Written Answers Nos. 246-274
246. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address concerns that the delay in issuing work permits for persons from outside the EEA is having an extremely adverse impact on capacity of certain sectors to maintain viability, particularly the pig sector and the slaughtering plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50855/21]
View answerThe employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.
The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations. In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure their ongoing relevance to the State’s human capital requirements, they undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews. The reviews are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), SOLAS and involves public/stakeholder consultation. Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and known contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID-19 and their impact on the labour market. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by my Department and of the relevant policy Departments. Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are represented on the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group.
In May 2018, a pilot quota-based scheme was introduced to remove certain agri-food occupations from the ineligible occupations list. The scheme provided for 2,500 General Employment Permits for the meat processing industry, 500 for horticulture and 150 for the dairy sector to address the immediate needs of the sectors in sourcing labour. In addition, a quota of 300 permits was granted in respect of meat deboners. To date this pilot scheme has proved very successful for a range of employers in the sector. These three quotas created for dairy farm assistant, horticulture worker and meat processing operative have now expired.
A review of the occupation lists is currently well underway with submissions, including those in respect of meat & pig processing, under consideration. It is expected that the review will be finalised in the coming weeks and any changes necessary to deal with verified skills or labour shortages will be made at that time.
My Department has seen a significant increase in applications for employment permits this year. Latest statistics show to the end of September, some 17,084 applications were received, representing a 41% increase over the same period in 2020 (12,115) and a 23% increase on 2019 (13,868), which itself was an 11 year high.
Processing times have been impacted by this increase in demand but also because of the HSE cyber-attack. As a result, employment permit applications associated with the July Doctors rotation (which occurs twice yearly in January and July) had to be submitted either manually or through other nonstandard methods. This resulted in a significant additional administrative burden in dealing with these applications, requiring staff to be temporarily reassigned to assist in the process and had a direct impact on wider processing times for other permit applications.
It is important to point out that when set against other international employment permit regimes, Ireland continues to compare extremely favourably, even at current processing times. However, my Department is very conscious of the recent lengthening of timeframes for processing Employment Permit applications and is committed to reducing these further. My Department is taking a range of measures to reduce the current backlog as quickly as possible. It advises employers to take current timelines into account as part of their recruitment plans.
My Department updates the employment permit processing timelines on its website on a weekly basis and regularly issues updates on relevant employment permit matters to Trusted Partners such as the recent update on employment permit processing timelines.
247. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to French President's five-year, €30 billion industrial strategy and investment plan aimed at boosting domestic high-tech industries and reducing dependence on imported raw materials and electronic components; if he has plans for developing a comprehensive, cross-sectoral industrial strategy for the Irish economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50946/21]
View answerIreland’s enterprise policy – Enterprise 2025 Renewed – was refreshed in March 2018 to ensure that policy remained robust in the face of then-emerging changes in the global landscape. Subsequently, Future Jobs Ireland was published in 2019 setting out further enterprise policy ambitions to ensure resilient enterprises and jobs into the future with a focus on innovation and technological change, transition to a low carbon economy and availability of skills and talent.
The pandemic has accelerated pre-existing trends and catalysed a shift to new economic and geopolitical realities and new drivers of growth. Growing pressures and the increasingly obvious physical realities of climate change are requiring more ambitious commitments to climate action. While these trends and shifts, amongst others, present challenges and heightened risks for Ireland they are not unique to Ireland. Officials in my Department, supported by the wider diplomatic network, continuously monitor international responses to the pandemic and industrial policy developments.
The Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) published in June 2021, sets out the Government’s medium-term economic plan to rebuild Ireland’s economy. As well as committing to a package of immediate supports and investments to assist enterprise recovery, the Plan outlines a medium-term policy framework to rebuild sustainable enterprises, encourage job creation and sustainable and balanced post pandemic growth.
The Plan adopts a two-pronged recovery approach to rebuilding sustainable enterprises; supporting the domestic SME sector, which is critical to broad-based jobs-led economic growth, whilst leveraging the enormous strength of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) sector.
The Government is committed to creating the right environment for a jobs-led recovery by helping business become more resilient and agile; increasing Ireland’s competitiveness; accelerating the provision of training, reskilling and upskilling opportunities; and through a focus on expanding sectors, such as green and digital, life sciences, the creative industries and audiovisual sector, and the health and care economy. Reflecting the importance of the green and digital transition, Ireland’s Economic Recovery Plan and related strategies commit to driving a step change in the adoption of digital, AI and other new technologies by Irish businesses, as a critical driver of enterprise productivity and competitive advantage and to supporting enterprise on its decarbonisation pathway.
Similarly, the ‘France 2030’ Investment Plan announced by President Macron on 12 October 2021, includes commitments to invest in greening energy and industry, transport, healthcare, cultural innovation, space and maritime exploration. It also includes a focus on securing access to strategic raw materials, electronics and robotics, and to training and higher education to support new industrial sectors.
The ERP includes a commitment to develop a National Clustering Policy and Framework to fully realise the economic potential from clustering. Clusters are a major part of the European industrial landscape and EU Industrial Policy places an emphasis on clustering to build resilience in SMEs. The Commission is also pursuing a range of identifying measures to reinforce the EU position in global value chains.
In launching the ‘France 2030’ Investment Plan, President Macron also stressed the importance of developing a French and European strategy for semi-conductors including building innovation capability. The Irish Government decided on 9th June 2021 that Ireland will actively engage with these instruments which include Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) and Industrial Alliances. Ireland held calls for Expressions of Interest for involvement in Health and Microelectronics IPCEI and is currently examining proposals received.
The ERP is complemented by enterprise agency strategies. IDA Ireland published a new 4-year Strategy in early 2021. Enterprise Ireland is currently engaged in the development of its new multi-year strategy, 2022-2024.
248. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for his decision to exclude home carers from the critical skills exemption list to the non-EEA employment permit system on recruitment in the sector; the steps he will take to remedy same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50977/21]
View answerThe State operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The system is intended to act as a conduit for key skills which are required to develop enterprise in the State for the benefit of our economy, while simultaneously protecting the balance of the labour market.
The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for an employment permit where there is a surplus of those skills in the domestic and EEA labour market.
In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence, these lists undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews which are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), SOLAS and involves public/stakeholder consultation. Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and known contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID-19 and their impact on the labour market. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by this Department and of the relevant policy Departments, in this case the Department of Health.
The results of the most recently concluded review were announced on 14 June 2021. That review did not recommend removal of the occupation of care worker/home carers from the Ineligible Occupations List as the evidence suggested that the contracts of employment on offer and employment terms and conditions being offered are factors in the recruitment challenges faced by the sector, rather than a demonstrable labour market shortage. The sector has also previously been advised that a more systematic and structured engagement with the Department of Social Protection needs to be demonstrated.
249. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated amount spent by his Department on the procurement, purchase and rent of new office space; and the amount spent on the procurement, purchase and rent of office equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021. [51102/21]
View answerOffice space for my Department and its Offices is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by the OPW on our behalf. Therefore, my Department does not own, purchase or rent office space.
My Department works closely with OPW colleagues to ensure that the provision of such office space is appropriate, fit-for-purpose and every effort is made to optimise the physical space that is made available to us through the OPW.
Regarding the amount spent on the procurement, purchase and rent of office equipment by my Department and its Offices for each year over the past decade, bearing in mind the scope of the question it is not yet possible to provide the Deputy with the details requested within the timeframe specified.
Details regarding this element of the question will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as available over the coming days.
250. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of offices currently being rented or in ownership of his Department which are currently not in use by the Department. [51119/21]
View answerAccommodation for my Department and its Offices is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by the OPW on our behalf. The Department does not own any properties and we fully utilise the accommodation provided by the OPW.
Typically, the Department and its Offices are tenants in shared accommodation, either with other Government Departments, public bodies or the private sector.
Currently, the OPW provides office space in 11 buildings across the country for use by the Department and its Offices, across six buildings in Dublin and five buildings across Carlow, Cork, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo.
251. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address concerns by farmers that factories are advising pig farmers that they may be unable to process their pigs as they are unable to source staff. [51171/21]
View answerThe employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.
The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations. In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure their ongoing relevance to the State’s human capital requirements, they undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews. The reviews are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), SOLAS and involves public/stakeholder consultation. Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and known contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID-19 and their impact on the labour market. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by my Department and of the relevant policy Departments. Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are represented on the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group.
In May 2018, a pilot quota-based scheme was introduced to remove certain agri-food occupations from the ineligible occupations list. The scheme provided for 2,500 General Employment Permits for the meat processing industry, 500 for horticulture and 150 for the dairy sector to address the immediate needs of the sectors in sourcing labour. In addition, a quota of 300 permits was granted in respect of meat deboners. To date this pilot scheme has proved very successful for a range of employers in the sector. These three quotas created for dairy farm assistant, horticulture worker and meat processing operative have now expired.
A review of the occupation lists is currently well underway with submissions, including those in respect of meat & pig processing, under consideration. It is expected that the review will be finalised in the coming weeks and any changes necessary to deal with verified skills or labour shortages will be made at that time.
252. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the working groups his Department has with industry; the members of the groups; and the way the members of each group were selected. [51312/21]
View answerDetails of groups and forums led or chaired by my Department which include representatives from private companies or industry representative bodies are set out in the attached tables.
Note that my Department does not remunerate members of the groups listed, with the exception of the Low Pay Commission whose members do receive remuneration. Civil and public service members of some of these groups have received travel and subsistence expenses at the usual applicable rates for attendance at meetings in regional locations. Private sector members are not generally paid expenses, however the Department has made a small number of exceptions to cover certain domestic travel expenses arising for private sector Chairpersons of the Regional Enterprise Plan Committees, where the individuals were at the time working for a not-for-profit or were retired.
253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the provisions of the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 applies to situations in which coal is imported, whether for direct delivery or redistribution throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51016/21]
View answerThe 2011 Regulations, to which the Deputy refers, were revoked and replaced by the Air Pollution Act (Marketing, Sale, Distribution and Burning of Specified Fuels) Regulations 2012, as amended. These Regulations extended the ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of specified bituminous fuels and introduced a ban on the residential burning of these fuels in private dwellings in specified areas to complement the existing marketing ban.
The provisions of the Regulations apply to the fuels specified, irrespective of how they were placed on the market, including imported coal.
It should be noted that new Regulations to provide for improved emissions standards are being introduced for a range of fuels to ensure that the most polluting will no longer be available for sale on the Irish market. Introducing these standards will improve the quality of the air that we breathe, and the health of the public that we serve.
From September 2022, coal, coal-based products, any manufactured solid fuel or peat products will be required to have a smoke emission rate of less than 10g/hour, reducing to 5g/hr by 2025. In order for such fuels, imported or otherwise, to be placed on the Irish market, they must comply with these standards.
254. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will investigate the possibility of National Broadband Ireland producing a rolling 12-month plan for broadband connection within the Cork south-west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51328/21]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along some 699 schools. The NBP roll out is currently a 7 year plan under the contract and deployment is due to be complete by the end of 2026. The network rollout for the National Broadband Plan is divided into 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) across the country. These are typically an area of approximately 25km in radius and in total they cover 96% of Ireland’s landmass. The architecture of the network design is specifically based on the design of the NBI network coming from the eir exchanges or the metropolitan area networks (MANs). It is based on an engineering design that allows NBI to get to every premises as quickly as possible working within the confines of how fibre networks are built.
Each DA creates a ‘fibre ring’ which is essential to ensure reliability, robustness and resilience. Critical to the success of the network, NBI’s fibre rings are built with back-ups, ensuring that in the event of one fibre cable being disrupted, the whole network continues to perform. Each fibre ring that NBI deploys is designed in a way that is non-discriminatory, meaning that as the rollout progresses, it may pass relatively urban areas at the same time as passing some of the most remote premises within the intervention area. The design will utilise existing infrastructure to a very significant degree.
There are over 80,000 premises in the Intervention Area in County Cork that will receive access to high speed broadband under the National Broadband Plan. Government investment in County Cork in the NBP will be in the order of €314 million. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 7 October, almost 26,000 premises in County Cork have been surveyed. In total, almost 267,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed, with 113,000 premises are under construction across 30 Deployment Areas. More than 27,000 premises can order or pre-order a connection in Counties Cork, Cavan Galway, Limerick and Monaghan.
Further details are available on specific areas in Co Cork 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 while the details of the full deployment plan are available on the NBI website, a rolling 24 month update which provides a 3 to 6 month window for indicative service activation dates is specifically provided.
255. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when fibre broadband will be available at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50359/21]
View answerThe Question refers 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 get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity as a result of 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 8 October, almost 267,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed and 113,000 premises are under construction across 30 Deployment Areas. The first premises are connected in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan. Surveys are complete or underway in County Tipperary in Aherloe, Ballinalard, Bansha Roscea, Cashel, Townspark, Boherlahan, Goolds Cross, Knockavilla, Garrenroe, Camus Bridge, Golden, Shanballa, Dogstown, Racecourse Cross, Rosegreen, Knockbrett, Mayfield, Boscobell and Dualla. Main works have commenced in Aherloe, Ballinalard and Bansha, with pre-works commenced in areas around Clonmel.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Tipperary 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 has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. Given the scale and complexity of delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the NBP, I am advised that any dates provided by NBI on its website are based on the best available information at the time and may be subject to change. NBI has recently published details of its full deployment schedule on its website, www.nbi.ie, which enables all premises within the intervention area to have an anticipated service activation date range.
In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond.
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 8 October, 382 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 installed at Killea GAA Club, Drom Community Centre, Killoscully Community Centre, Moyglass Community Hall, Curreeney Community Hall, Boher Parish Hall, Lismackin Community Hall, Fanure Community Hall, Ballinahinch Community Centre (9.5km from the premises referred to), Kilcoleman Community and Recreational Centre, Burgess GAA Club, Pairc na Ngael, The Apple Camping & Caravan Park, The Pavillion, Ballinderry Sportsfield, Aglish Community Hall, Killurney Community Centre, and Rossmore Community Hall. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Ballinahinch National School, Leugh National School, Killea National School, Killeen National School and Poulacapple 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 nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
256. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a property (details supplied) is scheduled to be connected to broadband by National Broadband Ireland; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50438/21]
View answerThe Question refers 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 get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity as a result of 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 8 October almost 267,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed and 113,000 premises are under construction across 30 Deployment Areas. The first premises are connected in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan. Surveys are complete or underway in County Carlow in Downings, Ballymurphy, Coppenagh, Killerig, Friarstown, Slaney Quarter, Kilmagarvoge, Muinebheag, Ballinkillen, Garryhill, Knockdrumagh, Drumphea, Coshill, Borris, Ballyphenan, Ballymurphy, Tinnecarrig, Goolin, Ballyling, Glynn, St Mullins, Hollybrook, Myshall, Lismaconly and Cappawater, with pre-works commenced in the areas around Carlow.
I understand that the premises referred to in the Question is a new build and has recently been added to the Intervention Area through a GeoDirectory update. The NBI website 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 has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond.
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 8 October, 382 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 installed at Newtown Community Centre, Borris Library (0.73km from the premises), Altamont Gardens, Ballon Community & Sports Centre, Clashganny Forest Trails, Rathanna Community Hall and Duckett's Grove House. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Saint Laserian's School and Our Lady'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 nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
257. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some energy companies have stated that they will be increasing their standing charges by €30; if he has engaged with the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities on the issue and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50475/21]
View answerThe electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the matters raised by the Deputy, is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999. The CRU is an independent statutory regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions to the Oireachtas, and not to me as Minister.
In line with long standing policy on deregulating price setting, CRU ended its regulation of retail prices in the electricity market in 2011, and in the gas market in 2014. Given that prices are no longer regulated, they are set by all suppliers as entirely commercial and operational matters by them. Each such company has its own different approach to pricing decisions over time, in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base. Suppliers reflect their costs in the form of standing charges and unit charges. The standing charge is a fixed daily cost on a bill reflecting a combination of the fixed charges associated with providing and maintaining the supply of electricity, the collection of meter readings and a share of the supplier costs in servicing customer accounts. A low usage charge may also apply where a customer uses two units or less of electricity on average per day in a billing period. The position of successive Governments, for almost twenty years, has been that competitive energy markets result in greater choice for consumers and businesses, in terms of suppliers, products and prices and to support competition to drive down prices. Data from approved price comparison sites shows that consumers can make significant savings by switching energy suppliers and this can mitigate for consumers the impact of price rises. Switching supplier could save a customer consuming the average amount of electricity up to €285.46 on an annual electricity bill (comparison made on 18 October 2021 using a CRU accredited price comparison website). The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters, such as the matter raised in this question, to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
258. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of gas boilers being used in Irish homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50476/21]
View answer263. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if further supports are being considered to incentivise a greater take-up of retrofitting in Irish homes; if so, if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50481/21]
View answer264. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports that are being considered specifically for middle income earners that do not currently qualify for free retrofitting supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50482/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 263 and 264 together.
The Climate Action Plan and Programme for Government set highly ambitious targets for the number and depth of retrofits to be completed by 2030. A new National Retrofit Plan to be published shortly will detail the Government’s approach to meeting these targets and will address barriers to retrofit across four key areas: driving demand and activity; financing and affordability; supply chain, skills and standards; and structures and governance.
It is estimated that 700,000 homes are currently using networked gas or LPG for their home heating needs. Improving the energy efficiency and decarbonising our homes is a critical climate priority and a major focus of the funding provided in the National Development Plan review. €5 billion in carbon tax receipts will be invested by my Department to support the achievement of our national targets which are to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal or carbon equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by 2030.
Budget 2022 commits €202 million in carbon tax revenue to fund the SEAI residential and community retrofit schemes and a further €10 million from the Exchequer for the Solar PV scheme. This investment will support over 22,000 home energy upgrades, including over 6,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2. It will deliver warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes with lower energy bills. It will also reduce emissions from the residential sector and improve air quality.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) residential and community energy efficiency schemes will be a central element of the Government’s retrofit plan. These schemes provide free energy upgrades for households in, or at risk of, energy poverty as well as partial grants for those that can contribute to the cost. Full details on the application processes for the range of schemes operated by the SEAI are available at www.seai.ie.
A new National Home Retrofit Scheme will be launched at the end of this year. The Scheme will support homeowners to achieve deeper (B2) retrofits with heat pumps and will facilitate continuous, year-round working and the multi-year planning which has long been identified as a crucial requirement by the supply chain and homeowners. Information on this scheme will be published at its launch.
My Department is also engaging with Department of Finance and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland in relation to the development of a residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme. The loan guarantee, which is co-funded by the EU, will enable credit institutions to offer loans with reduced interest rates and make comprehensive home energy efficiency upgrades more affordable to consumers. As a result, households will be able to enjoy more comfortable and healthier homes with a lower carbon footprint.
259. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes in Ireland that have been fitted with heat pumps to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50477/21]
View answer260. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of Irish homes that will be fitted with heat pumps in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50478/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.
Improving the energy efficiency of our homes and reducing their carbon emissions is a key priority. €5 billion in carbon tax receipts will be invested by my Department to support the achievement of our national targets which are to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal or carbon equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by 2030.
The number of homes fitted with a heat pump by year since 2011 is set out in the table below (based on Grant Schemes and Building Energy Rating (BER) data available to SEAI).
Table 1: Number of homes in Ireland fitted with heat pumps to date*
An estimate of the number of heat pumps to be retrofitted in the coming years will be included in the forthcoming National Retrofit Plan.
261. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes in Ireland that have been fitted with smart meters to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50479/21]
View answer262. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of Irish homes that will be fitted with smart meters in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50480/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.
The installation of smart meters is a key enabler for the energy transition to a decarbonised system as outlined in both the National Development Plan and the Climate Action Plan. The move to upgraded digital meters will bring many benefits for energy customers by enhancing competition, making bills more accurate, providing customers with better information on their energy consumption and empowering them with new tools to make more informed choices about their energy needs.
Accurate energy usage information across the day will enable consumers to be more efficient in their use of electricity and save money, for example by using appliances off peak. This will, in turn, reduce the need for less efficient and more costly generation at peak times.
The National Smart Metering Programme is being coordinated by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities with ESB Networks responsible for rolling out smart-ready electricity meters. This rollout commenced in September 2019 and is due to conclude by end 2024 when some 2.25 million electricity meters will have been replaced in our homes and businesses nationwide.
By end-quarter 3 2021, 493,877 meters have been installed, in spite of the challenges caused by Covid-19 restrictions during 2020-2021. The estimated number of smart meters that will be installed in 2021 will be approximately 400,000 with plans to install some 500,000 each year thereafter until the Programme's completion.
265. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work of the micro-generation working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50483/21]
View answer266. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the public consultation on a micro-generation support scheme in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50484/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together.
A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is developing an enabling framework for micro-generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments.
Within the Working Group, there has been extensive engagement between my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on a proposed revision to the exemptions for solar installations under the Planning Regulations. The proposed revisions could reduce the barriers to micro and small-scale rooftop solar PV and open up exemptions to new building types including educational, community and apartment buildings. A Strategic Environmental Assessment of the proposed revisions is underway, after which it is expected that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will bring revised Regulations to the relevant Oireachtas Committee early next year.
My Department outlined proposals for a new Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) in a public consultation that closed in February. A summary report of the submissions has been published on my Department's website.
A key proposal of the consultation concerned the introduction of a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff, to provide remuneration that reflects the market rate for renewable electricity exported to the grid by renewables self-consumers.The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlines the details for the introduction of the CEG payment. I understand that the CRU consultation will last four weeks, with a decision expected to be published in November and a compensation regime expected to follow shortly afterwards.
I also understand that ESB Networks will also begin a trial in the coming months of an updated and simplified grid connection process for micro-generators in the 12-50kW range.
In the meantime, my Department is developing a final scheme design for the MSS that incorporates the feedback from the public consultation and subsequent additional analysis. A proposal will be submitted to Government later this year.
267. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of warmer home schemes completed in each of the past five years; the average waiting time from application for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50528/21]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date, over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme. In the first six months of 2021, the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was approximately €17,100. There are currently over 7,000 homeowners on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. Data from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) indicates that for homes completed in the first half of 2021, the average time from application to completion was approximately 26 months. The SEAI has advised that wait times vary, based on the demand for the scheme at the time of application as well as other factors including the scale of works to be completed, access to the property, availability of materials and the weather.
The average wait times have increased significantly due to the extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity in place during much of 2020 as well as between January and mid-April this year when the scheme was fully paused in line with Government guidelines. Wait times have also been negatively impacted by challenges associated with availability and longer lead time for materials. However, delivery capacity in the supply chain has increased due to a new, broader contractor panel that commenced at the end of 2020.
Funding for SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased significantly to over €109 million in 2021, with €100 million allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This is an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation and means that almost half of the total SEAI residential and community retrofit budget is available to support people vulnerable to energy poverty. The funding will mean that more households can receive free energy efficiency upgrades making their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, in line with the Programme for Government. I have also secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of Warmer Home Scheme homes completed in the past five years is set out in the Table below :
|
Warmer Homes Scheme |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021* |
|
Homes completed |
6,554 |
5,255 |
3,142 |
1,524 |
1,270 |
*2021 figures to end September 2021
It is important to note that the depth and associated cost of the retrofits available under the scheme has increased significantly over the last number of years.
268. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of one-stop-shop, home improvement schemes that have been completed through SEAI in each of the past five years; the average waiting time from application for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50529/21]
View answer299. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average grant provided to a household for retrofitting their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51294/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 299 together.
This year, some €221.5 million in capital funding was provided for SEAI residential and community retrofit schemes, including the Solar PV scheme and the Building Energy Rating programme. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes.
The National Home Retrofit Scheme (One-Stop-Shop Development Call) opened for applications in September 2020 with a funding allocation of €21.5 million for 2021. This Scheme is designed to encourage the development of retrofit One-Stop-Shops, to support home retrofit on a larger scale, and support the growth of the retrofitting industry. It facilitates home upgrades for private households, registered Housing Associations and Local Authorities who wish to participate in delivering home energy efficiency upgrades.
Following receipt and review of applications by the SEAI, 47 contracts were agreed with 24 participating One-Stop-Shops. Between them, upgrades were approved for over 1,500 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 or cost optimal energy standard as per Part L of the Building Regulations. The upgrades comprised a mix of privately owned homes and homes owned by Approved Housing Bodies.
The grant offerings to households range from approximately 35% for privately owned homes up to approximately 50% for Approved Housing Bodies. Based on the total grant offering across all 47 contracts, the average grant offering per house in 2021 was just over €15,000. Approximately 500 homes have been completed as of end September.
269. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the budgets given to the SEAI for the retrofit scheme for each of the past five years; the amount spent per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50530/21]
View answerImproving the energy efficiency of our homes and reducing their carbon emissions is a critical climate priority and a major focus of the funding provided in the National Development Plan review. €5 billion in carbon tax receipts will be invested by my Department to support the achievement of our national targets which are to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal or carbon equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by 2030 with €1.3 billion of this to be provided for the period 2022-2025. I understand that the Question is confined to the Better Energy Warmers Homes Scheme.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date, over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme. In the first six months of 2021, the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was approximately €17,100.
Funding for SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased significantly to over €109 million in 2021, with €100 million allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This is an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation and means that almost half of the total SEAI residential and community retrofit budget will support people vulnerable to energy poverty. The funding will mean that more households can receive free energy efficiency upgrades making their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, in line with the Programme for Government. I have also secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is set out in the Table below.
|
- |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021* |
|
Budget Allocation |
€21.6m |
€35.5m |
€39.8m |
€52.8m |
€100m |
|
Expenditure |
€22.6m |
€35.5m |
€39.8m |
€23.4m |
€20.9m |
(* to end September 2021)
It is important to note that extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity between March and June of 2020 as well as between January and mid-April 2021 had a significant impact on activity in 2020 and 2021. Output has also been negatively impacted by challenges associated with availability and longer lead times for materials. Every effort is being made to maximise output now that construction activity in the residential sector has recommenced.
270. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of his Department's review of energy security in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50581/21]
View answerMy Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The review is being carried out for the period to 2030 in the context of net zero emissions by 2050. A technical analysis is currently underway which will be published to help inform a public consultation. The review will consider a range of options to ensure continued security of electricity and gas supply. There options will be considered in the context of the Programme for Government commitments.
I expect the review to complete in the first half of next year and I intend that the findings of the review will be submitted to Government.
271. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a report on the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap and its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50583/21]
View answerIreland’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, which was published in September 2020, includes a commitment to work with a range of stakeholders to develop a Food Waste Prevention Roadmap that sets out a series of actions to deliver the reductions necessary to halve our food waste by 2030, meet any other related targets, and promote our transition to a circular economy.
My Department has commenced work on the development of a draft National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap and is in the process of engaging with stakeholders as part of this work.
272. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of permits that have been issued across Dublin city and county by the National Waste Collection Permit Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50584/21]
View answerMy Department does not collate the type of data sought by the Deputy. However, information on waste collection permits is available on the website of the National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO), please see www.nwcpo.ie/permitsearch.aspx.
273. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a progress report on the Interdepartmental Group for the Delivery of Offline Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50587/21]
View answerThe work of the interdepartmental group is at an advanced stage and the report will be submitted to Government in the near future.
274. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a briefing on the criteria for and the level of uptake in relation to the local authority enforcement measures grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50590/21]
View answerThe conditions which local authorities must meet in order to participate in the Local Authority Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme and avail of the associated funding are as follows. - The number of Waste Enforcement Officers to be employed by each local authority should be based on the categorisation of that authority as developed under the Local Authority Waste Enforcement Funding Model and agreed by the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and my Department in 2019. This model incentivises the provision of dedicated enforcement staff, depending on the category of authority, to be funded at a unit cost of €50,000 per annum per person.
- A defined enforcement lead must be appointed in all local authorities. The designated enforcement lead shall be that authority's representative on the regional operations group
- Recoupment of support staff expenditure should be limited to 10% of the overall allocation. This 10% limit refers to the maximum amount that can be claimed by local authorities for support and/or supervisory staff for waste enforcement activities.
- All local authorities must collaborate with the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority (WERLA) Offices as required in the context of the enhanced role of the WERLA Offices, the provision of data and the engagement of appropriate technology and training.
- All Waste Enforcement Officers supported by this grant scheme must be solely dedicated to the enforcement of the provisions of waste legislation emanating from the Waste Management Act and related European Directives.
As was the case in 2020, €7.69mn has been allocated in support of the scheme in 2021. Final 2021 claims have yet to be processed, but there was full uptake of the allocation in 2020.
