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Tuesday, 5 Apr 2022

Written Answers Nos. 142-166

Expenditure Reviews

Questions (142)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

142. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Taoiseach the estimated impact of voted expenditure for Vote 34, subhead A32 Affordable Housing Fund which amounts to €60,000,000 for 2022 in respect of the General Government Balance. [18144/22]

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Written answers

In the first instance it should be noted that, to the extent that the Exchequer contribution has to be financed, there will be an impact on the level of general government debt.

The Deputy should note that the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has not formally reviewed the planned Affordable Housing Fund. This work will commence once the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provide the necessary information regarding the scheme and any associated legislation, if applicable, to the CSO. Accordingly, the response below should be considered in an ex-ante context and is based on publicly available information.

Any impact on the general government balance of the €60 million allocation to the Affordable Housing Fund will occur at the time the State, through the Affordable Housing Fund and/or the Local Authorities, engages with the private sector. Such transactions will be counted as general government expenditure and thus decrease the general government balance.

Gender Equality

Questions (143)

Holly Cairns

Question:

143. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Taoiseach the steps he is taking to identify and address gender pay disparity in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit. [17369/22]

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Written answers

Both my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, actively support diversity and inclusion in the workplace including gender balance. The Human Resources units in both organisations keep gender balance under ongoing review.

As at 1 April 2022, the gender balance of staff in my Department (excluding politically appointed staff) is 63% female and 37% male. Of the 9 members on my Department’s Management Committee, 4 are female and 5 are male. The gender balance at Assistant Secretary level in my Department is 60% female and 40% male. My Department has a strong pipeline of future female leaders with 50% of its Principal Officers and 73% of its Assistant Principal Officers being female. The gender balance of all staff in NESDO is 76% female and 24% male and the gender balance of Management / Analysts staff in NESDO is 69% female and 31% male.

Recruitment to my Department and NESDO is, in the main, undertaken through the Public Appointments Service who plays a central role in recruiting diverse talent to take up public service employment opportunities and who recently launched their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy 2021-2023.

Rates of remuneration are based on pay-scales set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. These scales take into account grade and seniority and are unaffected by gender.

Both my Department and NESDO (a small body with 17 staff) will report on the gender pay gap in due course, as required under the Gender Pay Gap Information Act, 2021.

Transport Policy

Questions (144)

Holly Cairns

Question:

144. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Taoiseach the steps he is taking to encourage active travel modes to and from work in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit. [17388/22]

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Written answers

Both my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office, the only body under the aegis of my Department, encourage and facilitate employees to use active travel, such as walking, running and cycling to commute to work by:

- providing shower and changing facilities for staff;

- supporting and encouraging staff to avail of the Cycle to Work Scheme; and

- providing bicycle parking for staff who cycle to work.

In addition, staff for whom walking, running or cycling to work is not an option, are encouraged and facilitated to avail of the Annual Travel Pass Scheme which allows staff to save between 28.5% and 52% on annual public transport tickets.

Departmental Appointments

Questions (145)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

145. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if a selection board will be convened by the Public Appointments Service and a shortlisting process carried out by an independent chairperson when filling the forthcoming vacancy in the position of Secretary General to the Government and Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach; and if not, the reason the procedures applied to the recruitment of the most senior positions in the civil service at Assistant Secretary level and upwards will not be applied to this appointment. [17225/22]

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Written answers

The vacancy in the position of Secretary General to the Government and Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach has been filled following a request for expressions of interest from all suitable officers in the Civil Service.

The post does not come within the remit of TLAC. The appointment was made by the Government, on my advice.

There was no departure from the process that was followed in respect of this post on previous occasions, most recently in 2011.

Mr John Callinan, Second Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach has been appointed to the position with effect from 3rd May.

Public Sector Staff

Questions (146)

Michael Ring

Question:

146. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Taoiseach the number of staff who are currently absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes in his Department and in agencies and public bodies within his area of responsibility; and the number who have been absent from work for up to three, three to six, six to twelve and over twelve months, in tabular form. [17607/22]

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Written answers

Neither my Department nor the National Economic and Social Development Office, the only body under the aegis of my Department, have any employees who are presently absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (147)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

147. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the cost of consultants to his Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will provide an outline of the role of each. [17831/22]

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Written answers

My Department had no expenditure on consultancy services in the period specified.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (148)

David Stanton

Question:

148. Deputy David Stanton asked the Taoiseach the current policy with respect to remote working options for staff in his Department. [18174/22]

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Written answers

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of the staff of my Department have been working from home since March 2020. A phased return to the workplace has been underway since the easing of restrictive measures on 21 January 2022.

In line with the rest of the Civil Service, my Department will finalise and progressively roll-out its blended working policy for the longer-term. This policy will be guided by the Central Policy Framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service which was recently published by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

In the meantime, remote working alongside attendance on site will continue in line with business needs and the phased return by staff over the coming period.

Census of Population

Questions (149)

Seán Canney

Question:

149. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Taoiseach if he is satisfied there are sufficient census enumerators appointed to ensure there is an accurate statistical record for census 2022. [18260/22]

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Written answers

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is employing over 5,500 temporary field staff to carry out the census taking place on 3 April 2022. This includes 6 Census Liaison Officers, 46 Regional Supervisors, 466 Field Supervisors and 5,100 Census Enumerators.

Thanks to the dedication of the enumerators and supervisory field staff, the delivery phase has been completed for 95% of households (as of the morning of 1 April) and with 3 days delivery remaining all is currently on target. There are a small number of homes where there are difficulties getting access to deliver forms, but alternative processes are being put in place to ensure these households receive their forms.

Visa Applications

Questions (150)

Noel Grealish

Question:

150. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the current visa backlog for overseas workers; when the timelines are expected to reduce; if consideration has been given to a reduction in requirements for sought after professions, for example, chefs such as the requirement to have a job offer before they arrive and the restriction of only being allowed to work for one employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18296/22]

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Written 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 regime is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill skills and labour gaps for the benefit of our economy, in the short to medium term. The system is, by design, vacancy led and driven by the changing needs of the labour market.

The State’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of Ireland, the European Union and other EEA states. Employment opportunities which arise in Ireland should, in the main, be offered to suitably skilled Irish and other EEA nationals and should only be offered to non-EEA nationals who possess those skills and where no suitable candidate emerges from within the EEA to fill the vacancy. This policy fulfils our obligations under the Community Preference principles of membership of the EU.

In order to safeguard the employment opportunities of Irish/EEA nationals, restrictions exist on the granting of employment permits. Among the safeguards is the requirement for an employer to satisfy a Labour Market Needs Test before a General Employment Permit can be issued to a non-EEA national. Further protections in place include proof of an employer/employee relationship and minimum remuneration levels. Employment permit holders have exactly the same protections under Irish employment law as any other worker in the State.

Employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits which exist and are likely to continue into the medium term, but it is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of up-skilling the State’s resident workforce. In order to meet this demand, the Government is committed to building and retaining a highly skilled workforce to serve the needs of the economy and has introduced a series of initiatives focused on workforce upskilling of new workforce entrants and those made redundant by the pandemic.

My Department and I recognise the impact delays on the processing times for work permits has for businesses and their workers and has implemented an action plan to reduce processing times built up over the past year.  The processing team has trebled in size and daily output has more than tripled compared to 2021 levels.  Internal processes have been streamlined, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of permits awaiting processing.

Waiting time for Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEPs) have been more than halved in the past seven weeks.  The Department plans to maintain processing times for all CSEP applications at approximately its current level for all of Q2, on the assumption that demand remains at current levels. 

All flexible resources have now been redeployed to other permit types with a view to expediting the reduction in the current backlog of applications in Q2. Further progress will be delivered after the completion of approximately 3,000 one-off applications we are currently processing for the meat and horticulture sector, which should take approximately six weeks to clear, in addition to normal processing workload.  The Department expects to see a consistent strong fall in waiting times from mid-May, with waiting times considerably reduced by end Q2. 

In Q3 the Department will continue to drive down waiting times across all permit types.

As of 4 April 2022, my Department are processing applications received on the following dates for the specific types of applications:

Critical Skills Employment Permit Applications

Trusted  Partner               21 February 2022

Standard                          07 February 2022

New Applications (All other permit types excluding Critical Skills Employment Permits)

Trusted Partner               29 November 2021

Standard                         08 November 2021

Renewal Applications (All renewable permit types included)

Trusted Partner               01 December 2021

Standard                         05 November 2021

EU Directives

Questions (151)

Patrick Costello

Question:

151. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the transposition of EU Directive 2020/1828; the presumptive timetable his Department is working towards for the transposition of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17587/22]

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Written answers

The Government approved the priority drafting of the Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Bill 2022 on 22 March 2022. The Bill will transpose the EU Directive on Representative Actions (2020/2018) into domestic law. The Directive is due to be transposed by 25 December 2022.

My department has published the general scheme of the Bill on its website. The primary purpose of the Bill is to permit a qualified entity to represent consumers in a representative action where a trader has infringed their consumer rights under one or more of the legislative provisions listed in the Schedule to the general scheme.

Public Sector Staff

Questions (152)

Michael Ring

Question:

152. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff who are currently absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes in his Department and in agencies and public bodies within his area of responsibility; the number who have been absent from work for up to three, three to six, six to twelve and over twelve months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17596/22]

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Written answers

My Department operates within the Disciplinary Code, the Dignity at Work and other relevant HR policies developed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for use in the Civil Service. Any instances of suspension or workplace disputes are managed through the processes as set out in these HR policies.

At present there are no staff in my Department or the agencies under the remit of my Department absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes. There have also been no staff absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes over the periods referenced in the Deputy's question.

National Planning Framework

Questions (153)

Patrick Costello

Question:

153. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the next national plan on business and human rights will be published given the last one expired in 2020. [18100/22]

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Written answers

Ireland's first National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017-2020 was launched by the Department of Foreign Affairs towards the end of 2017. Ireland was the 19th country in the world to publish such a plan in response to the endorsement of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the Human Rights Council in 2011.

The implementation of this whole-of-government plan was overseen by an implementation group comprised of representatives of Government, civil society and business. Both the plan itself and the programme for Government committed to a review of implementation. This review was undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs in consultation with stakeholders during 2021. A draft report was considered at the special session of the multi-stakeholder implementation group on 31 May 2021. This forum included participation by a member of the UN working group on business and human rights, a business and human rights expert from the Danish Institute for Human Rights, and officials from three EU member state Ministries.

The Government noted the finalised review at its meeting on 3 December 2021. It is published on the Department of Foreign Affairs website: www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/ourrolepolicies/humanrights/Review-of-Implementation-of-National-Plan-on-Business-and-Human-Rights-2017-2020---for-website.docx.pdf

Discussions have commenced about how to bring a new plan forward. Officials in my Department will proactively engage with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide necessary input into a new plan, in particular in respect of the issue of Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence in line with the Programme for Government commitments in this regard.

National Planning Framework

Questions (154)

Patrick Costello

Question:

154. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to develop a national plan on business and human rights which considers whether there is a need for greater emphasis on mandatory due diligence. [18101/22]

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Written answers

Ireland's first National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017-2020 was launched by the Department of Foreign Affairs towards the end of 2017. Ireland was the 19th country in the world to publish such a plan in response to the endorsement of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the Human Rights Council in 2011.

The implementation of this whole-of-government plan was overseen by an implementation group comprised of representatives of Government, civil society and business. Both the plan itself and the programme for Government committed to a review of implementation. This review was undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs in consultation with stakeholders during 2021. The Government noted the finalised review at its meeting on 3 December 2021. It is published on the Department of Foreign Affairs' website: www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/ourrolepolicies/humanrights/Review-of-Implementation-of-National-Plan-on-Business-and-Human-Rights-2017-2020---for-website.docx.pdf

As regards a further National Plan, my Department will actively contribute to this important project, including in respect of Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence in line with the Programme for Government reference with regard to whether there is a need for greater emphasis on mandatory due diligence.

On the 23rd of February the European Commission published a proposal for a directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD). The proposal sets out obligations for companies regarding adverse human rights and environmental impacts arising from their operations, their subsidiaries and their value chains. Among the provisions is a requirement for relevant companies to integrate due diligence into their corporate policies and put in place a specific due diligence policy in relation to human rights, climate change & environmental issues. The due diligence measures must identify actual or potential adverse impacts and prevent/mitigate such impacts within a company’s own operations or those of their subsidiaries and from within their value chains. My Department is currently examining this proposal in detail.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (155)

David Stanton

Question:

155. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current policy with respect to remote working options for staff in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18163/22]

View answer

Written answers

Since the start of the pandemic, mSy Department has made significant efforts to facilitate remote working for staff, and to invest in assisting staff to work safely and productively from home. Building on the National Remote Work Strategy launched in January 2021, my Department fully supports the move to a blended working environment. In finalising our longer-term policy, and transitioning to it, my Department will be informed by the Civil Service Blended Working Policy Framework published on 31 March 2021. This will inform the development of the Blended Working policy for my Department, which will be finalised and issued within the coming weeks.

In this context, my Department will build upon the learnings from our successful experience of remote and blended working in the past two years. We developed a ConnEcTEd Teams Action Plan ConnEcTEd Teams Action Plan - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie) during this period and it supports our teams in a blended working environment.

The ‘ConnEcTEd Teams’ programme established behaviours that support effective remote/ blended working for teams. The programme targets five key areas:

1. Maintaining team/ organisation-wide connectedness and trust;

2. Ensuring effective and efficient information flows;

3. Enabling continued on-the-job training and coaching activities;

4. Facilitating remote collaboration and innovation; and

5. Supporting employee wellbeing.

Our remote working options will evolve over time as we pilot blended working options including working from home two or three days per week while ensuring business needs are met. We will continue to survey staff and to work with our leaders, staff and unions to implement the optimum blended working policy that best serves my Departments delivery for the citizen.

Economic Sanctions

Questions (156)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

156. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the investigations that are being undertaken by his Department or any agency under his authority into the potential circumvention of the sanctions against Russia in the International Financial Services Centre and elsewhere and, if so, the number of investigations. [18264/22]

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Written answers

EU sanctions are given legal effect via EU Regulations. These Regulations have direct effect in all Member States of the EU, and, as such, are legally binding on all natural and legal persons in Ireland. Private companies, therefore, have an obligation to ensure that they are in full compliance with these new measures. A natural or legal person who contravenes a provision of an EU sanctions regulation shall be guilty of an offence and liable to prosecution.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is the National Competent Authority with specific responsibility for implementing EU Trade sanctions. It does not monitor compliance with financial sanctions, nor does it carry out investigations into suspected breaches of financial sanctions.

The Director of Corporate Enforcement is responsible for enforcing and encouraging compliance with company law, investigating suspected offences under the Companies Act 2014, prosecuting detected breaches of the Companies Act 2014 and referring cases to the Director of Public Prosecutions on indictment.

Section 949(3) of the Companies Act 2014 provides that the Director of Corporate Enforcement shall be independent in the performance of his functions. The purpose of this provision, and similar provisions in legislation in other areas of law enforcement, is to ensure that the law is enforced without the possibility of interference from any party or the appearance of any such interference.

Small and Medium Enterprises

Questions (157)

Marian Harkin

Question:

157. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way that small and medium enterprises in areas of the country will benefit from higher aid intensity (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18329/22]

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Written answers

The revised Regional Aid Guidelines (RAG), adopted by the Commission on 19 April 2021 and in force since 1 January 2022, enable Member States to support the less advantaged European regions in catching up and reducing disparities in terms of economic well-being, income and unemployment – cohesion objectives that are at the heart of the Union. They also provide increased possibilities for Member States to support regions facing transition or structural challenges.

The RAGs require each Member State to have a map identifying areas where Regional Investment Aid can be granted. The RAGs also set out the criteria that Member States must use to identify areas on a Regional Aid Map eligible for regional investment aid.

The Commission approved Ireland's Regional Aid Map on 22 March 2022 and the Map identifies areas eligible for regional investment aid. The Map also establishes the maximum aid intensities that apply in eligible area. Aid intensity is the maximum amount of State aid that can be granted per enterprise, expressed as a percentage of eligible investment costs.

The aid intensity rate that applies to an area on the Map depends on the criterion of the RAGs under which that area has been approved for inclusion on the Map. The base rate of assistance for an area eligible under Criterion 1, of the relevant section of the Guidelines, is 15%. The base rate of assistance for an area eligible under Criterion 5 or Criterion 3 (islands), is 10%. The base rate applies to all enterprises, irrespective of their size. The maximum aid intensities can be increased by 10% for investments made by medium-sized enterprises and by 20% for investments made by small enterprises, for their initial investments with eligible costs up to €50 million.

While the Map identifies areas where Regional Aid can be granted, inclusion of an area on the Regional Aid Map does not in itself mean that Aid will be granted in that area, furthermore, an enterprise operating in an excluded area can still be supported in a number of other of ways by Enterprise Ireland, IDA or other State Agencies or Departments.

A full list of the LEAs included on the map and the base aid intensity rates are provided in the tables below.

LEAs included under Criterion 1 on the Map

LEA

County

NUTS3 Region

Base Aid Intensity

Carlow

Carlow

South-East

15%

Muinebeag

Carlow

South-East

15%

Bailieborough-Cootehill

Cavan

Border

15%

Ballyjamesduff

Cavan

Border

15%

Cavan-Belturbet

Cavan

South-East

15%

Buncrana

Donegal

Border

15%

Carndonagh

Donegal

Border

15%

Donegal

Donegal

Border

15%

Glenties

Donegal

Border

15%

Letterkenny

Donegal

Border

15%

Lifford-Stranorlar

Donegal

Border

15%

Milford

Donegal

Border

15%

Athenry-Oranmore

Galway

West

15%

Ballinasloe

Galway

West

15%

Conamara North

Galway

West

15%

Conamara South

Galway

West

15%

Galway City Central

Galway

West

15%

Galway City East

Galway

West

15%

Tuam

Galway

West

15%

Castlecomer

Kilkenny

South-East

15%

Kilkenny

Kilkenny

South-East

15%

Piltown

Kilkenny

South-East

15%

Borris-in-Ossory-Mountmellick

Laois

Midlands

15%

Portlaoise

Laois

Midlands

15%

Ballinamore

Leitrim

Border

15%

Carrick-on-Shannon

Leitrim

Border

15%

Manorhamilton

Leitrim

Border

15%

Ballymahon

Longford

Midlands

15%

Granard

Longford

Midlands

15%

Longford

Longford

Midlands

15%

Ballina

Mayo

West

15%

Belmullet

Mayo

West

15%

Castlebar

Mayo

West

15%

Claremorris

Mayo

West

15%

Swinford

Mayo

West

15%

Westport

Mayo

West

15%

Ballybay-Clones

Monaghan

Border

15%

Carrickmacross-Castleblayney

Monaghan

Border

15%

Monaghan

Monaghan

Border

15%

Birr

Offaly

Midlands

15%

Edenderry

Offaly

Midlands

15%

Tullamore

Offaly

Midlands

15%

Athlone

Roscommon

West

15%

Boyle

Roscommon

West

15%

Roscommon

Roscommon

West

15%

Ballymote-Tobercurry

Sligo

Border

15%

Sligo-Drumcliff

Sligo

Border

15%

Sligo-Strandhill

Sligo

Border

15%

Dungarvan

Waterford

South-East

15%

Portlaw-Kilmacthomas

Waterford

South-East

15%

Tramore-Waterford City West

Waterford

South-East

15%

Waterford City South

Waterford

South-East

15%

Athlone

Westmeath

Midlands

15%

Kinnegad

Westmeath

Midlands

15%

Moate

Westmeath

Midlands

15%

Mullingar

Westmeath

Midlands

15%

Enniscorthy

Wexford

South-East

15%

New Ross

Wexford

South-East

15%

Rosslare

Wexford

South-East

15%

Wexford

Wexford

South-East

15%

Inhabited Islands included under Criterion 3 on the Map

Island

County

NUTS3 Region

Base Aid Intensity

Aughinish Island

Clare

Mid-West

10%

Carrig Island

Kerry

South-West

10%

Bear Island

Cork

South-West

10%

Calf Island East

Cork

South-West

10%

Cléire

Cork

South-West

10%

Coney Island

Cork

South-West

10%

Dursey Island

Cork

South-West

10%

Haulbowline Island

Cork

South-West

10%

Hop Island

Cork

South-West

10%

Horse Island

Cork

South-West

10%

Inchydoney Island

Cork

South-West

10%

Inishbeg

Cork

South-West

10%

Inishodriscol (or Hare Island)

Cork

South-West

10%

Lambay Island

Dublin

Dublin

10%

Long Island

Cork

South-West

10%

Mannin Beg

Cork

South-West

10%

North Bull Island

Dublin

Dublin

10%

Ringarogy Island

Cork

South-West

10%

Sherkin Island

Cork

South-West

10%

Tarbert Island

Kerry

South-West

10%

Whiddy Island

Cork

South-West

10%

LEAs included under Criterion 5 on the Map

LEA

County

NUTS3 Region

Base Aid Intensity

Ennis

Clare

Mid-West

10%

Shannon

Clare

Mid-West

10%

Corca Dhuibhne

Kerry

South-West

10%

Kenmare

Kerry

South-West

10%

Tralee

Kerry

South-West

10%

Limerick City East

Limerick

Mid-West

10%

Limerick City West

Limerick

Mid-West

10%

Ardee

Louth

Mid-East

10%

Drogheda Rural

Louth

Mid-East

10%

Dundalk-Carlingford

Louth

Mid-East

10%

Dundalk South

Louth

Mid-East

10%

Clonmel

Tipperary

Mid-West

10%

Cashel-Tipperary

Tipperary

Mid-West

10%

Departmental Contracts

Questions (158)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

158. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of consultants to his Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will provide an outline of the role of each. [18899/22]

View answer

Written answers

Details of expenditure by my Department on external consultancy contracts during the period in question are set out in tables at the link.

Consultancy Contracts

Turf Cutting

Questions (159)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

159. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if persons (details supplied) can continue to cut and sell turf after September 2022; and, if not, the deadline in this regard. [18340/22]

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Written answers

New regulations on solid fuels are due to take effect from 1 September next. They are required, as each year, some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. It is estimated that there are over 16,200 life years lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short-term and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution. The National Peatlands Strategy acknowled`ges the tradition of burning peat in Ireland, but also recognises that the associated emissions to the air contain a range of pollutants. Research undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency also demonstrates that the contribution of peat to air pollution levels is significant.

Turf cutting by citizens for use in their own homes is a traditional activity across many peatlands, and while measures are required to reduce the emissions associated with burning peat, these traditions will be respected.

Therefore, in order to accommodate those with rights to harvest sod peat, no ban on its cutting or burning will be introduced, but a regulatory provision will be made to prohibit the placing on the market, sale or distribution of sod peat. This approach will facilitate those with turbary rights to continue to cut and burn sod peat for their own domestic purposes, while also reducing the use of sod peat in urban areas.

As such, persons who have turbary rights will continue to be permitted to extract peat to heat their own dwelling, but will not be permitted to place it on the market for sale or distribution to others.

Energy Prices

Questions (160)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

160. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review the submission by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18380/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Government is acutely aware of the effect of rising electricity and gas prices on households and on older people. Government’s immediate response to the unprecedented surge in international gas prices, which is correlated to those rising electricity and gas costs to households, is to utilise the tax and social welfare system in Budget 2022 to counter rising costs of living for households.

As set out in the Programme for Government funding from carbon tax revenue is being used over the period to 2030 to ensure that increases in the carbon tax are progressive by tackling fuel poverty and providing for a Just Transition as well as to fund the retrofit programme, including free upgrades for lower income households.  

ESRI research has demonstrated that recycling just one third of the revenue raised from the carbon tax increases through targeted social welfare payments helps the lowest income households and to reduce poverty. The Government will continue to be guided by the latest emerging research on the impacts of rising costs on households.

In recognition of the ongoing pressures on households, a further €505m package of measures to mitigate the wider cost of living increases were announced by Government on the 10th February, including:

1. The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022, that now provides for a credit payment to each domestic electricity account amounting to €176.22 (€200 including VAT). Approximately 2.1 million account holders will benefit from the payment in the coming weeks.

2. An additional lump sum payment of €125 to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment.  It is expected that this additional lumpsum will cost an estimated €49 million in 2022. This means that low-income households will see an increase of 41% in Fuel Allowance support provided during this Fuel Allowance season compared to last season. 

3. A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households, to urgently reduce energy use and cost.

It should also be noted that under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, a special heating supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances that have special heating needs, and exceptional needs payments (ENP) may also be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet out of their own resources.

Government also provides a Living Alone allowance which is a supplement paid to people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone. Budget 2022 provided for a €3 per week increase to the Living Alone Allowance Increase from €19 to €22 per week with effect from January 2022.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (161, 162)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

161. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a person who is in receipt of an invalidity allowance is not automatically entitled to the warmer homes scheme given not all invalidity allowance recipients receive the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17495/22]

View answer

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

162. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a person who is in receipt of an invalidity allowance whose only income is an invalidity allowance cannot avail of the better energy homes programme if the invalidity allowance is their only income. [17496/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.

The Government recently approved a package of 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.

The key measures include:

- a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard (up from 30%-35% grants currently)

- One Stop Shops to offer a hassle-free, start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades

- a significant increase in the number of free energy upgrades for those at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme (400 per month – up from an average of 177 per month in 2021)

- a special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households, to urgently reduce energy use and cost as part of the Government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices

- an Exchequer investment of €8 billion to 2030 will enable the supply chain to scale up, creating thousands of high quality jobs and delivering on this critical national objective.

Households in receipt of an Invalidity Pension, whose homes meet the eligibility criteria, can apply for support including whole home upgrade grants under the National Home Energy Upgrade scheme and individual grants for energy efficiency measures.

Free upgrades available under the Warmer Homes scheme are available to households who are in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments including the Fuel Allowance. 

I understand that the Invalidity Pension is a qualifying payment for the Fuel Allowance, which is a means tested payment. Households can contact the Department of Social Protection to check whether they meet the relevant means test.

Question No. 162 answered with Question No. 161.

Public Sector Staff

Questions (163)

Michael Ring

Question:

163. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff who are currently absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes in his Department and in agencies and public bodies within his area of responsibility; the number who have been absent from work for up to three, three to six, six to twelve and over twelve months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17597/22]

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Written answers

My Department does not currently have any staff who are presently absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes.  

The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency.  The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations

Waste Management

Questions (164)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

164. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the Landfill Remediation Programme since its establishment in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17625/22]

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Written answers

Since 2006 the landfill remediation programme has provided approximately €190m funding to risk assess and remediate 150 landfill sites. This includes €52m for the former ISPAT site at Haulbowline, Co. Cork.  To date remediation work has been completed on 46 sites. In 2021 funding was provided for 72 sites across 22 local authorities with expenditure of just under €21m. This year 135 projects have been approved for funding across 29 local authorities with a budget of €26m.

The roadmap for the landfill remediation programme is set out in the Regional Waste Management Plan 2015-2021 with the renewed roadmap to be published later this year in the new National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy in 2022. The programme has been a key component of Ireland's response to the judgment of the European Court of Justice in case C494/01.

The Comptroller and Auditor General published a chapter on the programme in the 2019 Appropriation Account- this can be accessed at the following link www.audit.gov.ie/en/find-report/publications/2020/vote-29-communications-climate-action-and-environment.pdf

Departmental Reports

Questions (165)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

165. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the recommendation of the spending review Social Impact Assessment – SEAI Programmes Targeting Energy Poverty 2020 that the energy poverty schemes should collect information both before and after energy efficiency works which can be used to assess whether they are achieving their aims has been implemented; and if not, the reason therefor. [17666/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased significantly to €17,100. A budget allocation of €109 million has been provided for this scheme this year. This will support an increase in the number of free home upgrades, from an average of 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month this year. This is a top priority in SEAI's work programme. Following a review of the Scheme a number of changes were announced in February this year including a decision to commence the collection of both pre and post works Building Energy Ratings (BER) under the scheme. The primary purpose of this is to improve targeting of the scheme to those most in need by providing better pre-works data. However, a pre works BER will also offer other broader benefits, including: more effective retrofit design; more housing stock data; and greater homeowner understanding of their property. The provision of pre works BERs will also provide additional metrics and allow for improved measurement of the impact of the Scheme. This would address recommendations identified in the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service Social Impact Assessment referred to in the Question.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (166)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

166. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected output for each retrofit scheme for 2022, in tabular form. [17667/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 (or cost optimal equivalent), and to install 400,000 heat pumps to replace existing heating systems by 2030. The review of the National Development Plan (NDP) resulted in an unprecedented financial commitment to support achievement of the Government’s retrofit targets. A total of €8 billion of Exchequer funding (including €5 billion in carbon tax revenues) will be available to support residential upgrades to 2030.

Building further on its clear financial commitment the Government recently approved a package of significant enhancements 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.

The key measures include:

- a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard (up from 30%-35% grants currently)

- One Stop Shops to offer a hassle-free, start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades

- a significant increase in the number of free energy upgrades for those at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme (400 per month – up from an average of 177 per month in 2021), and

- a special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households, to urgently reduce energy use and cost as part of the Government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices.

The projected SEAI output for each home retrofit scheme for 2022 is set out in the table below.

SEAI Grant Scheme

Estimated Outputs 2022

Better Energy Homes

12,150

Solar PV

   6,600

Better Energy Warmer Homes

   4,800

Warmth & Wellbeing Pilot

      300

National Retrofit Scheme OSS

   2,080

Deep Retrofit Pilot

        20

Community Energy Grant (Homes)

      990

TOTAL

26,940

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