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Tuesday, 1 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 133-153

Departmental Data

Questions (133)

Colm Burke

Question:

133. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the investment by year from 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022 in local enterprise office supported companies in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11060/22]

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Written answers

Following the dissolution of the County and City Enterprise Boards in 2014, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) were established to promote entrepreneurship and to act as a “first-stop-shop” for providing advice and guidance and financial assistance to those wishing to start or grow their own business. Over the eight years since their establishment the LEOs have provided assistance to indigenous enterprises under their Measure 1 (grant aid schemes) and Measure 2 (Training, Development and Mentoring) supports.

Please find below the capital outturn for the LEOs as a whole for each of the years from 2014, when the LEOs were first established, to 2021 and the estimated year to date figure for 2022. 

Year

Capital Outturn €

2014

17,020,947

2015

18,497,988

2016

19,496,439

2017

22,432,864

2018

22,966,780

2019

27,483,889

2020

68,810,560

2021

45,660,692

2022 to date (estimated)

3,350,863

I am pleased to say that this department’s investment in the LEOs has resulted in eight years of consecutive employment growth. The Local Enterprise Offices now support over 7,100 companies financially within their portfolio, with almost 36,000 associated jobs and a net gain of 3,000 jobs in 2021.

Gender Equality

Questions (134)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

134. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made on the equality objectives of his Department specifically in relation to women. [11071/22]

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Written answers

My Department and its agencies are delivering on our gender equality objectives.

Balance for Better Business was launched in 2018 as an independent business-led Review Group established by the Government to improve gender balance in senior leadership in Ireland. It was created to make recommendations on how more women can be involved in decision-making at the top level of businesses in Ireland. The Review Group examines the gender mix within the governance and senior management of companies in Ireland and the issues which arise in connection with the appointment of company directors and senior management. They have set progressive targets to 2023 for the achievement of improved gender balance on the boards and senior management of these companies.

The Fourth Report of the Balance for Better Business Review Group was published on 13 December 2021. Important measures of progress noted in this report include:

- For all listed companies, as of 1 September 2021, 28% of directors are female, up from 14% in 2018

- ISEQ20 companies, at 31% female directors on average in September 2021, have exceeded the 2021 target (27%), a sizable improvement from 18% in 2018

- The 2021 target for female representation on boards of 27% (ISEQ20 companies) and 20% (other listed companies) has been met by 11 of the ISEQ20 boards and 10 of the other listed companies

- Of the 36 new board appointments made between September 2020 and September 2021, 15 (41%) of these appointments were female, up from 27% in September 2020

- Women on leadership teams of ISEQ20 companies increased from 16% in 2018 to 25% in September 2021, surpassing the 2021 target of 23%; and

- The gap between Ireland and the EU27 average for women on boards has continued to narrow, from 7.7 percentage points in 2018 to 0.9 percentage points 2021. Ireland is now ranked in 12th position, compared to 16th  in 2018.

My Department, though its agency Enterprise Ireland, has been focused on increasing the number of women founding High Potential Start Ups (HPSUs). In 2011, only 7% of EI backed HPSUs included a female founder. By providing capability and funding supports specifically targeting women this had increased to over 21% by 2019.  

In January 2020, Enterprise Ireland launched its new six-year strategy for Women in Business including a detailed Action Plan. The aim of the strategy is to drive Ireland’s economic success by harnessing the full talent and expertise of a diverse population. The Women in Business strategy includes four Key Objectives:

1. Increasing the number of women becoming entrepreneurs

2. Increasing the number of women starting High Potential Start Ups

3. Increasing the number of women led businesses that are trading internationally and

4. Increasing the number of women in senior leadership and decision-making roles in Irish companies.

This long-term approach is underpinned by the inclusion, for the first time ever, of a focus on increasing the number of women in management and leadership positions in Irish companies. Progress has been made in implementing the actions in the 2020 strategy including:

- a dedicated €1m funding stream for woman entrepreneurs under the Competitive Start Fund programme. 

- 75% of Seed & Venture Capital investment funds supported by Enterprise Ireland have a woman at partner/investment manager level.   

- The Level Project, www.levelproject.ie launched in November 2021 is a toolkit free to all companies, helping them assess their current situation and put in place practical actions to enhance gender balance in their senior teams.

The Local Enterprise Offices also promote National Women’s Enterprise Day, which takes place in autumn each year. Last year due to COVID-19, it took place exclusively online, with the theme of “Build the Future”.  The event attracted over 1,000 attendees.

Under the National Digital Strategy, my Department is committed to continuing to increase the number of women-led start-ups and the number of women in leadership roles in digital companies. Under the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, we have also stated Ireland’s commitment to achieving improved gender balance in AI.

The impacts and dynamics of trade from a gender lens are important issues for Ireland.  My Department supports the continued implementation of the Buenos Aires Declaration on trade and women’s economic empowerment from the “MC11” WTO Ministerial Conference in 2017, welcomes the finalised Joint Ministerial Declaration on the advancement of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment within trade for the “MC12” WTO Ministerial Conference and looks forward to its launch.  

Health and Safety

Questions (135)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

135. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections that have been carried out historically by the Health and Safety Authority at a factory (details supplied). [11221/22]

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Written answers

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the national statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that all employees and those affected by work activities are protected from work related injury and ill-health. The HSA does this by enforcing occupational health and safety legislation, promoting accident prevention, and providing information and advice across all sectors. 

The HSA’s inspection programmes focus on sectors with higher risks of incidents or fatalities, which include, healthcare, manufacturing, fishing, mining, construction, agriculture and food services.

The Health and Safety Authority acts independently in carrying out its regulator function and does not comment on individual employers/workplaces nor does it provide detail on inspections or investigations that are undertaken at individual workplaces.

Tourism Industry

Questions (136, 137, 138)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

136. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the shortage of workers in the tourism and hospitality sector; if he has plans to work with the sector regarding the lengthy delays the sector is experiencing with employment permits; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11285/22]

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Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

137. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated timeframe for the processing of employment permits from application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11286/22]

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Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

138. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the implementation of the plan of action to tackle the backlog in employment permits; the impact on waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11287/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 137 and 138 together.

The employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.  The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations.

Since March 2020, the Department has implemented Covid-19 contingency arrangements moving employment permit operations seamlessly to a totally remote working environment.  Indeed, Ireland was one of the few countries which 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.

The Department has 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. 

The Department 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.

In addition, the extension of categories of employment permits, following the latest Review of the Occupational Lists, that I announced at the end of October 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, when 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. 

Cognisant of the significant impact the pandemic has had on the Hospitality Sector, when the sector reopened in July, the Department committed to prioritise the processing of chef employment permit applications received in the processing queue at that time, in order to support the sector. 

The Department recognises the impact of current delays on the processing times for work permits has for businesses and their workers and has developed a plan of action to bring down the processing backlog built up over the pandemic.  The plan includes both additional staffing and systemic changes.  Staffing actions include recruitment of additional permanent and temporary staff.  In late November 2021 approval was granted to increase our permanent processing capacity by 69% and to increase overall capacity to 125% when temporary staff are included.  On 2 February 2022 further additional approval was granted to increase permanent processing capacity by 125% and increase overall capacity by 225% from the original early base in early November.  When all recruitment is completed, the team will be three and a quarter times the size it was in early November.  There has also been an increase in overtime and the temporary reassignment of staff from other areas of the Department with relevant skills.

As the plan of action is fully implemented it is expected that there will be positive progress achieved in reducing the backlog by the end of Q1 with it substantially reduced by the end of Q2 2022.  This should see a return to more normal processing timeframes. 

In addition, further systemic changes have also been introduced.  The 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 Employment Permits Section of my Department are currently processing standard applications received on 4 October 2021 and Trusted Partner applications received on 11 November 2021.

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/

My Department engages directly with key stakeholders including the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, AmCham, IBEC, representative groups and individual companies, in addition to issuing updates on relevant employment permit matters through the Employment Permits Trusted Partners network. 

Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 136.
Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 136.

Departmental Data

Questions (139)

Michael McNamara

Question:

139. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of the number of site visits hosted by the IDA in counties Galway, Clare and Limerick in 2019, 2020 and 2021, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11427/22]

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Written answers

The primary responsibility of the IDA is to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland and to retain, transform and expand the existing base of FDI companies that have already invested and located here.  When it comes to foreign direct investment, site visits represent a valuable tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas. However, site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as a significant percentage of all new FDI comes from existing IDA client companies.

The table below details the number of IDA in person visits for counties Galway, Clare and Limerick in 2019 the number of in person and e-Site visits for counties Galway, Clare and Limerick in 2020 and 2021.

 

2021

2020

2019

Galway 

31

21

46

Limerick

37

26

57

Clare

20

16

28

In response to COVID, IDA migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms during 2020. IDA Ireland has developed a suite of digital content which can be accessed by potential investors.  The Agency has developed this further and has put in place an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors.  The use of digital platforms by IDA staff has contributed to an enhanced digital engagement with existing clients and also in hosting E-Site visits, with potential new investors.  As with in person visits, a number of locations can be marketed within an e-visit.

I am assured that IDA will return to hosting in person site visits in line with all public health guidelines and continue to position all counties, including Galway, Clare and Limerick, for these into 2022 and beyond.

Regional development is at the centre of IDA’s strategy, Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024. IDA is committed to the pursuit of more balanced, compact regional development which can deliver complementary efficiency and equity gains, with the overall impact of helping to advance national development. IDA will target half of all investments (400) from 2021- 2024 to regional locations and maintain the same high level of investment as targeted in IDA’s previous strategy for each region of the country.

 

Employment Rights

Questions (140)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

140. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider extending the full rate rather than a pro rata rate for the once-off public holiday to be held on 18 March 2022 for workers who work two 12-hour shifts at the weekend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11568/22]

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Written answers

The Government has agreed to have a once-off public holiday on Friday 18th March 2022 in recognition of the efforts of the general public and Ireland’s frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

From next year there will be a new permanent public holiday established in celebration of Imbolc/St. Brigid’s day. This will be the first Monday in every February, except where St. Brigid’s day, the 1st day of February, happens to fall on a Friday, in which case that Friday 1st February will be a public holiday. The Government want to ensure that the new public holiday provides for a long weekend for people. The first St. Brigid’s day public holiday will be Monday 6th February 2023.

The legislation which provides for public holidays is the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Section 21 of the Act provides that:

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, an employee shall, in respect of a public holiday, be entitled to whichever one of the following his or her employer determines, namely—

( a) a paid day off on that day,

( b) a paid day off within a month of that day,

( c) an additional day of annual leave,

( d) an additional day’s pay:

The rate at which an employee is paid in respect of a public holiday will remain as is determined by S.I. 475/1997 Organisation of Working Time (Determination of pay for holiday regulations). 

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (141)

Barry Cowen

Question:

141. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the policy instructions or policy documents that he has brought to the attention of An Bord Pleanála since coming into office [11596/22]

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Written answers

My Department has not brought any policy instructions or policy documents to the attention of an Bord Pleanála since I have taken office.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (142)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

142. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review a case (details supplied); if he will provide clarity on the matter in relation to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11681/22]

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Written answers

The COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS), launched on the 7 September 2020, allows for up to €2 billion in lending to Irish businesses and is the largest guarantee scheme in the history of the State.  The scheme was introduced to provide access to finance to viable but vulnerable businesses negatively impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Its function is to add certainty to businesses that funding is available for working capital and investment purposes.  A total of 9,186 loans for a value of €640.8 million have been drawn or approved up to 31 January 2022 under the CCGS and 67,421 jobs have been maintained through the utilization of the scheme up to that date.   

The scheme is available to a wide range of sectors with a small number of exceptions which includes the financing of real estate activity.  The details provided in relation to this case refer to a loan application for the redevelopment of commercial premises to residential apartments for renting purposes.  Such activity is beyond the scope and purpose for which the scheme was developed.

The CCGS was developed as a time-bound loan scheme with a state guarantee to provide loans to meet working capital and liquidity requirements.  Loans can also be used for investment purposes as businesses deal with a changing working environment as a consequence of the pandemic.  Typically loans for investment purposes relate to purchasing new equipment, a refit of premises or investment in a new product or process.  Up to the end of January 2022, loans to meet working capital requirements account for 47% of all loans drawn by value and loans to purchase new equipment, refit premises or invest in a new product or process account for a further 49% of all loans drawn by value.

On 19 March 2020, the European Commission adopted a Temporary Framework to enable Member States to use the full flexibility foreseen under State aid rules to support the economy and help overcome the extremely difficult situation triggered by the Coronavirus outbreak. The COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme has been developed in accordance with the European Commission’s State Aid Temporary Framework.  It has been approved by the European Commission on the basis that it will be used by viable businesses for working capital/liquidity requirements and investment purposes to meet the challenge of a changed working environment arising from COVID-19.  

While a loan application for purposes of financing real estate is ineligible under the CCGS, it is a matter for the lending institution as to whether it would consider such an application outside of the CCGS.

Departmental Priorities

Questions (143)

Pauline Tully

Question:

143. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider introducing mandatory identification checking and recording in the scrap industry in view of the spate of cable thefts here in the past six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10944/22]

View answer

Written answers

While regulation of the scrap metal industry is not a matter within the remit of my Department, the regulation of waste activities is relevant to the industry. In order to improve traceability of waste received and to counter the trade in stolen metal, an amendment to the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations was introduced in 2014 to require the following at all permitted facilities receiving/purchasing waste: - the production of proof of identity and current address for the person supplying the material;

- records to be kept of the registration number and waste collection permit number of the delivery vehicle;

- records to be kept describing the materials, time and date of sale, weight and amount paid; and

- the provision of a signed statement by the person supplying the material indicating that they are the lawful owner.

The Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) have issued guidance to all waste facility permit holders, including Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) for end-of-life vehicles, advising them of their responsibilities and local authorities continue to undertake inspections to ensure compliance with the regulations. These inspections have been included in the National Waste Enforcement Priorities for 2022 and the WERLAs are working closely with An Garda Síochána in investigating incidences of catalytic convertor theft in particular.My Department also participates in the National Metal Theft Forum, which was established in 2012 by An Garda Síochána, to bring together stakeholders, including local authorities, the Department of Justice, and industry representatives, in order to improve information sharing and to develop a metal theft prevention and crime reduction plan.

There are no plans to introduce any further measures around traceability requirements at this time, although enforcement of the existing regulations remains a priority for the WERLAs.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (144, 145)

Barry Cowen

Question:

144. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he raised the potential role that Ireland’s offshore renewable energy plans can play in the formation of a European super grid with his European counterparts in the context of Europe’s current energy security crisis. [11663/22]

View answer

Barry Cowen

Question:

145. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will raise the potential role Ireland’s offshore renewable energy plans can play in the formation of a European supergrid at the next European Economic Council meeting. [11664/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.

The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan highlight the key role that offshore renewable energy will play in achieving Ireland’s increased energy and climate ambition and include the objective of achieving

5GW of offshore wind by 2030. The Programme for Government further commits to developing a longer-term plan to take advantage of up to 30GW of offshore floating wind power in our deeper Atlantic waters, which would enable Ireland to become a major regional generator and exporter of offshore renewable energy.

To facilitate this overarching ambition, my Department will continue to support development of regional offshore electricity grids and engagement with viable proposed new offshore infrastructure projects, including electricity interconnectors. It is also important to highlight the technical market and infrastructure discussions focused on the establishment of European offshore grids that are taking place in working groups within the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC), of which Ireland holds the rotating Presidency during 2022.

The importance of establishing European offshore grids has also been the focus of recent discussions I have held with my EU and UK Ministerial counterparts, and is an issue I will continue to promote during future bilateral and Council meetings. 

Question No. 145 answered with Question No. 144.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (146)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

146. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will advise as to the way households who have installed their own totally electricity supply, micro-hydro, wind or photovoltaic off-grid systems will benefit from the energy credit given that they run generators or pay standing charges to suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11795/22]

View answer

Written answers

The aim of the Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022 is to establish a scheme to make a once off payment, in 2022, of an Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. This is an exceptional measure which uses the single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number (MPRN), to ensure payments to each domestic electricity account as early as possible in 2022 using the existing electricity billing infrastructure. The payment will be applied to the domestic electricity account rather than an individual. Therefore the scheme is without application or further qualifying criteria.The scheme will also include pre-pay customers.

Domestic premises, which are connected to the electricity grid and so have an MPRN assigned, and have a micro-generation system installed, will have the payment credited to the electricity account associated with that MPRN. There is no need to sign up as the scheme will be automatic and apply to all domestic electricity accounts.

The Deputy may also wish to note that regular information updates, including frequently asked questions, are being made available on gov.ie at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/4ae14-electricity-costs-emergency-benefit-scheme/.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (147, 161, 172, 177, 178, 181)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

147. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the rationale for not including standalone grants to homeowners to replace doors and windows in which a significant energy saving can be made by upgrading same; if he will consider including a grant such as this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10933/22]

View answer

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

161. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider extending the 80% grant scheme in the National Retrofit Plan to include window and door replacement; if such a proposal was considered at any point for the new plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11104/22]

View answer

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

172. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that windows and doors have been excluded from the new individual energy retrofit grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11415/22]

View answer

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

177. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason windows and doors are the only energy upgrade items to be excluded from the individual energy retro fit scheme despite being included in the deep retrofit option with a one stop shop; if his attention has been drawn to the cancellation of orders for window and door retrofits that has been caused and that is likely to continue to occur (details supplied); and if he will include windows and doors for individual energy retrofits in the grant scheme. [11528/22]

View answer

Brian Stanley

Question:

178. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review the criteria for the new SEAI grant better energy warmer homes scheme to cover the replacement of old single glazed windows as a standalone item regardless of any previous SEAI grant drawn down on the dwelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11539/22]

View answer

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

181. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that windows and doors have been excluded from the individual energy retrofit scheme but are included in the deep retrofit option with a one stop shop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11631/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 147, 161, 172, 177, 178 and 181 together. The Government recently approved a package of significantly improved supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions. The supports include a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump (up from the previous level of 30-35%).

When a homeowner is completing a whole home energy upgrade, windows and doors form part of the overall fabric and are assessed through the home energy survey and assessment. The assessment may therefore recommend upgrading to ensure that home achieves a B2 rating or is suitable for installation of a heat pump, and in these situations that windows and doors are eligible for support through the One Stop Shop service.

Therefore, it is recommended that homeowners considering a window upgrade should consider a whole home energy upgrade to determine the best measures to achieve a warm and comfortable home. Similarly, homeowners can receive support for upgrading windows and doors as part of a Community Energy Grant project – where the upgrade also addresses the whole home. The provision of grants for windows and doors, as part of a whole home energy upgrade, represents a continuation of the approach adopted previously as opposed to any change in policy.

In the Warmer Homes Scheme, poorest performing homes are upgraded and in certain circumstances windows may be recommended following a survey and provided where suitable. They are not offered as an individual energy upgrade but as part of a suite of upgrades to provide a warm and comfortable home for the homeowners in an economic and efficient way.

State Bodies

Questions (148)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

148. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the EXEED scheme administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is consistent with EU state aid rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10939/22]

View answer

Written answers

The EXEED (Excellence in Energy Efficient Design) Program is notified to the EU Commission under State Aid ‘General Block Exemption Regulation’ (GBER) EU regulation 651/2104. The period of notification is 01/01/2021 – 31/12/2023. State Aid ‘General Block Exemption Regulation’ (GBER) EU regulation 651/2104 declares specific categories of State Aid and how these categories must fulfil certain conditions. Aid fulfilling these conditions is exempted from the requirement of prior EU Commission approval.

The financial supports paid under EXEED are in compliance with State Aid rules, meaning:

- they are not in excess of the limitations set out in Article 38 (covering investment in energy efficiency measures) and Article 49 (covering aid for environmental studies) of the General Block Exemption Regulation;

- certain aspects such as counterfactual investment costs and incentive effect are evaluated as part of the application for financial support.

The criteria for successful eligible projects approved by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the EXEED program comply with, and benefit from, the General Block Exemption Regulation.

State Bodies

Questions (149)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

149. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way the veracity of incentive effect declarations are to be measured in relation to large multinationals availing of EXEED scheme funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10940/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department funds a number of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) support schemes to help businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their activities. However, the administration and management of applications under these schemes, including the Excellence in Energy Efficiency Design (EXEED) scheme, are an operational matter for the SEAI. In line with the SEAI EXEED Grant Guidelines (available at www.seai.ie/SEAI-EXEED-Grant-Guidelines-2021.pdf), the SEAI comprehensively assesses each project application for value for money and incentive effect, in line with state aid requirements. The declaration of incentive effect is one part of this assessment. Statements and evidence to this effect are required and evaluated at the time of application, and additional information sought where required.

Under the EXEED scheme, any project proposed is evaluated against the scheme criteria and not against the specific business or organisation. 

The SEAI established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that they can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie. 

Environmental Schemes

Questions (150)

Patrick Costello

Question:

150. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will detail the latest launch of retrofitting funding as it primarily relates to houses, the available energy saving schemes for apartment buildings and apartment complexes. [10946/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Government has approved a package of supports as part of the delivery Ireland’s residential retrofit programme. These measures are aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and emissions.Included in these measures is the establishment of the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering unprecedented grant levels, increased from around 30% to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump. The new higher grant rates available for relevant measures under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme will also be available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme.The new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme introduces a new way to undertake home energy upgrades with SEAI registered one stop shops providing an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying the home; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors to deliver the work; and quality assuring the work. Homes, built and occupied pre-2011, and owned by private homeowners, non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies are eligible for the scheme. Individual apartments can receive support across the range of schemes. It is also worth noting that a key feature of the new one stop shop model is that it will bring together groups of homes for aggregated projects thereby creating efficiencies in delivery and developing new innovation in processes and technologies. More broadly, officials of my Department will be working with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to separately consider the best approach to deal with apartment buildings that are multi-unit buildings with common areas, rather than individual units. This will be examined further in 2022 to consider approaches to support whole building solutions.

Waste Management

Questions (151)

Pauline Tully

Question:

151. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will reconsider the removal of the exemption for burning green waste and open a consultation with farmers and their representative organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10947/22]

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Written answers

Under the Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009, the burning of household, garden, commercial or industrial waste is not permitted. The burning of green waste is a matter of concern and leads to localised air pollution. More broadly, health problems associated with air pollution are widely known and acknowledged. An exemption under the legislation had been provided for the burning of green waste generated by agricultural purposes for the last number of years. Regulations to extend the exemption until 1st January 2023 were published on 11th  February last. I anticipate this will be the final extension. 

Discussions between officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will shortly commence – to examine alternative options to the practice of burning of this waste.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (152, 154)

Bríd Smith

Question:

152. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to the operation of the SEAI warmer homes scheme and related retrofitting schemes.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11013/22]

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Bríd Smith

Question:

154. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the SEAI agreement with a contractor includes a detailed schedule of works to be performed; if the agreement also includes a contract between the contractor and the homeowner before works begin; if not, if he will consider putting such a mechanism in place to ensure homeowners are protected going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11015/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 154 together.

Contractors operating under any scheme supported by an SEAI grant must carry out the works in line with the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice and Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications as well as best practice and technical guidance documents including:

- NSAI S.R. 54:2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings;        

- Building Regulations Technical Guidance Documents;        

- The System Supplier/Product Manufacturer Guidelines        

- NSAI Agrément certificates; and,     

- Irish, British or European Standards Guides.

A Declaration of Works must be signed by both the homeowner and the contractor certifying completion of works. Post-works Building Energy Ratings are also carried out by independent BER assessors. In addition, contractors are required to demonstrate their tax compliance and insurance cover and cooperate with the scheme's Quality Assurance programme. The Quality Assurance programme has been designed by SEAI to maintain high standards of contractor workmanship; build consumer confidence; monitor health and safety; and ensure proper governance of the spending of public money.

Regular inspections of works are undertaken on a risk-based approach in accordance with international best practice. When sub-standard works are found, contractors are required to rectify the works to the satisfaction of the inspector, at no cost to the homeowner. As part of SEAI’s Code of Practice all contractors are required to resolve complaints. If a customer is not satisfied with the works completed, contractors must make every reasonable effort to resolve the complaint to the customer’s and SEAI’s satisfaction.

The SEAI deals with all complaints received appropriately and this informs the risk-based approach to inspections. The case by case review of any complaints may inform desk based investigations and/or site visits where deemed appropriate. SEAI operate under a Customer Charter and a complaints and appeals procedure is in place. If following this procedure an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome, they can seek an independent review from the Office of the Ombudsman of the complaint. Further details are available here: www.seai.ie/customer-charter/ .

The Department does not hold the detailed information sought by the Deputy. My officials have requested the SEAI to forward the specific data requested as soon as possible.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (153)

Bríd Smith

Question:

153. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of building contractors presently working on the warmer homes and related retrofitting schemes on behalf of the SEAI; the agencies and bodies that administer the schemes on behalf of the SEAI if such work is contracted out; the amounts paid to them for administration, and inspection work in the years since 2010; the way inspections of the properties that are earmarked for the upgrading work are undertaken; if inspections are undertaken after the work has been completed; the way subsequent BER ratings are authenticated; the way contractors are selected and assigned to individual private property homeowners after SEAI has conducted an independent survey of the homeowner's property under the SEAI Energy Poverty Programmes and in particular the warmer homes scheme. [11014/22]

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Written answers

The Warmer Homes Scheme offers free energy upgrade s for eligible homeowners who are most at risk of energy poverty. Since 2000, over 143,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.

The Department does not hold the information sought by the Deputy.  My officials have contacted the SEAI and requested the data as soon as possible.

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