Niamh Smyth
Question:141. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel currently based in Dundalk, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3825/22]
View answerDefence Forces
Questions (141)
Written answers
The overall Defence property portfolio consists of a diverse range of facilities from conventional military barracks to forts, camps and training lands. In addition, the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co. Cork and Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Dublin 22 are also permanently occupied military installations.
For operational and security reasons, details of the staffing levels and the staffing capacity located at each military installation, including Dundalk, County Louth cannot be disclosed. It should be noted however that the number of personnel stationed at a particular location will frequently vary on an on-going basis, as it is a normal operational feature for there to be a constant through-flow of personnel into and out of military installations on an ongoing basis.
Question No. 142 answered with Question No. 133.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (143)
Brendan Smith
Question:143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence his Department’s capital expenditure in 2021; the way this compared to profile as originally set out for the year; and the planned capital expenditure for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3623/22]
View answerWritten answers
The level of capital funding allocated to my Department allows the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructure development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. It also demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces have the capabilities necessary to deliver on all their assigned roles, both at home and overseas.
The capital allocation for the Defence Vote 36 in 2021 was €131 million. The provisional end of year figures for 2021 indicate a capital expenditure outturn of €129 million. Although this expenditure is marginally behind profile, it should be noted that ongoing Brexit, Covid and other related supply chain issues were a constant challenge throughout 2021.
For the period to 2025, the National Development Plan has allocated multi-annual funding of €566 million to Defence, with an allocation of €141 million provided for 2022. Many of the Defence Equipment projects are complex, multi-annual and have long lead-in times, so the funding certainty now provided by the National Development Plan is particularly welcome, as it will enable the Defence Forces to plan, prioritise and deliver on scheduled projects over the coming years.
Among the major Defence Equipment upgrade and replacement programmes set to be prioritised over the coming years are:
- The Land Forces Capability Development and Force Protection Programmes, including an upgrade of the military transport fleet and next generation radio communications and signal equipment;
- The ongoing Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme, which includes the mid-life refit of the P50 Class of Naval Vessel and the progression of the Multi Role Vessel project;
- The ongoing Air Corps Aircraft Renewal and Replacement Programme which includes the purchase of the C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
A significant number of Defence infrastructural projects will also be advanced under the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme, including the:
- Provision of a new Cadet School in DFTC, Curragh Co Kildare;
- Provision of a New Military Medical Facility for the Defence Forces at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co.Dublin;
- Upgrade to accommodation facilities in various military locations throughout the country such as Collins Barracks, Cork, McKee Barracks, Dublin and the Naval Base, Haulbowline.
This level of funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to Defence and will boost ongoing efforts at modernising and upgrading Defence equipment platforms and built infrastructure.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government established an independent Commission on the Defence Forces in December 2020. The work of the Commission encompasses the consideration of appropriate military equipment capabilities, structures and staffing, and their report will inform decisions regarding the future development of the Defence Forces.
The Commission are finalising their work with a view to completing their Report as soon as possible. The Commission's Report, when submitted, will be fully considered at that point.
Defence Forces
Questions (144)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:144. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the timeline for completion on Project 88 under the white paper funding study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3901/22]
View answerWritten answers
The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon and covers all aspects of defence within overall security policy. Since publication of the White Paper, a total of 95 separate projects have been identified for completion over a ten-year period. Project and Programme Management Governance arrangements were put in place to monitor the ongoing status of individual projects and to review the scope of projects within the programme.
Project 88 is one of these projects and it's objective is to place defence funding on a sustainable multi-annual footing in a way that captures expected long term costs and the unique nature of defence procurement, and that allows for step changes in provision.
Work on the project has been on-going through a joint Civil/Military project team and it is expected to complete this project in the first half of this year.
International Agreements
Questions (145)
Sorca Clarke
Question:145. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the role the Naval Service will have in the recently announced Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea basin Marine Protected Area and the North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy to 2030. [3832/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of Ireland's approval of the International Agreement highlighted by the Deputy and I congratulate my colleagues Ministers O'Brien and Noonan and their team for securing such an agreement during Ireland’s chairmanship of the OSPAR Commission.
The OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic is a legally binding treaty through which Ireland and 14 other countries, plus the European Union, collaborate, and develop and coordinate actions in order to ensure the sustainable use and ongoing protection of the North-East Atlantic environment. Neither military or defence matters, nor fisheries management, come under the remit of the OSPAR Convention.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are the responsible Department for all matters relating to the OSPAR Convention.
The North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea basin marine protected area (NACES MPA) and the North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy 2030 (NEAES 2030) constitute two key deliverables of the 2021 Ministerial meeting under the 1992 OSPAR Convention, which took place in Portugal in October last.
The North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea basin MPA is situated in mid-Atlantic area beyond national jurisdiction waters, in other words in the High Seas. While this important site for marine birds lies within the OSPAR Maritime Area, it lies far beyond Ireland’s maritime area.
The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main day to day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks such as search and rescue, diving operations, drugs interdiction as well as many more. In terms of fishery protection, the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone.
There appears to be little direct role to be played by the Naval Service as a result of the recently announced NACES MPA. However my Department looks forward to further engagement with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on this matter if required.
Question No. 146 answered orally.
Question No. 147 answered with Question No. 133.
EU Meetings
Questions (148)
Neale Richmond
Question:148. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his most recent meeting with European Union defence ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3185/22]
View answerWritten answers
I attended the recent Informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers which took place between the 12th and 13th of January in France.
This meeting consisted of three working sessions; a Working Dinner with NATO and the UN on the topic of “Interferences and actions of state and non-state actors in our operational theatres”, a Working Session on “Safeguarding the EU’s strategic interests in contested domains: focus on outer space” followed by a Working Lunch of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence to discuss the Strategic Compass. Defence Ministers also received a short Current Affairs briefing which touched on topics such as the situation at the Ukrainian border and the European Security Architecture, as well as the situation in Mali.
The working dinner, in which I participated, was also attended by United Nations Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, as well as the Chair of the Sub-Committee of the European Parliament on Security and Defence (SEDE) Nathalie Loiseau MEP. The discussion focused on the threats posed by various mercenary groups - notably the Wagner Group - in Libya, Syria, Ukraine and Central African Republic for example, with the discussion invited to focus on the threats faced, ways to tackle it, and concrete proposals on how to strengthen CSDPs operational effectiveness in that context. I took the opportunity to express Ireland's deep concern at the increasing engagement of both State and non-State actors in a number of countries where the EU has been working to improve peace and security and their negative impact on CSDP missions and operations. The NATO Secretary General also took the opportunity to debrief EU Defence Ministers on that day's meeting of the NATO-Russia Council.
The working session on 'Safeguarding the EU’s strategic interests in contested domains: focus on outer space', took place in the framework of the ongoing work on the Strategic Compass, with discussions focusing on the increasing threats and challenges faced (in the context of an EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence); how to react to hostile behaviours in space, how to protect space related assets and how space services best serve security and defence, in particular situational awareness for our CSDP missions and operations.
The joint working lunch between Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers focused on the first revised text of the Strategic Compass, which was presented to Ministers by the High Representative/Vice Prisident, Josep Borrell. Ministers provided their first reactions to the revised text with a view to providing guidance for further work within the Council, to ensure that the Strategic Compass is both ambitious and actionable prior to its adoption in March. Ireland welcomed the progress on the Strategic Compass as set out in the revised draft and urged a continued emphasis on multilateralism and the importance of the EU-UN strategic relationship.
Air Corps
Questions (149)
Catherine Connolly
Question:149. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the details of the engagement he or officials from his Department have had in 2021 and to date in 2022 with the Department of Transport in relation to exploring the option of the Air Corps providing some element of the next generation search and rescue service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3921/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this House is aware, there is currently a project ongoing under the remit of the Department of Transport, to consider, develop and bring to fruition a new Coast Guard aviation contract for future service provision. As part of this project the Department of Transport convened an inter-Departmental/Agency Steering Group of which both the Department of Defence and the Air Corps were members.
A strategic assessment and preliminary appraisal document in line with the Public Service Code was brought to Government for information in July 2020. This preliminary appraisal, which included an appraisal of various service delivery options, was compiled by the Department of Transport’s Project Team in conjunction with KPMG, and was shared with the Steering Group before going to Government in summer 2020. The preliminary work included an appraisal of the options of the State assuming full responsibility for the service, either through the Air Corps or a dedicated Irish Coast Guard Aviation Branch. Both options were ruled out for a variety of reasons but notably the risks to the State and questions around potential affordability and deliverability.
I agreed with the strategic assessment and preliminary appraisal and I confirmed then, as I do again now, that I did not see the Air Corps taking full responsibility for search and Rescue (SAR) aviation services in Ireland’s SAR domain. However, given the Air Corps' historic role in SAR provision, at the end of 2020 I asked Defence officials to engage further with the Department of Transport to explore the option of the Air Corps providing some element of the next generation SAR aviation service while at the same time ensuring that the service meets domestic and international obligations for SAR and represents value for money for the State.
There was proactive and realistic engagement between the Defence Organisation and the Department of Transport Project Team during the first 6 months of 2021. This included the consideration of the option of the Air Corps providing some element of the helicopter and fixed wing SAR service as part of the Transport Project Team’s detailed appraisal and business case. The option which included the Air Corps providing an element of the helicopter and fixed wing SAR service did not emerge as the preferred option.
In July 2021, the Government agreed to commence the formal procurement process for a new Coast Guard aviation service. The decision was based on the detailed appraisal and business case prepared in accordance with the Public Spending Code. The Government also agreed that the Department of Defence, working in conjunction with the Irish Coast Guard, would examine whether the fixed wing element of the proposed service could be delivered by the Air Corps in line with the requirements and parameters set out in the business case.
Additional project time was afforded for these further discussions to take place which concluded in October 2021 with a fixed wing proposal submitted to the Department of Transport. Whereas it was decided not to initially proceed with the full Air Corps proposal, provision has been made within the procurement process which provides for the Air Corps to undertake the fixed wing element of the service at the appropriate time should the Air Corps have the capacity and availability to provide this service.
It has been important that a full and realistic consideration is made of all of the viable options available to the State. I am satisfied that this is the approach that has been taken.
Both the Naval Service and the Air Corps currently provide support to the Coast Guard on a request and availability basis.
Civil Defence
Questions (150)
Alan Dillon
Question:150. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Defence the status of the implementation of the policy document, Civil Defence – Towards 2030; if consideration will be given to greater resourcing of its emergency response efforts and particularly in assisting during times of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3793/22]
View answerWritten answers
Civil Defence is a statutory volunteer based organisation which supports the Principal Response Agencies i.e. An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Local Authorities.
The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts.
Civil Defence services are delivered through the Civil Defence Officer (CDO) of the relevant local authority area. The local authority has overall responsibility for the day to day operations.
In September 2020 the Government published 'Civil Defence - Towards 2030'. This important policy document was prepared following a wide-ranging consultation with a variety of stakeholders including volunteers, local authorities, Civil Defence Officers and Principal Response Agencies. The document states that the five core services of Civil Defence going forward are Emergency Response, Search and Rescue, Medical Response, Community Assistance and provision of a Radiation Monitoring Service.
The implementation of 'Civil Defence - Towards 2030' is ongoing. The actions arising from 'Civil Defence - Towards 2030', fall both with the Department of Defence and the local authorities. As part of this process there are regular meetings with the Inter Agency Guidance Team, the City and County Managers Association to review implementation of 'Towards 2030' and other Civil Defence related matters.
Civil Defence's emergency response is set out within each respective local authority Major Emergency Plan, this includes supporting the local authority in times of flooding through Civil Defence Auxilary Fire Service units and swift-water teams. The local authority has overall responsibility for the day to day operations within their respective area.
In respect of funding, Civil Defence is financed by a combination of grants from the Department of Defence as well as funding from local authorities. The annual operational grant provided by the Department covers up to 70% of the running costs of the Civil Defence Unit with the Local Authorities providing a minimum of 30%.
In 2022, my Departments budget for Civil Defence nationally is €4,640,000. In addition €500,000 has been allocated to Civil Defence from the Dormant Accounts Fund. The Dormant Accounts funding is being used to upgrade the Civil Defences vehicle fleet. The Government is committed to providing adequate funding to allow Civil Defence fulfil its role as set out in 'Towards 2030'.
Question No. 151 answered with Question No. 116.
Work Permits
Questions (152)
Cathal Crowe
Question:152. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an application by a person (details supplied) for a work permit will be expedited. [3981/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that a General Employment Permit application for the person concerned (in the details supplied) was received on 26th July 2021. On 25th November 2021 it was refused for several reasons which were as follows: -
- Failure to fully comply with the requirements of the Labour Market Needs.
- Failure to provide a copy of a statement issued by the Revenue Commissioners showing the monthly statutory return made by the person who is making the offer of employment dated within the 3-month period preceding the application.
- Failure to provide copy of Signature Pages displaying MYWork-ID that matches that of the online application form.
- Failure to provide a copy of Contract of Employment signed by both parties to the General Employment Permit application.
The applicant was informed of the refusal reasons and of their right to request a review of the refusal decision which must be submitted on the prescribed review form available on the Department’s website within 28 days of issue of the refusal decision. A link to the prescribed review form available on the Department’s website was also included in the decision letter that issued.
As the Employment Permits Section of the Department did not receive a request for a review of the refusal decision within the specified timeframe it is no longer possible to consider a review in this case. The applicant was informed of this on 18th January 2022.
The refusal to grant an employment permit does not preclude an applicant from submitting another application for an employment permit. Such an application should comply with all of the legislative requirements for the particular employment permit type.
Information in relation to the Labour Market Needs Test is available on the Department’s website and can be accessed through this link enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Labour-Market-Needs-Test/.
A Checklist Document has been prepared to assist applicants when applying for a General Employment Permit application and this can be accessed on the Department’s website at enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/General-Employment-Permits-Checklist.pdf.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. Applicants can keep track of Employment Permit applications current processing dates at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates/.If a permit is urgently required, an applicant may request to have an application expedited. A request to have an application expedited will only be considered in exceptional cases and must be accompanied by a compelling business case which details the individual circumstances involved.
Enterprise Support Services
Questions (153)
Michael Lowry
Question:153. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is a form of funding that can be applied for by a person that works as a personal trainer and that wishes to establish a community gym which will deliver fitness, health and wellness programmes as well as inclusive classes and fitness programmes for persons with disabilities; if funding can be made available for such a facility; if he will take into consideration that the availability of all-inclusive gyms for persons with disabilities is limited in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4004/22]
View answerWritten answers
I would encourage any person looking to start, expand or pivot their business to contact their Local Enterprise Office as they provide a ‘first stop shop’ for all available Government business supports. In regard to a business operating in the health and fitness sector, such as a gym mentioned in the detail, it should be noted that the Local Enterprise Offices do not ordinarily provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services, gyms/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses.
However, the Local Enterprise Offices do provide a wide range of high-quality business and management development programmes that are tailored to meet specific business requirements. Whether it is starting a business or growing a business there is something suitable for anyone exploring self-employment as an option.
In particular, I would encourage the person to enquire about the Start Your Own Business Programme. The objective is to assist clients in assessing their business idea, its viability and helps them decide if they should proceed or take a step back. The programme covers topics such as Starting up / getting started, Identifying, understanding, and researching your target market, Developing your Business Plan amongst other vital areas of interest to a new business.
I would also suggest seeking the advice of a LEO Business Mentor; the Mentor programme is open to both new and existing businesses located within the Local Enterprise Office region and is designed to match up the knowledge, skills, insights and entrepreneurial capability of experienced business practitioners with small business owner/ managers who need practical and strategic one to one advice and guidance. The mentor contributes independent, informed observation and advice to aid decision making. Mentors can also advise on finance options available to entrepreneurs and can assist with applications and referrals to Micro-Finance Ireland, which provides vital support to eligible microenterprises by lending to businesses that cannot obtain loans from other commercial lenders and who do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by commercial lenders. It offers loan funding, including Start-up Loans, from €5,000 to €25,000.
It should be noted that the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) provides some funding to social enterprises as defined by the National Social Enterprise Policy 2019 – 2022, with a view to complementing mainstream business supports.
Support may also be sought from Local Development Companies (LDCs), which are volunteer-led multi-sectoral partnerships, delivering community and rural development from a bottom-up perspective. Local Development Companies are located throughout Ireland, in every local authority area.
Departmental Data
Questions (154)
Carol Nolan
Question:154. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has commissioned any polling of the general public related to possible or existing policies within the remit of his Department for the period 1 January 2021 to date; if so, if he will provide details of the policies; the costs incurred for each individual poll; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4041/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has not commissioned polling of the general public relating to any existing or proposed policy developments for the period January 2021 to date.
Work Permits
Questions (155)
Michael Creed
Question:155. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify the situation regarding the availability of visas and work permits for persons in the construction industry; the policy approach by his Department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4117/22]
View answerWritten answers
The State's employment permit system is designed to supplement Ireland's skills and labour supply over the short to medium term by allowing enterprises to recruit nationals from outside the EEA, where such skills or expertise cannot be sourced from within the EEA at that time.
The system is, by design, vacancy led and managed through the operation of the occupation lists: the critical skills list in respect of skills that are in critical shortage in the labour market and the ineligible occupations lists for which a ready source of labour is available from within Ireland and the EEA.
Changes to the employment permit occupations lists are made where there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available, development opportunities are not undermined, genuine skills shortage exists rather than a recruitment or retention problem and Government education, training and economic development policies are supported.
The occupations lists are subject to twice yearly evidence-based review and take account of research undertaken by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SOLAS) and the Expert Group of Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), a public consultation process, input from the relevant policy Departments and the Economic Migration Inter-Departmental Group, chaired by the Department. Account is also taken of contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID 19.
The most recent review concluded on 27th October. To alleviate continued shortages in construction, to assist in the deliver on the National Planning Framework objective of 33,000 new homes per annum until 2030 and to deliver on our Climate Action targets, an additional 8 construction sector categories of occupation were made eligible for a general employment permit.
These newly eligible roles are for Electricians; Masons; Roofers, Roof Tilers and Slaters; Plumbers and Heating and Ventilating Engineers; Carpenters and Joiners; Floorers and Wall Tilers; Painters and Decorators; and Construction and Building Trades Supervisors.
This essentially ensures that almost all construction roles can access the employment permit system.
Flexible Work Practices
Questions (156)
James Lawless
Question:156. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the implementation of the required legislation for the national remote working strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4156/22]
View answerWritten answers
The National Remote Work Strategy identified 15 actions to be undertaken to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature of the Irish workplace in a way which maximises its economic, social and environmental benefits.
An Interdepartmental Group (IDG), coordinated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), provided oversight to the implementation of the Strategy. The IDG included representation from key Government Departments, State Agencies and relevant public bodies. The IDG met four times over the course of 2021 to drive the coordination and implementation of the report’s actions. Significant progress has been made in implementing the actions in the Strategy in the year since its launch.
The right to request remote work is part of the Government vision to make remote working a permanent feature of Ireland’s workforce in a way that can benefit all – economically, socially and environmentally. The commitment to introduce legislation to underpin employees' right to request remote work was made in the national Remote Work Strategy.
On 25 January the Government approved the priority drafting of the Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2021 and the submission of the General Scheme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment to seek early commencement of pre-legislative scrutiny.
I look forward to discussing this important proposal with the Joint Oireachtas Committee as soon as possible and the Bill will be progressed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible thereafter.
Energy Prices
Questions (157)
Paul Murphy
Question:157. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 19 January 2022, the way his Department plans to ensure the €100 payment is reflected in a saving for tenants given that tenants are more in need of the saving than landlords and that there are many landlords with the prepaid power account for a tenant’s home in their name and in this case the payment will go into the landlords account; and if a landlord can receive more than one €100 payment for multiple properties. [3986/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has approved the publication of legislation to establish the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme under which a payment of €100 will be credited to around 2.1 million domestic electricity accounts up to a maximum of €215 million. The scheme is due to become operational by the end of quarter one.
With the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, my Department is working closely with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to ensure that those due the payment in rented accommodation receive the benefit of this payment. I understand, there are c.300,000 tenancies registered with the RTB and that the majority of these tenants would either hold their own electricity account, or would pay their landlord for their electricity based on an actual bill, and would therefore receive the benefit directly. My Department is working with the RTB on a public information campaign to ensure that any tenants, expected to be a small minority, for whom electricity costs are not separate from overall rental cost are aware of the scheme and entitlements. In that context, in the event that a dispute should arise, between a tenant and landlord, there are existing dispute resolution mechanisms provided by the RTB.
Energy Conservation
Questions (158)
Paul Kehoe
Question:158. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts being made to reduce the waiting time and clear the backlog of applications pending under the warmer home schemes; if expediting of applications on medical need can be considered at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4029/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the scheme started, over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades. The average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household in 2021 was €17,100, an increase of approximately €1,000 per home since 2020. In order to qualify for support, applicants must own and live in their home which must have been built and occupied before 2006 and must be in receipt of certain social welfare payments. Health status is not part of the eligibility criteria for the Scheme.
The average wait times were impacted by COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity in place for periods during 2020 and 2021 when the scheme was fully paused in line with Government guidelines. Wait times have also been impacted by challenges associated with availability and longer lead in time for materials. The SEAI has also advised that wait times may vary, based on a number of issues. For instance, once the survey is completed and works are allocated to a contractor, the time to complete works is dependent on a number of factors including the scale of works to be completed, access to the property, availability of materials, weather and in recent years COVID-19 public health restrictions.
There are currently just over 7,000 homes awaiting works on the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme work programme, a reduction of approximately 300 since December 2020. This includes homes that are: currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting the initial survey of their home. The SEAI aims to significantly reduce the waiting list in 2022, on the basis of working first on homes that are longest on the waiting list.
SEAI data indicates that for homes completed to date in 2021, the average time from application to completion was approximately 26 months. For the same period, the average time for a surveyor to be allocated was approximately 18 months, a reduction of five months since December 2020.
Budget 2022 has allocated €202 million for residential and community retrofit this year. Over half of this (€109 million) will be used to provide free energy efficiency upgrades to households in the Warmer Homes Scheme. In addition, delivery capacity in the supply chain has increased due to a new, broader contractor panel that commenced at the end of 2020. I have also secured additional resources to expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme. SEAI received additional funding in Budget 2021 which delivered an increase of 30 staff across the organisation and Budget 2022 is providing funding for a further 30 staff this year. Every effort is being made to maximise output since construction activity in the residential sector recommenced in mid-April 2021.
The Deputy may wish to note that there are other grants and schemes available from Government that could assist homeowners if there is an urgent need. These include the Department of Social Protection (DSP) Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices and the grants funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support housing adaptation and upgrade for older persons and people with a disability.
Departmental Data
Questions (159)
Carol Nolan
Question:159. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has commissioned any polling of the general public related to possible or existing policies within the remit of his Department for the period 1 January 2021 to date; if so, if he will provide details of the policies; the costs incurred for each individual poll; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4042/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department undertakes regular and ongoing consultation with the general public on a broad range of policy matter.
The consultation papers are published on the Department's website.
Data on use of polling or other methods as part of our broad rage of public engagements and consultation is not held centrally.
The data is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (160)
David Cullinane
Question:160. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the options available regarding broadband at a location (details supplied); the status of the implementation of the National Broadband Plan; the steps his Department has taken in relation to full capacity fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4109/22]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along some 679 schools.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living 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.
Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan with almost 294,000 premises surveyed or with survey underway and over 154,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that premises are connected in 11 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary and over 54,000 premises are available to order and pre-order across 21 counties, as of 21 January.
There are over 63,000 premises in County Waterford of which some 48,000 are in the commercial area and over 15,000 are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by NBI that, over 11,000 premises in County Waterford have been surveyed to date with over 5,000 premises under construction or constructed and some 300 premises are now available for order or pre-order. Surveying is complete in the Deployment Area of Carrick-On-Suir and main works are ongoing in the Deployment Area of Waterford. In terms of the Ardmore area, while it is served mainly by the commercial sector, some premises in the surrounding townlands are located within the Intervention Area. Complaints regarding the premises that are being served commercially are a matter to be dealt with between the consumer and the service provider operating in the Ardmore area.
The premises located in the Intervention Area in the vicinity of Ardmore are located within the Youghal Deployment Area which includes the townlands of Ardoginna, Ballynamona and Monea. I am advised by NBI that main build works are currently underway in the Youghal Deployment Area, ensuring that these premises will be delivered with high speed broadband under the NBP.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Waterford 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.
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 21 January, 454 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. BCPs are installed in County Waterford at Knockanore Community Centre, Mount Melleray Community Hall, Ballysaggart Community Centre and Modeligo Community Hall. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Saint Mary's National School, Faithlegg National School, Fenor National School, Whitechurch National School and Ballycurrane 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 2020 with an ambition to connect some 679 schools to high speed broadband by the end of 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframes across the NBP fibre program. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.