Eoin Ó Broin
Question:187. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Taoiseach if the Central Statistics Office has finalised the indicators for assessing the effectiveness of Government retrofitting schemes to reduce energy poverty. [7895/22]
View answerDepartmental Schemes
Questions (187)
Written answers
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published various reports that provide statistical insight into energy poverty.
A Domestic Building Energy Ratings report is published every quarter. It contains a detailed analysis of Building Energy Ratings audits including an analysis of dwellings with multiple audits. The report includes tables at both county and Dublin postal district level.
A report is published annually on metered gas consumption with households distinguished as a separate category. The report includes tables at both county and Dublin postal district level.
A new annual report on metered electricity consumption was published in January 2022 with households distinguished as a separate category. The report includes a table classifying electricity consumption by usage bands. The report includes tables at both county and Dublin postal district level.
The CSO published a new report in October 2020 entitled the Census of Population from an Environment Perspective . This report matched 2011 and 2016 Census data at household level and presented detailed tables on how the type of central heating fuel varied by socio-economic characteristics. The report showed that households were more likely to change from solid fuel central heating if there was a change in the occupants. The analysis was undertaken at both county and Dublin postal district level.
The CSO published a new report in July 2021 entitled Domestic Building Energy Ratings from a Social Perspective. The report combined 2016 Census of Population data with the SEAI BER audits at household level. The report showed how BER ratings vary for different socio-economic groups such as the elderly, farm households, and lone parents. The report includes tables at both county and Dublin postal district level.
A new report examining how gas and electricity consumption vary across BER ratings will be published in 2022. This report will examine whether households with very good energy ratings use less electricity and gas than poorly insulated dwellings.
These reports complement established reports from the CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) and Household Budget surveys on energy poverty.
Sustainable Development Goals
Questions (188)
Denis Naughten
Question:188. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Taoiseach the progress made by his Department in respect of its targets and goals set out in sustainable development goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of his Department; and if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines. [7271/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government commits to continuing to work towards achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, aimed at ending poverty and inequality, tackling climate change, and fostering innovation.
The whole-of-Government approach to implementation is led by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with each Minister in the Government having responsibility for implementing the SDG goals and achieving the related targets within their policy area. While my Department does not have lead responsibility for any specific goal or target, it provides oversight to the process of implementation, and supports the work of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, through the work of a Senior Officials Group, which it chairs.
Public Sector Staff
Questions (189)
James Browne
Question:189. Deputy James Browne asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a breakdown of departmental civil servants and State agency employees, respectively, under his remit working in County Wexford and their respective departmental section in tabular form. [7227/22]
View answerWritten answers
Neither my Department nor the National Economic and Social Development Office, the only body under the aegis of my Department, have any employees working in County Wexford.
Electric Vehicles
Questions (190)
Paul Kehoe
Question:190. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Taoiseach the number of electric vehicle charging points that are available for use by staff across all carparks provided for use by his Department throughout the country. [7374/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department currently provides one electric vehicle charging point which was installed for use by State-owned cars. A second charging point has recently been installed in line with the action in the Department's latest Resource Efficiency Action Plan (REAP) to provide an e-charging point for staff use. This e-charging point is not yet operational. The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, does not currently provide any electric vehicle charging points for use by staff.
Job Creation
Questions (191)
Bernard Durkan
Question:191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which employment in the manufacturing sector has grown in the past five years to date. [7331/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of employment estimates in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q3 2021.
The LFS sectoral employment figures are based on the EU NACE Rev. 2 classification.
The table below shows the number of persons aged 15 - 89 years in employment (ILO) in the NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector C (Manufacturing), Q3 2016 - 2021 and the five year change.
Number of persons aged 15 - 89 years in employment (ILO) in the NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector C (Manufacturing), Q3 2016 - 2021 and the five year change
'000
|
Q3 2016 |
Q3 2017 |
Q3 2018 |
Q3 2019 |
Q3 2020 |
Q3 2021 |
Change Q3 2016 to Q3 2021 |
|
|
Employment in the Manufacturing Sector |
256.6 |
257.0 |
254.1 |
261.1 |
263.8 |
276 .1 |
+ 19.5 (+7.6%) |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q3=July-September
Job Creation
Questions (192)
Bernard Durkan
Question:192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which employment in the manufacturing and services sectors in County Kildare has fluctuated in the past three years to date. [7335/22]
View answerWritten answers
The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of employment estimates in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q3 2021.
The quarterly LFS employment estimates are produced by NUTS3 Regions (NUTS3 is a geocode standard referencing the eight subdivisions of Ireland for statistical purposes). Due to the methodology and sample size of the survey it is not possible to produce reliable county estimates from the LFS.
The Mid-East NUTS3 Region is composed of Counties Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow.
The LFS sectoral employment figures are based on the EU NACE Rev. 2 classification.
Table 1 below shows the number of persons aged 15 - 89 years in employment (ILO) in the NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector C (Manufacturing), Q3 2018 - 2021 and the three year change.
Table 2 shows the number of persons aged 15 - 89 years in employment (ILO) in the NACE Rev.2 Economic Sectors G-U (Total Services), Q3 2018 - 2021 and the three year change.
Table 1 - Number of persons aged 15 - 89 years in employment (ILO) in the NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector C (Manufacturing) in the Mid-East NUTS3 Region, Q3 2018 - 2021 and the three year change
'000
|
Mid-East NUTS3 Region |
Q3 2018 |
Q3 2019 |
Q3 2020 |
Q3 2021 |
Change Q3 2018 to Q3 2021 |
|
Employment in the manufacturing sector |
37.2 |
33.2 |
39.0 |
36.5 |
-0.7 (-1.9%) |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q3=July-September.
Table 2 - Number of persons aged 15 - 89 years in employment (ILO) in the NACE Rev.2 Economic Sectors G-U (Total Services) in the Mid-East NUTS3 Region, Q3 2018 - 2021 and the three year change
'000
|
Mid-East NUTS3 Region |
Q3 2018 |
Q3 2019 |
Q3 2020 |
Q3 2021 |
Change Q3 2018 to Q3 2021 |
|
Employment in Total Services Sector |
251.0 |
260.5 |
251.9 |
275.8 |
+24.8 (+9.9%) |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q3=July-September.
Trade Missions
Questions (193)
Alan Kelly
Question:193. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a trade mission to Italy is scheduled for the first half of 2022. [7636/22]
View answerWritten answers
Each year, Enterprise Ireland offers a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment.
In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led Trade Missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represented the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These Trade Missions focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and lifesciences.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, trade missions took place virtually throughout 2020 and during Quarters 1 to 3 of 2021. Physical trade missions took place during Quarter 4 of 2021.
My Department is currently working closely with its agencies to finalise a trade mission schedule for 2022 which will maximise opportunities to help Irish companies to access new markets and to increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland.
Work Permits
Questions (194)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:194. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the processing of work permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7712/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Since March 2020, my Department has implemented Covid-19 contingency arrangements moving employment permit operations seamlessly to a totally remote working environment, and Ireland was one of the few countries which has managed to keep their employment permit system fully operational throughout the crisis.
From the outset of the crisis, in order to assist the HSE and all other medical providers in the State to respond to, and to assist with, the public health response to the threat of Covid-19, all medical employment permits are expedited with immediate effect.
My Department experienced a significant increase in applications for employment permits in the past year, impacting on processing times. From the start of January to the end of December 2021, some 27,666 applications were received, representing a 69% increase over the same period in 2020 (16,293) and a 47% increase on 2019 (18,811), which itself represented an 11 year high in applications.
My Department has issued 16,275 employment permits in 2021, and processed a total of 17,968 applications which represents a significant volume of activity. The impact of this has resulted in a significant backlog, which has increased from 1,000 in April 2021 to approximately c. 10,500 at the end of January 2022, which is now stabilising.
In addition, the extension of categories of employment permits following the latest Review of the Occupational Lists has increased the availability of employment permits for these roles.
Processing times have been impacted by this increase in demand but also because of the HSE cyber-attack. As a result, employment permit applications associated with the July Doctors rotation (which occurs twice yearly in January and July) had to be submitted either manually or through other nonstandard methods. This resulted in a significant additional administrative burden in dealing with these applications, requiring staff to be temporarily reassigned to assist in the process and had a direct impact on wider processing times for other permit applications.
My Department recognises the impact delays on the processing times for work permits has for businesses and their workers and has developed a plan of action to reduce processing times built up over the pandemic. My Department has approved a trebling of staff in the employment permits section in order to deal with the increase in applications.
As the plan to deal with this issue is implemented and begins to take effect, we expect to see improvements shortly, with the backlog considerably reduced by the end of Q1 and substantially reduced by the end of Q2 2022.
In addition, further systemic changes have also been introduced. My Department has worked with the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Justice to streamline and extend the time period for General Employment Permits (GEP) issued to doctors. A new two-year multi-site GEP for Medical Doctors in Public hospitals and Public health facilities was introduced in respect of the January 2022 Doctors rotation. This will result in significant benefits for applicants, as well as major efficiencies for the Employment Permits Section, by eliminating the necessity to apply for additional employment permits when moving to a different Public hospital or Public health facility within this two year period.
The Department provides regular updates on its website in relation to processing times and engages directly with key stakeholders including the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, AmCham, IBEC, representative groups and individual companies, as required.
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
The Management Board of my Department is overseeing the implementation of the plan of action and its impact on waiting times.
Enterprise Support Services
Questions (195)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:195. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the range of supports provided by his Department to social enterprises. [7912/22]
View answerWritten answers
Policy responsibility for Social Enterprises lies with the Department of Rural and Community Development, which provides funding to Social Enterprises as defined by the National Social Enterprise Policy 2019 – 2022, with a view to complementing mainstream business supports.
The Local Enterprise Offices can assist in the establishment and/or development of new and existing enterprises (limited company, individuals/sole trader, cooperatives and partnerships), including those that are considered social enterprises, provided that such enterprises are capable of attaining commercial viability and subject to certain criteria.
Furthermore, the Local Enterprise Offices offer one to one Mentoring and Training services and a wide range of high-quality business and management development programmes. These 'soft supports' are available to any small business, including those that would be considered Social Enterprises.
For further information on the supports available see the Local Enterprise Office Website at www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Eligibility-Criteria/Eligibility-Criteria.html.
Work Permits
Questions (196)
Michael McNamara
Question:196. Deputy Michael McNamara 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7988/22]
View answerWritten answers
An Employment Permit application was submitted by Fáilte Energy Solutions Ltd. T/A Fáilte Solar, for the individual (details supplied ) on the 29/07/2021.
The application for this individual involved engagement with colleagues in the Department of Justice and required clarification regarding the position of employment permit holders being both employees and owners of the same company. This engagement delayed the completion of the processing of this application. The Employment Permits Section have confirmed to me that this application is currently being processed and that a decision is expected to issue shortly.
Work Permits
Questions (197)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:197. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of applications by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8197/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that General Employment Permit applications for the persons concerned (details supplied) were received on dates between 11 January 2022 and 20 January 2022.
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/
The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment can only consider a request to expedite an employment permit application where a detailed business case is provided. If the company in question should put forward its comprehensive business case, by completing the expedite request form attached, which is a prerequisite for DETE to consider any such request.
Once the business case is completed it should be submitted to Employmentpermits@enterprise.gov.ie for consideration. It is important to point out that the completion of a business case does not guarantee that an expedite will be facilitated. A business case is required to be completed for each individual request.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (198)
Bríd Smith
Question:198. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if support is available to a business in view of the circumstances outlined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8262/22]
View answerWritten answers
There have been a wide range of measures taken by government to provide support for business during the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, through my Department and others. The business in question may be able to avail of one of the supports listed on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment website here: www.enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Supports-for-businesses-COVID-19.html
In relation to the receipt of hospitality sector specific supports my colleague, Minister Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media may be able to assist you further.
In relation to your query re the eligibility for the EWSS this would be a matter for my colleague Paschal Donohoe TD., Minister for Finance.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (199)
Thomas Pringle
Question:199. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the environmental aid scheme has been renewed since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8366/22]
View answerWritten answers
On the 21 December 2021 the Environmental Aid Scheme was renewed, endorsed, and adopted by the European Commission under new ‘Guidelines on State aid for Climate, Environmental Protection and Energy’ and came into force on 1 January 2022. The revision aims to ensure that state aid rules do not impede the European Green Deal goals. This will be integrated into the EU State Aid's General Block Exemption Regulation in 2022.
My Department has been engaging with its agencies on this new framework with a view to further improving my Department's environmental aid offerings through its agencies.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (200)
Thomas Pringle
Question:200. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the application process for the district heating and co-generation elements of the environmental aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8368/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Environmental Aid Scheme operated by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland is an EU General Block Exemption (GBER) Scheme and has been in place since 2009. My Department through its agencies administers the scheme in compliance with the conditions of the Environmental Aid scheme for Ireland 2014-2020 which has been renewed to 2023. This Environmental Aid Scheme 2014-2022 sets out the conditions for the district heating and cogeneration elements of the aid scheme as summarised below:
Investment aid for high – efficiency cogeneration:
- Investment aid shall be granted in respect of newly installed or refurbished capacities.
- The eligible costs shall be the extra investment costs for the equipment needed for the installation to operate as a high-efficiency cogeneration installation compared to conventional electricity.
- The aid intensity shall not exceed 45% of eligible costs and may be increased by 10% for medium sized undertakings and 20% for small undertakings and by 5% for investments located in assisted areas as outlined in Ireland’s Regional Aid Map 2014 – 2020.
Energy efficient district heating and cooling:
- Investment aid for the installation of energy efficient district heating and cooling systems.
- The eligible costs for the production plant shall be the net extra cost needed for the construction, expansion and refurbishment of one or more generation units to operate as an energy efficient district heating and cooling system compared to a conventional production plant. The investment shall be an integral part of the energy efficient district heating and cooling system.
- The aid intensity shall not exceed 45% of eligible costs and may be increased by 10% for medium sized undertakings and 20% for small undertakings and by 5% for investments located in assisted areas as outlined in Ireland’s Regional Aid Map 2014 - 2020.
- The eligible costs for the distribution network shall be the investment costs. The eligible costs for the distribution network shall not exceed the difference between the eligible costs and the operating profit. The operating profit shall be deducted from the eligible cost ex ante or through a claw back mechanism.
Enterprise Ireland services, advice, programmes and financial supports are made available to clients via an assigned Development Adviser and assistance provided is based upon an assessment of the company’s business needs and other relevant supports available from Enterprise Ireland.
IDA Ireland continues to implement the scheme currently with its client companies. The scheme was introduced to provide Environmental Aid Support to assist clients achieve improved international competitiveness through the production of goods and services in a manner that is more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable. The unique characteristics of any proposed project will determine the incentive package available, in particular the location of the project followed by an evaluation and negotiation process between IDA Ireland in conjunction with the client.
Business Regulation
Questions (201)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:201. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will help SMEs by streamlining the annual statutory reporting procedures for incorporated bodies given that the current situation mandates them to submit separate statutory reports containing exactly the same information to the Companies Registration Office, the Revenue Commissioners, the Register of Beneficial Ownership and the Charities Regulator; if the annual reports submitted by all incorporated bodies to the Companies Registration Office could be automatically shared with the other statutory bodies as required to minimise the administrative burden and costs for these businesses and to ensure consistency and accuracy of the information supplied across these statutory bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8399/22]
View answerWritten answers
The reporting obligations to the entities referred to by the Deputy vary according to the type of incorporated body and the legislation relevant to each entity.
From a company law perspective, companies are required to file an annual return with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) comprising of a B1 annual return form and the financial statements, where applicable. In relation to the Register of Beneficial Ownership, an initial return is required providing details of beneficial ownership and any further return is dependent on subsequent changes to beneficial ownership details.
There are particular provisions in company law for small and/or micro companies in relation to audit exemption, the filing of abridged financial statements and the exemption from reporting on certain matters in the financial statements.
Requirements regarding the timing of reporting obligations to the various entities vary with, by way of example, the Revenue Commissioners operating a single tax deadline while the timing of the annual return to be filed with the CRO is in the main based on the date of original incorporation of the company. In addition, taxation is on a calendar year basis while a company’s financial statements are based on their own financial year which may or may not be a calendar year.
In the circumstances, it is not considered the case that an annual return filed with the CRO would necessarily meet the filing requirements of other entities. However, in relation to company law filing requirements, the CRO seeks to make the filing process as straightforward as possible. In this regard, the new CRO IT system that went live in December 2020 has streamlined the process for filing annual returns into a single 56 day period and has replaced the requirement for the filing of physical signature pages with an electronic filing alternative.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (202, 203)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:202. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work that has been carried out since he has taken office to develop a green hydrogen strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7591/22]
View answerMary Lou McDonald
Question:203. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the research and development in green hydrogen work undertaken by his Department since June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7593/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together.
In July 2020, the European Commission published a hydrogen strategy for a carbon-neutral Europe. Ireland supported the hydrogen strategy, including the need to deploy green hydrogen in line with ambition set out in the Programme for Government. Ireland also supported the EU Energy Council Conclusions on a hydrogen market for Europe in December 2020. In the development of these conclusions, Ireland strongly supported the need to focus on green hydrogen.
The role of hydrogen, and actions needed for its development were considered as part of the development of the Climate Action Plan 2021. The Climate Action Plan 2021, published in November, identifies green hydrogen as having the potential to support decarbonisation across several sectors and, in particular, as a source for high-temperature heat in industry and flexible generation in electricity. A key target set out in the Climate Action Plan is to carry out a work programme to identify a route to deliver one to three terra-watt hours of zero emissions gas (including green hydrogen) by 2030. The plan includes a suite of actions relating to green hydrogen across the electricity, enterprise and transport chapters and includes:
- testing the technical feasibility of safely injecting green hydrogen blends in the gas grid;
- assessing the potential for system integration between the electricity and gas networks, which will include the production, storage and use of green hydrogen;
- progressing research and pilot studies regarding the use of hydrogen in the transport sector.
In addition, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is developing a number of initiatives on the role of green hydrogen in decarbonisation. The 2021 SEAI National Energy Research Development & Demonstration (RD&D) Programme Call included a number of projects relating to green hydrogen, and the development of floating offshore wind foundations coupled with hydrogen storage. The SEAI is currently conducting the National Heat Study, which aims to examine options to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors in Ireland to 2050, including options for green hydrogen. The outcomes of this study are due to be published shortly.
In accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, the Climate Action Plan will be updated on an annual basis to reflect ongoing developments and targets achieved. I expect a strategy focussing on the development of green hydrogen to be included in Climate Action Plan 2022.
Question No. 203 answered with Question No. 202.