy grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35283/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, including our homes, with targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. SEAI retrofit schemes will form a crucial part of our approach to achieving these targets. Full details on the application processes for schemes operated by the SEAI are available at www.seai.ie . Improvements to the processes that apply to individual schemes are made on an ongoing basis. The most recent example of this was the launch in recent days of the Communities Energy Grant which has seen the evaluation process for applications shortened from 12 weeks to 6-8 weeks. Online applications for the Better Energy Homes scheme already receive an immediate response. Further improvements, including changes to the SEAI’s systems and processes, will be implemented as we transition to our new retrofit programme.
It is recognised however that more will need to be done to simplify the customer journey for householders considering energy efficiency upgrades. This will be achieved by shifting the burden of retrofit project coordination from homeowners to one-stop-shops. One-stop-shops make retrofit projects simpler for homeowners by combining the different components associated with retrofit projects including demand generation, home assessments, grant application, contractor engagement, project management, quality assurance and finance provision.
The recently launched call for projects under the new National Retrofit (One-stop-shop development) scheme is designed to encourage and support the development and growth of one stop shops which will act as a single point of contact for customers and deliver an end-to-end service. They will also facilitate larger more efficient delivery of retrofits.
195. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a community survey (details supplied) conducted in Gormanston, County Meath, regarding the lack of quality broadband in the area; the measures he is taking to improve broadband provision and quality in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34721/20]
View answerI welcome this positive initiative by the community in Gormanstown, which gathered comprehensive data on their experience in terms of the availability of broadband and its use by individual households in their community. A report detailing the results of the survey referred to was received by my Department on 26 October. Its contents are being considered, in particular the experience of those households in BLUE areas of the High Speed Broadband map, where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. When my Department's National Broadband team has concluded its analysis of the report's findings, it will respond directly to the Community in Gormanstown.
196. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34722/20]
View answer197. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34723/20]
View answer198. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34724/20]
View answer199. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34725/20]
View answer200. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34726/20]
View answer201. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34727/20]
View answer202. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34728/20]
View answer203. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34729/20]
View answer204. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34730/20]
View answer205. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34731/20]
View answer206. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34732/20]
View answer207. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34733/20]
View answer208. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34734/20]
View answer209. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34735/20]
View answer210. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34736/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 196 to 210, inclusive, together. The Questions refer to premises which are located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
I am advised by NBI that, as of 4 November 2020, almost 122,000 premises across 25 counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. This activity involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The first fibre to the home connections are expected next month in Carrigaline, Co Cork and they will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. I am advised that from the end of January retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in these areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network.Given that the contracted delivery of the National Broadband Plan State led intervention is over a 7 year period and the nature of the works involved in delivering a fibre telecommunications network, it is not possible to provide a detailed timetable on a Townlands or eircode basis. In Tipperary, I can advise that surveys have commenced in the areas of Aherloe, Ballinalard, Bansha and Roscea.
Further details are available on specific areas within Tipperary through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence. Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 30 October, some 187 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 59 of these are now connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/ .BCPs connected in County Tipperary include Moyglass Community Hall, Aglish Community Hall and Killurney Community Centre, with other locations at Drom Community Centre, Killoscully Community Centre and Killea GAA Club due to be connected in the coming months. A number of schools in Co Tipperary including Poulacapple National School and Killeen National School will be connected to high speed broadband, for educational access only, as part of the BCP initiative. My Department will work with the Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP.
