Sorca Clarke
Question:36. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Taoiseach if he will create a citizens' assembly to work on issues of all-Ireland integration and further unity on the island. [56473/21]
View answerCitizens' Assembly
Questions (36)
Written answers
The establishment of a Citizen’s Assembly on all-island issues is not envisaged at this time. As part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative, I launched the Shared Island Dialogue series in October 2021, to foster inclusive, constructive civic dialogue on key issues for a shared future on the island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
There have been seven Shared Island Dialogue events and two roundtable discussions to date. I participated in the first Dialogue event last November, hearing from young people on their perspectives for the future of the island. Subsequent Dialogues have focused on Climate and Environment; Civil Society; Equality; Economic recovery; Health cooperation; and Education, with participation by Government Ministers.
The Dialogue series is engaging with people who are directly involved and active on the different sectors and issues that are being considered. A key objective of these discussions is to include as broad a range of perspective and experience - including from often under-represented voices - on how we can better share this island in the years ahead.
More than 1,000 civic representatives have participated in the Dialogue series this year from across all regions, communities and traditions on the island.
The Dialogue series has proved really worthwhile and valuable from the Government’s perspective and from feedback received from participants. Exciting projects are also emerging from these discussions such as the All-Island Women’s Forum that has been established by the National Women’s Council.
The Dialogue series will continue next year, with early discussions to focus on Tourism and Sport. The Shared Island unit in my Department is also considering how a next phase of dialogue is undertaken, including on hopefully being in a position to convene more in-person discussions next year.
Work Permits
Questions (37, 38)
James Lawless
Question:37. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will examine a work permit application in relation to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56252/21]
View answerJames Lawless
Question:38. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will examine a work permit application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56253/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 38 together.
The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that standard employment permit applications for General Employment Permits for the persons referred to by the Deputy were received on 8th September 2021 in respect of Mr Bisht and on 5th October 2021 in respect of Mr Bangaleea.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. Employment Permits Section are currently processing standard applications received on 22nd July 2021.
Applicants can keep track of current processing dates for employment permit applications
enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates/Current-Processing-Dates-for-Employment-Permits.html
Question No. 38 answered with Question No. 37.
Redundancy Payments
Questions (39)
Cathal Crowe
Question:39. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if persons now facing redundancy from their place of employment will have their reduced working weeks forced on them during the Covid-19 pandemic counted as fully paid weeks for the purposes of calculating redundancy pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56259/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Redundancy Act 1967, as amended, prescribes the minimum redundancy lump sum for qualified employees, generally referred to as 'statutory redundancy'. Statutory redundancy is based on the employee's length of reckonable service and their normal weekly remuneration subject to a ceiling of €600 per week.
The Act does not stipulate the normal weekly remuneration to be used when an employer places an employee on short-time work or reduced hours or salary. However, the general guidance has been that if an employer has placed an employee on short-time work or reduced hours for certain periods of time, the full-time salary should be used for the calculation of statutory redundancy.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, some employees will have been placed on short-time work or reduced hours, or were paid through the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and the previous Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS). These schemes were introduced as exceptional measures to assist businesses and employees during the emergency Covid-19 situation.
In the event of any dispute regarding the amount of the statutory redundancy lump sum, an employee can refer a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission.
Horticulture Sector
Questions (40)
Bernard Durkan
Question:40. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he proposes to address the issues raised in the horticultural sector with particular reference to the need to ensure the industry can be supplied with adequate moss peat to meet the full requirements of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56211/21]
View answerWritten answers
I have no function in relation to the development of the horticultural sector nor the sourcing of peat for that sector.
Renewable Energy Generation
Questions (41, 42)
Joe Flaherty
Question:41. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has given consideration to the use of biofuels in home heating (details supplied); and his plans for similar trials in Ireland. [56250/21]
View answerJoe Flaherty
Question:42. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will research and investigate the benefits, challenges and opportunities for domestic homes using hydrotreated vegetable oils technology. [56251/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), at the request of my Department, is currently developing a comprehensive National Heat Study which aims to examine options to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors in Ireland to 2050. The study is examining a range of options including for sustainable bioenergy including bioliquids.
This study is underway, and you can find further details on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/national-heat-study/
In addition, my Department carried out a consultation on the potential introduction of a renewable energy obligation in the heat sector. Such an obligation, if introduced, would require the suppliers of fossil fuels for use in the heat sector to also supply renewable energy. The level of renewable energy that would have to be supplied would be based on a proportion of the fossil fuels supplied. There are a range of renewable energies that could be used to meet the obligation including bioliquids. The consultation is now closed and my Department is considering the responses received.
Question No. 42 answered with Question No. 41.
Electricity Supply Board
Questions (43)
Bríd Smith
Question:43. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and the Pensions Authority have signed a minimum funding standard submitted to them by the trustees of the defined benefit scheme in the ESB; if not, when he expects to sign off on the proposals; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this proposal was arrived at with no consultation with the retired workers affected or their representative association; if this runs counter to the commitments of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56337/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and in line with circular 12/2014, my approval and that of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is required prior to the submission by the Trustees of the ESB Defined Benefit Pension Scheme of a Funding Proposal to the Pensions Authority. The Funding Proposal is a statutory requirement under Section 49 of the Pensions Act 1990 (as amended). A formal submission was received from the company secretary on behalf of the Board in June 2021. Following consideration by my Department and in line with the recommendations of NewERA, I gave my consent in July 2021.
Employee engagement either directly or through representative associations is a matter for the Company. I have asked ESB to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
North-South Interconnector
Questions (44)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:44. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated CO2 footprint of overheating the proposed north-south interconnector compared to the undergrounding the north-south interconnector. [56403/21]
View answerWritten answers
The North-South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the all-island Integrated Single Electricity Market and increasing security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also facilitate the achievement of the goal to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland's economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers. The Government does not have a role to play in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground; this is an operational matter for the system operators. No estimates for the CO2 emissions of construction of the North-South interconnector are available, however the completion of the project will allow a significant increase in the amount of renewable energy on the system. This could in turn power hundreds of thousands more homes through green energy, lowering the overall carbon footprint of the electricity system.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (45)
Matt Carthy
Question:45. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the home of a family (details supplied) will be connected under the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56413/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 5 November, almost 274,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed or have surveys underway and over 125,000 premises have build currently underway. NBI has also advised that the first premises are connected in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan and over 30,000 premises are available to order and pre-order across 12 counties. Surveying is complete in County Monaghan in the Deployment Areas of Emyvale, Clones and Carrickmacross and main works are underway in the Deployment Area of Monaghan. There are currently over 3,600 premises in Monaghan who can order a connection today and over 770 premises who can place a pre-order today. The areas covered include Monaghan, Clontibret, Ballybay, Scotstown, Tehallan, and Tullycorbet.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Monaghan 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. NBI has recently published details of its full deployment schedule on its website which enables all premises within the intervention area to have an anticipated service activation date range. 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.
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. This has resulted in some changes to timeframes for connection for end users.
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 5 November, 388 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 Corduff Community Centre (5.3km from the premises referred to), Mullyash Community Centre, St. Patrick’s Accommodation Centre, Monaghan GAA Centre of Excellence, Latton Resource Centre, Corcaghan Community Centre, Tannagh Outdoor Education Centre, Geraldines GAA Club, Tullycorbet Parish Hall, Carn Resource Centre, Saint Alphonsus Community Hall, Ceremartin Community Hall, Ballybay Wetlands, and Latton O'Rahilly Gaelic Football Club. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Drumcorrin National School, Drumacrutten National School, Saint Mary's School, Saint Brigid’s National School, Annalitten National School, Connons National School, Saint Michael's National School, Latnamard National School and Drumgossatt 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/.
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (46)
Holly Cairns
Question:46. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a broadband connection at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56522/21]
View answerWritten answers
The premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
Complaints about service provision are a matter to be dealt with between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.
Notwithstanding this, my Department has undertaken an initial investigation into the matter and has established that the premises should be served with high speed broadband from Fibre To The Cabinet in the area with access to download speeds of 40Mbps.
Climate Change Policy
Questions (47)
Holly Cairns
Question:47. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the 2020 annual transition statement will be published as required by section 14(1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56523/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Annual Transition Statement (ATS), established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, served an important function in providing an overview of climate change mitigation and adaptation policy measures adopted to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to adapt to the effects of climate change in order to enable the achievement of the national transition objective.The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, which amends the 2015 Act, significantly strengthens the statutory framework for governance of the climate challenge. The new framework ensures delivery of successive Climate Action Plans and Long-term Climate Strategies, supported by a system of carbon budgeting and sectoral targets with appropriate oversight by government, the Oireachtas and a new Climate Change Advisory Council.The 2021 Act introduces greater accountability arrangements with an enhanced role for the Oireachtas. Ministers will have to give account for their performance towards sectoral targets and actions before an Oireachtas Committee each year. This replaces the previous Annual Transition Statement process.Notwithstanding this, I propose to prepare an Annual Transition Statement for 2020, which is to set out information on developments in respect of 2019, as was required under the 2015 Act (before it was amended). I intend to publish the Statement by the end of the year.
Electric Vehicles
Questions (48)
Alan Dillon
Question:48. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the status of schemes to increase the number of charging points for electric vehicles in Knock, County Mayo in view of the fact that currently there are no charging points on the main street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56200/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A national charging infrastucture strategy is due for publication early next year which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030.
I am also aware that a report was published by the CCMA on the provision of guidance to local authorities on the provision of charging infrastructure. The document is available for viewing online at www.lgma.ie/en/publications/general-publications/local-authority-electrification-of-fleet-and-ev-charging-guidance.pdf
Preparations are underway to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles. This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles. It will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure.
In terms of existing supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme continues to be available during 2021 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. My Department is reviewing the Scheme at present to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort. I would be very happy to consider any applications from Mayo County Council under this scheme.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Charging at home is the most convenient and cheapest way to recharge. Targeting the installation of smart home chargers is a priority as we look to moving towards more energy efficient and sustainable ways to charge. A grant is available from the SEAI for those individuals seeking to install a home charger. Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for apartments to open in the near future.
There is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging, and workplace charging.
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
Further details on the progression of this project can be found at esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.
My Department is also developing a new scheme which will support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as hotels, visitor centres and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
Electric Vehicles
Questions (49)
Seán Haughey
Question:49. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce legislation to oblige management companies of apartment developments to permit residents to install individual electric car charging points; if this issue has been considered by him previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56248/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s policy regarding the increased usage of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is primarily driven by the Climate Action Plan which sets a target of 936,000 EVs by 2030.
Home charging is considered the primary method of charging for the majority of EVs in Ireland and is a convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly means of charging, especially when using night rate electricity. It accounts for circa 80% of EV charging sessions and will continue to be the primary method of charging in the future.
The Government earlier this year introduced a requirement that new buildings and those undergoing substantial renovation works will have to include charging points for electric vehicles if they have more than 10 car parking spaces.
The EV Home Charger Grant Scheme has been in operation since January 2018 to support the installation of home chargers for purchasers of new and second-hand BEVs and PHEVs. The grant provides generous support towards the full cost of installation of a home charger up to a maximum of €600. As regards existing apartment buildings, work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for apartments to open in the near future.