Written Answers Nos. 96-121
96. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 10 of 19 May 2022, if his Department has received a reply from IDA Ireland in relation to acquiring lands in Ballinasloe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35152/22]
View answerI have not yet had the opportunity to discuss this with IDA Ireland but I have asked my officials to follow it up and will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As the Deputy is aware, there are 120 IDA supported companies in the West Region, employing 29,419 people in total. There are 94 IDA supported companies in Galway City and County, employing 22,801 in total. Ballinasloe is marketed as part of the West Region. This provides scale and scope, which gives confidence to the investor that they will be able to establish themselves outside of a main city area and manage to secure talent and services to make their business work. IDA markets the West Region to the Life Sciences, Technology and Global Business Services sectors.
The timely provision of appropriate and cost-effective property and infrastructure solutions to meet the needs of multinational companies remains essential to winning Foreign Direct Investment. Over the last 5 years, IDA’s Regional Property Programme enabled the winning of capital-intensive projects of significant scale to regional locations.
IDA actively promotes available buildings and land in IDA Business Parks and high-quality buildings in private ownership through its network of overseas offices. In Galway IDA has invested significantly in the provision of world-class property solutions.
Following the decision by Aptar to cease manufacturing operations in Ballinasloe in 2020, IDA Ireland worked to market the vacated facility to potential client companies of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. In May 2021, Enterprise Ireland client company Chanelle Pharma leased the building and announced plans for 60 jobs in Ballinasloe and a €5m investment.
IDA continues to market the available lands (c.21.94 acres) on the IDA business and technology park in Ballinasloe to potential investors, including the advanced planning permission for an Advanced Technology Unit on these lands. IDA and Ballinasloe Area Community Development (BACD) completed a joint venture to secure planning for an Advance Technology Unit (ATU). The availability of the ATU planning permission is being marketed by IDA as a planning de-risked and flexible potential property solution. IDA currently has no plans to purchase additional lands as the Agency is marketing the available lands to potential investors.
97. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the membership of the panel that designed I.S. 465 for the National Standards Authority of Ireland; and the membership of the panel that is now reviewing I.S. 465. [35170/22]
View answerThe NSAI Committee, NSAI TC 063, was and continues to be responsible for the development of I.S. 465.
The table below lists companies and bodies represented on the technical committee which developed I.S. 465 in 2018 and its amendment in 2020.
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Chaired by retired structural engineer |
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Association Consulting Engineers Ireland (ACEI) |
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Cement Manufacturers Ireland (CMI) |
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Department Housing Local Government and Heritage |
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Donegal County Council |
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Engineers Ireland |
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Fastnet Analytical |
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Ground Investigations Ireland |
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Homebond |
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IGSL |
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Irish Concrete Federation |
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Institute of Geologists of Ireland |
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Kilsaran |
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Mayo County Council |
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Master Builders and Contractors Association /CIF |
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Mica Action Group |
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NSAI Sustainability and Built Environment |
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Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) |
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Roadstone Ltd |
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Sandberg |
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SLR Consulting |
The committee’s composition remains the same for work currently underway on amendment of I.S. 465, except for Ground Investigations Ireland and Fastnet Analytical who are no longer involved.
NSAI keeps membership of the committee constantly under review so as to endeavour to have a balanced representation within the constraints imposed by availability of suitable experts and interested stakeholders, and the voluntary nature of the committee.
98. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if any State or semi-State bodies that report to him are currently or have been registered as a charity; the reason for the charity status; the person or body that holds primacy for accountability in those instances, whether the Minister or the Charities Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35005/22]
View answerNone of the state agencies under the aegis of my Department are registered as charities.
99. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department is considering placing forestry-related jobs on the critical skills list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35048/22]
View answerIreland’s employment permits system 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 but 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 system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine employments that are either highly sought after or are ineligible for an employment permit where it is evidenced that there is sufficient availability of those skills in the domestic and EEA labour market.
In order to ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence, these lists undergo regular, evidence-based review guided by relevant research, a public/stakeholder consultation, the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group and relevant policy Departments, in this case the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Account is also taken of upskilling and training initiatives and other known contextual factors, such as the ending of the pandemic unemployment payment schemes and the Ukrainian humanitarian Crisis, and their impact on the labour market.
Previous reviews of the occupations lists considered submissions from the sector seeking a change in status for a number of roles in the forestry and felling industry. Based on the information provided it was recognised that while these roles are specialist to the sector, some roles appear to be already eligible for an employment permit, with the exception of roles of a general skill level which are currently ineligible.
Following engagement with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the most recent review recommended no change be made at the time and that bilateral engagement with the sector be undertaken in the upcoming review process to gain a better understanding of the labour and skills needs of the sector.
Changes to the employment permit occupations lists are made where there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available, development opportunities are not undermined, genuine skills shortage exists rather than a recruitment or retention problem and Government education, training and economic development policies are supported.
My Department continues to review the employment permits system in light of changing labour market circumstances. When the next Review of the Occupational Lists commences, submissions will be invited from sector representative bodies and interested parties via the Public Consultation Form which will be accessible on the Department’s website throughout the consultation period .
100. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the progress to Committee Stage of the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35114/22]
View answerAs this Bill is a Private Members Bill, the timeframe in relation to its progress is a matter for the sponsoring Deputy.
101. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the code of practice on the right to disconnect introduced on 1 April 2021; the number of cases that have since been brought to the Workplace Relations Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35149/22]
View answerThe Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect is operational since 31 March 2021 and is a best practice guide and template to remind employers of the statutory obligations around record keeping, the maximum average weekly working hours permitted for employees, and employees statutory rest period entitlements. The Code is also aimed at ensuring workers are aware of their statutory entitlements and how to raise concerns in relation to non-compliance.
This particular Code acts as an important complementary addition to the suite of existing statutory measures which protect employment relationships in this area; the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 being particularly relevant.
In terms of number of complaints, the WRC compiles statistics on complaints under the statutory provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act but it would not be right to report all of those as being related to complaints concerning the right to disconnect. The Tánaiste wrote to the WRC requesting an update on the Code's first anniversary. In reply, the WRC has advised that the right to disconnect has not arisen as a core issue in terms of complaints submitted to the WRC nor is it arising over the course of inspections carried out by the WRC. To coincide with the first anniversary, the WRC conducted a social media campaign on the provisions of the Code.
Codes of Practice play an important role in the protection of rights and in maintaining good workplace relations. While failure to follow a Code prepared under section 20(1)(a) of the Workplace Relations Act, 2015 is not an offence in itself, section 20(9) does provide that in any proceedings before a Court, the Labour Court or the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), a Code of Practice shall be admissible in evidence and any provision of the Code which appears to the Court, body or officer concerned to be relevant to any question arising in the proceedings shall be taken into account in determining that question.
102. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Inland Fisheries Ireland is actively monitoring Irish Water for compliance of court orders obtained on water pollution convictions against local authorities as operators of waste water treatment plants before the establishment of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35023/22]
View answerThe mater raised in the Question is an operational matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I nor my Department have any role.
IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
103. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any State or semi-State bodies that report to him are currently or have been registered as a charity; the reason for the charity status; the person or body that holds primacy for accountability in those instances, whether the Minister or the Charities Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35006/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that none of the bodies under the aegis of my Department are currently or have ever been registered as a charity.
104. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total cost to the Exchequer of the €200 electricity credit; the number of beneficiaries who received the payment; the number of beneficiaries who received two, three or more payments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35025/22]
View answer105. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if persons with a second meter for storage heating in the same residence received two €200 electricity credit payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35026/22]
View answer106. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any beneficiaries received an additional €200 electricity credit with respect to a holiday home; if so, the number of beneficiaries who received a further payment in respect of one, two or more holiday homes, in tabular form; the number of payments that were made in regard to holiday homes in cases in which the beneficiary lived in Northern Ireland or elsewhere abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35027/22]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 104 to 106, inclusive, together.
The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 established a scheme for the making in 2022, of a once-off Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. The credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT) is being applied to all domestic electricity accounts through April, May and June, and includes prepay meters.
The scheme is operated by ESB Networks and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. The Scheme uses a single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number (MPRN) with the credit being applied automatically to all domestic electricity accounts held with suppliers on 29 March.
The payment is being applied to domestic electricity accounts i.e. those which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2), as set out in section 1 of the Act. The DG associated with a residence makes no distinction in terms of the use.
As of 27 May 2022, 2,129,832 domestic electricity customers had been credited, with 1,845,142 of these customers having been notified via a line item on their bill or prepayment vend receipt meaning that 99% of all eligible customers had the credit applied to their account at that point. Based on an estimated 2.25 million domestic electricity accounts, the estimated cost of the scheme is €379,347,208.02.
107. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered the introduction of sustainable energy grants for new builds; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that all new builds are now bound by regulations dictating the type of home heating that can be installed; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who are constructing a new build are facing multiples of the costs facing a person carrying out a retrofit; his views on whether it is fair that a person carrying out a retrofit qualifies for assistance but a person constructing a new build does not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35044/22]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their existing properties. The schemes offer grants for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy upgrades for people at risk of energy poverty. Improving these homes has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier and cheaper to heat and light.
Near Zero Energy Building requirements for new dwellings were introduced into the Building Regulations in April 2019 by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The NZEB requirements make it more attractive for builders and homeowners to further incorporate renewable technologies and move away from fossil fuels for heating. There are options for meeting compliance including heat pumps and/or solar PV.
The Building Regulations have been progressively updated over the last decade in order to improve the energy and carbon dioxide emissions performance of all new dwellings. Many of the techniques required to achieve NZEB, such as improved fabric and renewables, have been introduced on a gradual basis into Part L of the Building Regulations since 2007. These incremental improvements have effectively eased the transition and minimised the additional effort and costs required to achieve the NZEB performance for dwellings.
A modelling and cost study was carried out by an external cost economic consultant for the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) for NZEB. The average uplift in cost across all dwelling types modelled was 1.9%.
Grant funding to improve energy performance are available for existing homes because these homes were not required to meet the most up to date NZEB Building Regulations. It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer. Grants are not targeted at meeting compliance requirements when building a new home.
Full detail of the grants and grant amounts are available on SEAI’s website.
108. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received notice that two investors in the national broadband plan will withdraw from the project. [35067/22]
View answer109. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new investors in the national broadband project that have been shortlisted for approval; and the number that have received his approval to invest. [35068/22]
View answer110. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of shares as a percentage in respect of the national broadband plan investment that have changed ownership since investment in the project commenced. [35069/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 110, inclusive, together.
The contract for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention, which was signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November 2019, is a comprehensive and detailed document. To protect the State investment and ensure that the NBP milestones and deliverables are met, the contract has been designed to include extensive protections, quality checks, reporting and monitoring obligations.
The NBP contract provides specific protections in relation to a change in ownership, sale, or change in control of shareholders of NBI. Under the contract, and up until 12 months after the network build is complete, the prior approval of the Minister is required for any of these events.
My Department has not been notified of any change in ownership of NBI to date as required under the contract with NBI. The ownership structure remains as it was at contract signing in November 2019 and at the contract effective date in January 2020.
111. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the positions Ireland has taken and will be taking in relation to the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the European Union, the State of Israel and the Arab Republic of Egypt in respect of energy supply; and if Ireland will be pushing for a differentiation in respect of the way the agreement will apply to the Occupied Territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35078/22]
View answerThe crisis in Ukraine has brought into sharp focus the EU and Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuel imports. We must continue to accelerate the clean energy transition, focussing on energy efficiency and renewable energies. The best way to secure our energy needs is to continue to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. Climate Action Plan 2021 sets us on a pathway to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels dramatically by 2030.
The RePowerEU Plan launched by the European Commission on 8 March 2022 sets out a plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030 in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This communication sets out new actions to ramp up the production of green energy, diversify supplies and reduce demand, focusing primarily on gas, which significantly influences the electricity market and where the global market is less liquid.
As part of this plan, the European Commission is engaging with other countries to ensure sufficient and timely supply of natural gas to the EU from diverse sources across the globe to avoid supply shocks, including those that could result from disruptions. Ireland is not involved directly in these negotiations, but will continue work closely with the European Commission and Member States to deliver upon the ambition of the RePowerEU communication.
112. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to incentivise farmers to provide solar panels on farms for their own use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35101/22]
View answerBusinesses, including farms, that use a large amount of electricity will benefit most when they consume electricity on site from their own micro-generation. Residual electricity is eligible for a market-based export tariff. The financial business case for micro-generation for these high electricity users is already strong, with short payback periods based on self-consumption and export payments alone. On the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that create an obligation on suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. Solar panels are supported under the Department for Agriculture, Food and Marine’s Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme, as well as the Young Farmer’s Capital Investment and Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage schemes, as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS). The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides capital grants for non-domestic applicants such as farms for solar PV installations up to 6.0kW primarily for self-consumption, with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available. This will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and will become available in the near future. In Q3 of this year the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will consult on an implementation plan for the Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff, a guaranteed export tariff support for new installations which is fixed for 15 years for non-domestic applicants for installations greater than 6.0kW up to 50kW in size. The Climate Action Plan 2021 also commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generation (above 50kW). The design of the scheme is being progressed in 2022 and it will become available next year.
113. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35120/22]
View answerThe application referred to in the Question is under consideration by my Department. All applications for petroleum authorisations are assessed against a number of criteria in accordance with Section 9A of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960, as amended, and Section 3 of the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production. This includes the technical competence of the applicant and the financial resources available to it in order to undertake the work programme and any other commitments pursuant to the relevant petroleum authorisation.
My Department does not publish information on individual applications for authorisations whilst they are under consideration.
114. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that is being made on his policy to roll out free solar panels to households at risk of energy poverty due to medical illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35186/22]
View answerThe National Energy Security Framework (NESF), published in April 2022, is a response to the challenges of ensuring the ongoing and long-term security of affordable energy supply. The Framework provides a single overarching and initial response to address Ireland’s energy security needs in the context of the war in Ukraine. It coordinates work connected to energy security across the electricity, gas and oil sectors and sets out a ‘Whole-of Government’ response to the challenges posed to energy security and energy affordability. Included in measures to address consumers under the NESF, in Response 8, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is tasked with introducing a targeted scheme for the installation of solar PV panels for vulnerable customers/households in Q2 of this year. SEAI is currently finalising the scheme in consultation with key stakeholders including the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), ESB Networks (ESBN), the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), and publication of the final details will follow this process.
115. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if any State or semi-State bodies that report to him are currently or have been registered as a charity; the reason for the charity status; the person or body that holds primacy for accountability in those instances, whether the Minister or the Charities Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35018/22]
View answerThere are 11 commercial, 8 non-commercial and 2 regulatory bodies under the aegis of my department, of which none have been registered as a charity.
116. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the staffing levels of the Bus Éireann station in County Sligo; if he is concerned that low staffing levels are resulting in cancelled services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35038/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The query raised regarding the staffing levels of the Bus Éireann station in County Sligo is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
117. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will commit to improving the Local Link bus services to and from Collooney, County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35039/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for TFI Local Link services, including in County Sligo, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
118. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport his views on supporting e-bike rental schemes in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35055/22]
View answer119. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport his views on the way that e-bike rental schemes can complement existing station-based bikes schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35056/22]
View answer120. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will detail his Department’s engagement to date with local authorities regarding the roll-out of e-bike rental schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35058/22]
View answer121. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport his views on shared e-bike rental schemes and their potential to significantly encourage modal shift in regional cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35059/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 to 121, inclusive, together.
The use of e-bikes is proving to be an increasingly popular method of travel, whether for commuting or leisure purposes, and is encouraging more people to choose to cycle. Bearing this in mind, and in light of the commitment by the Government to increase funding to active travel, potential incentives to encourage the purchase of bikes and e-bikes will be explored as part of the budgetary process.
The Deputy will be interested to know that last year the NOW TV dublinbikes scheme was enhanced with the upgrade of 50% of the fleet of 1,600 to hybrid electric bikes, which commenced on March 30th when the first batch of e-dublinbikes were launched. The NOW TV dublinbikes scheme is funded through my department.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure. The management of the public bike schemes is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), which works closely with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the NTA's role in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply in relation to bike rental schemes and the use of existing station based bike schemes.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days
