Written Answers Nos. 38-65
38. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Health and Safety Authority inspections in each month since September 2020 nationally and specifically in construction sites including the total number of these that were unannounced. [11702/21]
View answerBetween the 1st September 2020 to the 27th February 2021 the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has carried out 4,119 workplace inspections across a wide range of sectors, of which 1,495 were carried out on the construction sector. All of these inspections in the construction sector were unannounced.
The table below details the numbers of inspections per month in all sectors and construction sector since 1st September 2020 to the 27th February 2021.
Health & Safety Authority Inspections
|
September 2020 |
October 2020 |
November 2020 |
December 2020 |
January 2021 |
February 2021 |
|
|
All Inspections |
823 |
660 |
637 |
820 |
556 |
623 |
|
Construction Inspections |
453 |
328 |
312 |
75 |
121 |
206 |
Note: The inspection figures are provisional. Inspection figures are subject to change due to delays in recording inspections arising from other priority work commitments
Under the Public Health Act (Infectious Diseases) Regulations, all infectious diseases are required to be reported to the Public Health Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting system (CIDR), which is managed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). COVID -19 was included under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 53 of 2020) on the 28th February 2020. Request for numbers and details on numbers of outbreaks in any sector should be made to the HPSC. Management of outbreaks of COVID-19 come under the Departments of Public Health and specifically the Medical Officer of Health.
The HSA is involved with Public Health outbreak control teams, including those in the construction sector and it continues to support and work with public health experts in dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks.
The HSA is the lead agency in relation to the assessment of compliance with the Work Safely Protocol in workplaces, including construction sites, which remain open at the various levels of restrictions.
39. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the monthly figures for employment permits provided for persons to work in various sectors by sector including the agri-food sector and by country of nationality of the permit holder for the period March 2020 to January 2021 and from March 2019 to January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11712/21]
View answerThe statistics requested by the Deputy regarding the monthly figures of employment permits ( new and renewals) granted broken down by sector and by country of nationality of the permit holder for the period from March 2020 to January 2021 and from March 2019 to January 2020 are set out in the two attached tables.
40. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when eligible businesses can apply for the Covid-19 business aid scheme. [11718/21]
View answerAs you are aware, I recently announced a new €60m Scheme, called the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS), that is being developed to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes and is designed to help with fixed costs. Wholesalers, suppliers, caterers and events companies down 75% or more in turnover and who are in receipts of a rates bill can benefit.
Details of the scheme are currently being finalised and I expect to announce shortly that the Local Authorities will begin taking applications this month.
I am committed to helping businesses respond to the economic challenges arising from the pandemic with a particular focus on firms that do not qualify for the weekly CRSS grant from the Revenue Commissioners or existing sectoral schemes in areas such as the arts, transport and tourism.
While the CBAS grant is modest it will be of substantial assistance to smaller businesses with some of their fixed costs like rent, utilities and security.
As it is an ever changing situation, I want to assure you that I and my colleagues across Government will continue to keep the range of supports under review.
41. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the European Union’s blockage of the Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and Treatment of Covid-19; if he will address the concerns of non-Governmental organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11814/21]
View answerSince October 2020, South Africa and India among other countries, have presented a proposal to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to allow all countries to choose to neither grant nor enforce any patents or other intellectual property rights related to COVID-19 drugs, vaccines and diagnostics for the duration of the pandemic. The proposers argue that this would allow countries to scale up the manufacture of such products.
International Trade is a competence of the EU under the Treaties. In exercising that competence of the WTO, the European Commission engages with Member States, including Ireland, through a variety of Committees and Working Parties/Groups, including on intellectual property.
The EU’s current position on the proposed waiver is that the WTO international agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (the TRIPS Agreement) allows countries the flexibility to respond to the concerns raised by proposers of the waiver. Specifically, the TRIPS agreement allows compulsory licensing which is when a government permits an entity to produce the patented product or process without the consent of the patent owner.
The EU continues to be committed to an open and comprehensive dialogue with all WTO members to explore how the multilateral rules-based trading system can best support universal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
The EU considers that the COVAX Facility, the international initiative to ensure global supply and access to COVID vaccines, is the mechanism that is best placed to ensure that high-income countries finance the vaccines and support the developing countries to secure their share of global supply.
Ireland has consistently championed collaborative responses to the pandemic, with a focus on ensuring that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are served by our collective effort. As a member of the global health community, Ireland continues to play an active role in ensuring fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. This includes supporting the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Global Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund, to develop, produce and equitably distribute effective technologies in the COVID-19 global response.
42. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if supports are available or will be provided for businesses in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11933/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on businesses right across the country. Businesses are making sacrifices in order to protect their communities.
With this in mind the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. The PUP and EWSS are extended now by Government to end of June and I would encourage anyone impacted by COVID-19 to examine again their eligibility for these schemes and to contact their local Intreo office.
I would urge business owners to seek the supports outlined above if they have not already done so. I would also suggest they contact their Local Enterprise Office who can signpost them and advise them of supports that may be available for their business.
Budget 2021 provided 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. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website.
I recently announced a new €60m Scheme, called the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS), that is being developed to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes and is designed to help with fixed costs. The details of this scheme are currently being finalised and it is expected they will be announced shortly.
43. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available to small start-up businesses that have not begun trading yet but have been attempting to start up in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis; if directors of such start-up companies can avail of any income supports; if a company (details supplied) that is attempting to trade since the crisis can avail of funding supports under current Covid specific supports for businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11951/21]
View answerThe 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide are a ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other assistance to those wishing to start or grow their own business and act as a ‘signposting’ service for all Government grants ad loan Schemes available to the SME sector. The LEOs will also provide information and or referrals to other relevant bodies under agreed protocols e.g. Revenue, Micro Finance Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, LEADER, and Enterprise Ireland.
The LEOs offer direct grant aid to microenterprises up to 10 employees in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector. Start-up businesses that have not begun trading may avail of LEO Feasibility Grant, Priming Grant and all ancillary supports including Training, Management Development and Mentoring subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
Feasibility Grants linked to the Pre-Start phase and their purpose is to help start-up companies or individual entrepreneurs with the cost of researching their proposed business or new business idea to see if it could be viable and sustainable.
Priming Grants for businesses trading less than 18 months, aim to help them get the business with the associated costs of start-up. The maximum Priming Grant payable is 50% of the investment or €150,000 – whichever is less.
The Local Enterprise Offices do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services or construction and or local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses.
Businesses may also be eligible for the Trading Online Voucher scheme, which offers a voucher of up to €2,500 (50% co- funded by the applicant) to help businesses develop their online trading capability and includes training sessions that cover various topics, including developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation.
The Local Enterprise Offices can also assist clients with applications to Microfinance Ireland for small business loans of between €2,000 and €25,000 (unsecured). Loans for commercially viable proposals can be used to help fund start-up costs, working capital or business expansion and by applying through their Local Enterprise Office, clients can avail of a 1% reduction in the interest rate charged.
On the matter of whether directors of start-up companies themselves can avail of funding, if the director is a proprietary director, i.e. he or she has control of 15% or more shareholding, that would render them ineligible for such funding. However, new businesses can avail of EWSS for employees provided those businesses meet the relevant turnover test criteria.
For 2021 paydates, this reduction in turnover or orders is relative to:
- the same period in 2019 where the business was in existence prior to 1 January 2019;
- where the business commenced trading between 1 January and 1 May 2019, the date of commencement to 30 June 2019; or
- where a business commenced after 1 May 2019, the projected turnover or orders for 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021.
44. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if representations were made by his Department on behalf of the Irish cultural industry in negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the European Union and Canada; and if so, the details of same. [11984/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will no doubt be aware International Trade Policy is an exclusive EU competence under the EU Treaties and defined as the Common Commercial Policy. Under this architecture the Commission represents Ireland and other Member States, taking into account the needs of individual Member States and the collective good of the Union in international trade negotiations.
The EU's Trade Policy Committee (TPC) advises and assists the Commission in negotiating agreements with third countries, such as Canada, or in international organisations in the area of the common commercial policy. It also acts as one of the preparatory bodies in the decision-making process of the Council as regards EU trade policy. My Department represents Ireland at the TPC and engages with other Government Departments, as relevant issues arise, to ensure Ireland’s interests are considered in all EU Trade Policy related matters.
EU-Canada negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) started in May 2009 and were concluded at the EU-Canada Summit on 26 September 2014. CETA is currently applied on a provisional basis, since September 2017, with the ratification process still ongoing at the EU Member State level. Canada has already completed its ratification process.
The Agreement covers virtually every aspect of economic activity and will provide new market opportunities in many sectors for Irish firms given the extensive bilateral business links between Ireland and Canada. Indeed, outside of Europe, the US and China, Canada is our largest indigenous export market. More than 400 Enterprise Ireland clients are doing business in the Canadian market employing over 6,000 people. Since the commencement of provisional application, duties on 98% of products that the EU trades with Canada have been removed. Furthermore, exports of Irish goods and services to Canada totalled approximately €3.9 billion in 2019, a 35% increase compared to 2016, the last full year, prior to the provisional application of CETA.
CETA will enhance Canadian consumer’s access to the EU’s and Ireland’s all important creative and cultural goods. For example, under CETA, Canadian tariffs on EU jewellery of up to 8.5% are now eliminated, benefiting Irish and European exporters, including SMEs and individual designers/ craftspeople. With Canada ending 99% of its tariffs on European goods, numerous European creative and cultural goods have become cheaper on the Canadian market. Furthermore, textiles and clothing made in the EU, once taxed at 18% - are now tariff-free.
CETA has an entire chapter dedicated to protecting the intellectual property of EU and Canadian producers. This is of particular benefit to the EU’s film, music and publishing industries. Both the EU and Canada largely align their intellectual property laws and commitments to international agreements such as the Berne Convention for the Protections of Literary and Artistic Works and the Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organisations.
Under CETA’s conformity process, the EU’s cultural and creative industries now benefit from the same intellectual property protections in Canada as they do domestically. Canada has also committed to strengthening its border inspections for counterfeit trademark goods, especially coming as a benefit for the EU’s textile, clothing and interior designers; while they will also enhance their effort to tackle pirated copyright goods, which would greatly help the EU and Irish artists, musicians and writers.
The global economy is changing in ways that are making trade more important than ever before. As a small, open economy, Ireland has benefitted immensely from our export orientated enterprises trading across the globe and, therefore, we fully support balanced international trade and the suite of EU Free Trade Agreements, including CETA, that seek to underpin this. Diversifying trade is a key priority for this Government and an important part of our Brexit response and it will be an important factor in Ireland’s economic recovery post-pandemic. The best way to achieve export growth and market diversification is by improving the terms of trade for Irish firms. It is important that we continue to secure greater market access for our exports and reduce the costs of entering those markets.
46. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will open the humanitarian flood support scheme for weather events in February 2021 (details supplied). [12032/21]
View answerMy Department provides funding on an emergency humanitarian basis as a contribution towards the costs of returning business premises and community, voluntary and sporting bodies, that cannot secure flood insurance, to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock. The Scheme is administered through an MOU between my Department and the Irish Red Cross.
The Scheme may be invoked following a Government Decision to provide funding on the basis of confirmation received from the local authority and the National Emergency Coordination Group that relevant damage has occurred. My Department remains ready to assist should there be a necessity to do so and this matter is currently being considered.
47. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will introduce a support scheme for businesses that do not pay rates. [12111/21]
View answerThe financial support the Government is providing businesses and workers affected by the pandemic is unprecedented. Almost a million people of working age are now in receipt of weekly payments including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), Employment Wage Subsidy (EWSS) and Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance. Support for business includes the weekly CRSS payment for businesses forced to close their doors to the public, reduced VAT rates, a commercial rates holiday, the Sustaining Enterprise Fund, the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme as well as low cost loans.
Budget 2021 provided 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. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website.
These measures are in addition to the €7 billion July Stimulus of enterprise measures, which includes the Wage Subsidy Scheme extended through 2021, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst self-employed. We are providing for an extension of the tax warehousing scheme to include repayments of Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme funds owed by employers and preliminary tax obligations for adversely affected businesses.
As announced in the July Stimulus, the Enterprise Support Grant was extended to assist eligible self-employed, including sole traders, who exit the PUP or jobseekers schemes, to re-start their business. Further information is available at www.gov.ie. The PUP and EWSS are now extended to end of June.
I acknowledge that many businesses who do not trade from a commercial premises have been severely impacted, and for those individuals and businesses, Government has already moved to provide income supports in the form of the PUP, TWSS and EWSS which are payable regardless of sector and are available to employees, sole traders and proprietary directors. Where gaps have been identified, Government has moved quickly to fill those gaps and to ensure that nobody is left behind. Self-employed individuals can now earn up to €960 over an 8 week period and still remain eligible for the PUP.
The Deputy should also note that in the 2021 Budget, the Government allocated significant additional resources to Departments to provide help to different sectors. I would highlight the €395m provided to the Department of Transport and the €222m allocated to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
These additional monies will go towards helping businesses, including self employed and those that are not rate paying businesses, such as through the €30m for private bus operators, €55m for a focused business scheme for strategic tourism businesses along with a €50m scheme for the live entertainment sector.
These are in addition to financial assistance and other schemes provided to businesses via Enterprise Ireland, InterTrade Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices.
The three main schemes, the CRSS, EWSS and PUP compare favourably with any other packages on offer in other countries. The Government is very much open to proposals as to how we can help further but the Government schemes are generally designed to help meet fixed costs that cannot be avoided and it is not possible to provide compensation for loss of personal income or profits.
I will continue to monitor closely the range of government schemes in place along with my Ministerial colleagues.
48. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged with National Broadband Ireland on any aspect of broadband provision in the past six months; and the outcome of any engagement. [12117/21]
View answerI am meeting with National Broadband Ireland this week.
50. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the necessary financial support as proposed by a union (details supplied) will be provided to establish an annual public service obligation with a view to supporting, underpinning and safeguarding the network of post offices throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11943/21]
View answer58. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions his Department is taking to support and strengthen the rural post office network and the wider post office network; if he will support the recommendations of a report (details supplied) on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11133/21]
View answer61. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the recommendations of a report (details supplied) in relation to the post office network will be implemented. [11398/21]
View answer81. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has studied the proposals in a report (details supplied) for the support mechanism for postal services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11626/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 58, 61 and 81 together.
I have reviewed the report referred to. I am aware of the serious decline in mail volumes and the impact that Covid-19 has had on footfall through post offices and on the postal network.
A lot of work has been done over the past few years to develop the post office network and this has had a positive effect for both postmasters and customers. This momentum needs to be maintained and if An Post, the postmasters and Government work together we can ensure that the network can emerge as a central hub for a wide variety of valuable community-focused services.
An Post has this week announced a new partnership with Bank of Ireland to offer personal and SME withdrawal and lodgement services to Bank of Ireland customers across the An Post network of 940 post offices nationwide. This follows the announcement by Bank of Ireland on Monday that it is to close over 100 of its offices in Ireland. This builds on the agency banking services An Post already provides for a number of other leading banks including AIB and Ulster Bank with more than 4.5 million transactions and a cash value of almost €1.5bn annually.
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.
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. I intend to set out a series of next steps on the Offline Services Report shortly.
We are working with An Post to investigate the scope to channel additional services through the network. As with any business the post office needs to develop commercial strategies to enable it to grow and maintain its relevance for its users. 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.
In the circumstances, there are no proposals to introduce a Government funded subsidy for the post office network.
51. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date for the publication of the updated climate action plan. [10973/21]
View answerAs set out in the Programme for Government, we are committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, in line with EU ambitions. I am working with colleagues across Government to develop a new Climate Action Plan, with additional initiatives in every sector to bring about the significant change needed to transform our society. The Climate Action Plan will require annual revisions to address the need for intensive and regular monitoring and updating of policy actions to ensure we remain on track and within our emissions limits, and will act as a further review mechanism and opportunity to adjust and refocus actions, as required.
The Government’s Climate Action Plan is due to be published in Summer 2021.
52. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date for the commencement of the first tranche of payments to projects approved to date under the Just Transition Fund. [10974/21]
View answerThe Just Transition Fund is a key pillar of the Government’s just transition plan for the Midlands. The Fund is supporting projects to generate sustainable employment in the region, and communities to transition to a low carbon economy. The objective 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. A first tranche of payments has already been made by my Department to 'strand 1' projects with a value of up to €100,000 per project. A total of €140,097 was paid to seven of these projects in September 2020 as pre-funding to enable the commencement of projects, where required. My Department expects to receive additional payment requests from strand 1 projects in the coming months on the basis of the costs they have incurred in project delivery and having met agreed project milestones. The timing of claim requests depends on the specific project.
A further 47 projects have received provisional offers of funding under 'strand 2' in November 2020. Projects which do not fall within state aid rules are currently undergoing final verification and my Department expects to issue final letters of offer and funding agreements shortly to projects that meet the verification requirements. Projects subject to state aid must assess and submit to my Department their eligible project costs to ensure compliance with state aid rules and this process is ongoing. This assessment will determine the amount of funding that can be granted by the Department to each project. Once this process is complete, these projects will move forward to the verification stage as outlined above.
Once projects have signed a funding agreement with my Department, they will be able to commence project delivery, can apply for project pre-funding, and can subsequently make payment requests on the basis of costs incurred and agreed project milestones.
53. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date for the publication of a hydrogen policy statement. [10976/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out the need for research and development of hydrogen from renewable sources, known as ‘green hydrogen’, for use as a fuel for power generation, manufacturing, energy storage and transport.In July 2020, the European Commission published a hydrogen strategy for a carbon-neutral Europe. Ireland welcomed the hydrogen strategy, including the need to support the deployment of green hydrogen in line with the Programme for Government. Ireland also supported the publication of the Council Conclusions on a hydrogen market for Europe in October 2020. In the development of these conclusions, Ireland strongly supported the need to focus on green hydrogen.In that context, my Department is working with relevant Departments, agencies and stakeholders to inform Ireland's future policies in relation to hydrogen.
54. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish findings by his Department on the recommended future uses for the peat plant sites at Shannonbridge, County Offaly and Lanesborough, County Longford. [10977/21]
View answerThe first progress report of the Just Transition Commissioner, Mr Kieran Mulvey, published on 22 May 2020, included a recommendation that a study be undertaken in relation to the future potential of the ESB power stations at both Lanesborough (Lough Ree Power) and Shannonbridge (West Offaly Power) for the establishment of a dedicated Energy Hub in the Midlands. This was subsequently included as a commitment in the Programme for Government. A feasibility study into the establishment of a Green Energy Hub using the existing infrastructure at the West Offaly and Lough Ree sites has been underway over the last number of months. This is being overseen by a steering group chaired by ESB, and includes representatives of my Department, relevant Local Authorities, and the Just Transition Commissioner.
To inform this group’s work, the ESB commissioned an internal engineering report to examine how the power plants might be re-used in the future. This report was subsequently reviewed by Fichtner on behalf of ESB, an external international consultancy firm with acknowledged expertise in these areas. I expect that the work of the group will finish shortly, and will reach conclusions on the viable use of the existing infrastructure.
I have separately been informed by the ESB that it intends to lodge planning applications shortly to develop additional energy services at these sites. These will include synchronous condensers and energy storage capabilities at both locations. These applications are in anticipation of future competitions to be run by the energy regulator and EirGrid for the provision of these services. The future use and management of ESB-owned facilities remains the responsibility of the Board and management of ESB.
I understand that the ESB and the Just Transition Commissioner have provided updates in relation to this work at recent meetings of the Midlands Regional Transition Team.
55. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the level of delays in completion of actions within the existing Climate Action Plan; his plans to address the missed targets in the updated action plan; and the penalties proposed for the missing of targets to be imposed on the relevant State agencies in the updated action plan. [10978/21]
View answerThe most recently published quarterly progress report on the Climate Action Plan 2019 shows an average delivery rate of approximately 80%. The reports can be found here https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/55fde-climate-action-important-publications/. The Government is committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, in line with EU ambitions.
I have initiated a review of the Climate Action Plan 2019 with the updated plan to be published in Summer 2021. This review will allow for consideration of any policies or measures needed to reinforce the delivery of the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2019, as well as those policies and measures needed to deliver the further step up in ambition.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill will significantly strengthen the overarching climate governance framework, place in law a national climate objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, and embed a process of carbon budgeting, including sectoral emission ceilings. The plans and strategies established on a statutory footing under the Bill will require that policies are put in place to ensure carbon budget ceilings are not breached. Putting these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future governments for sustained climate action.
The Bill also provides for a significantly strengthened accountability and oversight role by the Oireachtas. Each year, relevant Ministers will be required to give account to an Oireachtas Committee on their performance in adhering to their sector’s greenhouse gas emission ceilings. Where Ministers are not in compliance with the targets, they will need to outline what corrective and additional measures are envisaged, and respond to any recommendations made by the Committee within three months. This ‘comply or explain’ approach will ensure greater oversight is provided.
In addition, the annual update to the Climate Action Plan will also provide an opportunity to set out corrective actions, where necessary, to comply with sectoral targets.
56. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures being taken by his Department to include 6% of hedgerows in calculations relating to carbon sequestration figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11051/21]
View answerGreenhouse gas emissions and removals associated with Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) are reported in Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions inventory prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and submitted annually to the EU and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. LULUCF includes activities associated with forestry, croplands, grasslands, wetlands, settlements and other lands. Hedgerows, as landscape features within the cropland and grassland categories can form part of the emissions and removal estimates for these land use categories. It is important to note that in line with international reporting guidelines, emissions and removals of greenhouse gases associated with land based activities are reported in a different category to those associated with agricultural activity, which are accounted for under the Effort Sharing Regulation. The LULUCF (Regulation (EU) 2018/841) has established the mechanisms whereby LULUCF activities, including forestry, are to be included in Member States emissions reduction targets for 2021 to 2030 under the Effort Sharing Regulation (Regulation (EU) 842/2018).
Data capture and measurement are core pillars for any accounting of carbon sequestration potential. As noted in the Climate Action Plan 2019, the biggest challenge in the data capture for Irish hedgerows is the quantification of the above and below ground biomass. To address the lack of data on the potential for hedgerow carbon sequestration, Teagasc has recently commenced a research project called “Farm-Carbon – Farm Hedgerows and Non-forest Woodland Carbon”. This project is due to be completed by the end of 2022. The overall objective of this project is to advance the understanding of the contribution of hedgerows and non-forest woodland to carbon stocks in agricultural landscapes, and to identify approaches to maintain and enhance this contribution.
Finally, as part of the on-going EPA land-use mapping project, work is currently underway to bring together the various available spatial datasets so that full coverage of land-use features, including hedgerows, within the spatial land-use map can be derived. However, while the development of recent mapping capabilities will allow for the identification of landscape features such as hedgerows as they are currently, there are difficulties in assessing these features for historical years for which mapping capabilities and spatial datasets are less well developed. Information for past years is extremely important in the context of establishing change in land use and landscape features given that the base years for the LULUCF Regulation (Regulation 842/2018) are the 2005-2009 period.
57. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the availability of SEAI grants for those in private homes to retrofit and insulate their homes; the take-up of such grants; the current waiting time for a person that may wish to avail of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11067/21]
View answerMy Department funds a number of SEAI grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Partial grants are available for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty. Since 2000, around 450,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. Last year alone, although COVID-19 restrictions had a negative impact on activity, over 17,500 homes were retrofitted with SEAI support. €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided this year for SEAI residential and community retrofit schemes. This represents an additional €100 million, or an 82% increase, on the 2020 allocation and is the largest ever budget for the schemes.
Waiting times vary across schemes. Under the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, in 2020 the average time from application to completion was approximately 18 months, which reflects the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. SEAI have advised my Department that this average waiting time should only ever be used as a general guide and waiting times may vary, based on the demand for the scheme at the time of application.
Under the Better Energy Homes programme, works must be completed within an 8-month period, starting from the date of grant approval.
Aggregation based supports such as Community Energy Grant and the National Retrofit Scheme approve applications which meet the qualifying criteria on an ongoing basis within the annual budget. Work on these schemes can commence as soon as grant approvals are given to each project with works to be completed by mid-October of this year.
Full details on the application processes for all schemes operated by the SEAI are available at www.seai.ie
59. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review correspondence on an issue in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); if the issue will be highlighted with the relevant authorities in order for the issue to be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11193/21]
View answerThis is an operational matter directly for An Post. The matter has been referred to the company to investigate and respond directly to the individual concerned.
60. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of contracts of €25,000 or more that have been awarded by his Department or bodies under his aegis that were found to be non-compliant with procurement guidelines in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the value and nature of the contact work carried out in each case; the year of each contract in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11375/21]
View answerIn general, competitive tendering is used by my Department unless exceptional circumstances exist which justifies the use of an alternative approach. Circular 40/02 on public procurement provides for cases where competitive tendering may not be appropriate, feasible or cost-effective. Non-compliant contracts of €25,000 or more are disclosed by my Department each year in its Appropriation Account which is audited by Comptroller and Auditor General. Details of such contracts which were awarded since 2018 are shown in the tables below.
2018
|
Nature of contract |
Contract Value (Ex VAT) |
|
Management of the National Digital Research Centre |
€5,250,000 |
|
Financial and procurement advisory services in relation to the National Broadband Plan |
€1,140,014 |
|
Technical advisory services in relation to the National Broadband Plan |
€1,093,014 |
|
Legal advisory services in relation to the National Broadband Plan |
€1,087,564 |
|
Economic and strategy advisory services in relation to the National Broadband Plan |
€250,000 |
|
Legal advice in relation to Shell’s proposed divestment of its shareholding of Shell in Corrib Gas Field |
€100,000 |
2019
|
Nature of contract |
Contract Value (Ex VAT) |
|
Mobile phones |
€189,571 |
|
Fixed phones |
€135,661 |
|
Cleaning Services |
€120,017 |
|
Cleaning Services |
€67,309 |
|
Legal drafting services |
€25,000 |
|
Media Monitoring Services |
€59,546 |
|
Legal advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
€1,200,000 |
|
Legal advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
€600,000 |
|
Financial and procurement advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
€850,000 |
|
Financial and procurement advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
€850,000 |
|
Technical advisory services to support the National Broadband Plan |
€700,000 |
|
Technical advisory services to support the National Broadband Plan |
€430,375 |
|
Specialist personnel to support the National Broadband Plan |
€300,000 |
|
Taxation advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
€40,000 |
|
Taxation advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
€30,000 |
|
Economic and strategy advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
€300,000 |
|
Economic and strategy advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
€100,000 |
|
Insurance advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
€94,838 |
|
Management of the National Digital Research Centre |
€2,330,000 |
|
Advisory services in relation to the procurement of a MSE for the Galway-Mayo Telecoms Duct |
€32,301 |
|
Advisory services in relation to the procurement of ECAS |
€41,000 |
|
ObSERVE services to survey the western Irish Sea |
€270,109 |
|
Chair of Price Monitoring Group |
€70,000 |
|
Seismic Programme |
€50,000 |
|
Fuel |
€70,744 |
|
Insurance |
€64,529 |
|
Fuel Cards |
€67,430 |
|
Electrical Maintenance |
€80,000 |
|
Filming |
€60,000 |
|
Electric Vehicle |
€30,679 |
|
Maintenance |
€120,000 |
|
Consultancy Services |
€62,467 |
|
Maintenance |
€50,000 |
|
Maintenance |
€50,000 |
|
Support on Wind Energy Guidelines Noise Provisions |
€35,700 |
|
Marginal abatement cost curve for Ireland |
€318,000 |
2020
|
Nature of contract |
Contract Value (Ex VAT) |
|
Just Transition Commissioner |
€30,000 |
|
Legal advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
€57,000 |
|
Financial and procurement advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
€322,096 |
|
Management of the National Digital Research Centre |
€606,129 |
2021 (To Date)
|
Nature of contract |
Contract Value (Ex VAT) |
|
Health impact evaluation of the Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme |
€42,586 |
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
62. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the meetings, correspondence and engagements he and his officials have had with a group (details supplied); if he will specifically address the concerns outlined by the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11407/21]
View answerNeither I, nor officials in my Department, have met the group referred to by the Deputy. However, I have received correspondence from the group which was forwarded to my colleague, the Minister for Health, for direct reply.
63. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on matters raised in correspondence in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11482/21]
View answerThe Help to Buy (HTB) incentive, is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. It also has as a key aim the encouragement of additional supply of new houses by supporting demand. The incentive gives a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation.
In addition to the conditions laid down in section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA), including that the property is occupied as the sole or main residence of a first time purchaser, section 477C(2) defines a ‘qualifying residence’. The legislation is very specific as to the definition of a qualifying residence. It must be a new building which was not, at any time, used or suitable for use as a dwelling. If the property was non-residential, but has been converted for residential use, it may qualify for HTB. Renovation or refurbishment of old houses to either upgrade or reinstate them for habitation does not qualify for HTB.
In relation to second-hand properties generally, an increase in the supply of new housing remains a priority aim of Government policy. As mentioned above, the HTB scheme is specifically designed to encourage an increase in demand for affordable new build homes in order to encourage the construction of an additional supply of such properties. A move to include second-hand properties within the scope of the relief would not improve the effectiveness of the relief; on the contrary it could serve to dilute the incentive effect of the measure in terms of encouraging additional supply. I have no plans to extend HTB to second-hand properties.
64. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to address the situation of homes in rural areas that cannot and will not be serviced by private operators for broadband connection (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11512/21]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract 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. The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the NBP State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention. Commercial areas defined as BLUE on the NBP map are not included in the State led 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 as they operate in a fully liberalised market regulated by ComReg as independent regulator.
Complaints about service provision are a matter between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. There may also be a choice of operators offering this service in an area and it may help to check www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services or another cost comparison search engine.
In the event that, having exhausted the above options, a premises located in the BLUE area still cannot get high speed broadband from service providers in the area, they should contact my Department at broadband@decc.gov.ie with full details and the matter will be investigated by my officials. The NBP High Speed Broadband Map is dynamic. This means that the intervention area can be updated to reflect new commercial plans, or previous plans that have failed to materialise. This flexibility allows for an increase or decrease in the number of premises included in the State Intervention area.
65. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of families experiencing fuel debt; and the estimated number of families facing or experiencing fuel poverty. [11533/21]
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% in 2015 to 17.5% in 2020. 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 4.9% in 2019. Responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The CRU has a wide range of customer protection functions which are implemented via the various Codes of Practice set out in CRU’s Supplier Handbook. CRU compiles information on customers in arrears. At end 2020, 12% of domestic electricity customers and 16% of domestic gas customers were in arrears for one billing period or more regardless of the value of the arrears. This was equivalent to 236,289 electricity customers and 110,681 gas customers in arrears. This information is available publicly at this link: https://www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CRU2106-Arrears-and-NPA-Disconnections-December-2020-Update.pdf
Protections are in place for those falling into difficulty with their energy bills. Under the supplier led voluntary Energy Engage Code, suppliers will not disconnect a customer who is engaging with them. Suppliers must also provide every opportunity to customers to avoid disconnection and must identify customers at risk of disconnection and encourage them to engage with them as early as possible. Suppliers are also obliged to offer a range of payment options, such as a debt-repayment plan for a customer in arrears. Where possible, suppliers must also offer customers with difficulties paying their bills a prepayment meter or budget controller. In addition, there is currently a moratorium on all disconnections of domestic customers. This took effect on 8 January, 2021 and will remain in place for the duration of current Level 5 restrictions.
Customers can find further information on the customer protection measures on www.cru.ie or by calling their Customer Care Team on 1890 404 404.
Income supports including the Fuel Allowance and the Household Benefits Package are available from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to help households with the costs of heating their homes. 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. In addition DSP also funds an exceptional needs payment, which can include support with fuel bills in some cases.
Improving the energy efficiency of a home can also help to protect households from energy poverty. This year, €221.5 million in capital funding has been allocated to SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes. Of this amount, €109 million is allocated to provide free upgrades for lower income households.
