Written Answers Nos. 63-82
63. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the national remote work strategy is applicable to employers at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34232/21]
View answerThis year, on January 15th, my Department published ‘Making Remote Work’, the National Remote Work Strategy.
The objective of the Strategy is to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits. The Strategy is built on three pillars which are bolstered by underpinning conditions. These pillars are:
1. Create a Conducive Environment
2. Develop and Leverage a Remote Work Infrastructure
3. Build a Remote Work Policy and Guidance Framework
My Department has developed the Guidance for Working Remotely webpage (enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Remote-Working/Guidance-for-working-remotely.html) to facilitate remote working arrangements. The webpage acts as a central access point for employers and employees and brings together the existing State guidance, legislation and advice on remote work into one place. The webpage also includes an employer checklist to provide employers with a quick way to navigate the adoption of remote working arrangements if these are appropriate for their business.
Under these pillars and the underpinning conditions there are 15 actions to progress remote working into the future. The Strategy outlines the Departments and State Agencies responsible for the delivery of each of the actions. Each of these actions has a deadline of Q1, 3, or 4 of this year.
My Department is leading on the implementation of the Strategy. Lead actors report the progress on their actions to the Interdepartmental Group on Remote Work. This Group has met twice to date this year, with the most recent meeting taking place on May 27th. At this meeting it was established that actions to date have been met and that progress is underway to achieving the remaining actions by the end of the year. The Group will continue to meet as the year progresses to drive the implementation of the Strategy.
As part of the Strategy, on 1 April I signed a new Code of Practice giving all employees the Right to Disconnect. This was effective immediately from that date. A public consultation on the Right to Request Remote Working has concluded and legislation is expected later this year.
64. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Workplace Relations Commission cases taken in County Cork in 2020 and to date in 2021, by year in tabular form. [34268/21]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services.
It is the policy of the Workplace Relations Commission to work with employers in order to achieve compliance and, where relevant, pay any unpaid wages arising from contraventions so that workers achieve their entitlements as a result of our inspection. Prosecution proceedings are initiated in the case of offences under the Employment Permits Acts and, in the case of offences under employment legislation, where the employer has failed to respond to the Inspectors intervention, failed to comply with a compliance notice or a fixed payment notice and/or failed to achieve compliance by granting workers their entitlements. In 2020, across all regions, prosecution proceedings were required to be initiated in less than 2% of cases in which contraventions were detected.
I understand from clarification provided by the Deputy that the information sought relates to the number of prosecutions initiated by the WRC Inspectorate in Cork in 2020 and to date in 2021. The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
No of Contraventions Detected |
No of prosecutions initiated |
|
2020 |
66 |
3 |
|
2021 to date |
42 |
3 |
65. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports in place for those businesses that do not qualify for the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34288/21]
View answerThe main grant scheme in my Department for sole traders which do not qualify for EWSS is the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC).
Phase 1 was a grant designed for businesses that were ineligible for the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity grant or other direct sectoral grant schemes. It was designed to help businesses with fixed costs associated with running a business e.g rent, utilities, security etc.
Phase 1 of the scheme was available to companies, self-employed, sole traders or partnerships, with less than 250 employees, operating from a rateable premise with a minimum turnover of €50,000 for a pre-defined period. Phase 1 of the Scheme opened for applications on the 11th March 2021 and closed on the 21st April 2021. Eligible businesses for Phase 1 received a payment of €4,000 in 2021.
Phase 2 of SBASC, which was launched in June 2021, was extended to include businesses operating from non-rateable premises e.g home, hot desking hub etc. There are now two grants available, those with a minimum turnover of €50,000 will receive a payment of €4,000 and those with minimum turnover of €20,000 and less than €49,999 will receive a payment of €1,000. Both of these changes can give support to those who are not eligible for EWSS. Phase 2 of SBASC will close to applicants on 21st July 2021. Interested applicants can find more information on their local authority website.
Eligible microenterprises can access lending through Microfinance Ireland’s COVID-19 Business Loans with zero repayments and zero interest for the first six months and the equivalent of an additional 6 months interest-free subject to certain terms and conditions. The loans can range from €5,000 to €25,000. Repayments will commence in month seven for the remaining period of your loan. The Government will rebate to you the interest paid in the following six months (months 7-12 of your loan).
Additional advice and support for self-employed sole traders may be available from the Local Enterprise Offices. I would urge business owners to contact their Local Enterprise Office who can signpost them and advise them of supports that may be available for their business. More general information on all COVID business support schemes run by my department is available here:
Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)
There are also additional schemes for self-employed people which were developed and are administered by the Department of Social Protection. More information about these schemes is available at:
gov.ie - COVID-19 Social Welfare Schemes available to a self-employed person (www.gov.ie).
66. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the properties and land rented by IDA Ireland in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form, including overseas properties; the yearly rent paid per property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34425/21]
View answerThe following table outlines properties rented by IDA Ireland in 2019 and 2020, and the rents paid on each property in 2019 and 2020. IDA does not currently rent any lands.
|
Office |
Rents paid in 2020 (euro) |
Rents paid in 2019 (euro) |
|
Ireland |
||
|
Global HQ (3 Park Place) |
3,924,097 |
2,695,529 |
|
Global HQ (Wilton Park House 2019*) |
2,513,189 |
|
|
Athlone |
186,644 |
187,445 |
|
Cork ** |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway ** |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal ** |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
69,836 |
69,836 |
|
Dundalk ** |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
33,000 |
33,000 |
|
Waterford ** |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
15,452 |
15,452 |
|
USA |
||
|
New York |
523,194 |
507,565 |
|
Chicago |
119,990 |
129,907 |
|
Mountview |
222,056 |
208,022 |
|
Boston |
88,236 |
83,367 |
|
Irvine County |
84,290 |
74,680 |
|
Austin |
36,675 |
38,434 |
|
Atlanta |
38,819 |
40,749 |
|
Toronto |
43,852 |
35,495 |
|
Asia |
||
|
Tokyo |
130,092 |
114,960 |
|
Shanghai |
110,525 |
124,093 |
|
Schenzen |
45,881 |
47,072 |
|
Singapore |
32,652 |
32,434 |
|
Mumbai & Bangalore |
207,214 |
154,519 |
|
Beijing |
58,910 |
56,748 |
|
Seoul |
29,249 |
31,760 |
|
Sydney |
52,151 |
34,124 |
|
Europe |
||
|
Frankfurt |
120,091 |
118,504 |
|
Paris |
146,124 |
153,799 |
|
London |
244,500 |
244,500 |
*Until end April 2019, IDA's Global HQ was in Wilton Park House. In May 2019 IDA moved its Global HQ to 3 Park Place.
**Rents at these offices are paid by Enterprise Ireland.
67. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the numbers of persons working in IDA supported jobs in County Donegal in each of the years 2011 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [34445/21]
View answer68. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits organised in County Donegal by the IDA in each of the years 2011 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form [34446/21]
View answer69. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new companies attracted to County Donegal by the IDA in each of the years 2011 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [34447/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 67 to 69, inclusive, together.
Regional development is at the centre of IDA’s new strategy, Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024. IDA Ireland is committed to the pursuit of more balanced, compact regional development which can deliver complementary efficiency and equity gains, with the overall impact of helping to advance national development. The IDA will target half of all investments (400) from 2021- 2024 to regional locations and maintain the same high level of investment as targeted in IDA’s previous strategy for each region of the country.
This statistic reflects one element of FDI performance, a more accurate reflection of FDI performance is demonstrated in the Annual Employment Survey which demonstrates a strong performance in Co Donegal over the last decade. This is the latest data available.
IDA supported jobs in County Donegal in each of the years 2011 to 2020
|
Year |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Number of Companies |
13 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
|
Total Jobs |
2,139 |
2,261 |
2,420 |
2,645 |
2,963 |
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Number of Companies |
14 |
14 |
14 |
16 |
16 |
|
Total Jobs |
3,086 |
3,438 |
3,544 |
3,879 |
3,812 |
Source: Employment Survey 2020
The table above details how Donegal, along with many other parts of the country, has benefited from this strong regional focus. The County has experienced a significant increase in FDI-driven employment since 2011, with job numbers in IDA client firms there increasing from 2,139 in 2011 to 3,812 at the end of 2020. The County is now home to 16 IDA companies including Abbott, Optum and Tata Consultancy Services or TCS (formerly Pramerica).
Between 2011 and 2020 there were three new name investments located in County Donegal, one each in 2011, 2012 and 2020.
The number of Site Visits to County Donegal for the period 2011 to 2020 are shown below:
|
County |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Donegal |
2 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
|
County |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
2 |
8 |
12 |
1 |
The introduction of travel restrictions related to Covid-19 led to the cancellation or postponement of scheduled IDA site visits and client meetings in every region of the country, including Donegal.
As an alternative to site visits, the IDA migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms. The Agency has developed new digital content and has also put in place an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors. There has been 2 in-person site visits and 64 E-visits nationally as of the first quarter. There have not been any site visits to Donegal during Q1, verified figures for Q2 are due next month.
When it comes to FDI site visits represent a valuable tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas. Site visit activity, however, does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as a significant percentage of all new FDI comes from existing IDA client companies
Potential clients visiting Ireland may visit more than one county and may return to a location more than once. These figures represent individual visits and are therefore not indicative of the number of companies that have visited. The final decision on where to locate an investment is always decided by the client and not by IDA Ireland.
As part of the IDA’s Strategy Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021-24, IDA have set out proposed office solutions for regional locations, which will enable the IDA to attract further FDI to these locations. For example, IDA will deliver an Advanced Building Solution in Letterkenny, and compete upgrade works on IDA Parks in Donegal.
Regular engagement and collaboration with stakeholders are important in positioning any regional location to attract FDI and in this respect IDA Ireland continues to engage with Stakeholders as well as working with existing clients in all regional locations to generate additional jobs.
70. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits to date in 2021 in counties Clare, Limerick, Cork and Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34453/21]
View answerRegional development is at the centre of IDA’s new strategy, Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024. IDA Ireland is committed to the pursuit of more balanced, compact regional development which can deliver complementary efficiency and equity gains, with the overall impact of helping to advance national development. The IDA will target half of all investments (400) from 2021- 2024 to regional locations and maintain the same high level of investment as targeted in IDA’s previous strategy for each region of the country.
Cork and Kerry make up the South West Region and has 211 client companies which collectively employ 46,009 people, while Clare and Limerick (along with Tipperary) are included in the Mid-West Region with 131 client companies employing 19,989 people.
The primary responsibility of the IDA is to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland and to retain, transform and expand the existing base of client companies that have already invested and located here.
When it comes to FDI site visits represent a valuable tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas. Site visit activity, however, does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as a significant percentage of all new FDI comes from existing IDA client companies.
2020 presented undeniable challenges to IDA's ongoing efforts to sustain and grow FDI in Ireland. The introduction of travel restrictions around the world disrupted the usual way the IDA engaged with investors, resulting in fewer numbers of site visits and client meetings. The pandemic also impacted investor confidence and has likely caused some investment decisions to be delayed or postponed.
In response to this, IDA Ireland migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities onto digital platforms and established a suite of digital content which can be accessed by potential investors. The use of these digital platforms has contributed to an enhanced digital engagement with existing clients, and in hosting E-Site visits with potential new investors.
The number of site visits, including E-visits, to end Q1 2021 was: Limerick 8; Clare 4 and Cork 3. There were no site visits to Kerry during Q1, though I understand in June 2021, IDA Ireland organised a virtual site visit for a US company showcasing Kerry for a potential project. Verified figures for end Q2 2021 are expected next month. It should also be noted that potential clients visiting Ireland may visit more than one county and may return to a location more than once. These figures represent individual visits and are therefore not indicative of the number of companies that have visited.
As part of the IDA’s Strategy Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021-24, IDA have set out proposed office solutions for regional locations, which will enable the IDA to attract further FDI to these locations. For example, in the South-West region IDA will deliver an Advanced Building Solution in Tralee over the life of the Strategy, while continuing to work closely with the private sector in the South-West to secure the provision of appropriate and cost-effective building and property solutions for client companies. Additional upgrade works, and investment are planned for IDA Parks in the region to ensure a robust value proposition for clients, and IDA plans to acquire additional strategic sites for future development. IDA will target 118 investments for the South-West region in the period 2021-2024. In the Mid-West Region it is planned to deliver an Advanced Building Solution in Limerick, complete construction of the Advanced Manufacturing Centre in Limerick and undertake further upgrade works for IDA Parks in the Region.
The final decision on where to locate an investment is always decided by the client and not by IDA Ireland. Regular engagement and collaboration with stakeholders are important in positioning any regional location to attract FDI and in this respect IDA Ireland continues to engage with Stakeholders as well as working with existing clients in all regional locations to sustain and generate additional jobs.
The Deputy will also be aware that Terms of Reference for the Shannon Estuary Taskforce, encompassing parts of north Kerry and other areas mentioned in his question, are being finalised and I hope to make an announcement in that regard shortly.
71. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of hearings before the Workplace Relations Commission in the period from 6 April 2021 to date that have been commenced but then adjourned by the adjudication officer due to the adjudication officer concluding that it is necessary that an oath or affirmation be administered arising from the implications of the decision in the Zalewski case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34560/21]
View answer72. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of the overall number of hearings of the Workplace Relations Commission during the period 6 April 2021 to date that the hearings adjourned represent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34561/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services.
The WRC is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day-to-day operations. However, I am informed that the WRC has scheduled 1,601 hearings from 6 April to 22nd June 2021. Out of this number, under 20% have been adjourned due to the adjudication officer concluding that it is necessary to adjourn to facilitate an oath/affirmation to be administered.
There are a range of outcomes that may arise when hearings are scheduled; they may be postponed prior to the hearing date, the hearing completed, the issues case managed to reduce the matters to be dealt with if adjourned, they may be part-heard requiring them to be rescheduled at a later date, they may settle prior to, or during the hearing, leading to the withdrawal of complaints. The WRC is scheduling more cases each week than pre-Covid as it moves to proactively address any build-up of cases arising from the pandemic and the Supreme Court judgment which requires the introduction of legislation. The WRC continues to encourage parties to avail of its Mediation services.
Following delivery of the judgment of the Supreme Court in the Zalewski case and the consequential orders made on 15 April 2021, a number of changes were required to procedures at the WRC. The WRC has set out the revised procedures in its website notice on the Supreme Court judgment. My Department has received approval of the Government for priority drafting of necessary amendments to the Workplace Relations Act 2015, and other related Acts, to remedy the aspects of the Act that were found to be incompatible with the Constitution. The amendments concern the principle that justice is to be administered in public and the statutory administration of an oath with an offence of perjury for giving of false evidence. Government has approved publication and the Bill is being moved through the Houses in the coming weeks. It is expected that it will be enacted in July.
73. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason hearings of the Workplace Relations Commission are being scheduled when it is evident that they will require to be adjourned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34562/21]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day-to-day operations. However, I am informed that the WRC, to minimise delay to the parties, is continuing to schedule hearings. Unless a postponement is granted in advance, all scheduled hearings will commence in the normal manner, subject to the requirement that it may be necessary to adjourn the hearing, where an Adjudication Officer concludes that it is necessary that an oath or affirmation be administered, where a serious and direct conflict of evidence arises. The WRC has set out this approach in its website notice on the Supreme Court judgment.
The WRC is scheduling more cases each week than pre-Covid as they move to proactively address any build-up of cases arising from the pandemic and the Supreme Court judgment which requires the introduction of legislation. Parties are encouraged to utilise the hearing provided to case manage the complaint(s) to identify areas of contention and/or agreement.
In the meantime, the WRC has requested that all parties give due consideration to the opportunity offered by the WRC Mediation Service as a possible avenue to resolve an individual matter in dispute.
In response to the Supreme Court’s judgment, the Government approved priority drafting and a request to waive pre-legislative scrutiny on 20 April 2021. The General Scheme proposes necessary amendments to the Workplace Relations Act 2015, and other related Acts, to remedy the aspects of the Act that were found to be incompatible with the Constitution. The amendments concern the principle that justice is to be administered in public and the statutory administration of an oath with an offence of perjury for giving of false evidence. Government has approved publication and the Bill is being moved through the Houses in the coming weeks.
74. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 22 June 2021, if the funding figure provided for each local enterprise office in 2020 includes the restart grant and the restart grant plus; and if so, if an updated figure will be provided minus funding under both schemes in tabular form. [34606/21]
View answerI can confirm that the funding in respect of the Restart Grant and Restart Grant Plus do not form part of the tabular funding information provided to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 22 June 2021 which addressed the question in relation to the funding provided to the Local Enterprise Offices.
75. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit fulfil their obligations section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34852/21]
View answerPublic bodies’ statutory duty to eliminate discrimination, promote equality, and protect human rights of staff and service users is the responsibility of all Departments and other public bodies individually. Goal 6 of my Department’s Statement of Strategy 2021 to 2023 sets out the Department’s ambition for a strong public service ethos driving effective and responsible policy implementation, including a commitment to ensuring our compliance with obligations under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. A dedicated team with representatives from each Division has been formed to progress the implementation of the Public Services Human Rights and Equality Duty.
Examples of my Department’s work in the area of Human Rights and Equality include the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the independent body which investigates or mediates complaints of discrimination.
My Department also ensures that employment rights are upheld and strengthened, and champions the principle of businesses operating responsibly. We lead on the Government’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda and support the business led voluntary CSR Stakeholder Forum. Diversity and Inclusion is a principal theme of the Forum’s work programme.
In addition, my Department is represented on the Steering Groups for the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024 and is progressing a range of actions under these strategies to promote the inclusion of people with a disability in the workforce.
76. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit undertake disability impact assessments; the process by which these assessments are monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34869/21]
View answerMy Department and the agencies under its remit are committed to disability inclusion and to fulfilling the obligations set out in the ‘National Disability Inclusion Strategy’ (2017-2021).
In line with the Government’s Comprehensive Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities, the Department and agencies operate a policy of equality of opportunity for all staff, including having codes of practice for the employment of people with disabilities in place. Supports for access to buildings are provided for staff and visitors, and publications are made available in accessible formats. Our Access Officers are available to assist and guide persons with disabilities, to access to the widest possible extent, the full range of services that we provide. A number of disability impact assessments/access assessments of agency offices have taken place, including the engagement of specialist Access Consultants to assist with these.
In line with National Disability Authority and best practice advice, the agencies under the remit of my Department take an approach of delivering inclusive services. Work is on-going and examples include:
- Enterprise Ireland has developed a draft “Disability Inclusion Strategy – Supporting Entrepreneurship”. This draft strategy has been developed in line with best practice and has been developed in consultation with a number of disability bodies and people with disabilities.
- In March 2021 Enterprise Ireland, in partnership with the National Disability Authority, held an online event on how Inclusive / Universal Design principals provide opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship for people with disabilities.
- The Health and Safety Authority has published an employer’s guide, applying inclusive health and safety practices for employees with disabilities, and highlighting the need for disability impact assessments.
- The National Standards Authority of Ireland continues to develop and promote the use of standards and guidelines in areas such as Universal Design and accessibility, and where appropriate, reference is made to the Government Guidelines on how to ‘Conduct a Disability Impact Assessment’ when new policies or procedures come under consideration.
77. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a property (details supplied) cannot avail of high speed broadband; when the area is due to be surveyed; the way he plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34233/21]
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 get 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 on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 17 June, over 226,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys are complete or underway in County Mayo in Aghagower, Ballyhean, Breaghwy, Burren, Castlebar, Clogher, Cloonkeen, Croaghmoyle, Islandeady, Killavally, Manulla, Pontoon, Strade, Tawnynagry, Turlough, Drumsheen, Bunnyconnellan, Ballina Town, Carrowntreila, Ardagh, Campbells Crossroads, Rosserk, Shanvoley, Derryhick, Kilhale, Tawnylaheen, Turlough, Ballyvary, Keeloges, Castlebar Town, Rinnaseer, Bellaburke, Killawullaun Mountain, Carn, Carnacon, Ballyglass, Belcarra, Balla, Newport, Carrowbeg, Inishgort, Inishcottle, Myna, Fahy, Ashbridge, Glenisland, Srahmore, Glenhest, Comploon, Slogger and Tawnameeltoge.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Mayo through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. 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 17June, 325 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 school BCPs. BCP’s are connected at Bofeenaun Community Centre, Taugheen Community Centre, Kilmovee Community Centre, Belderrig Community and Research Centre, Clare Island Community Centre, Keel Community Centre, Killaser Community Centre, Islandeady Community Centre, Finny Community Centre, Cushlough Community Centre and The Black Tom Freeman Sport and Community Amenities Centre (8.63km from the premises referred to in the Question). Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Scoil Néifinn, Midfield National School, Meelick More National School, Kinaffe National School, Gortskehy National School, Facefield National School, Errew National School, Cloghans National School, Shraigh National School, Rathbane National School, Rathnamagh National School, Dooagh National School, Valley National School, Dookinella National School, Tavraun Central National School and Saint Coleman's National School have been installed by NBI for educational access. 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/.
78. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of a deposit return system for plastic bottles and aluminium cans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34289/21]
View answerThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, launched last September, sets out a clear roadmap for the introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans in the third quarter of 2022.
This process began with the launch of a public consultation on the design of a DRS for Ireland in October 2020. A second consultation seeking views on the legislative framework to underpin the scheme was completed on 7 May 2021. The final legislative framework will be introduced in the coming weeks.
A working group, chaired by my Department and consisting of beverage producers, retailers, eNGOs and waste collectors, is working to progress the design of the system for introduction by the date set out in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy.
79. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of recycling centres have decided to stop accepting soft plastics and bulky items for recycling from the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34303/21]
View answer80. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of soft plastic that is generated in Ireland each year; the reason it is no longer recycled in recycling centres across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34304/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.
While waste management planning, including with regard to infrastructure provision such as civic amenity sites, is the responsibility of local authorities under Part II of the Waste Management Act, 1996 (as amended), the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, which was launched by Minister Ryan in September 2020, contains a commitment to formalise the role of civic amenity sites and agree a standard list of waste streams to be accepted at such sites. In this regard the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, with support from my Department, have recently published a National Review of Civic Amenity Sites, which is available online at www.southernwasteregion.ie/content/national-review-civic-amenity-sites.
Discussions have commenced with the local authority sector on implementation of the report recommendations. This will allow civic amenity sites to play a greater role in our transition to a more circular economy through measures such as coordinated education and awareness programmes, greater use of reuse schemes, standardising a list of waste streams accepted at such sites and collective approaches to extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, and will assist in continuing to reduce the amount of waste disposed of to landfills.
In addition the Waste Action Plan contains a commitment to revisit the existing national standardised recycling list of items accepted in the household mixed dry recyclable bin with a view to capturing more recyclable material, including soft plastics. My Department officials are currently working to advance this commitment and I look forward to making an announcement in relation to this in due course.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the collation of national waste data and reports annually on Ireland’s performance against the targets set out in EU and national legislation. Reports indicate Ireland is achieving or is on course to achieve all our EU waste targets. Further information is available at www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/waste/national-waste-statistics/.
The Government wants to build on this strong performance. A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy represents a step change in our approach to waste in Ireland, as it shifts the focus away from management to a fuller reconsideration of how we use resources and materials. The measures in the Plan are intended to minimise the amount of waste generated, eliminating waste before it can be created and diverting as much as possible to beneficial reuse or recovery and will help us deliver on our national targets.
81. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the provision of fibre broadband under the national broadband plan to Adelaide Street, Dún Laoghaire and in particular a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34434/21]
View answerThe premises referred to in the question is located in the BLUE area on the National Broadband Plan (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 NBP 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 raised the matter with the service provider operating in the area and my Department will revert to the Deputy as soon as a response is received
82. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when it is expected that the eastern coastline of Ireland will be surveyed as part of the recently announced ObSERVE II programme; if this work will involve local authorities; if these findings will be publicly available; if so, when they will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34435/21]
View answerInformation on data from the first phase of ObSERVE, including a fine-scale survey of the Irish East coast, can be found on the ObSERVE website www.gov.ie/en/publication/12374-observe-programme/. ObSERVE Phase 2 is a partnership between my Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Local authorities are not directly involved.
In accordance with the Government of Ireland's Open Data Strategy 2017-2022 and in the interest of ensuring the protection of Ireland's offshore habitats and species, the data collected during the ObSERVE programme is made freely available to all interested parties; further detail is available on the ObSERVE website.
