Written Answers Nos. 75-101
75. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional supports available for businesses which have experienced difficulties as a result of Covid-19 in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37528/20]
View answerI am keenly aware that businesses are making a massive sacrifice to protect their communities and I am committed to ensuring that the Government will offer as much assistance and support as possible.
Budget 2021 provides a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors. The measures in the Budget are in addition to those announced in the July Stimulus, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), cash for businesses, low cost loans, commercial rates waivers and deferred tax liabilities. Details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes are available on my Department’s website.
Due to businesses having had to close, we have made changes to the PUP and the EWSS. The PUP includes an increase in the top rate to €350 for those who were earning in excess of €400 per week. The EWSS has also been aligned with the amendment to PUP, with the top payment increasing to €350 for those earning over €400.
We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme.
A six-month reduction in VAT was introduced, going down from 23% to 21%, and the 13.5% VAT rate down to 9% which will benefit the hospitality sector, together with a range of additional public capital investment measures to support the domestic economy.
The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), was recently launched through Revenue, offering a targeted, timely and temporary sector-specific support to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID of up to €5,000 per week.
Also in Budget 2021, provision has been made for €10m in funding for the Online Retail Scheme next year. This Scheme is administered by Enterprise Ireland. Grants ranging from €10,000 to €40,000 will be awarded under the competitive scheme.
Enterprise Ireland has also developed a suite of supports in response to the current health crisis, such as:
- COVID-19 Business Financial Planning Grant
- LEAN Business Continuity Offer
- Sustaining Enterprise Fund (Available to EI and IDA clients)
Table 1 below provides details on the number of companies, in Cavan and Monaghan, that have been approved for funding under the Covid-19 supports provided by Enterprise Ireland
|
Offer By County |
No. of companies approved |
Approved € |
|
Cavan and Monaghan |
|
|
|
Business Financial Planning |
27 |
€134,120 |
|
Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme (1) |
6 |
€216,300 |
|
Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme (2) |
5 |
€199,496 |
|
Lean Business Continuity Voucher |
21 |
€52,500 |
|
Sustaining Enterprise Fund |
<5 |
€1,465,000 |
|
Grand Total |
|
€2,067,416 |
In order to provide financial assistance to procure expert consultancy advice on trading on-line, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) offer a Trading Online Voucher Scheme.
The LEOs also offer COVID Mentoring and Training courses to help build resilience within small companies during the pandemic.
Table 2 below outlines the number of applications, approvals and participants in the LEOs Covid-19 schemes.
|
LEOs |
Business Continuity Vouchers 16th March to 11th November 2020 |
Trading Online Vouchers 1st January 2020 to 11th November 2020 |
Covid Mentoring 16th March to 11th November 2020 |
Covid Training 16th March to 11th November 2020 |
||||
|
Applications |
Approvals |
Value of Approvals € |
Applications |
Approvals |
Value of Approvals € |
Participants |
Participants |
|
|
Cavan |
368 |
345 |
650,000 |
172 |
137 |
327,804 |
93 |
756 |
|
Monaghan |
226 |
224 |
362,319 |
131 |
108 |
252,696 |
40 |
864 |
IDA Ireland’s Business Continuity Support for companies impacted by Covid-19 is open to all IDA clients. The purpose of this support is to provide consultancy and training support to client companies of IDA Ireland to manage their operations and recover their business during this pandemic. To date IDA Ireland has not received any applications for Business Continuity support from clients in Counties Cavan or Monaghan.
In addition to their existing programmes, InterTradeIreland also has a number of specific Covid-19 programme supports and a series of online webinars and a business collaboration platform:
- the Emergency Business Solutions: allows eligible companies to avail of professional advice. 435 voucher approvals have been made to the value of €978,750
- E-Merge programmes: provides consultancy support to assist companies develop online sales and eCommerce solutions. 459 voucher approvals have been made to the value of €1.28m
Data on these schemes is not available on a county by county basis.
I am working with my colleagues across Government to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19 and we will continue to keep the measures provided under review with the goal of supporting the lives and livelihoods of our people.
76. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total funding which has been made available to businesses in counties Cavan and Monaghan through the restart grant and the restart grant plus; and the number of businesses supported in the counties. [37529/20]
View answerThe Restart Grant and Restart Grant Plus schemes were administered by the 31 Local Authorities on behalf of my Department. The Schemes are now closed and are superseded by other budgetary measures including the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated through Revenue.
As of 13 November 2020, Cavan County Council has approved and paid 741 applications to the value of €2,349,233 under the Restart Grant Scheme. Monaghan County Council has approved and paid 822 applications to the value of €2,748, 846.
Under the Restart Grant Plus scheme and as at 13 November 2020, Cavan County Council has approved and paid 948 applications to the value of €4,754,982. Monaghan County Council has approved and paid 1060 applications to the value of €5,081,981.
77. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total funding made available to businesses located in counties Cavan and Monaghan for Brexit preparations through his Department in 2020; the total number of businesses which have benefitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37530/20]
View answerThe Government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan sets out a broad range of changes that will occur from 31 December 2020, regardless of the outcome of ongoing EU-UK negotiations. It provides clear and concise advice on steps to be taken now by businesses and individuals in order to prepare for the end of the Transition Period.
My Department and its agencies have put a wide range of Brexit enterprise measures in place, and introduced a Brexit Readiness Checklist which highlights some of the key actions businesses can take to prepare for the changes Brexit will bring from 1 January 2021.
The Border Enterprise Development Fund (BEDF), administered by Enterprise Ireland, provides for collaborative, enterprise capability-building projects advancing entrepreneurship, productivity and innovation in the Border Region. The Fund is part of a €28 million economic stimulus package announced for the six border counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal earlier this year. 11 projects totalling over €17 million have been approved across each of the Border counties, with over €2.9 million going to Cavan and Monaghan.
The Brexit Loan Scheme can be used to help businesses as they innovate, change or adapt in response to their Brexit-related challenges. Since the scheme’s launch, five loans have been approved to sanction for businesses in Cavan, to a total value of €650,000, and six loans have been approved to sanction for businesses in Monaghan, to a total value of €1,560,000.
As part of the July Stimulus, I announced a new €20 million Ready for Customs support scheme. Enterprise Ireland is rolling out the scheme, along with a suite of other financial, mentoring and training supports, to help businesses prepare for the new challenges of trading with and through the UK.
Table 1 below details the number of companies and amount of approvals under Enterprise Ireland’s support schemes in Cavan and Monaghan.
|
Agile Innovation |
No Approved |
Approval |
|
Cavan |
8 |
€710,342 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
€426,875 |
|
Total |
13 |
€1,137,217 |
|
|
|
|
|
Market Discovery Fund |
No of Companies |
Approval |
|
Cavan |
6 |
€320,533 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
€84,770 |
|
Total |
8 |
€405,303 |
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Consultancy |
No of Companies |
Approval |
|
Cavan |
19 |
€181,777 |
|
Monaghan |
31 |
€404,875 |
|
Total |
50 |
€586,652 |
|
|
|
|
|
Clear Customs |
No of Companies |
Approval |
|
Cavan |
7 |
€129,000 |
|
Monaghan |
11 |
€114,000 |
|
Total |
18 |
€243,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Be Prepared Grant |
No of Companies |
Approval |
|
Cavan |
6 |
€26,250 |
|
Monaghan |
8 |
€35,250 |
|
Total |
14 |
€61,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ready for Customs Grant |
No of Companies |
Approval |
|
Cavan |
2 |
€18,000 |
|
Monaghan |
12 |
€108,000 |
|
Total |
14 |
€126,000 |
In addition to the table above, 54 companies from Monaghan and 48 from Cavan have registered for Enterprise Ireland’s Online Customs Training. 19 companies from Cavan and 20 from Monaghan have also taken part in Enterprise Ireland’s Act On Initiative which assists companies to create a strong action plan and identify the opportunities and risks that Brexit may pose.
The Local Enterprise Office (LEOs) offer a wide range of Brexit supports to further strengthen the capacity of our microenterprise sector, such as:
- The Brexit Mentor Programme
- Prepare Your Business for Customs
- LEAN for Micro
- Brexit Business Adviser
- LEO Customs Training: Cavan and Monaghan has each ran 2 Customs training events to date in 2020, with 28 participants in the Cavan events and 30 participants in Monaghan. An additional 2 training workshops scheduled for Cavan in the next few weeks.
Table 2 below shows the 2020 budget allocations for the specific Brexit and Covid measures for the LEOs in Cavan and Monaghan
|
|
Brexit |
Covid |
||
|
LEO |
Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters |
Brexit Seminar |
Business Adviser Resource |
Business Continuity Voucher |
|
Cavan |
25,000 |
10,000 |
70,000 |
650,000 |
|
Monaghan |
15,000 |
5,000 |
50,000 |
360,691 |
As part of the Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters grant, 3 approvals have been made in Cavan and 2 in Monaghan.
InterTradeIreland’s (ITI) Brexit Advisory Service offers a focal point for businesses working to navigate changes in cross-border trading relationships as a result of Brexit. As part of this service, ITI has run a series of awareness-raising events to help improve knowledge of customs processes and procedures, as well as identifying actions businesses can’t take in areas like logistics and supply chain management.
ITI’s Brexit Planning Voucher enables eligible businesses to obtain advice on specific areas such as tariffs, currency management, and regulatory and customs issues. In total, 2275 voucher approvals have been made to the value €5.11m. Data is not available on a county by county basis.
IDA Ireland offers a suite of tools that its clients can avail of to assist companies to sustain and grow their businesses for the future, such as:
- IDA’s International Marketing Programmes – to assist companies expand their marketing efforts to generate new markets and new opportunities;
- IDA’s Lean and Agile Programmes – to assist companies in increasing their performance and competitiveness for sustainability and growth of their service or manufacturing site in Ireland;
- Global Sourcing Programme – to assist companies in sourcing their supply chain in Ireland to create more agility and efficiency and decrease over-reliance on the UK market and access.
Government will continue to address suitable enterprise measures in the context of the evolving COVID-19 and Brexit challenges to our economy and our people.
78. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA Ireland site visits to locations in counties Cavan and Monaghan to date in 2020. [37531/20]
View answerThe Government is strongly committed to regional development and my Department and its agencies - including IDA Ireland - are working towards ambitious targets to ensure that employment and investment are as evenly distributed as possible across the country. 54,868 jobs were created outside of Dublin over the past five years leading to 33,118 additional direct jobs (net) on the ground in regions at the end of this strategy. Every region hit the five-year strategy targets of a 30% uplift in investment and three regions - the Mid West, Mid East and South East exceeded 40% of targets.
Investments in the Border region increased threefold since the outset of the strategy. The last two years for example have seen a number of high-profile foreign direct investment (FDI) announcements in the border region, including Cavan and Monaghan.
Last year there were a total 11 site visits to Cavan and Monaghan which accounted for approximately 20% of all site visits in the North East region. The Deputy will appreciate that the introduction of international travel restrictions related to Covid-19 has, amongst other things, led to the cancellation or postponement of scheduled IDA site visits and client meetings in every region of the country, including Cavan, Monaghan and the wider border region. To date this year, there has been 1 site visit to Cavan and 1 site visit to Monaghan.
As an alternative to site visits, the IDA has migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms. The Agency has developed new digital content and has also put in place an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors. There have been a total of 131 in-person site visits and 101 E-visits nationally as of the third quarter and this is the latest data available.
My Department and the IDA are continuing to work hard to attract further investment to all regions, despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Agency continues to work closely with their clients to drive further investment and job creation to the region.
79. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the value of grants made to companies in counties Cavan and Monaghan through the online retail scheme to date in 2020. [37532/20]
View answerI am acutely aware that COVID-19 has brought particular challenges for retailers - large and small, across the country. Trading online is a very important route for retail businesses to grow and improve their business in the current crisis and will be an important element in their recovery over the longer term.
My Department proposed the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the urgent need for retail companies to achieve a step change in online capability. The Scheme is administered by Enterprise Ireland. Applicant companies must be indigenous retailers, employing 10 or more people, have an existing online presence (e.g. website or social media), and have a retail outlet through which they derive the majority of their revenue. Successful applicants will be awarded funding to support a maximum of 80% of the project costs. Grants ranging from €10,000 to €40,000 will be awarded under the competitive scheme.
Further details on this Scheme are available at https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/funding-supports/online-retail/online-retail-scheme/online-retail-scheme.html
185 retailers were funded under the Call One of the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme, with a total of €6.6 million awarded. 145 retailers were funded under Call Two the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme, with a total of €5.3m awarded.
To date, Enterprise Ireland has approved 370 companies funding under this initiative to the value of €12.8 million. Within this:
- 4 companies based in Cavan were approved funding totalling €144,421
- 7 companies based in Monaghan were approved funding totalling €271,375.
- Under Budget 2021, provision has been made for €10m in funding for the Online Retail Scheme next year.
I am committed to supporting the needs of the retail sector in developing their online capability and enhancing their competitiveness and will continue to review supports in this area, working with the industry through the Retail Forum.
80. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the value of grants to be made available through the call to regional enterprise centres announced in Budget 2021 in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [37533/20]
View answerI intend to make a significant announcement of funding for Enterprise Centres very shortly. This funding will be crucial as the Centres continue to offer services to local businesses during what is an exceptionally difficult time. It will help the Centres implement a recovery plan for businesses within their remit over the next six to twelve months. It will help enterprise centres all over the country to modernise their facilities protecting the health and safety of people who work there and helping to secure much needed jobs.
The Deputy may wish to follow up with me once the funding announcement takes place.
81. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to create digital hubs to help SMEs modernise in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [37534/20]
View answerAs part of the proposed multi-billion Digital Europe Programme (DEP), the European Commission and EU Member States will establish and fund a network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). In the recent Budget, €3 million was allocated to support Ireland’s participation in this network in 2021. These hubs will support digital transformation in SMEs and public sector organisations by encouraging the adoption of the latest advances in the three key DEP technologies of Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Computing. EDIHs will serve as “one-stop-shops” providing access to technical expertise and experimentation, as well as innovation services, and the training and skills development necessary for successful digital transformation.
My Department, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, intends to hold an expression of interest process for interested organisations, with the intention that at least two such EDIHs with a cross-regional reach can be supported in Ireland.
There are a broad range of other digital/enterprise/community hubs currently operating across the country, both publicly and privately funded, including social enterprises. My Department has invested in the development of digital hubs in every region through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) and the recent Border Fund. Under the REDF, administered by Enterprise Ireland, approximately €1.4m approved funding for digital hubs has been approved for the Cavan and Monaghan regions while under the Border Fund, also administered by Enterprise Ireland, €202k in funding has been approved for the National Data Platform digital hub in Monaghan.
82. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional funding made available to local enterprise offices in counties Cavan and Monaghan in Budget 2021. [37535/20]
View answerIt is a priority that the 31 Local Enterprise Offices, as the first stop shop for business, are sufficiently resourced in order to support businesses and protect jobs as the country deals with the dual challenges of COVID-19 and Brexit.
In Budget 2021 the Local Enterprise Offices are provided with a capital increase of €6 million and a further €5 million will be made available from the €100 million recovery fund allocated to my Department. This represents a 40% increase on the LEO capital budget over 2020. Furthermore, an additional €1.3 million in current funding has been allocated to allow the network to augment its staffing resource to deal with the ongoing increased demand for its services. Local Enterprise Offices are also supporting businesses right across the country in all regions, through “soft” supports such as mentoring and training.
The additional funding will be used to service an expected increase in demand for core funding supports such as feasibility, priming and expansion grants, as well as continued demand for assistance dealing with the dual issues of COVID-19 and Brexit.
This year's budget allocation for Brexit and COVID-19 measures for the LEOs in Cavan and Monaghan is broken down as follows:
|
|
Brexit |
Covid |
||
|
LEO |
Technical Assistance for Micro-Enterprise |
Brexit Seminar |
Business Adviser Resource |
Business Continuity Voucher |
|
Cavan |
€25,000 |
€10,000 |
€70,000 |
€650,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€15,000 |
€5,000 |
€50,000 |
€360,691 |
In addition, the Border Enterprise Development Fund (BEDF), which is administered by Enterprise Ireland, will provide support for collaborative projects to advance entrepreneurship, productivity and innovation in the Border Region. The Fund is part of a €28 million economic stimulus package announced for the six border counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal earlier this year. Under the BEDF, 11 projects have recently been approved funding totalling over €17 million with projects approved in each of the Border counties.
83. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the third-party contracts entered into by agencies under the remit of his Department for the operation of community and voluntary organisations; the number of staff employed by the third party; and the cost of the contract in 2019 and 2020. [37559/20]
View answerIn the time available, it has not been possible to compile the information requested. I will arrange for this material to forwarded to the Deputy as soon as a possible.
84. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 10 November 2020, the outcomes of the 13 inspections mentioned since level 5 restrictions commenced; and the number of inspection reports issued as a result of the inspection of the facilities. [37611/20]
View answerIn the reply to Oral PQ 83 of 10 November it was outlined that, since the introduction of level 5 restrictions on the 21 October 2020, the Health and Safety Authority had, at that point, carried out 13 inspections of meat processing plants. I have been advised by the Health and Safety Authority that 10 Reports of Inspection (ROIs) issued arising from these 13 inspections.
Inspections carried out by the Health and Safety Authority at meat processing plants involves engagement with on-site personnel including management, health and safety advisors, COVID-19 Lead Worker Representatives, safety representatives and officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Inspectors also liaise, pre and post-inspection, with the Chair of the relevant local Outbreak Control Team to ensure effective planning and feedback.
85. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date to resolve the issues arising out of the liquidation of a company (details supplied); the steps being taken to ensure that similar situations will not occur in the future; the progress being made in implementing the Duffy-Cahill report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37627/20]
View answerI extend my sympathies to the workers in Debenhams who have lost their jobs.
It is disappointing that the recent Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) facilitated talks did not succeed in agreeing a way forward. I would urge both sides to re-engage in a constructive manner with a view to finding a mutually acceptable resolution.
The Government is supportive of the best outcome that is possible for the workers, within the legal framework available. The State will guarantee statutory employment rights to the workers of Debenhams, including statutory redundancy.
Debenhams is insolvent and is under a court-supervised liquidation, subject to the oversight of the High Court. Negotiations on enhanced redundancy are a matter for the liquidator and former employees, taking into account the statutory duty to realise and distribute the assets of an insolvent company in the order prescribed by law. Government has no statutory role in this.
More broadly, responsibility for employment rights, redundancy and insolvency recently transferred to my Department from the Department of Social Protection, and recommendations made in the Duffy-Cahill report, which was written specifically about the Clery's insolvency are currently being revisited. The Company Law Review Group is also looking again at aspects of Company Law in this area.
Ministers of State Damien English and Robert Troy jointly met with employer and union representative bodies on the 4th of November to begin a discussion on the legislative provisions that deal with redundancy and insolvency from both a company law and employment law perspective.
They are looking at the issues, in consultation with stakeholders with a view to identifying whether there are gaps or weaknesses in either body of legislation.
86. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions taken regarding clothing and textiles deposited in clothing banks and unused clothing and textiles from the charity industry; the regulations and checks in place to ensure environmentally safe disposal of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37480/20]
View answerTextiles including clothes which have been donated for reuse are not waste but are in fact valuable resources. This is recognised in the recently published Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. A series of actions is set out in the Plan to ensure Ireland protects these resources and fosters sustainable textile production and consumption practices. In 2021, the European Commission is to produce a comprehensive EU Strategy for Textiles and this will provide a positive policy context for our national measures. Regrettably some textiles continue to be discarded as waste rather than donated for reuse. The EPA’s 2018 Waste Characterisation Study found that textiles made up 10% of our general waste bins and 3% of our recycling bins. Where textiles are disposed of as waste, they are subject to the same legislative provisions under Waste Management legislation as other materials and must be disposed of appropriately using permitted waste collection services or facilities. A list of approved waste collectors is available on the website of the National Waste Collection Permitting Office. https://www.nwcpo.ie/permitsearch.aspx
I understand that clothing banks are not always clear about who is collecting the materials and what the final use and destination of those materials will be. As Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I have no remit in relation to the planning rules around the placing or labelling of these receptacles. However I have committed in our new Waste Action Plan to review the regulation of textile collection banks for compatibility with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals. Improved transparency and traceability around the collection of these materials should increase the volume of textiles that are retained in Ireland to the benefit of local charities and communities.
87. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Government position on the disposing of waste in landfills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37503/20]
View answerEuropean, national and regional waste management policy is predicated on the waste hierarchy as set out in Article 4 of the 2008 Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC), whereby the prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling and other recovery of waste are preferred options to the disposal or landfilling of waste. Ireland’s recycling rate for municipal waste was 38% in 2018, while our landfill rate for municipal waste was just 14% in 2018, representing a significant reduction from the 2017 figure of 23% and continuing the ongoing welcome decline from the 62% recorded for 2008. Significantly more residual waste is now used as a fuel (energy recovery) than disposed to landfill. Further information is available at http://www.epa.ie/nationalwastestatistics/municipal/
New waste management targets in the EU Landfill Directive require Member States to reduce the amount of municipal waste going to landfill to 10% or less of the total amount of municipal waste generated (by weight) by 2035. In addition, amendments to the Waste Framework Directive require that recycling rates of 55%, 60% and 65% of municipal waste (by weight) must be achieved by 2025, 2030 and 2035 respectively.
I launched the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy in September. This represents a step change in our approach to waste in Ireland, as it shifts the focus away from management to a fuller reconsideration of how we use resources and materials. The measures in the Plan are intended to minimise the amount of waste generated, eliminating waste before it can be created and diverting as much as possible to beneficial reuse or recovery and will help us deliver on our national targets.
88. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No.236 of 10 November 2020, if Ros an Mhíl harbour is amongst those considered as a regional harbour in the response; if it is being included in any discussions or planning in relation to the marine renewable energy industry in view of the fact it is ideally positioned to service marine renewables on the western seaboard; the role he envisages for the harbour in regards to the marine renewable industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37526/20]
View answerIreland has a sea area of 900,000 square kilometres, 10 times its landmass, and some of the best offshore renewable energy resources in the world. The 2014 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) sets out policy for the sustainable development of our abundant offshore renewable energy resources. The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) that underpinned the OREDP found that 4,500 MW of offshore wind and 1,500 MW of wave and tidal generation could be sustainably developed in Irish waters in the period to 2030. The OREDP can be found on my Department’s website (www.decc.gov.ie). Work has commenced on updating the 2014 Plan. This updated OREDP will identify the optimal locations for offshore renewable energy (ORE) development on Ireland's coasts by carrying out a resource assessment for wind, wave and tidal conditions in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This will also take account of new information collected on the offshore resource since 2014 and will model potential capacity in the Irish EEZ. This work will provide an evidence base for the assessment of zones or areas suitable for deployment of wind, wave and tidal technologies, which will then be input into marine spatial planning work underway by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The outcomes from the OREDP2 will then enable relevant departments to assess the potential opportunities for development of ports and harbours in the context of marine renewables.
89. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that will receive a fibre to the home connection in counties Cavan and Monaghan through the national broadband plan by the end of 2020. [37546/20]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.In County Cavan, there are 42,250 premises of which 16,242 (38%) are within the intervention area for the National Broadband Plan. In County Monaghan, there are 33,404 premises of which 15,282 (46%) are in the intervention area for the National Broadband Plan. 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.
As of 9 November, over 126,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed by NBI, 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.In County Cavan, surveying has taken place in Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, Caughoo, Belturbet, Killashandra and Butler’s Bridge. Building works are taking place outside Cavan town including at Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles and in the south of the county at Caughoo. Indicative dates targeted by NBI to connect these circa. 3,700 premises are between February and April of 2021.
In County Monaghan, surveying has taken place in Cornacassa, Cortolvin, Ballybay, and Stranooden. Indicative dates targeted by NBI to connect these circa. 4,300 premises are between August and October of 2021. Other areas which will be surveyed in 2020 include Mullinahinch, Bellanode, Drumhilock, Tydavnet, Cloughnart, Scotstown and Killymarley.
Further details are available on specific areas within Cavan and Monaghan 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. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans.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 6 November, some 190 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. In addition, school BCPs will be provided with high speed broadband, for educational use only, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Education and Skills. To date, 22 schools are live with high speed broadband for educational access only.In Cavan, Castlerahan Community Centre BCP site is now live, with Gallonray House Gallonreagh Maudabawn, Kildallan Parish Hall, Killenkere Leisure Centre, Castle Saunderson Scout Centre, Bunnoe Community Centre and Drumavaddy Community Centre installed by NBI and awaiting connection.In Monaghan, BCP sites connected include Saint Alphonsus Community Hall, Ballybay Wetlands, Latton Resource Centre with further BCPs installed by NBI and awaiting connection at Corduff Community Centre, Tannagh Outdoor Education Centre, Corcaghan Community Centre, Carn Resource Centre and Mullyash Community Centre. Drumgossatt National School has been connected, for educational access only, as part of this initiative with further plans to connect Drumcorrin National School.
90. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the third-party contracts entered into by agencies under the remit of his Department for the operation of community and voluntary organisations; the number of staff employed by the third party; and the cost of the contract in 2019 and 2020. [37560/20]
View answerThe information requested regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will ask the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
91. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a residence (details supplied) will receive fibre broadband as its current service is almost non-functional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37584/20]
View answer92. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a residence (details supplied) will receive fibre broadband as its current service is almost non-functional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37585/20]
View answer93. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a residence (details supplied) will receive fibre broadband as its current service is almost non-functional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37586/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 to 93, inclusive, together.
All premises referenced in the Questions are located within 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. Premises in the AMBER area 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 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 9 November 2020, over 126,000 premises across every county in Ireland have been surveyed, which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. Of this figure 16,432 premises have been surveyed in County Cork including Midleton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon and Kilpatrick. Surveying 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. NBI crews have started initial works for the build covering approximately 4,000 premises in the Carrigaline area including Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon and Kilpatrick. The first fibre to the home connections are expected this month in Carrigaline 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 premises within Cork 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 6 November, some 147 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/. In County Cork, BCPs have been connected at Ballindangan, Aghabullogue, Castletownkenneigh, Lissavard and Whitechurch Community Centres and T.O. Park Labbamollga Community Facility. NBI have also installed BCP infrastructure which will be connected in the coming weeks at Bere Island Heritage Centre and Laharn Heritage Centre.
Clogagh and Ballycroneen National Schools will also be connected, for educational access only, as part of the BCP initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP. I understand that there can be instances where premises remain unconnected, although close to premises that are passed by eir’s fibre network. Eir’s rural deployment of high speed broadband is a commercial undertaking and, as such, decisions regarding the areas and premises served are made by eir. My Department has no role in the matter and has no statutory authority to intervene in decisions of commercial operators as to where they build infrastructure and provide services. Throughout rural Ireland, eir’s fibre deployment is primarily focussed on towns and villages and the premises on their outskirts. Where that network ends is where the National Broadband Plan in effect commences to ensure that nobody is left behind. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
94. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he plans to publish the completed review of the Digital Hub Development Agency. [37598/20]
View answer95. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a strategy for the land holdings of the Digital Development Agency in the Thomas Street area of Dublin 8 has been decided; if consideration was given to the use of the lands for urban regeneration for the benefit of the host community; if not, if the land will be retained for the future expansion of the Digital Hub; and if these issues were considered by the strategic review team tasked with examining whether to complete the transfer of same to Dublin City Council as planned. [37599/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.
Earlier this year, my Department undertook a strategic review of the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) in order to inform policy as to its future, and as to whether the DHDA continues to be required to meet a socio-economic need. The review also examined the role that the land holdings of the DHDA might play in its future. The review has been completed and I will now consider it and bring proposals to Government.
96. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to enact the Private Members' motion previously passed in November 2016 by the previous Government regarding the future of the Post Office Network. [37632/20]
View answerThe importance of the post office network has been clearly demonstrated throughout the pandemic where we have seen a range of initiatives through our post offices which have helped support local communities, the elderly and vulnerable. The serious decline in the volume of mail and the impact of Covid on footfall through post offices, has had a severe impact on the postal network and I am aware of the concerns of the Irish Postmasters Union. I am also aware of the findings of the most recent Grant Thornton Report commissioned by the IPU, which are being considered by my Department. I am meeting with the IPU in the coming weeks to discuss the matters raised.
While it is longstanding Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by the Government, we remain fully committed to a sustainable post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure in both rural and urban areas.
The Programme for Government recognises that a modernised post office network will provide a better range of financial services and e-commerce services for citizens and enterprise, as part of our commitment to a sustainable nationwide post office network.
A lot of work has been done since An Post put in place a Strategic Plan, covering the period 2017 – 2021, in response to the structural challenges faced by the postal sector.
In order to implement the Plan, the cost of which was estimated to be in the region of €150m, the Minister for Finance provided a loan of €30m to the company in December 2017 to support the renewal of the post office network (€15m) and the continued fulfilment of a 5 day per week mails delivery service (€15m).
As part of the delivery of the plan the company was split into two distinct business units, An Post Mails and Parcels and An Post Retail.
An Post is transforming its retail network by delivering new products and new formats. This includes, among other things, diversifying and growing the financial services products it provides for individuals and SMEs to include loans, credit cards and more foreign exchange products, local banking in association with the major banks and a full range of State Savings products. Two new dedicated sub-brands, An Post Money and a new business-to-business brand, An Post Commerce, were launched. Investment by An Post of €50 million in the network is about getting communities to use the enhanced services in their local post office.
Government believes An Post has untapped potential to do more and make a further significant contribution across many areas of public, business and community life in Ireland. With an evolving mandate An Post can emerge as a central hub for a wide variety of valuable community focused services. We will work closely with An Post to see if there is scope to channel additional services through the network. All options will be considered fully and efforts will be redoubled to give effect to our commitment to ensuring a sustainable and viable post office network.
97. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new sites which have had electric vehicle chargers installed and their distribution classified by capacity range of the charger under the Climate Action Fund allocation to the ESB and under the grant scheme to local authorities since these schemes were initiated; and the number of sites in which upgrades of capacity have occurred under these schemes. [37643/20]
View answer98. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of electric vehicle chargers and their aggregate capacity available for public use in at the most recent date for which information is available; and the capacity in each county in tabular form. [37644/20]
View answer99. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of electric vehicle chargers and their aggregate capacity available for public use in at the most recent date for which information is available; and the capacity in each county in tabular form. [37645/20]
View answer100. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of installation of electric vehicle chargers in service stations and in shopping centres made without State support in the past 12 months. [37646/20]
View answer101. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a system in place for quickly identifying public electric vehicle chargers which break down and arranging for their repair. [37647/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 to 101, inclusive, together.
Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years.
We have committed €10 million from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) to promote the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
Since the delivery stage of the project commenced in October 2019, five 150kW High Power Chargers have been installed at Galway Plaza (M6), Kilcullen (M9), Park Rí (M3), Kells, and Portlaoise Plaza (M7/8). These locations now have a 50kW charger in addition to the 150kW Charger and can charge three cars simultaneously. All of these locations are new sites. Preliminary works are underway for similar capacity at several other locations throughout the country.
To date, the CAF project has also seen the replacement of 14 AC Standard Chargers with 50kW DC chargers throughout the country. These will provide Fast Charging facilities where there was none previously. Depending on the specific site, these chargers can provide up to 50kW DC power or up to 22kW AC power. Since the beginning of the project upgrades to charging infrastructure have also been carried out at the following locations: Ballina, Cavan, Clifden, Clonmel, Drogheda, Dublin Port, Dundalk, Galway, Kells, Kilkenny, Sligo, Tullamore, Waterford and Westport. More upgrades are planned in the coming months, including in Cork, Kenmare, Tralee and Waterford.
Further details on the ESB project can be found at https://www.esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades
While several private operators such as Tesla, Ionity & EasyGO are involved in providing charging infrastructure, my Department does not hold information on the location of charging infrastructure which has been installed without government support. I am aware, however, that ESB has partnered with Tesco Ireland to install 22kW Standard AC Chargers at 33 Tesco locations around the country in the last number of months. More than 50 of these are planned in total. My Department is also making €2 million available next year through the SEAI to support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as hotels and shopping centres. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
In terms of maintenance, ESB ecars employ a Charge Point Management System to monitor the performance of its charger network. This IT system provides real time overview of the performance of the network, usage and can allow certain tasks to be carried out remotely in the event of an issue arising. The performance of the network is monitored by a specialist Operations Team. In addition, ESB ecars Maintenance Contractors carry out a number of proactive maintenance visits to each charger on an annual basis. Customers can also avail of a 24/7 customer call centre should they have any issue and can report an issue with a charger through the ESB ecar app “ecar connect”.
The below table is a list of ESB charge points per county including the newly installed Tesco charge points;
|
County |
Standard Charge Points (up to 22kW) |
Fast Chargers (c. 50kW) |
High Powered Chargers (150 kW) |
|
Donegal |
30 |
3 |
|
|
Sligo |
14 |
3 |
|
|
Leitrim |
4 |
0 |
|
|
Mayo |
18 |
4 |
|
|
Westmeath |
22 |
3 |
|
|
Roscommon |
22 |
2 |
|
|
Galway |
30 |
7 |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
12 |
1 |
|
|
Cavan |
10 |
1 |
|
|
Longford |
10 |
1 |
|
|
Meath |
24 |
5 |
1 |
|
Louth |
24 |
4 |
|
|
Dublin |
156 |
15 |
|
|
Kildare |
28 |
5 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
14 |
1 |
|
|
Laois |
12 |
3 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
28 |
3 |
|
|
Carlow |
14 |
1 |
|
|
Wexford |
34 |
4 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
12 |
3 |
|
|
Tipperary |
20 |
5 |
|
|
Waterford |
24 |
2 |
|
|
Clare |
18 |
2 |
|
|
Limerick |
26 |
3 |
|
|
Cork |
56 |
6 |
|
|
Kerry |
28 |
1 |
|
|
Total |
690 |
88 |
4 |
The Public Charge Point Scheme has been in place since September 2019 and will continue to be available during 2021 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of this scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of EVs, who do not have access to a private parking space but rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes, to charge their EVs. Since the launch of the scheme, the SEAI has received requests from twelve local authorities for applications under the scheme with two completed applications from Louth County Council and Dublin City Council currently being assessed for approval to install a total of 24 charge points within their administrative areas. In addition, the four Dublin local authorities are currently examining their approach for a network of charging infrastructure in the metropolitan area. My Department is working closely with a number of key stakeholders, including Local Government, to ensure electric vehicle charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand. This includes developing appropriate guidance for local authorities in line with the Programme for Government which will ensure we can continue to expand our national charging network through the supports for on street chargers.
