Written Answers Nos. 21-41
21. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans under the midlands regional jobs plan for job creation in County Laois to reduce unemployment figures on the live register and the number of daily commuters out of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4453/21]
View answerDelivering balanced regional growth through a coherent policy approach to the enterprise needs of every part of Ireland is a stated objective within the Programme for Government.
My Department’s Regional Enterprise Plans are focused on region-specific enterprise development challenges and opportunities and provide a mechanism for joined up responses at the regional level, involving the enterprise agencies, LEOs, local authorities, higher and further education bodies, private sector, and others.
The Regional Enterprise Plan for the Midlands which includes Co. Laois sets out a strategic agenda around: driving opportunities in advanced manufacturing, the food and drink sector, big data/data analytics, and the low carbon economy; place-making initiatives - including the development of a regional network of remote working hubs; and responding to enterprise skills needs in the region. Having just concluded its 2-year programme at the end of 2020, my intention is for the Plan in the Midlands and in the other regions to be refreshed over coming months, in consultation with regional stakeholders, including in County Laois.
My Department’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland, is aimed at enhancing the conditions for regional business growth. To date the Midlands have secured over €7.5 million across six projects, including for enterprise hub/co-working developments.
Enterprise Ireland’s Strategy ‘Powering the Regions’ includes a focus on the Midlands. In 2019, 12,343 people were employed in Enterprise Ireland supported companies in the Midlands.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) in the Midlands supported an additional 335 net new jobs in start-ups and micro companies in 2019 with 70 net new jobs in Co. Laois.
The IDA is doing everything it can to encourage investors to locate in regional areas including the Midlands region. In 2019, the Midlands had 43 IDA supported companies employing 6,209 people. This is an increase of 8.5% from 2018. In 2020 Greenfield Global an IDA company announced the creation 75 new jobs in Co. Laois.
Working with colleagues across Government to deliver the National Planning Framework, my Department is committed to delivering balanced regional growth and to ensuring that Co. Laois continues to enjoy a steady increase in employment.
22. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans under the north-east regional jobs plan for job creation in County Meath to reduce unemployment figures on the live register and the number of daily commuters out of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4454/21]
View answerDelivering balanced regional growth through a coherent policy approach to the enterprise needs of every part of Ireland is a stated objective within the Programme for Government.
My Department’s Regional Enterprise Plans are focused on region-specific enterprise development challenges and opportunities and provide a mechanism for joined up responses at the regional level, involving the enterprise agencies, LEOs, local authorities, higher and further education bodies, private sector, and others.
The Regional Enterprise Plan for the Mid-East which includes Co. Meath sets out a strategic agenda around growing enterprise and jobs in the agri-food and content creation sectors, developing a regional network of co-working hubs, and responding to enterprise skills needs in the region. My Department has commenced the development of nine new Regional Enterprise Plans for the period to the end of 2023 having just concluded the 2-year programme at the end of 2020. My intention is for the plan in the Mid-East and in the other regions to be developed over the coming months, in consultation with regional stakeholders, including those in County Meath.
My Department’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland, is aimed at enhancing the conditions for regional business growth. To date the Mid-East region has secured €8.3 million across five projects.
Enterprise Ireland’s Strategy ‘Powering the Regions’ includes a focus on the Mid-East. In 2019, 21,258 people were employed in 515 Enterprise Ireland supported companies in the Mid-East, up 3.4% from 2018.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) in the Mid-East supported an additional 268 net new jobs in start-ups and micro companies in 2019 with 122 net new jobs in Co. Meath.
The IDA is doing everything it can to encourage investors to locate in regional areas including the Mid-East region. In 2019, the Mid-East had 68 IDA supported companies employing 13,435 people, up 2.7% from 2018. At the end of 2020 MSD an IDA company announced the creation 240 new jobs in Dunboyne, Co. Meath.
Working with colleagues across Government to deliver the National Planning Framework, my Department is committed to delivering balanced regional growth and to ensuring that Co. Meath continues to enjoy a steady increase in employment.
23. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the budgetary analysis being carried out to plan for long Covid-19 impacts in his Department and each State agency under the remit of his Department, in tabular form. [4484/21]
View answerCovid-19 has and will continue to have very serious impacts for the whole of society. My Department has been to the forefront of the response to Covid-19 to develop appropriate measures to cushion the impacts of the pandemic on enterprises, workers and consumers.
In 2020 my Department secured an unprecedented increase of almost €1 billion in additional funding as part of the Government’s immediate response to the pandemic. This additional funding allowed the Department and our Enterprise Agencies to roll out a range of vital measures to assist businesses to survive the impact of Covid-19. These measures included the Restart Grant, the Online Retail Scheme, the Covid Products Scheme, Business Continuity Vouchers, the Sustaining Enterprise Fund, the Covid Credit Guarantee Scheme and a range of other targeted initiatives.
Given the continuing economic impacts of Covid, Budget 2021 was framed to ensure that the necessary supports can continue to be accessed by businesses and workers. As well as providing over €16 billion in additional funding to support the delivery of public services this year, the Budget also established a €3.4 billion Recovery Fund for continuing the economic response to Covid and indeed Brexit.
Insofar as my own Department is concerned, additional funding in the region of €150 million was provided in Budget 2021 to fund our activities this year. The vast majority of this funding will be focussed on ensuring that the range of our Covid targeted capital supports such as the Covid Credit Guarantee Scheme, Future Growth Loan Scheme, Micro Finance Ireland Loan Scheme, Trading on Line Voucher Scheme can continue to be accessed by businesses. The additional current funding secured for the DETE Vote will also ensure that our Regulatory Agencies such as the Health and Safety Authority, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the National Standards Authority of Ireland can continue to meet the very significant increase in demands that the pandemic has placed on them.
The Tables below sets out some detail of the additional funding provided to the Department’s Agency Programmes in 2020 and 2021.
|
Subhead |
Additional Amount (REV 2021) |
|
A4 Intertrade Ireland |
€675k Capital |
|
A5 IDA |
€20m Capital + €1m Current |
|
A6 NSAI |
€1.5m Current |
|
A7 EI |
€45m Capital + €3.5m Current |
|
A8 LEO |
€6m Capital + €1.3m Current |
|
A14 SBCI |
€14.325m Capital |
|
A15 MFI |
€5m Capital |
|
B4 EI |
€5m Capital |
|
C5 HSA |
€4.2m Current |
|
C8 CCPC |
€2.9m Current |
In addition a further €100m in funding will be provided as initial tranche of funding from the Recovery Fund to support enterprise as they battle the Covid challenge.
The enterprise supports being provided by my Department are part of the Government’s continued response to Covid including measures such as the EWSS, PUP, CRSS schemes. I and my Department continue to actively engage across Government to ensure the necessary measures remain available to cushion the impacts of the pandemic on enterprises and workers.
24. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the absolute and relative number of persons with disabilities employed by his Department in each of the years 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020; if these persons are in full-time or part-time roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4524/21]
View answerThe number and percentage of persons with disabilities employed by my Department in each year from 2015 to 2019 is set out below. Data for 2020 is not yet available; this is compiled every year in advance of a 31st March deadline for reporting as set out by the National Disability Authority. Please note that as the data is collected on an anonymous basis I cannot provide details on whether these staff members are in full or part time roles.
|
Year |
Number of staff with disabilities |
% of staff with a disability |
|
2015 |
48 |
5.7% |
|
2016 |
44 |
5.2% |
|
2017 |
45 |
5.2% |
|
2018 |
45 |
5% |
|
2019 |
47 |
5.1% |
25. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of State and semi-State board appointments that fall under the aegis of his Department made since this Government took office including the name of the board or agency and the remuneration level associated with the board position, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4551/21]
View answerSince the current Government took office, a total of 16 appointments have been made to State and semi-State Boards under the aegis of my Department. Below are the numbers of appointments made to each relevant Board, and the remuneration level associated with each post. Please note that not all appointees may be in receipt of this remuneration in line with the 'one person one salary' principle.
|
Board |
Member appointed |
Remuneration level |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
3 |
€7,695 per person |
|
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority |
3 |
€7,695 per person |
|
Health & Safety Authority |
4 |
€7,695 per person |
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
1 |
€7,695 per person |
|
IDA Ireland |
5 |
€11,970 per person |
|
Total appointments |
16 |
26. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a list of all State and semi-State boards that fall under the aegis of his Department; the level of remuneration being paid to each board member including chairpersons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4564/21]
View answerPlease find below a list of all State and semi-State boards that fall under the aegis of my Department, and the level of remuneration being paid in each case. Please note that under the 'one person one salary' principle it is a requirement that public servants and public sector employees (with the exception of worker directors of commercial state bodies) who sit on State Boards may not be paid Board fees.
|
Board |
Member |
Remuneration paid |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
Clodagh Cavanagh |
€11,970 |
|
Colum Horgan |
€11,970 |
|
|
Conor Hanley |
€11,970 |
|
|
David Shanahan |
€11,970 |
|
|
Declan Hughes |
No board fees |
|
|
Elaine Coughlan |
€11,970 |
|
|
Geoff Meagher |
€11,970 |
|
|
Helen Ryan |
€11,970 |
|
|
John McMahon |
€11,970 |
|
|
Julie Sinnamon |
No board fees |
|
|
Lisa Dillon |
€11,970 |
|
|
Terence O’Rourke (Chair) |
€20,520 |
|
|
Health and Safety Authority |
Andrew Bowers |
€7,695 |
|
Bríd De Buitléar |
€7,695 |
|
|
Ciaran Roche |
€7,695 |
|
|
David Hughes |
€7,695 |
|
|
Deirdre Cullivan |
€7,695 |
|
|
Deirdre MacDonald |
€7,695 |
|
|
Frank Kelly |
€7,695 |
|
|
Mary Coyne |
€7,695 |
|
|
Michelle Quinn |
€7,695 |
|
|
Paul Kelly |
€7,695 |
|
|
Stephen Curran |
No Board fees |
|
|
Tom Coughlan (Chair) |
€11,970 |
|
|
IDA Ireland |
Barry O'Sullivan |
€11,970 |
|
Bill O’Connell |
€11,970 |
|
|
Ann Hargaden |
€11,970 |
|
|
Regina Moran |
€11,970 |
|
|
Dermot Mulligan |
No Board fees |
|
|
Frank Ryan (Chair) |
€20,520 |
|
|
Geraldine Mc Ginty (Dr.) |
€11,970 |
|
|
Kevin Cooney |
€11,970 |
|
|
Marian Corcoran |
€11,970 |
|
|
Martin D. Shanahan |
No Board fees |
|
|
Mary Mosse |
€11,970 |
|
|
Thomas (Tony) Kennedy |
€11,970 |
|
|
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority |
Martin Sisk (Chair) |
€11,970 |
|
Aisling Kennedy |
€7,695 |
|
|
Kevin Prendergast |
No Board fees |
|
|
Brendan Sheridan |
No Board fees |
|
|
Aisling McArdle |
€7,695 |
|
|
David Hegarty |
No Board fees |
|
|
Daniel Sinnott |
No Board fees |
|
|
Clodagh Hegarty |
€7,695 |
|
|
Ronan J Nolan |
€7,695 |
|
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
Aideen Goggin |
No Board fees |
|
Barry Smith |
No Board fees |
|
|
Conor Verdon |
No Board fees |
|
|
Geraldine Larkin |
No Board fees |
|
|
James Kennedy (Chair) |
€11,970 |
|
|
Maria McKeown |
No Board fees |
|
|
Marie O'Connell |
€7,695 |
|
|
Piers Deveraux |
€7,695 |
|
|
Valerie Bowens |
€7,695 |
|
|
William Engenton |
€7,695 |
|
|
Aoife Gleeson |
€7,695 |
|
|
Ethna Felten |
No Board fees |
|
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
Dermot Divilly (Chair) |
€20,520 |
|
Rosalind Carroll |
No Board fees |
|
|
Cathal Lafferty |
No Board fees |
|
|
Colette Crowne |
No Board fees |
|
|
Aengus Cummins |
€11,970 |
|
|
Walter Cullen |
€11,970 |
|
|
Margot Slattery |
€11,970 |
|
|
Dr. Jean O’Sullivan |
No Board fees |
|
|
Nuala Jackson |
€11,970 |
|
|
Karen Furlong |
€11,970 |
|
|
John Shine |
No Board fees |
|
|
Workplace Relations Commission |
Audrey Cahill |
No Board fees |
|
Deirdre O'Brien |
No Board fees |
|
|
Ethel Buckley |
No Board fees |
|
|
Geraldine Hynes |
No Board fees |
|
|
Liam Berney |
No Board fees |
|
|
Maeve Mc Elwee |
No Board fees |
|
|
Michelle O’Sullivan |
No Board fees |
|
|
Richard Devereux |
No Board fees |
|
|
Low Paid Commission |
Dr Donal de Buitleir (Chair) |
€20,520 |
|
Vincent Jennings |
€11,970 |
|
|
Mary Mosse |
€11,970 |
|
|
Tom Noonan |
€11,970 |
|
|
Caroline Fahey |
€11,970 |
|
|
Sinead Mullins |
€11,970 |
|
|
Frank Walsh |
No Board fees |
27. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated by his Department on the Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4756/21]
View answerAll expenditure incurred by my Department on COVID-19 communications was funded from the original budgetary allocation my Department received for Advertising and Information Resources. It is from this budgetary sub-head that all communications related expenditure is made.
As part of the broader Government’s COVID-19 Communications campaign, my Department promoted COVID-19 supports for business, and raised awareness around the Return to Work Safely Protocol as well as the safe reopening of the retail sector through a Shop Safely campaign.
The total expenditure incurred by my Department on the Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic is €7,466.16.
28. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding spent by his Department on the Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4767/21]
View answerThe amount of funding spent by my Department on the Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic is €7,466.16. The attached table sets out details of the costs incurred.
As part of the broader Government’s COVID-19 Communications campaign, my Department promoted COVID-19 supports for business, and raised awareness around the Return to Work Safely Protocol as well as the safe reopening of the retail sector through a Shop Safely campaign.
|
Project |
Company Involved |
Date |
Cost€ |
|
COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template |
Graphic design work by Emagine Media Ltd. |
April 2020 |
738.00 |
|
Supports for Small Businesses Animation |
Graphic design work by Long Lost Designs |
May 2020 |
1,107.00 |
|
Translation of Covid-19 Return to Work Safely Protocol |
Translated by Ling |
May 2020 |
799.50 |
|
Translation into Irish of the COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template |
Translated by Ling |
June to December 2020 |
1,295.69 |
|
Translation of Data Protection - Work Safely Protocol |
Translated by Ling |
July 2020 |
135.30 |
|
Re-Start Grant Animation |
Graphic design work by Long Lost Designs |
August 2020 |
984.00 |
|
Shop Safely Animation |
Graphic design work by Custodian Print Management Consultancy Ltd |
December 2020 |
1,494.00 |
|
Translation of Covid-19 Work Safely Protocol |
Translated by Ling |
December 2020 |
912.67 |
|
Total |
7466.16 |
29. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications received by SEAI in each of the years 2017 to 2020 under the better energy warmer homes scheme; the number of inspections carried out in each year; the number of houses in which works were carried out each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3566/21]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. There are currently over 7,000 homes on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. This includes homes that are: currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting the initial survey of their home.
A total of €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided for SEAI residential and community retrofit schemes in 2021. Of this amount, €109 million is provided to support lower income households to retrofit their homes with €100 million allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation for energy poverty schemes and means that almost half of the total SEAI residential and community retrofit budget will support people vulnerable to energy poverty. The funding will mean that more households can receive free energy efficiency upgrades making their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, in line with the Programme for Government.
The information requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below. COVID-19 negatively impacted activity in 2020, particularly between March and June when the scheme was fully paused in line with Government guidelines. The impact of the current restrictions on the scheme will be closely monitored and activity will recommence as soon as possible.
|
Warmer Homes Scheme work programme |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
New applications |
12,863 |
7,408 |
5,682 |
2,786 |
|
Homes surveyed |
10,881 |
7,323 |
3,235 |
1,650 |
|
Homes allocated to Contractors |
8,065 |
5,328 |
2,612 |
2,833 |
|
Homes completed |
6,554 |
5,255 |
3,142 |
1,524 |
|
Inspections carried out |
1,802 |
1,625 |
1,163 |
624 |
Recommendations on the implementation of changes to the scheme to better target those most in need will be finalised shortly.
30. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of State-owned buildings that will require retrofitting by county; the number that have been completed to date; the estimated investment that will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3584/21]
View answerThe Government has set a target that all public sector buildings should achieve a Building Energy Rating (BER) level of B by 2030. A research study, funded by the European Commission's Structure Reform Support Service was undertaken to inform the measures necessary to achieve this target and the total level of investment necessary. This study is currently being finalised.
While my Department does not keep a register of public sector buildings, the work carried out as part of the research study estimates there are up to 15,000 public sector buildings in Ireland of which circa 82% are owned with the remainder rented. This figure includes schools and other buildings which are considered public sector buildings but may not necessarily be State owned.
The study estimates that circa 8% of public sector buildings have a BER of at least B. This indicates that there are over 10,000 non-rented public sector buildings that will require an energy efficiency upgrade by 2030 in order to achieve the Government target.
The Public Sector Pathfinder Retrofit Programme, co-funded by my Department and administered by the SEAI, provides capital funding for energy retrofit building projects aimed at testing approaches and developing a model that can be replicated across the wider public sector. Since 2017, my Department has provided funding of over €36 million which has supported energy upgrades in 280 buildings. Under Budget 2021, funding for the Programme has more than doubled to €21 million from last year's Budget. I expect the level of exchequer funding for the retrofit of public sector buildings to increase further over the coming years.
31. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding fees on fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3585/21]
View answerAngling licences are required only for salmon and sea-trout over 40 cms. Angling for all other species does not require a licence. Licences attract a statutory duty rather than a fee and a range of licensing options at various duty rates is available, as set out in the table below. A licence, where applicable, is required by law for the activity of angling and does not relate to whether the activity involves harvest of fish or catch and release angling. The Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland submit recommendations every year on the level of licence duties. The duty for an annual licence was reduced by €20 at the start of the 2012 season due to the prevailing economic conditions at that time. The duty has not changed since then and I recently agreed to maintain the reduction again for 2021.
|
Licence Category |
Licence Type |
Duty Payable € |
|
A |
ANNUAL |
100 |
|
B |
DISTRICT |
56 |
|
P |
JUVENILE |
10 |
|
R |
21 DAY |
40 |
|
S |
1 DAY |
20 |
|
W |
FOYLE AREA EXT |
80 |
|
X |
SPECIAL LOCAL |
24 |
32. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the consultation results are publicly available on the website of his Department for each public consultation held by his Department or by a State agency under the remit of his Department over the past ten years; if the consultation discussion documents are publicly available on the website; if the consultation replies are published on the website; and if he will provide a link in regard to cases in which they are published and the reason in cases in which they are not published in tabular form. [3605/21]
View answerMy Department is committed to openness, transparency and inclusivity in relation to all matters of public engagement, and we are continuously exploring new ways to ensure that public participation in decision making is as accessible as possible. My Department has held over 100 consultations in the last ten years. Consultations from 2020 can be found at www.gov.ie/en/search/?type=consultations&organisation=department-of-the-environment-climate-and-communications. Gov.ie does not host any consultations by State Bodies under our aegis, and such consultations are a matter for the agencies directly. I will ask the agencies to respond directly to the Deputy.
Any discussion documents, reports, feedback or relevant documentation are included either on the original consultation page; the policy information page (which is generally linked to or tagged on the consultation page); or the draft policy information page. The replies or submissions to the vast majority of our consultations have also been published on the original consultation page, except in cases of commercial sensitivity or other factors that may be identified on a case by case basis.The results of consultations are generally referenced in the policy documents that they inform. In many cases there may be more than one consultation phase, and the results of initial consultations are communicated to inform further consultation phases or draft policy statements.
33. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the cause of the recent electricity shortages and amber alerts; and if the increased demand from data centres has been taken into account. [3606/21]
View answerSystem Alerts (previously known as amber alerts) are issued by EirGrid during periods when there is an elevated risk of not being able to meet electricity system demand. There were three System Alerts in 2020 and to-date in 2021 there has been one which occurred on Wednesday 6 January. As the transmission system operator EirGrid is responsible for the safe and secure operation of Ireland’s electricity system and has the experience and expertise necessary to manage the operation of the system ensuring that there has, to date, been no loss of supply to consumers due to the System Alerts. The System Alerts are due to a combination of factors including: increased demand for electricity, low levels of wind generation, some power stations not being available to generate when needed, and pressures on the electricity system in Great Britain which limits the benefits of electricity interconnectors. In addition, Covid-19 has led to an increased demand from the residential sector and has impacted the maintenance of some power stations reducing their availability at key times.
Increasing demand is a key factor taken into account in EirGrid's forward planning. The connection of new large energy users, such as data centres, is a key driver of electricity demand. EirGrid, in its Generation Capacity Statement 2020-2029, projects that demand from data centres could account for 27% of electricity demand by 2029.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid are taking a range of actions to ensure adequate generation capacity is available to meet demand. These actions include capacity market auctions which incentivise the development of new generation capacity.
My Department continues to engage with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid to ensure secure supplies of electricity to meet Ireland's needs.
34. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has information to show to the extent to which domestic turf cutting mitigates energy poverty; and the measures taken to alleviate energy poverty specifically. [3607/21]
View answerThe Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty, published in 2016, sets out a number of actions to alleviate the burden of energy poverty on the most vulnerable in society. Research undertaken by the ESRI shows that the proportion of households in or at risk of energy poverty has reduced from 28% to 17.4% over the lifetime of the strategy. Research also shows that the proportion of people who report that they are unable to afford to keep the home adequately warm, has fallen from 9% in 2015 to 4.4% in 2019. According to the SEAI report, Energy in Ireland 2020, peat (excluding briquettes) accounted for 4.5% of household energy in 2019, whereas oil, electricity and natural gas are far more significant sources of household energy, collectively representing 85% of household energy.
Domestic turf cutting is not considered to be a widely applicable approach to alleviating energy poverty at the national level. The Minister for Social Protection provides a range of supports to alleviate energy poverty. These include a Fuel Allowance payment, of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks, which is a total of €784 each year, from October to April, to an average of 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. In addition, the Minister for Social Protection also provides an electricity or gas allowance under the Household Benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €265 million in 2021. This is paid at a rate of €35 per month, 12 months of the year.
Improving the energy efficiency of a home can protect households from energy poverty. I have provided funding to the SEAI to deliver a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 142,000 households have received free upgrades leaving them better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The 2021 budget for SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes is €109 million with €100 million allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation and means that almost half of the total SEAI residential and community retrofit budget will support people vulnerable to energy poverty. €20 million in revenues from the carbon tax has also been allocated to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to pilot an aggregated delivery of retrofitting in the Midlands. €65 million has also been provided from the exchequer to that Department to retrofit local authority homes.
Protections are also in place for those falling into difficulty with their energy bills. The CRU requires all electricity and gas suppliers to maintain a Code of Practice for Vulnerable Customers. This ensures that vulnerable customers cannot have their supply disconnected. It also ensures that people who are engaging with their supplier in relation to difficulties in paying their bills cannot be disconnected.
The Deputy may also be aware of the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme. This scheme is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and was established in 2011 for active domestic turf cutters arising from the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation and was extended in 2014 to include raised bog natural heritage areas. This scheme is applicable to turf cutters who have been affected by the designation of raised bogs as special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas and who fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme. It is comprised of a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with payment of €500 on the signing of a legal agreement under the scheme. There are in the region of 2,600 qualifying applicants in the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme. Over 25,000 payments have been made under the scheme, to date, amounting to €37 million. 1,215 deliveries of turf have been made at a cost of just over €2.45 million.
35. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if telecomms providers will help customers remain connected as per the Covid-19 consumer commitments to which providers committed during the first wave of the pandemic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3613/21]
View answerProviding telecommunication services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. I recognise how vital telecommunications services are to citizens for so many aspects of their daily lives, including remote working, studying and staying in touch with family members during the Covid-19 crisis. In April of last year, all major telecommunications providers in Ireland committed to a number of measures to help people stay in touch and work from home during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, a number of operators have implemented further supports for consumers, such as for students in education, who require a high data usage package, by increasing data limits on many existing packages and by the introduction of new packages with very high, or unlimited data offerings. As a result, the market for mobile packages with very high, or unlimited data offerings, is becoming increasingly competitive, which is a positive development for consumers.
Operators have committed to engaging with any customer that contacts them who is in financial difficulty as a result of COVID-19 and has difficulty paying their bills to agree the best way of keeping them connected to voice and data.
36. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a post office service (details supplied) will be reinstated in County Clare as a matter of urgency given the hardship for young and old trying to access the service during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3621/21]
View answerOperational matters relating to the Post Office Network, including plans for individual post offices, are a matter for the Board and management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have a role.
37. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his strategy for the sustainability and expansion of the compost industry in Ireland; his plans to expand the brown bin service to all households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3670/21]
View answerThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, which I launched last September, sets out the ambition to realise the composting potential of the food waste resource. The Plan commits to a number of specific measures which will support the expansion of the brown bin service to all households in the State, including:
- Continuing to commit resources nationally to the prevention of food waste and to the regulation of optimal food waste collection and treatment practices;
- Making the provision of an organic waste bin mandatory as part of a waste collection service for all households;
- Through changes to waste collection permits, and working with the Local Authority sector, ensuring that every householder has access to a reliable, clean and sustainable way of managing food waste;
- Working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make regulatory changes in planning and tenancy laws required to ensure apartment dwellers are provided with infrastructure to support food waste segregation;
- Using National Waste Collection Permit Office and other ‘brown bin’ data to develop strategies and investigate how new technology can support greater usage;
- Incorporating municipal waste recycling targets as conditions of waste collection permits;
- Standardising colour coding of bins across the State on a phased basis (including the brown bin for organic waste);
- Ensuring household waste management will be an operational and enforcement priority for all stakeholders;
- Delivering sustained and visible public behavioural change campaigns to encourage waste prevention and recycling.
These actions will help support indigenous treatment capacity, including a sustainable compost industry.
38. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expenditure on national public awareness campaigns for waste services (details supplied) over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3671/21]
View answerMy Department has spent approximately €4.4 million since 2016 on awareness raising measures on various aspects of better waste management, through campaigns organised directly by my Department and also through supporting the Regional Waste Management Offices in their ongoing efforts through mywaste.ie, with the amounts spent annually shown below:
2020 €707,757
2019 €846,122
2018 €1,423,025
2017 €1,357,966
2016 €27,788
In addition, my Department also provides funding to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support the National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP) which has a major focus on awareness raising and effecting behavioural change with food waste identified as a priority area. The EPA has spent approximately €2.8 million since 2010 on food waste prevention and on the Stop Food Waste Campaign. More detailed information on their annual food waste spending in the table at the link below.
The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, which I published in September 2020, sets out an ambitious range of actions that will place Ireland in the top tier of EU waste performance, including measures to empower households and businesses through education and awareness raising.
39. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if funding will be provided under the just transition fund for projects (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3682/21]
View answer51. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that have been taken to assist the horticultural peat sector under the just transition fund. [4007/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 51 together.
The objective of the Just Transition Fund is to fund innovative projects that contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the Midlands region and which have employment and enterprise potential.
My Department held a competitive call for applications to this Fund, which closed on 17 July 2020, in response to which over 100 applications were received. Provisional offers of funding totalling €29 million have now been made to 63 projects, of which 16 have already concluded funding agreements with my Department. Further information on these projects is available on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund.
Of the remaining projects which are subject to finalisation of funding agreements, a number have been subject to a further state aid assessment to finalise the level of funding that may be granted. These projects have been informed of the outcome of this assessment and have been requested to provide further financial information to my Department.
Subject to satisfactory verification of this additional information and the provision of additional relevant material, such as proof of planning permission, my Department intends to issue final letters of offer and funding agreements to all provisionally approved projects. No formal funding commitments will be entered into by my Department unless and until a final letter of offer and funding agreement has been concluded by both the Department and the relevant project.
In relation to assistance for the horticultural peat sector, a number of provisionally approved projects under the Just Transition Fund relate to agricultural enterprises and peatlands-orientated recreational amenity projects.
In addition, the Government has separately approved funding of €108 million for Bord na Móna’s large-scale peatlands restoration project on 24 November 2020. The plan will protect the storage of 100 million tonnes of carbon, create approximately 350 jobs, and contribute to Ireland’s target of being climate-neutral by 2050.
While my Department has no direct role in relation to the horticulture sector, a working group is being established by the Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the future role of peat in the horticulture sector, in relation to a long-term solution for peat alternatives for horticultural purposes.
40. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of homes that will remain without access to high-speed broadband after the national broadband plan is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3701/21]
View answerUnder the National Broadband Plan (NBP), the State has stepped in to ensure homes and businesses that do not have access to high speed broadband will be assured of such a service. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. A combination of commercial investment and the State led intervention will ensure access to high speed broadband in every part of the country and no-one will be left behind no matter how remote.
41. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which it is ensured that State retrofitting funding is directed to areas it is most needed, that is, to the lowest income, coldest and most vulnerable households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3702/21]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, funded by my Department, delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 142,000 households have received free upgrades leaving them better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level.The 2021 budget for SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes is €109 million with €100 million allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation and means that almost half of the total SEAI residential and community retrofit budget this year will support people vulnerable to energy poverty. To qualify for the scheme, homes must be built before 2006 and recipients must be in receipt of a qualifying payment from the Department of Social Protection. These are:
- Fuel Allowance
- Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and have a child under seven years of age
- Working Family Payment
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
- Carers Allowance and live with the person you are caring for Recommendations on the implementation of changes to the scheme to better target those most in need will be finalised shortly.
In addition to the above, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Energy Efficiency Programme for 2021 has been allocated a budget of €65 million. This represents an increase of €20 million when compared to the 2020 allocation.
The Minister for Social Protection provides a Fuel Allowance payment, of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks, which is a total of €784 each year, from October to April, to an average of 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. In addition, the Minister for Social Protection also provides an electricity or gas allowance under the Household Benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €265 million in 2021. This is paid at a rate of €35 per month, 12 months of the year.
