Written Answers Nos. 137-161
138. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) with the Companies Registration Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40245/20]
View answerThe Registrar of Companies is a statutory role and the Registrar is independent in the exercise of this function.
The Registrar has taken several decisions in the period since March 2020 to assist companies with the filing of annual returns due to challenges arising from the Covid-19 situation. I understand that the specific cases relevant to the Deputy’s question relate to companies filing annual returns that have an annual return date before 30th September 2020. Such companies had until 31st October to file the Form B1 online and the remaining elements of the annual return would be accepted if delivered to the Companies Registration Office by the date indicated on the signature page i.e. 28 days from the B1 filing date.
The responsibility for delivery of the annual return to the Registrar lies solely with the Company. An annual return that is not received within the specified timeframe is deemed to be late and the Registrar does not have discretion in this area. The only exception being where a company has availed of a time guaranteed delivery service that should have resulted in on-time delivery to the CRO. In such a situation, the company should engage with the CRO and supply appropriate documentary evidence.
An application can be made to the District Court for an extension of time to file an annual return, as provided for by Section 343(5) of the Companies Act 2014. The Court may make an Order extending the time in which the annual return may be delivered to the Registrar. Should the order, be granted there would be no late filing penalties nor, if applicable, a loss of audit exemption. Further information is available in CRO information leaflet no. 39 available on the CRO website www.cro.ie.
I understand that the CRO has been in contact with the relevant entity in relation to the other matter raised, relating to the change of annual return date, and that this issue has been resolved.
140. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the provisions of SI 349 of 2020 on redundancy payments. [28349/20]
View answerIn March 2020 the Government introduced an emergency amendment to the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 which effectively suspends an employee’s entitlement to claim redundancy from their employer following certain periods of lay-off or short-time work due to Covid-19 during the emergency period. The Government was concerned that the financial impact of significant redundancy claims at this time would have a serious impact on the potential for businesses, and the economy as a whole, to recover which in turn could result in significant insolvency and bankruptcy situations, with further permanent job losses.
The end date of the emergency period was defined as 31st May 2020, with the possibility of extending this by Government Order if required. The provisions of S.I. 349 of 2020 extended the end date from 17th September to 30th November 2020.
The Government has further extended the end date to 31st March 2021. This was a difficult decision to make and I know it will be disappointing for those employees who are experiencing uncertainty and who were hoping to claim redundancy from their employers before the end of the year. But in making this decision, the Government had to consider the need to ensure businesses survive and that permanent job losses are avoided as much as possible.
It is considered that an extension of the end-date continues to be important for employees to ensure that they have a continued link to their job and a pathway to return. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment will remain open until the end of March 2021 in order to support affected employees as will the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme.
All other redundancy provisions remain unchanged and in force. If an employer is going to make an employee redundant, protections such as notice periods for redundancy and the payment of a redundancy lump-sum to the affected employee still apply and the existing suite of employment rights legislation remains in place.
141. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is considering reopening the restart grants to new applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40340/20]
View answerThe Restart Grant scheme was launched on 15 May 2020. As a result of increasing demand for the Scheme, the Restart Grant plus was launched in the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus as part of the Government’s evolving response to the effects of COVID-19 restrictions on business.
The Restart Plus scheme closed as of 31 October and has been superseded as part of Budget 2021 measures by the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners. The CRSS offers a targeted, timely and temporary sector-specific support to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID- 19 of up to €5,000 per week.
Accordingly, there are currently no plans to re-open the Restart Grant Scheme.
142. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure a full process of consultation with land owners, occupiers, farmers and farm organisations prior to the commencement of a wetting programme in respect of Government and-or State agency proposals to increase wetland areas across the midlands in furtherance of climate change measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39627/20]
View answerGovernment approval last week of funding of up-to €108 million for the Bord Na Móna Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS) reaffirms our commitment to addressing the climate and biodiversity crisis' we are facing and to ensuring a just transition in the midlands region. The scheme will protect the storage of 100 million tonnes of carbon, sequester 3.2 million tonnes of carbon out to 2050, enhance biodiversity, create jobs and will contribute to Ireland’s target of being carbon-neutral by 2050.
Bord an Móna must submit a plan for each bog to both the National Parks and Wildlife Services in respect of this scheme and to the Environmental Protection Agency in respect of works required to meet their IPC licence obligations. As part of this process, Bord Na Móna will consult with affected stakeholders.
143. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the North-South interconnector project; if he is satisfied the project follows international best practice; if an independent review will be carried out as part of the forthcoming review of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39808/20]
View answerEirGrid is the designated Transmission System Operator and its role includes the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity transmission network in Ireland. The construction of the North South Interconnector is an operational matter for EirGrid and ESB Networks and one in which I have no function.
I have every confidence in the ability of EirGrid and ESB Networks to deliver this project to the very highest standards of international best practice.
The option of undergrounding the proposed North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions. My Department most recently published an independent study in October 2018 on undergrounding the interconnector which found that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option. I do not intend ordering a further review of the project as part of the review of the National Development Plan.
I believe that this important new cross-Border infrastructure will significantly facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the power system in line with the Programme for Government, will improve the efficient operation of the all-island Single Electricity Market, increase the security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland, will bring economic benefits to the region and can address our climate objectives on the island of Ireland.
144. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the protections in place for those attending the post office, especially those in the vulnerable category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39600/20]
View answerAn Post has played a valuable role in its commitment to rural communities and to the elderly and vulnerable in our society during the pandemic. Post Offices have implemented a number of practical measures to safeguard customers and staff, including the provision of PPE for staff, the installation of protective screens between counter positions and enforcement of social distancing for customers. Display boards, floor signs and staff remind customers to remain apart from other people while in the post office. All staff have access to personal issue hand sanitiser and receive regular communications and updates from the company.
Departmental officials have been in ongoing engagement with An Post to ensure that they are in a position to continue to provide essential services in the current environment.
145. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he will take to ensure the provision of high-speed broadband connection in the Foxrock area, County Dublin (details supplied); when high-speed connection will be available to residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39623/20]
View answerThe locations referred to in the Question are located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
Our investigations indicated that some of the premises are connected to the local exchange in Foxrock, while others are connected to the local street cabinet. My Department has raised a query with eir to request further clarification on the services available in the relevant locations. As soon as a reply is received my Department will revert to the Deputy with a further update.
146. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he plans to enact the Private Members' motion passed in November 2016 by the previous Government regarding the future of the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39638/20]
View answerIn the four years since the Private Members motion referred to was debated, a lot of work has been done to ensure An Post and the post office network remain viable.
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 designed to encourage communities to use the enhanced services in their local post office.
With regard to the community banking model a project team comprising officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Finance was established to progress that particular commitment. The final report was published by the respective Ministers on 4 July 2018. The report indicated that the Department of Finance would continue to engage in dialogue with Irish Rural Link and other stakeholders and that it would commission an independent external evaluation of the possibility or otherwise for promotion of the local public banking concept in Ireland. That further report was published by the Department of Finance in December 2019 and concluded that there is no business case for the State to establish a public banking system in Ireland, supporting the outcome of the July 2018 report.
The 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 the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
While it is long-standing 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.
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.
147. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the scheduled and planned enabling of broadband exchanges in County Clare under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39686/20]
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 Clare, there are 69,225 premises of which 22,592 (33%) are within 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.
I am advised by NBI that, as of 23 November 2020, over 136,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. Surveys have been completed in County Clare in the areas of Cratloe, Ballycannan, Ballyglas and Cloghrea and NBI indicative dates for fibre connections for premises in these areas, which are close to the border of Limerick, is mid 2021. Further surveys have recently commenced in the areas of Kilkishen, but deployment information is not yet available from NBI for this location.
Surveying is the first step towards delivering the new fibre network and involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This informs design solutions for provision of the fibre network to each and every premises in the surveyed area and leads to detailed designs. The detailed designs are then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with Open eir for the area, where Open eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose and the make ready of other required infrastructure. This step also informs decisions on equipment ordering.
Survey data is also needed to initiate pre-works which pave the way for the deploying of fibre. Pre-works involve construction of new duct routes, erection of poles, building chambers, and tree trimming. On completion of these pre-works, the main construction works can commence. This involves deploying fibre overhead on poles and in underground ducts, splicing of fibre, and unblocking of ducts. Once the main construction works are completed and the appropriate level of testing has been undertaken, the fibre network can be commissioned and end users can order their connection.
Further details are available on specific areas in Clare 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 aware that concerns have been raised regarding the level of information available on the deployment of the NBI network and I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website in this regard, 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 20 November, 149 publicly accessible BCP sites have been installed by NBI, with 59 already connected to high speed broadband service. The remaining locations will be connected through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development in the coming months. In Clare, Cree Community Centre, Loop Head Lighthouse and Michael Cusack Visitor Centre BCPs have been connected. A further BCP at Loughraney has had infrastructure installed by NBI and will be connected in the coming weeks.
Some 52 schools throughout Ireland have now had infrastructure installed by NBI, with 23 schools already connected to high speed broadband. In Clare, a number of schools including Shragh, Ennistymon and Stonehall National Schools are now connected as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
148. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to bring forward a second round of the amnesty for the collection of old tyres dumped illegally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39690/20]
View answerAt the introduction of the compliance scheme for tyres and waste tyres in 2017 funding of €1,000,000 was provided to support local authorities to deal with the clean-up of existing stockpiles of waste tyres across the country.
In 2018 an additional €700,000 was made available to remove waste tyres from farms. The funding was allocated across numerous geographical locations and the budget was fully expended. There are no plans at present to run further collection events.
The recently launched Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy contains a commitment to extend the current tyres compliance scheme to cover all categories of tyres. This will be prioritised for implementation.
149. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of works to be done on the wall along the river in Ballylooby, Cahir, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39699/20]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy relates to the Thonoge River, a tributary of the River Suir in Ballylooby, Co. Tipperary.
A small number of stones from a stone wall collapsed into the river, diverting water across to the opposite bank and causing some erosion. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is working with Tipperary County Council on the proposal to use the displaced stones to rebuild the stone wall and a soft engineering solution to stabilise the opposite bank. Under the EU Habitats Directive an Appropriate Assessment, a Natura Impact Statement and a hydraulic assessment of the impacts of proposed work were required.
These reports determined that a planning application is necessary due to the possible effects of the works on the River Suir SAC. A tender process for the works is being undertaken shortly.
150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of State investment planned for investment in offshore wind energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39778/20]
View answer151. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for State owned offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39779/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.
The electricity generation market in Ireland, the Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM), is liberalised and open to both state-owned and private enterprises to compete in line with the requirements of the EU internal energy market. As such, while state-owned bodies may own and operate offshore wind developments, these bodies do so on a commercial basis, and in order to avoid undermining the competitive principles of the I-SEM, the State itself does not directly own or operate, or plan to own or operate, any such generation assets. This is in accordance with the principles of the internal energy market to ensure a competitive, customer-centred electricity market with market-based supply prices.
In order to make progress towards the Programme for Government commitment of 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030, my Department is developing the terms and conditions of the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (Offshore RESS). The Offshore RESS will be the means for supporting offshore wind developments via a competitive auction based framework. This competitive element is required under the State Aid clearance for the scheme in order to achieve our renewable energy ambitions at the lowest cost to consumers.
Similar to RESS-1, which my Department ran for onshore technologies earlier this year, the Offshore RESS will function by inviting eligible offshore wind projects to bid for capacity and, if successful at auction, receive a guaranteed 'strike price' for the electricity they generate.
As with RESS-1, a number of cost control measures will be included in the Offshore RESS, details of which will be included in the draft terms and conditions of the scheme, which are planned to be made available early next year for public consultation. The first Offshore RESS auction process will take place before the end of next year.
152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current level of energy produced from offshore windfarms; the projected level of energy that will be produced from offshore windfarms in each year from 2020 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39780/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available in the 2019 National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) which is available on the Gov.ie website under “Ireland’s National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030”. It can be located in table 7 on page 42 of the document.
In its NECP, Ireland signalled around 3,500MW of offshore wind installed capacity by 2030. The figures set out in the table below refer to the corresponding energy generated by this installed capacity trajectory under the With Additional Measures (WAM) scenario, which reflects the policy position at the end of 2019 when the plan was completed.
Renewable Electricity-Generation by Offshore Wind (ktoe) WAM
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
|
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
228 |
522 |
765 |
893 |
896 |
889 |
Under the Programme for Government, Ireland is committed to achieving a 7% annual average reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2021 and 2030 and has increased the ambition for offshore wind to 5,000MW of installed capacity by 2030. My Department is currently developing the policies and measures required to meet this higher level of ambition.
153. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered the introduction of a grant scheme for renewable energy systems for new builds, similar to the existing Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, grants available for existing households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39796/20]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since 2000, over 440,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light.
Building Regulations have been progressively strengthened and new buildings must now meet very high energy performance standards. Homes constructed since 2006 are generally more energy efficient than those built before then due to energy performance requirements of the 2003 Building Regulations. Grant funding for renewable energy measures under the Better Energy Homes scheme and Solar PV scheme are available to homes built before 2011. Currently, there are no plans to introduce a grant scheme for renewable energy systems for newer homes.
It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.
154. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the position regarding the issuing of Eircodes, particularly to new housing developments, will be clarified; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the delay in issuing Eircodes to newly built and recently occupied houses is an impediment to the provision of broadband, as all broadband providers have a requirement for an Eircode before they will provide a service; if arrangements will be made to expedite the issue of Eircodes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39917/20]
View answerCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the National Postcode System "Eircode".
Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory, a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their licence agreement.
Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licensed businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that over 119,600 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.
Once the Eircode database is updated on a quarterly basis it is then a matter for individual commercial businesses to apply and integrate the latest Eircode updates into their systems to meet their business needs and those of their customers, in accordance with the terms of their licence agreements.
Operational matters and commercial decisions of private commercial operators, including the updating of their database, are a matter for these commercial operators and one in which I have no direct function.
In recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes to new builds is desirable, my officials are working with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), An Post GeoDirectory and Capita to improve and expedite the existing process.
155. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to provide additional resources or statutory powers to the Commission for Communications Regulation to deal with telecommunications, in particular in regard to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39926/20]
View answerTelecommunications service providers are regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which operates independently of my Department.
ComReg currently has a suite of enforcement and sanction powers available to it in regulating the telecommunications sector. Transposition of the European Electronic Communications Code, a new European regulatory framework will include, inter alia, certain additional provisions relating to strengthening end user rights.
In delivering its mandate, ComReg currently has a significant team working on customer facing issues and has a high degree of transparency in relation to its work in this area, including providing information on its website which is available at www.comreg.ie/queries-complaints/broadband-phone/eir-consumer-care/. The regulator continues to actively use its statutory powers to assist affected customers in resolving their complaints, and to exert pressure on any service providers, including the company referred to in the Question, which fail to meet adequate standards of customer care, in order to ensure matters are improved.
ComReg is also currently considering whether it would be possible to place additional obligations on service providers and it will discuss with my Department whether additional measures are needed. This includes consideration of what, if any, further legislative or non-legislative changes that may be necessary and appropriate.
The Regulator currently has a sanctioned ceiling of 147 staff, having been granted a substantial increase in resourcing in 2018, to properly equip ComReg to oversee an expanded robust regulatory framework and to deliver on regulatory requirements. There is on-going dialogue with ComReg as the sector evolves, with a view to ensuring that it can continue to fully meet current and future challenges in delivering on its broader statutory and regulatory remit. A business case for additional staff resources is also being assessed in my department.
156. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the 400 kV Celtic interconnector will be placed underground along public roads in its entirety when this connection from France reaches Ireland in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40099/20]
View answerThe Celtic Interconnector is a €1 billion electricity interconnector jointly proposed by EirGrid and their French counterparts, the French transmission system operator, RTÉ (Reseau de Transporte d’Électricite). It is proposed as a 575km long (500km subsea), 700MW cable from the north-west coast of France to the south coast of Ireland. At this scale it would be able to provide electricity for some 450,000 homes.
The Celtic Interconnector will provide a reliable high-capacity electricity link between Ireland and France that will have significant benefits for the people of Ireland. The project will provide access to the European internal energy market, leading to expected increased competition and lower prices in Ireland. It will also enhance security of electricity supply and facilitate increased capacity for renewable energy here via export access to the mainland European markets.
The proposed route of the interconnector, and positioning of associated infrastructure, is an operational matter for the project developer and transmission system operator, EirGrid, and the transmission system asset owner in Ireland, ESB Networks, and will be reflected in the proposal brought forward in the statutory consenting process.
Neither I, nor my Department, have any function in this matter.
157. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there will be further calls for funding from the scheme following the recent funding announcements for the midland counties, including County Longford, under the just transition programme in 2021, 2022 and 2023 through to at least 2025, as the region deserves sustained investment given that it will pay a heavy price in the move towards decarbonisation. [40176/20]
View answerLast week provisional offers of funding totalling €27.8 million were made to 47 projects in the Midlands through the Just Transition Fund. This is in addition to the €1.2 million announced for 16 projects in the Midlands in September. These projects will contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the Midlands region. The funding for these projects will be spread over three years and projects must be completed by the end of 2023.
The Government also approved funding of €108 million last week for Bord na Móna’s large-scale peatlands restoration project. A further €18 million will be committed to the project by Bord na Móna.
The Government is committed to ensuring a just transition in the Midlands. The Programme for Government affirms the necessity for a just transition pathway to be found, which delivers alternative job opportunities to sectors and regions most affected, and ensures that vulnerable groups are helped, as transformative policies are implemented. The Government recognises that the transition out of peat in the Midlands is the first test of a just transition for Ireland, arising from an accelerated exit from peat harvesting in the area.
As part of the EU Green Deal, the European Commission has proposed the establishment of an EU Just Transition Fund to provide support to the economies, people and the environment of territories facing serious socio-economic challenges arising from the transition process towards the EU’s 2030 climate targets and a climate-neutral economy by 2050.
Investments by Member States under the EU Just Transition Fund must be underpinned by a Territorial Just Transition Plan, covering the period 2021 to 2027, which must be approved by the European Commission and implemented within the regulatory framework for the European Structural and Investment Funds as part of EU cohesion policy. Work on this plan has commenced in my Department, and this work will also be supported by technical assistance under the European Commission’s Structural Reform Support Programme.
158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a schedule of all consultancy firms, accountancy firms, legal firms, project management firms and IT firms his Department has engaged to carry out work its behalf in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; if he will summarise the work they were engaged to do and the full costs of the engagements; if disputes over costs ensued; if they were resolved with or without sanctions and-or financial penalties and-or withholding of funds; and if contracts are subject to legal challenge or mediation. [40209/20]
View answerMy Department administers a very diverse and complex brief. Its remit includes oversight of very complex policy areas and direct procurement of major services where protection of the State’s interest must be paramount. This situation necessarily requires my Department to procure specialist external professional advice to enable it to discharge its responsibility to deliver quality services and protect the interests of the State and the taxpayer.
In procuring specialised services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The information requested by the deputy in relation to my Department is outlined in the table below. There were no disputes over cost or legal disputes related to these contracts.
159. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to combat fly tipping and illegal dumping; if he has allocated funding to local authorities to combat same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40311/20]
View answerSince the introduction of the Anti-Dumping Initiative in 2017, funding of €9.3 million has been provided to local authorities in support of over 1,000 projects, which have resulted in the removal of over 10,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste from our landscape.
€3 million was allocated to local authorities in support of the 2020 Anti-Dumping Initiative, €1 million of which was ring-fenced to combat illegal dumping activities arising from the COVID-19 crisis. Anti-Dumping Initiative funding has supported over 300 projects nationwide. This includes a national anti-dumping awareness communications campaign, Your Country - Your Waste, which I launched last month.
In 2020, €7.6 million was allocated by my Department under the annual Local Authority Waste Enforcement Measures Grant scheme, which supports the recruitment and retention of over 150 local authority waste enforcement personnel. €1.1 million was also provided to support the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLA) Offices, which were established in 2015 to support and co-ordinate local authority waste enforcement activity. Allocations for 2021 have yet to be finalized, but my Department will continue to invest significantly in the local authority network to ensure that there is a robust, sustainable waste enforcement system in place to combat all illegal waste activity.
The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy contains a range of additional actions designed to enhance waste enforcement, protect human health and the environment, and provide a strong deterrent effect. Such actions include:
- An enhanced role for WERLAs;
- An Anti-Dumping Toolkit for Local Authorities;
- Greater use of Fixed Penalty Notices.
160. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has undertaken any research or investigation into the alleged use of fake social media accounts or robots by political parties in Ireland; if so, the findings of such investigations and research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40317/20]
View answerMy Department has not carried out any research or investigation into the alleged use of fake social media accounts or robots by political parties in Ireland. Regulation of the electoral system, is not a matter with respect to which I have a statutory role.
161. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if information regarding the increase in the cost of certification through the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland as recommended by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40357/20]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of gas installers is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
Under the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (as amended), the Commission for Regulation of Utilities is responsible for regulating the activities of gas undertakings and gas installers with respect to safety.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities is accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas. Therefore, as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I do not have any role or function in this matter.
