Tuesday, 16 Nov 2021

Written Answers Nos. 122-141

Departmental Strategies

Questions (122)

Gerald Nash

Question:

122. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach the status of the well-being framework and dashboard; his plans to include the distribution of both pre-tax and post-tax income and wealth and Gini coefficient within the income and wealth dimension of the proposed well-being dashboard; and his plans to include measures for the security of employment, trade union density and collective bargaining coverage and work-life balance within the work and job quality dimension. [56110/21]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

Ireland’s Well-being Framework is the result of a Programme for Government commitment to develop a set of well-being indices to create a well-rounded, holistic view of how Irish society is faring.

A First Report on the development of the Framework, including a dashboard of indicators, was approved by Government in June of this year and published in July. It was informed by consultation facilitated by the National Economic and Social Research Council involving stakeholders and experts in the area.

The Government’s Report committed to a second phase of consultation on the Framework to gain feedback. It also committed to specific areas for further research and consideration, a phased approach to addressing data gaps, and a pathway for integrating the framework into policy making over time. A follow up report will be submitted to Government in 2022.

A ‘Public Conversation’ on the well-being initiative was launched on the 26th of October. As part of this, a Government well-being portal was developed. This is supported by CSO’s interactive dashboard hosted on its well-being information hub , which was also launched on the 26th.

The indicators for the Well-being Dashboard are hosted by the CSO on its Well-being Information Hub. One fundamental design principle of the dashboard is non-complexity, and therefore the number of indicators was limited to approximately three per dimension. Indicators were chosen based on a clear set of criteria (as set out in the Governments first report), and in consultation with the CSO and the Inter-Departmental Working Group on a Well-being Framework. The outputs (e.g. trends and international comparisons) had no influence on selection. Each chosen indicator is disaggregated to explore inequality across groups. The cohorts chosen for disaggregation are based on existing research, consultation across Government and with experts in the field, and data availability.

The dashboard is necessarily based on available data and will improve over time as data gaps are progressively addressed. As evidenced internationally, fully developing a Well-being Framework and related data improvements are considerable pieces of work and will require significant time and resources.

The indicators for the Income and Wealth dimension are:

- Median real household disposable income, disaggregated by Principal Economic Status of head of household and household composition;

- Median household net wealth, disaggregated by tenure status and household composition;

- Households making ends meet with great difficulty, disaggregated by household composition and household disposable income quintile.

The indicators for the Work and Job Quality dimension are:

- Labour Underutilisation Rate, disaggregated by sex and age group;

- Employment Rate, disaggregated by sex and age group;

- Mean Weekly Earnings, disaggregated by sex, nationality and age group.

The indicators for the Time Use dimension, which deals explicitly with work-life balance (alongside general time use) are:

- Long Working Hours in Main Job, disaggregated by sex, NACE economic sector and age group;

- Carers providing at Least 20 Hours Care per Week, disaggregated by sex, age group and level of disadvantage;

- Population satisfied with Time Use, disaggregated by sex and household composition

National Risk Assessment

Questions (123)

Alan Kelly

Question:

123. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the status of the National Risk Assessment. [56129/21]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The National Risk Assessment provides an opportunity to identify and discuss significant risks that may arise for Ireland. Since it was first published in 2014, it has provided an overview of strategic risks and highlighted risks, such as Brexit, housing and pandemics.

The process is designed to ensure a broad-based and inclusive debate on risks facing the country. This includes publishing the draft for public consultation. There are also opportunities for stakeholders and Oireachtas members to contribute to the development of the final version.

The draft National Risk Assessment was published for consultation in July, and laid before the Oireachtas. Work is well advanced on finalising the National Risk Assessment 2021/2022, which will be published in the coming weeks.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (124)

Michael McNamara

Question:

124. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Taoiseach the way he travelled to and from Edinburgh en route to the COP 26 United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow; and the airline or airlines with which he travelled if he took a commercial flight. [55537/21]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I participated in the World Leaders Summit at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 1-2 November.

I can confirm, as I did previously in the House, that I travelled to Edinburgh and back commercially. My outbound journey was with Aer Lingus and my return journey to Dublin was with Ryanair.

In keeping with Government policy and practice, my Department records, monitors and values the carbon emissions associated with official air travel and makes a payment for this value to the Climate Action Fund in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

Energy Policy

Questions (125)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

125. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of skilled retrofitting workers that will be needed to deliver on retrofitting targets; the number of each category of tradesperson or specifically qualified retrofitting construction workers in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55483/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) is the independent body tasked with advising the Government on the current and future skills needs of the Irish economy. Its Secretariat is based in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

As part of its 2021 work programme, the EGFSN undertook a study on the nature and quantity of skills required between now and 2030 to deliver on some of the key enabling measures in the Climate Action Plan.

These are the targeting of 5GW of offshore renewable wind energy, an increase in onshore wind energy of up to 8.2GW, and the generation of up to 1.5GW of grid scale solar energy; the energy efficient retrofit of 500,000 residential homes to a minimum B2 Building Energy Rating; and the target of having 840,000 electric cars, as well as 95,000 commercial vehicles, on Irish roads.

The resulting study, Skills for Zero Carbon: The Demand for Renewable Energy, Residential Retrofit and Electric Vehicle Deployment Skills to 2030, will be published by the EGFSN shortly. It will contain the details requested by the deputy in respect of the retrofit workforce that is required over the next decade.

This study is referenced in the newly published Climate Action Plan for 2022, and its findings will inform the implementation of that plan.

Employment Rights

Questions (126)

Emer Higgins

Question:

126. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the provision of statutory sick pay for all employees; his views on the equity of transferring the financial burden of sick pay to employers; the way employers will be supported in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55487/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

This Government is committed to introducing a statutory sick pay scheme and work is well underway in this regard. Any move to introduce a statutory sick pay scheme must be balanced with the need to support the viability of the business and enterprise sector, thereby protecting jobs. My Department undertook a full public consultation, reviewed international best practice, and formed an interdepartmental group – to ensure that all views and issues were properly considered in the development of the scheme.

The draft Heads of Bill have been published and are available on my Department’s website.

I have given a lot of consideration to the current pressures on business, and the design parameters and the incremental approach to be taken over 4 years are in recognition of this. While there will be some additional costs, the scheme is not intended to impose excessive costs on employers.

In the first instance, the legislation will provide for a replacement rate of 70% of gross salary for a duration of 3 working days in a calendar year. Coupled with the 70% rate of pay, the application of a daily earnings cut-off point of €110 will ensure that employers do not face excessive costs and that jobs are not jeopardised.

However, for those employers who are genuinely unable to cover the costs, we have, under Section 10 of the draft Bill, included a provision whereby an employer may seek an exemption from the Labour Court from the requirement to pay statutory sick leave for a period not less than three months and not more than twelve months.

Pre-legislative scrutiny commenced on 10th November. Once this process is complete, I will seek Government approval to present the Bill to the Houses.

Health and Safety

Questions (127)

Gerald Nash

Question:

127. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections that the Health and Safety Authority has carried out in hospitality-related businesses, such as, pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels and nightclubs since 22 October 2021 in order to monitor and enforce compliance with the requirement for EU digital Covid certificates to be presented and checked, by county; the number of compliance notices or formal orders issued to businesses that have been found to be non-compliant with the regulations relating to the checking of EU digital Covid certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55498/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), along with the Health Services Executive (HSE) has been identified as a relevant body under the Indoor Dining Regulations which came into force on 26 July 2021.

The Health and Safety Authority has undertaken 233 Compliance Checks in businesses under these new regulations between 22nd October 2021 and 5th November 2021.

The findings of the compliance checks completed are as follows:

- 96% of operators were found in compliance.

- 4% of operators were found to be in non-compliance

- 22% of operators required additional compliance measures

In the same period 5 direction/compliance notices have been issued.

The focus of the Compliance Checks is on supporting the relevant indoor operators to understand their responsibilities of ensuring only permitted persons who have provided a proof of immunity to dine or drink indoors.

Where additional measures or non-compliances were identified, appropriate follow up and engagement is being undertaken by the HSA’s Compliance Officers.

The following table gives a breakdown of the compliance checks by county.

County	Compliance Checks
Dublin	40
Cork	35
Galway	17
Limerick	16
Carlow	10
Waterford	25
Kilkenny	15
Clare	10
Donegal	11
Kildare	13
Mayo	10
Kerry	5
Laois	6
Sligo	4
Westmeath	11
Offaly	2
Wicklow	3

Industrial Development

Questions (128)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

128. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total allocation and final expenditure on each Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland technology centre in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55506/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Technology Centre programme is a joint initiative between Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, which allows Irish companies and multinationals to work together on market focused strategic R&D projects in collaboration with research institutions. Technology Centres are collaborative entities established and led by industry. Participating companies propose areas and themes of greatest relevance to them over a 3-5 year period and co-fund part of the research. In response, the researchers develop solutions that respond to these needs.

There are currently eight Technology Centres in the programme, resourced by highly-qualified researchers who provide a unique ecosystem for collaboration in areas identified by industry as being strategically important.

Over 300 member companies collaborate with the Technology Centres in the areas of analytics, dairy processing, food for health, learning technologies, manufacturing, materials, meat technology, microelectronics and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Technology Centres' supports achieve economies of scale by addressing sector wide problems or opportunities in order to achieve uplift for groups of companies via individual investments. This initiative allows industry groups to set a commercially valuable research agenda which academic researchers in the Technology Centre will deliver on. This programme is Ireland’s largest initiative to support industry-led research, development and innovation. In partnership with their member companies these Centres focus on identifying new sources of industrial growth and job creation and achieving competitive advantage for industry in Ireland by accessing and leveraging the innovative capacity of the Irish research community.

Each Centre is approved funding for a 5 year period based on a Business Plan submission which is evaluated both internally and by external international domain experts. For every one euro the State invests in Technology Centres, there is a 6-20 fold return on investment.

The following funding approvals have been made in respect of the current Technology Centres.

- MTI - €8.1m funded for Phase 1

- CeADAR - €12m funded for Phase 2

- DPTC - €14m funded for Phase 2

- IMR - €23.5m funded for Phase 2

- PMTC - €5m funded for Phase 2

- Learnovate – €7.4m for Phase 2

- FHI - €7.2m funded for Phase 3

- MCCI - €10m funded for Phase 3

The following table shows the core funding paid to the individual Centres in 2020. A schedule of funding for 2017-2019 inclusive is provided in the link.

Funding

Technology Centre	Payments in 2020
CEADAR – data analytics and AI centre	€610,446
DPTC – Dairy Processing Technology Centre	€1,067,808
FHI – Food for Health Ireland	€629,868
IMR – Irish Manufacturing Research Centre	€5,319,324
Learnovate – e-learning centre	€107,564
MCCI - microelectronics	€1,441,850
MTI – Meat Technology Ireland	€1,030,662
PMTC – pharmaceutical manufacturing	€661,324

Departmental Funding

Questions (129)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

129. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way the performance of the disruptive technologies innovation fund will be assessed and the output of the research and development activity to ensure value for money for taxpayers', given that €235 million has been awarded to private companies in the first three calls for the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55507/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Government established the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) in 2018 as one of four National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027 Funds under Project Ireland 2040. It is aimed at encouraging collaboration and innovation in the development and deployment of disruptive technologies, on a commercial basis, targeted at tackling national and global challenges. It is managed by my Department and administered by Enterprise Ireland.

DTIF focuses on the ability of Irish SMEs to drive disruptive innovation through collaboration on research with other SMEs, multinationals and research institutions. The Fund is open to partnerships working together on projects that have the potential to significantly alter markets or the way businesses operate.

The €235 million allocated in the first three calls of the fund has been disbursed across 270 project partners from the enterprise sector and research performing organisations across the country. A key condition of DTIF is that the amounts allocated by my Department must be matched by private sector investment.

In November 2020 the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) completed and published a Spending Review of the Fund, which is available on their website. The review was a comprehensive evaluation of the Fund aimed at systematically assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of DTIF and ensuring that the Fund remains in alignment with its policy objectives. The review acknowledged a strong rationale for a publicly funded programme making significant investments in disruptive technologies which are high-risk, high-return. It found that the programme is working towards achieving its stated objectives, including maintaining a focus on collaboration and building on publicly-funded research.

The Spending Review also set out a proposed framework – a Programme Logic Model (PLM) – for measuring the impact of the DTIF in the years ahead particularly as the first projects come to fruition from mid-2022. This PLM maps out the logical steps and associated key performance indicators (KPIs) in terms of the inputs, activities, outputs and final outcomes and impacts which emerge through the implementation of a programme.

The Spending Review also made a recommendation for a review examining on the processes of the Fund. This review, which is currently underway and is due for completion in January 2022, will provide feedback on participants’ experiences of DTIF to date and will set out in more detail the processes required to embed and operationalise the aforementioned PLM to ensure that it aligns with existing reporting mechanisms and avoids unnecessary duplication. On completion of the review, we expect that any additional recommendations arising from the review, with regard to measuring the impact of the programme, will be in place before the first projects are completed in mid-2022.

My Department will continue to engage with the IGEES on further reviews of the Fund over its lifetime to ensure that it continues to meet its objectives and achieve value for money.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (130)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

130. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to ensure an inclusion statement securing the equal rights of persons living with a disability to work remotely within the remote working strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55546/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

My Department published the National Remote Work Strategy on January 15th, 2021. 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 highlights the opportunities presented by remote working. In particular, it outlines the possibilities remote working options hold for increasing labour market participation. It underlines how remote work can offer a substantial opportunity for people with a disability or a chronic illness, by removing a commute and allowing for a more flexible schedule.

The Strategy further acknowledges how the sudden onset of remote working has led to broader acceptance of remote/home working as a viable long-term possibility, with many companies seeing the benefits of retaining working from home as an option in the long-term.

The potential benefits of a broader acceptance of remote working are significant for people with disabilities. Widespread remote working provides an opportunity for persons with a disability to work where otherwise it may not have been possible.

The Strategy further notes that, whilst providing great opportunity, with higher levels of remote working the careers of people with disabilities could suffer as a result of reduced office visibility and that employers must include measures to avoid this. It also emphasises that persons with disabilities that are capable and want to work on the employer’s premises must enjoy the same right as persons without disabilities and allowances should be continued for those who wish to attend the workplace.

My Department is driving the implementation of the Strategy’s actions through an Interdepartmental Group which meets on a quarterly basis. At these meetings good progress has been demonstrated towards achieving the Strategy’s actions to facilitate remote working in the long-term.

Work Permits

Questions (131)

Niall Collins

Question:

131. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the 100 work permits recently issued for farming only related to dairy farming and did not include the pig and poultry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55583/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The results of the most recent review of the Occupations Lists were announced on 28 October 2021.

The Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration considered that changes to the labour market as the economy continues to reopen over the next few months may help alleviate current shortages with an expected increase in available labour for the Pig and Poultry sector.

An allocation of 100 General Employment Permits for the role of Dairy Farm Assistant at the minimum annual remuneration threshold of €30,000 was provided to help alleviate the pressure that this sector is faced with.

This quota, as with all the agricultural quotas announced, will be followed by a strategic review of labour attraction and retention of the sector and should evidence based cases be made to my Department for further changes, they will be examined and acted upon appropriately.

The next Occupational Lists Review will open in the coming months and submissions from the various sectors, including the Agri-food and agriculture sectors, will be invited through a public consultation.

Work Permits

Questions (132)

Bríd Smith

Question:

132. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications for a work permit that have been received by his Department for healthcare assistants following the announcement that healthcare assistants from non-EU/EEA countries could apply for a work permit; the number that have been granted to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55615/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Ireland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The employment permits regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages in the State, required to develop and support enterprise for the benefit of our economy. However, this objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.

The employment permits 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 consideration for an employment permit and these lists are subject to twice-yearly evidenced based review.

On foot of a review of the Occupations Lists, changes were announced on 14 June 2021 which included providing access to the General Employment Permit for non-EEA nationals wishing to take up employment in the State as a Health Care Assistant. In order to be eligible for the grant of an employment permit, the employment must offer a remuneration level of €27,000 or more. If granted, after two years employment in the State the permit holder must demonstrate they have secured QQI level 5 training in a relevant discipline when applying for a renewal employment permit.

The figures requested by the Deputy in relation to employment permits for the role of Health Care Assistant since the changes to the employment permit system were announced in June 2021 to date are outlined in the table below.

Health Care Assistants	-
Applications received since announcement	314
Employment permits issued	9
Applications withdrawn	5
Applications refused	15
Applications awaiting processing	282
Request for review of decision received	3

Business Regulation

Questions (133)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

133. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the implementation of the code of conduct in relation to commercial leases since October 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55637/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I understand some businesses are under pressure to meet their fixed costs, such as rent, after what has been an exceptionally challenging period.

Last October, the Government published the Code of Conduct between landlords and tenants for commercial rents. The aim of the voluntary Code is to facilitate discussions between landlords and tenants impacted by COVID-19, as it is in everybody’s interest that terms are amicably agreed. Landlords should be willing to do what they can to help their tenants to continue to operate rather than facing the risk of a vacant premises and inability to obtain new tenants. Equally, tenants should pay what they can and speak with their landlord when difficulties arise.

Rather than letting the Code expire at the end of the July, as had been intended, I decided to extend the Code to the end of the year, which, at the time, was in line with the end date for other schemes such as the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). Officials in my Department are currently reviewing the Code of Conduct and a decision on whether to extend the Code beyond the end of this year will be taken shortly.

Patent Applications

Questions (134, 135, 136, 137)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the establishment of a unified patent court here has been examined with particular reference to the innovative requirements of the manufacturing and services sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56091/21]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent of engagement by Government in 2021 at a European level on the unified patent court including participation at meetings of the preparatory committee of the unified patent court and developments that have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56092/21]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent of engagement in 2021 between his Department and IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland on the concept of the unified patent court and the opportunities for Ireland arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56093/21]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent of engagement in 2021 between his Department and external organisations such as business and legal representative bodies on the unified patent court and the opportunities for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56094/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 to 137, inclusive, together.

The international Agreement on the Unified Patent Court (UPCA), signed in February 2013, entails the establishment of an international court that will, when operational, have exclusive competence for actions for infringement and validity in respect of European patents.

To enter into force, the UPCA must be ratified by 13 Member States including the three largest contracting states (by number of European patents). Originally, these were France, Germany, and the UK. With the UK having withdrawn from the UPCA following Brexit, those three countries are now France, Germany, and Italy. To date, 16 Member States have ratified the Agreement including France and Italy.

Following the resolution of several constitutional challenges, Germany has now passed the legislation enabling it to ratify the UPCA. Germany has also ratified the Protocol on Provisional Application (PPA). One further participating Member State is required to ratify the Protocol, so that it may enter into force and mark the start of the provisional application period (PAP). This will enable various final preparations to be undertaken so that the Unified Patent Court (UPC) can become fully operational.

Ireland continues to participate proactively at a European level on matters pertaining to the UPC including most recently, attending the 21st UPC Preparatory Committee, held in Luxembourg on 27 October 2021.

For Ireland to ratify the UPCA, a successful Constitutional referendum will be required to allow for the transfer of jurisdictional powers from our Courts to the new international Court.

A decision on the holding of a referendum on this issue will be kept under review in the context of the timing of the coming into force of the UPC. The timing of a referendum will be a matter for Government to decide.

Question No. 135 answered with Question No. 134.

Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 134.

Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 134.

EU Directives

Questions (138)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

138. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding, and his views on, the EU mandatory human rights due diligence directive being brought forward by the European Commission; and the steps his Department intends to take to ensure that Ireland is in a position to implement it. [56120/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I understand that the Deputy may be referring to the European Commission’s forthcoming proposals on Sustainable Corporate Governance (SCG). Publication of the proposals has been delayed and it is now expected that they will be published in December. Details are awaited but it is understood that the proposals will require companies to put in place policies and procedures to monitor the adverse effect of their operations and/or supply chain on human rights, labour rights, social rights and environmental issues.

My Department will carefully consider the proposals, when available, and will engage with stakeholders to inform Ireland’s position on the legislation. Ireland is a strong advocate of human rights protections and will seek to ensure that the proposals strike the right balance by protecting fundamental rights whilst ensuring that the measures to be implemented by companies achieve the policy goals and are not unduly onerous, particularly with regard to SMEs.

In parallel, there is already an obligation on certain large companies in the EU to publish annually non-financial information in respect of their social and environmental impact including on matters such as human rights and climate change or explain where they do not. In April 2021, the European Commission published a significant revision of the current rules in the form of a proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Under the proposals all large companies and listed SMEs will be required annually to publish information on their performance and impact in respect of environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters, including human rights matters in accordance with mandatory EU standards. The proposal is being negotiated by Member States at Council Working Party and Ireland is taking an active part in progressing these important and positive developments.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (139)

Réada Cronin

Question:

139. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the advice and assistance his Department can provide to persons in north County Kildare (details supplied); if it is the case that to qualify for the grant all expensive work must be done in one go to get the BER to the necessary level thus putting it out of reach of many who wish to make these changes; if so, if his Department will amend the grant requirements in order to assist as many homeowners as possible to do as much as possible on a phased basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55742/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the solar PV grant scheme to help homeowners install rooftop solar PV equipment. Details of eligibility criteria and how to apply are set out on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie. Under the scheme, a Letter of Offer confirms to the applicant that they have been approved for a grant up to a certain amount, subject to the terms & conditions of  the scheme, including a minimum post-works Building Energy Rating (BER) C rating. This minimum requirement reflects the fact that energy efficiency is a key priority in the decarbonisation of energy and reducing emissions, and ensures that an energy efficiency first principle is followed in the allocation of supports.  Under the solar PV scheme, applicants have 8 months from the receipt of a Letter of Offer to submit an application for grant payment. Therefore, it may be possible for such applicants to carry out additional retrofit works to achieve a BER C rating, for which SEAI grant supports may be available, within the window available for drawing down grant payment. The works do not have to completed simultaneously, so long as the application for grant payment is submitted within the specified timeframe. The SEAI offers a range of supports to homeowners to enable energy efficiency works be carried out to improve their BER under the Better Energy Homes scheme. The SEAI also administer the National Housing Retrofit and the Community Energy Grants schemes.  An applicant's BER assessor would be able to help them determine the most cost effective method of obtaining the minimum required BER C rating, taking into account the range of supports available under the above schemes.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (140, 141)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

140. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he and his officials took to verify the financial standing of each of the consortium members in the context of the national broadband plan and the winning bidder (details supplied); and the way in which they compared with that of the pre-qualification criteria. [55481/21]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

141. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide in percentage terms, in the context of the national broadband plan, the capital each member of the consortium was putting up; and if his Department verified the bona fides of each consortium member vis-à-vis their tax status and balance sheet health. [55482/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.

The NBP contract address NBI’s funding arrangements and set out that all funding commitments had to be in place for the NBP contract to come into effect. Total funds committed to the Project from Metallah Limited equate to €223m. This committed funding by Metallah Limited is in the form of Shareholder Loans to NBI and equity provided to NBI. The funding is not attributed to individual members of the consortium.

An updated assessment of the financial standing of consortium members was undertaken by the Department and its advisors in November 2019, prior to the signing of the NBP Contract. That assessment included a due diligence of company accounts and letters of support where applicable, to ensure that there was no material adverse change in the financial standing of the Bidder from that assessed at pre-qualification stage.

Question No. 141 answered with Question No. 140.