Written Answers Nos. 169-189
169. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action that has been taken to find replacement employers in view of the impending closure of two pharmaceutical companies in the Baldoyle industrial estate, Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32531/21]
View answerI was very disappointed to hear that Teva Pharmaceuticals plans to close its Sudocrem manufacturing plant in Baldoyle. This comes not long after the announcement by Viatris that it is to close one of its Baldoyle operations. Our primary concern is for the workers and families affected by this news. While I understand that both plants will remain operational until the end of 2022, it is nonetheless a devastating blow for those affected.
My Department has agreed a Job Loss Response Protocol with the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Education and Skills. The protocol puts in place actions to assist the workers, including welfare entitlements, job-search assistance and upskilling needs/opportunities. Every State support will be made available, when the time comes, to help workers transition and find new employment opportunities. I understand that members of the Dublin Mid-Leinster Employer Relations team have already engaged directly with Viatris to offer supports to staff being made redundant and are available to engage with Teva once a formal notification of redundancy is received. IDA Ireland is working with both companies at local and corporate level. The Agency will continue to provide support over coming months, including reviewing opportunities in terms of skills and retraining, as well as possibilities for the future use of the sites. The fact that both companies will continue to operate until the end of 2022 provides time in which to seek alternative investment for the area.
As the Deputy may be aware, plans are underway to hold a meeting with local representatives to discuss the job losses.
170. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of job coaches currently employed with specific responsibility for enabling disabled persons access the labour market; the number of job coaches employed; the cost for the relevant Department or State agency to recruit a job coach; the amount allocated for his Department to spend on job coaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32556/21]
View answerI recommend the Deputy directs this question to the Department of Health and the Department of Social Protection, which have more direct responsibility for the issues raised.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Economic Recovery Plan states that the forthcoming Pathways to Work Strategy will increase the capacity of the Public Employment Service, assigning 150 Employment Case Officers (job coaches) during 2021 to conduct 160,000 one-to-one case worker/jobseeker meetings over a rolling 12-month period.
Under Pathways to Work 2021- 2025, an Early Engagement model for jobseekers with disabilities will be introduced, and wider take-up of incentives and supports available for the employment of people with disabilities will be promoted.
171. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will advise on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32577/21]
View answerThe European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 131 of 2003) apply to any transfer of an undertaking, business or part of a business from one employer to another employer as a result of a legal transfer (including the assignment or forfeiture of a lease) or merger.
The main provisions of the Regulations provide that all the rights and obligations of an employer under a contract of employment (including terms inserted by collective agreements), other than pension rights, are transferred to the new employer on the transfer of the business or part thereof. The new employer must also continue to observe the terms and conditions of any collective agreements until they expire or are replaced.
Both the outgoing and incoming employers are obliged to inform their respective employees’ representatives of, inter alia, the reasons for the transfer and the legal, social and economic implications of the transfer.
The Redundancy Payments Act 1967 provides where there is a change in the ownership of a business and an employee continues, by arrangement, to work for the new owner with no break in employment, the employee is not entitled to any redundancy payment at the time of the change of ownership. However, continuity of employment is preserved for the purpose of the redundancy payments in the event of a dismissal or redundancy by the new employer at any future date.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is the organisation mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. Employees can refer complaints to and seek adjudications from the WRC, including in situations where an employee considers that a breach of the The European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003 has occurred or there is a dispute between an employer and employee in relation to redundancy entitlements.
The WRC’s Customer Service and Information Unit provides information on employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations. A complaint may be made using the Workplace Relations e-Complaint Form available on the WRC website.
172. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans to bring forward legislation to implement the recommendations of the Supreme Court ruling in Zalewski vs. Adjudication Officer and Others in relation to Workplace Relations Commission hearings; and the timeframe within which he plans to do so. [32591/21]
View answerI can confirm that Government approval was granted on 20th of April 2021 for the drafting of legislation on a number of procedural matters for the Workplace Relations Commission to give effect to the Supreme Court ruling in Zalewski.
A drafter has been assigned for this proposed legislation. Work is progressing and a Bill will be published shortly.
173. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount his Department and associated agencies have spent on social media advertising since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32611/21]
View answerMy Department spent €27,122 on social media advertising between the beginning of January 2021 and 12th June 2021. This includes expenditure on a number of awareness raising campaigns including Brexit, the National Minimum Wage and Covid 19 related communications.
With regard to the spend by the state agencies under the remit of my Department, these are operational matters for those agencies and I do not have any direct function in these matters. However, I have asked the state agencies under the remit of my Department to provide the requested information to me and I will forward this to the Deputy once received.
174. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount his Department has spent on social media content production since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32628/21]
View answerMy Department has spent €17,454 on social media content production since the beginning of January 2021 and 12th June 2021. This includes expenditure on a number of awareness raising campaigns including Brexit, the National Minimum Wage and Covid 19 related communications.
175. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount his Department and all associated agencies have spent on public relations consultancy costs since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32645/21]
View answerMy Department has not incurred any public relations consultancy costs since January 2021.
With regard to the spend by the state agencies under the remit of my Department, these are operational matters for those agencies and I do not have any direct function in these matters. However, I have asked the state agencies under the remit of my Department to provide the requested information to me and I will forward this to the Deputy once received.
176. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current and capital costs involved with each action item in the Interim Climate Action Plan under his Department’s responsibility. [32696/21]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is below:
The cost of completing the action as part of current work programmes
The consultancy or service costs associated with undertaking research and analysis to complete the action
|
Action number |
Description |
Cost |
|
52 |
Develop a clear understanding of the enterprise sector CO2 emissions and develop a clear decarbonisation pathway for the enterprise sector to meet current and potential future targets. |
The total fixed contract price was €99,250 exclusive of VAT. |
|
62 |
The Expert Group of Future Skills Needs to undertake the analysis to determine the demand for, and nature of, the skills required to deliver on key elements of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan to Tackle Climate Breakdown over the years to 2030 . |
The total fixed contract price was €107,561 exclusive of VAT. |
|
53 |
Develop an online climate action portal for enterprises with relevant tools and content (to include a carbon calculator, template action plan, signposting to relevant agency supports). |
The total fixed contract price is €76,750. the Content, actions and incentives for the portal is being developed by the Department and its agencies in conjunction with DECC & its agencies. |
The exchequer allocations for specific programmes being rolled out to support enterprise with regard Climate Action.
177. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline his key policy achievements in his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32715/21]
View answerDuring the last year, my Department has progressed a range of policy initiatives across its broad remit including a range of Programme for Government commitments. Details of activity during 2020 can be found in my Department’s Annual Report 2020, published at www.enterprise.gov.ie.
Key policy achievements since 27 June 2020 include the following:
We published a €7 billion Jobs Stimulus in July 2020. A range of financial and regulatory measures were developed and expanded to assist businesses during the pandemic. These include ensuring that companies had access to finance through the Future Growth Loan Scheme, the SBCI-COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme and Microfinance Ireland’s COVID-19 Business Loan and Brexit Business Loan schemes. Further initiatives included the Sustaining Enterprise Fund, the Restart Grant and the Restart Grant Plus, the Online Retail Scheme and the Trading Online Voucher Scheme.
On legislation, my Department moved to implement temporary emergency measures to enable companies to meet their statutory obligations under company law and to proactively respond to the pressures businesses were facing in relation to solvency in the context of the lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 crisis. I have brought several Bills to Government for approval to draft, including the General Scheme of the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Bill 2021, the General Scheme of the Consumer Rights Bill, the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2021, the Investment Screening Bill and the Control of Exports Bill. I have prioritised and accelerated the development of a new rescue process for small and micro companies with a view to ensuring that viable companies have the best possible chance of survival after COVID-19. My Department is also working on legislation to establish the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement to be a stand-alone statutory body.
The EU Platforms to Business Regulation, the first ever set of rules for creating a fair, transparent and predictable business environment for smaller businesses and traders on online platforms, was transposed into national law. A Sub-Group on Insurance Reform was established within the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery, which I chair. The Action Plan is well advanced, with important actions such as the Personal Injuries Guidelines commenced in April 2020.
Improving terms and conditions for all workers is a priority for me. We are proceeding with plans for statutory sick pay and the living wage. A Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect was launched as part of the National Remote Working Strategy published in January 2021. We published extensive guidance, including our Guide to Supports for Businesses, the National Work Safely Protocol and guidance on safe shopping. A COVID-19 contingency plan ensured that the employment permit regime could continue to operate throughout the crisis though the introduction, on a temporary basis, of a type of ‘e-employment permit’.
Other key achievements include working across Government to develop Ireland’s position in response to the EU Commission proposals for the revision of the state aid framework. We published a Code of Conduct between landlords and tenants for commercial rents. We provided targeted support for companies in the area of research, development and the production of COVID-19 related products, and launched a third call under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund.We worked closely with the Department of An Taoiseach on Ireland’s Economic Recovery Plan, which aims to achieve rapid job creation and economic growth after the pandemic, and with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to include enterprise programmes for digitalisation and decarbonisation in Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. We contributed to the Climate Action Plan showing my Department’s ongoing commitment to climate action. We also continued extensive work to ensure a coordinated and coherent approach to Brexit in preparation for all Brexit outcomes.
Following the formation of the Government in 2020, my Department took on responsibilities for trade promotion, employment rights and redundancy and insolvency policy, the Low Pay Commission, Balance for Better Business and Trading Online Vouchers.
178. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are working towards enabling access to employment for persons from minority and or disadvantaged communities, including, but not limited to, persons with disabilities, persons from ethnic minorities, Travellers, Mincéirí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32737/21]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection has lead responsibility for labour market activation, and supporting underrepresented groups into employment. While my Department does not have responsibility for operating any employment programmes or funding any support services targeted specifically at minority or disadvantaged communities, we deal with the broader area of job creation and work to promote a diverse and equal workforce for all sections of society. Members of minority communities are able to access funding and support from the enterprise agencies and Local Enterprise Offices on the same basis as other members of the public.
My Department also leads the Government’s Corporate Social Responsibility agenda and seeks to encourage business to develop strategies to integrate diversity in the workplace.
In addition, as a member of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities Implementation Group, my Department has committed to highlight the supports that are available to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market, or to retain in the workforce employees who acquire a disability.
The Economic Recovery Plan commits to supporting employers in the recruitment and retention of people with disabilities and developing initiatives to improve employment opportunities for those with disabilities in rural areas including through remote working options. Under Pathways to Work 2021- 2025, an Early Engagement model for jobseekers with disabilities will be introduced, and wider take-up of incentives and supports available for the employment of people with disabilities will be promoted.
179. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a matter relating to the NBI roll-out (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32588/21]
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 over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The matter outlined in the Question appears to be between a sub-contractor used by NBI and the individual concerned and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases. My Department expects that the commercial terms between National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and its subcontractors are in line with normal industry standards and I have asked my officials to bring this matter to the attention of NBI.
180. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount his Department and associated agencies have spent on social media advertising since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32612/21]
View answerMy Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy, as well as regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. My Department therefore necessarily incurs expenditure on social media advertising from time to time. During the period January 2021 to 12 June 2021 my Department spent €28,513 on social media advertising.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary.
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.
181. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount his Department has spent on social media content production since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32629/21]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing the highest standard of communications, stakeholder engagement, and open and transparent dialogue in order to inform policy making and enhance our services for citizens. Our communications approach is designed to enhance our reputation and build trust through collaboration and engagement. Social media is a critical tool in achieving these objectives, and we place a high value on ensuring that our social media channels are actively engaging with citizens on issues that are important to them. The Communications and Media Relations Division of my Department is responsible for managing my Department’s social media accounts on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Given the high value my Department places on communications and public engagement, resources for our Communications and Media Relations Division have increased over the last two years, with the addition of staff with design, videography and content creation skills. This has increased capacity to create content in-house for all social channels. Despite this increased capacity, there is still a need to procure external services in video production and content creation for certain campaigns and, in this regard, a total of €738 was spent on content production costs for social media for the period specified in the Question.
182. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount his Department and all associated agencies have spent on public relations consultancy costs since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32646/21]
View answerMy Department has spent €24,761 on public relations consultancy during the period January 2021 to date; these costs related to services provided for the Tellus project. In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and keeping expenditure to the minimum necessary.
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 sought in respect of their organisations.
183. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a response will issue to a query raised regarding carbon sequestration (details supplied). [32684/21]
View answerOfficials in my Department and across Government are currently working on a new Climate Action Plan which will include additional policies and measures in every sector to bring about the significant changes needed to transform Ireland to a climate neutral economy and resilient society by 2050. Furthermore, as part of commitments set out under the Programme for Government, my Department is working with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to carry out a national land use review. The review will include consideration of emissions to air and water, carbon sequestration, and climate adaptation challenges. Policy co-benefits, such as rewetting or forest regrowth to mitigate flooding risks in river catchments, will be considered.
The EU Emissions Trading System is a cornerstone of EU policy on climate change mitigation promoting cost-effective emissions reduction and is the first and largest carbon market and works on the ‘cap and trade’ principle. No such trading system exists for carbon on a private landowner scale. However, I would underline that while there is much to do in terms of policy development, as I have highlighted above, with the correct policy choices in the agriculture and land use sector, there is potential to reward farmers and land owners for sequestering carbon, restoring biodiversity, improving water and air quality, producing clean energy, and developing schemes that support results-based outcomes.
I can confirm that a response to the query has been prepared and will issue this week.
184. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current and capital costs involved with each action item in the Interim Climate Action Plan under his Department’s responsibility. [32693/21]
View answerThe European Green Deal commits to delivering net zero greenhouse gas emissions at EU level by 2050 and increasing the EU-wide emissions reduction target from 40% to up to at least 55% by 2030. This ambition aligns with our Programme for Government commitment to an average 7% per annum reduction in emissions from 2021 to 2030, and to achieving net zero emissions no later than 2050.
The key aim of the Interim Climate Action Plan is to maintain a whole-of-government focus on implementation, and continue to progress new climate actions while the Climate Action Plan 2021, to reach an average 7% per annum reduction in greenhouse gases over the decade to 2030, is being developed. It will ensure that planning and implementation go hand in hand. Once the Climate Action Plan 2021 is finalised, new actions will be ready which will build upon those in Interim Climate Actions 2021.
Achieving the transition to net zero will require both public and private investment, complimented by taxation, regulatory and behavioural change measures. In terms of Exchequer investment, the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027, which is currently being reviewed, allocated €30.4 billion for investment in climate action, while the Programme for Government commits to legislating to hypothecate all additional carbon tax revenue, estimated €9.5 billion over the next ten years, for climate action with a particular emphasis on ensuring a just transition. In addition, the EU’s €750 billion Next Generation EU recovery package and €1 trillion budget require that money can only be spent on projects that meet certain green criteria, with 30% of all funding to go on climate change mitigation.
In terms of economic and Exchequer risk, it should be noted that failure to rapidly move to a carbon-neutral economic model will have far reaching negative impacts on the economy and the public finances; undermine the long-term, sustainable competitiveness of the economy; and lock Ireland into a redundant fossil-fuel based economic model. Embracing the transition will support further job creation through the development of new and emerging sectors. The green economy, including the retrofitting and renewable energy sector, the circular economy, clean mobility, green and blue infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and the bio-economy will create high quality employment opportunities that will be a source of significant employment growth over the coming decades, as well as supporting a stable tax base. In addition, failure to meet our legally binding EU targets could result in a cost to the Exchequer of up to €1.75 billion.
185. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of progress made towards the Annual Transition Statement for 2020. [32703/21]
View answerThe Annual Transition Statement (ATS), established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, serves an important function in providing an overview of climate change mitigation and adaptation policy measures adopted to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to adapt to the effects of climate change in order to enable the achievement of the national transition objective. In this regard, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021, which will amend the 2015 Act, will significantly strengthen the statutory framework for governance of the climate challenge, and ensure delivery of successive Climate Action Plans and Long-term Climate Strategies, supported by a system of carbon budgeting and sectoral targets with appropriate oversight by Government, the Oireachtas and a new Climate Change Advisory Council.
The Bill will introduce greater accountability arrangements with an enhanced role for the Oireachtas – Ministers will have to give account for their performance towards sectoral targets and actions before an Oireachtas Committee each year replacing the current Annual Transition Statement process.
In accordance with the 2015 Act, I propose to prepare an Annual Transition Statement for 2020 which I intend to publish this year.
186. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the cost per school for retrofits under the pathfinder scheme. [32705/21]
View answerThe Public Sector Pathfinder Programme provides capital support to retrofit public buildings across a number of key sectors. The aim of the programme, which is administered by the SEAI, is to test technical solutions, retrofit delivery models and approaches to inform the development of a scalable retrofit model for the wider public sector and schools. The schools initiative within the programme is co-funded by my Department and the Department of Education and Skills. Since 2017, over €22.9 million has been invested in energy efficiency retrofits across 39 schools. The average cost per school was almost €600,000. For 2021, my Department has allocated a budget of €21 million for the programme, of which over €7 million is allocated for the schools initiative.
Further information on the supports available to public bodies and schools including the Public Sector Pathfinder Programme can be found at https://www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/public-sector/public-sector-energy-programme/.
187. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of replacing the lapsed energy poverty strategy. [32707/21]
View answerOverall, the Government envisages expenditure in excess of €700 million in 2021 on a number of measures to support households meeting the cost of energy. The Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty was published in 2016. The Strategy set out several actions to alleviate the burden of energy poverty on the most vulnerable in society. The focus of the strategy was on high impact actions which aimed to make a real difference to the lives of those in energy poverty.
Good progress has been made under the strategy including:
- Free upgrades were carried out in over 23,000 lower income homes under the main Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) energy poverty retrofit schemes;
- A consultation on energy efficiency in the rented sector has also been completed which has informed changes to energy efficiency grant schemes with further recommendations to follow later this year;
- Funding for SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased dramatically over the period from €15 million in 2015 to over €109 million for 2021.
- The allocations for retrofit of social housing have also increased significantly with an allocation of €65 million for 2021.
Income supports from the Department of Social Protection to help households with the costs of heating their homes have also increased. The Minister for Social Protection provides an estimated €300 million in 2021 for 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. 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. The Department of Social Protection also funds an exceptional needs payment, which can include support with fuel bills in some cases.
Research undertaken by the Economic and Social research Institute shows that the proportion of households in or at risk of energy poverty has reduced from 28% in 2015 to 17.5% in 2020. The Survey on Income and Living Conditions 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.
A review of the implementation of the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty will be completed this year and this will inform the next steps. Alleviating energy poverty will also be a key consideration for the National Retrofit Framework which will be published this year. Retrofitting of homes supports good physical and mental health by creating healthy indoor living environments with healthy air temperatures, humidity levels, noise levels, and improved air quality.
188. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline his key policy achievements in his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32716/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government (PfG) sets out how the Government will respond and manage the challenge of decarbonising our economy and creating a sustainable future for all. It commits to a 7% emission reduction per annum from 2021 to 2030 and net-zero emission by 2050. It also commits to balanced regional development underpinned by a digitally connected society and transitioning to a circular economy. My Department published its Statement of Strategy for the period 2021-2023 in March of this year which sets out our strategic goals in line with the Programme for Government and our long-term vision of a climate neutral, sustainable and digitally connected Ireland. Since the second half of 2020, my Department has continued to progress the development and implementation of a wide range of policies and programmes across the breadth of its remit. Some of the main deliverables achieved in that timeframe include:
- The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 is currently progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas as priority legislation. This landmark bill will set Ireland on the path to net-zero emissions no later than 2050, and to a 51% reduction in emissions by the end of this decade.
- Progressing the Climate Action Plan to reflect the much higher PfG emissions reduction ambition. The updated Climate Action Plan will be published shortly.
- The establishment of the Climate Action Fund on a statutory basis, through the early enactment of the National Oil Reserves Agency Bill.
- The publication of the second progress report of the Just Transition Commissioner and the approval of the first tranches of funding from the Just Transition Fund.
- Regulations were finalised to extend the Smoky Coal ban to an additional 13 towns ban. In addition, a public consultation sought views on the further regulation of solid fuel use for domestic home heating earlier this year.
- The designation of SEAI as the National Retrofitting Delivery Body.
- €221.5m secured for residential and community retrofit programmes in Budget 2021, the highest allocation ever to these programmes.
- 82 new renewable energy projects received funding under the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction. The RESS scheme will support an investment in Ireland of over €1.4 billion and support the recovery by creating roughly 1,000 jobs.
- Published the framework for Ireland’s Offshore Electricity Transmission System which will facilitate the expansion of offshore wind energy to help the country meet its greenhouse gas emissions targets.
- The Government approved the Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas including a moratorium on the development of LNG import terminals pending the completion of review of security of supply.
- Public consultations on the Community Benefit Fund for the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, the Microgeneration Support Scheme and the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme have recently closed and the responses will inform the design of these initiatives.
- Government approval was received to introduce legislation to ban licences for new oil and natural gas exploration. The legislation will be included in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021.
- The establishment of a Circular Economy Unit within my Department.
- The publication of a Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy.
- Two public consultations were held on the introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme, the most recent on the preferred model and legislative framework for the delivery of the scheme.
- Continuing the rollout the National Broadband Plan Ireland to deliver NBP - design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across every county with nearly 223,000 premises surveyed and 322 Broadband Connection Point sites have been installed as of start June this year.
My Department will continue to progress our priorities and Programme for Government commitments in 2021. The Department's Annual Report for 2021 will be published shortly.
189. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 24 March 2021, when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32731/21]
View answerThe report referred to by the Deputy has been published on my Department’s website, and can be found at the following link: gov.ie - Potential extensions of the Natural Gas Network in Ireland (www.gov.ie). This study was undertaken in the context of the national climate and energy policies that were in place in 2018. In the period since, there has been significant development of national policy including the 2020 Programme for Government commitments to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 (a 51% reduction over the decade) and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. In this context, I consider the 2018 report to be of limited, if any, relevance to current policy development. Furthermore, I can confirm that extending the natural gas network will not be included in the upcoming Climate Action Plan as a means of decarbonisation.
