Written Answers Nos. 172-186
172. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports he will put in place to support event caterers who are excluded from the Covid restrictions support scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25258/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on businesses right across the country. 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), Small business assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. The level of business supports is unprecedented.
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.
As you know there is a requirement for some schemes for businesses to be in receipt of a rates bill from their local authority for their business in order to qualify. This may exclude some event caterers. The intention behind this provision is to assist businesses operating from fixed premises to meet some of the ongoing fixed costs of maintaining those premises.
Our schemes are there to help meet fixed costs that cannot be avoided and to provide basic weekly income support up to maximum of €350 per week. We are not providing compensation for loss of personal income above this level or compensation for loss of profits for any sector.
Government is continuing to review the range of assistance schemes and eligibility criteria to ensure we have the right mix for the recovery.
173. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the Swedish commercial rent rebate scheme to support tenants operating in the sectors for hotels, restaurants, retail and certain other activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25273/21]
View answerThese are difficult times and I am aware that some businesses are concerned that some landlords are continuing to insist on the payment of rents and leases as normal despite their premises being closed.
The issue of commercial rents is primarily a contractual matter for the parties involved. However, the Government has urged landlords and tenants to talk to one another and come to some arrangement, as it is in everybody’s interest that terms are amicably agreed. With this in mind, on 1st October 2020, I published the Code of Conduct between landlords and tenants for commercial rents. The aim of the voluntary Code is to facilitate discussions between landlords and tenants impacted by COVID-19. It sets out a structured approach for engagement between both commercial landlords and tenants, based on their mutual interest in continuing to work together.
However, this Code should not be seen in isolation. To date, a range of supports have been developed for businesses, including the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), wage subsidies, a commercial rates holiday, low-cost loans, and a VAT reduction.
As public health restrictions are eased and the economy reopens, the Government is committed to ensuring that there is no cliff edge in financial supports for businesses. As such, any business currently availing of CRSS and that can now reopen will be able to avail of double restart week payments for two weeks subject to the statutory maximum of €5,000 per week to support them in meeting the costs of reopening as they exit the scheme.
I would urge business owners to seek the supports outlined above if they have not already done so. I would also suggest that small business owners contact their Local Enterprise Office who can signpost them and advise them of supports that may be available for their business. Details of the Code of Conduct and the wide range of supports available for business are on my Department’s website.
In addition, earlier this week, Minister Troy announced the General Scheme for a Small Business Administrative Rescue Process providing for a simplified restructuring process for viable small companies that is both timely and cost effective.
My officials continue to monitor international developments in relation to commercial rents such as the Swedish scheme mentioned. In this scheme, firstly landlords have to agree to a rent reduction; it is not a mandatory scheme. The Government support is then provided to the landlord. It is also worth noting that in the Swedish scheme it appears that if the landlord has already previously agreed to concessions (and the tenancy agreement has been amended) this scheme is not applicable. State aid rules also apply.
The question of whether Ireland should provide grants to mitigate rental costs for commercial tenants was examined last year and it was found that there may be significant risk to the Exchequer if the State undertook to provide grants to defray commercial rents as the level of financial exposure is unquantifiable compounded by lack of accurate data on rent levels. As with the Swedish model, it was also determined that any financial assistance to business (tenants) tied to rents would likely end up as support to the landlord. The offering of assistance, or even the perception that such relief would be forthcoming, could affect the market and reduce the impetus for landlords to negotiate with tenants.
The Government is committed to ensuring as many businesses as possible survive this challenging period, and it will continue to look at how we can help businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
174. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged with representatives from an organisation (details supplied) regarding is dispute with the ESB; and if he will encourage all parties to engage in dialogue to resolve the situation. [25274/21]
View answerIreland's system of Industrial Relations is based in voluntarism. While the right of workers to form associations and join a trade union is enshrined in Article 40 of the Irish Constitution, under Irish law there is no obligation on employers to recognise any union for the purposes of collective bargaining.
This dispute is essentially a matter for the company and its employees to resolve. I have no direct role in these matters.
175. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the legal right of an employee to a proper consultation process under the Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Act 2006 and the Industrial Relations Act 1990 (Code of Practice on Information and Consultation) (Declaration) Order 2008; and the way it applies to the dispute between organisations (details supplied). [25275/21]
View answerThe Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Act, 2006 provides for the establishment of a general framework setting out minimum requirements for the right to information and consultation of employees in undertakings with at least 50 employees. It provides a general right to information and consultation for employees from their employer on matters which directly affect them.
The purpose of the Code of Practice is to assist employers, employees and their representatives to develop effective arrangements for communications and consultation in accordance with the provisions of the above Act.
The legislation applies equally to companies and organisations in the private and State sectors.
176. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grants or financial supports available for a person who is opening a business for the first time as a beautician; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25282/21]
View answerThe 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide are a ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. The Local Enterprise Offices act as a ‘signposting’ service for all relevant government supports available to the SME sector and can provide information/referrals to other bodies under agreed protocols such as Revenue, Micro Finance Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, LEADER, and Enterprise Ireland.
The Local Enterprise Offices 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 the Local Enterprise Office feasibility grant, priming grant and all ancillary support including training, management development and mentoring subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
However, the Local Enterprise Offices do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services including beauticians, local professional services or construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses.
Businesses which have been trading for at least 6 months may also be applicable for the Trading Online Voucher Scheme, which offers a 50% co-funded voucher of up to €2,500 (maximum value of €5,000 when 50% co- funded by the applicant) to help businesses develop their online trading capability and includes training sessions that cover various topics, such as 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.
For those new entrepreneurs who are embarking on their business journey the Local Enterprise Offices offer a variety of soft supports such as mentoring and training programmes which enterprises can register for through their Local Enterprise Office’s website and are delivered online with no registration fees.
The Local Enterprise Offices also offer the very successful Start Your Own Business programme, which guides entrepreneurs through the various aspects of business and business planning. The objective of the Start Your Own Business programme is to assist clients and new entrepreneurs in evaluating their business idea, urging them to assess its viability and help them make decisions on whether they should proceed or take a step back.
I would urge anyone looking to start or grow their business to make contact with their Local Enterprise Office to enquire about the supports available to help them on their journey.
177. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if applications will be reopened for the small business assistance scheme for late applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25285/21]
View answerAs you are aware, the closing date for receipt of applications for the first phase of the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) was 21st April 2021.
It is not possible to reopen the applications for Phase 1 of SBASC, however, Phase 2 of SBASC will be open for applications to the Local Authorities in the coming weeks. Businesses who have not applied for Phase 1, if they meet the criteria, can still apply for Phase 2 of the scheme.
The aim of this scheme is to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes such as CRSS and is designed to help with fixed costs. Companies down 75% or more in turnover and in receipt of a rates bill may benefit, including those that commenced after the 1st November 2019 where their turnover is below projections.
178. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the information his Department collates as per circular 20/2019 (details supplied); the date this report was issued; the location on his Departmental website on which it can be found; and the progress in relation to green procurement that has been made to date. [25429/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware from 2020 onwards there is an obligation on all Government Departments to monitor and report annually on Green Public Procurement (GPP) in their annual reports, in accordance with D/PER Circular 20/2019 “Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement”.
This requirement is being met by my Department with the incorporation of a specific text within our 2020 Annual Report which recognises our obligation to monitor, evaluate and report on GPP. My Department’s Annual Report for 2020 is currently being finalised and is expected to be published on our website in the coming weeks.
The Report will set out, by way of an Appendix, information on the total number of contracts issued over €25,000 which incorporated Green Public Procurement considerations in 2020. The Appendix will cover eight priority sectors listed in the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2014 Green Procurement Guidance for the Public Sector and these sectors cover Transport, Construction, Energy, Food & Catering Services, Cleaning Products & Services, Textiles, IT Equipment and Paper. It will also incorporate an ‘Other’ category to cover green procurement activities not covered in the above priority sectors. It should be noted that not all of these sectors are of relevance to the procurement requirements of my Department, its Offices and Agencies.
In 2020 13 contracts with a value in excess of €25,000 were issued by my Department across the priority sectors and ‘Other’ category to the value of €1.14 million. Of these, 4 contracts incorporated specific GPP considerations to the value of €295,822. These are broken down by sector as follows:
- Cleaning Products & Services Sector
- Food & Catering Sector
- Furniture Removal Sector
- Research Study Sector
My Department continues to be mindful of the need to promote the use of environmental considerations in public procurement and to consider how social issues can be appropriately integrated into the procurement process. Where possible business units of my Department, and the Offices and Agencies under its remit, use the Office of Government Procurement’s (OGP) standard tendering and contract templates in their procurement processes. The standard template includes a requirement that the service provider comply with all applicable obligations in the field of environmental, social and labour law that apply at the place where the services are provided.
A specific statement on green public procurement is also being incorporated into the Department’s Corporate Procurement Plan for 2021.
179. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if further financial assistance will be provided for micro and small enterprises to develop an online presence in view of the serious difficulties facing sectors such as traditional retail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25487/21]
View answerMy Department currently offers assistance to micro enterprises through the Trading Online Voucher scheme. Administered by the Local Enterprise Office network, this scheme aims to assist our micro-enterprises to realise the potential of online trading. This Scheme offers eligible micro-enterprises a voucher of up to €2,500 (50% co-funded by the recipient) to help them develop their online capacity. This includes training sessions that cover various topics, such as developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation.
I am pleased to note that the scheme remains a popular support for Micro-Enterprises that wish to develop their e-commerce presence at this time with over 1,700 applications to date this year.
Also, the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme, administered by Enterprise Ireland through funding provided by my Department, offers successful applicants a grant ranging from €10,000 to a maximum of €40,000 - covering up to 80% of project costs. The scheme opened Tuesday 4th May 2021 with a closing date of Tuesday 25th May at 12pm (noon).
The Scheme is open to eligible Irish-owned retail enterprises that have 10 or more employees and have the potential to sustain or create jobs, generate growth in online transactions and have an ambition to internationalise their business in the future.
Furthermore, as part of the Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead plan, we have agreed a cautious and gradual phased reopening over May and June. This includes a phased reopening of non-essential retail. Click and collect, in-store by appointment only, and outdoor retail can recommence from 10 May. All remaining retail can reopen from 17 May. It is very much hoped that this will provide an essential boost to this sector after what has been a very difficult year.
180. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if fibre broadband service will be provided to an area (details supplied) as part of the current roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25187/21]
View answer181. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if fibre broadband service will be provided to an area (details supplied) as part of the current roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25234/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
The Questions refer to premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot obtain a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 6 May 2021, some 215,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Clare, premises have been surveyed in the areas of Cratloe, Ballycannan, Ballyglas, Cloghrea, Kilkishen,Sixmilebridge, Kilmurry, Broadford and Clontra. Main works have started in the areas around Cratloe, Ballycannon and areas close to country boundary of Limerick.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Clare through the NBI website, www.nbi.ie, which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 6 May, 310 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for schools. BCP sites connected in Clare include Cree Community Centre, Michael Cusack Visitor Centre and Loop Head Lighthouse. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Shragh National School, Ennistymon National School and Stonehall National School are connected as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
182. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding available for retrofitting and making older homes more energy efficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25238/21]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners, communities, commercial and public sector bodies to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SEAI residential retrofit schemes offer partial grants for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency improvements 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. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier and cheaper to heat and light.
This year, €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided for 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. This is a €47 million increase on the 2020 allocation. €112.5 million will be spent on expanding other existing SEAI grant schemes and introducing new initiatives. The first of the new schemes was launched in September when a call for projects under the new National Retrofit (One-Stop-Shop Development) scheme issued. A €30 million call for projects under the Communities Energy Grant scheme was launched in November. Further initiatives will follow in the coming months.
The SEAI grant schemes focus on older homes. Grants for insulation and heating control systems are available to homes built and occupied prior to 2006. Heat pump and solar grants are available to homes built and occupied prior to 2011.
Full details on the application processes for all schemes operated by the SEAI are available at www.seai.ie.
183. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a school (details supplied) will be connected to the fibre broadband network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25264/21]
View answerBroadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. School BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Education. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026.
The school in question, Rossmore National School, is part of this accelerated programme and is due to be connected later this year.
184. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a property (details supplied) will be connected to broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25266/21]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot obtain a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver this is underway. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 6 May 2021, some 215,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. NBI has advised that build work is in progress in the location of the premises referred to in the Question and NBI anticipate that high speed broadband will be available in the area later this year.
In County Kerry, premises have been surveyed or are in the process of being surveyed in the townlands around Killarney, including Muckross, Fossa, Kilcummin, Lissivigeen, Ballycasheen, Faha, Firies and Ballyhar.Surveying activity is also underway or completed in Tralee, Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine, Ardfert, Rathmore, Knocknacopple, Mounthorgan, Kilquane Upper, Barraduff, Cloonteens, Gneevgullia, Tureenamult,Renasup.Castlegregory, Aughacasla, Camp, Knockbrack, Maum, Lougher, Inch, Annascaul, Derrygorman, Ballyglasheen, Brackluin, Ballintarmon, Drom, An Clochan, Kilshannig, Fahamore, Candeehy, Breanainn, Ballyheigue, Glenderry, Ladywell, Banna, Lerrig, Ballymacandrew, Causeway, Foxfort, Ballymacaquinn, Ballincloher, Dromartin and Beenconeen. Build has started in the areas around Tralee in Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine and Ardfert. Pre-build works have commenced in the Killarney area.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Kerry through the NBI website, www.nbi.ie, which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 6 May, 310 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for schools. BCP sites installed in Kerry include Gneeveguilla (Tureencahill), Cable Station, Railway Station Heritage Centre and Community Space, Inch Community Centre, Kielduff Community Centre, Chapeltown and Cillín Liath. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Boheeshil National School, Dunloe Upper and Coars National School are installed as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
185. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when fibre broadband will be provided to a person (details supplied). [25287/21]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. Complaints about service provision are a matter to be dealt with between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.
Notwithstanding this, my Department has investigated the matter and from our records we have established that the premises should be served with high speed broadband from Fibre To The Cabinet in the area with access to download speeds of 70Mbps.
186. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the information his Department collates as per circular 20/2019 (details supplied); the date this report was issued; the location on his Departmental website on which it can be found; and the progress in relation to green procurement that has been made to date. [25430/21]
View answerIn line with Circular 20/2019, my Department has prepared a report detailing its progress in relation to Green Public Procurement. The report detailed five contracts where the contract value was over €25,000 as follows:
|
Reference year 2020 |
A. Total number of contracts issued over €25,000 by priority sector |
B. Total value of contracts issued over €25,000 by priority sector |
C. Total number of contracts issued over €25,000 by priority sector which have incorporated GPP |
D. Total value of contracts issued over €25,000 by priority sector which have incorporated GPP |
|
Priority Sector |
|
|
|
|
|
Transport |
2 |
€212,959 |
2 |
€212,959 |
|
Construction |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Energy |
1 |
€180,0001 |
- |
- |
|
Food & Catering Services |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cleaning Products & Services |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Textiles |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
IT Equipment |
1 |
€500,000 |
1 |
€500,000 |
|
Paper |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Other Consultancy Services Framework – Environmental Assessments |
1 |
€300,0002 |
1 |
€300,000 |
|
Totals |
5 |
€1,192,959 |
4 |
€1,012,959 |
1 Estimated at €60,000 / year for 3 years. Actual contract value is dependent on usage.
2 Estimated at €300,000. Actual contract value is dependent on usage.
This report was issued to the EPA and will also be included in the 2020 Annual Report of my Department. The Annual Report is currently being finalised and will be made available on the website of my Department under the publications section shortly.
In terms of progress made, my Department uses OGP Frameworks for many of the products and services that have the highest environmental impacts which mainly include vehicles, utilities, cleaning, catering and office and IT equipment and consumables. The Department works closely with OGP to ensure green criteria are incorporated into these frameworks, not just in the products that are purchased but also in terms of packaging, waste and modes of delivery. For non-OGP tenders, my Department has committed, through its Resource Efficiency Action Plan, to include green / environmental considerations where possible. Finally, green procurement is incorporated into the procurement training provided to Departmental staff.
