Written Answers Nos. 54-76
54. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the analysis that has been undertaken to ensure that care homes and nursing homes will have sufficient supplies of gas and heating oil this winter in the event of rationing being introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41091/22]
View answerThe operational response to a natural gas emergency (e.g., a shortage in gas supply) is set out in the National Gas Emergency Plan prepared by Gas Networks Ireland (in its role as National Gas Emergency Manager) and is approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. The plan sets out the roles and responsibilities, and procedures, in the event of an emergency. It includes measures to minimise the impact on electricity generation, and measures to ensure that supplies for protected customers (which includes domestic customers) and, in so far as it is possible, other customers that cannot switch their gas consumption to other energy sources, are protected in the event of an emergency. In case of a gas emergency, care homes and nursing homes are considered protected customers.
In terms of the supply of oil products, including oil used for home heating purposes, the supply outlook is positive, with no significant supply difficulties expected by Government or the oil companies. Notwithstanding this, the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) currently holds approximately 85 days of oil stocks, including considerable quantities of home heating kerosene, which can be utilised in the event of any shortage of product arising in the markets
In the context of contingency planning to deal with any prolonged and severe oil emergency, work continues on operational planning for all scenarios. Included in such planning is the prioritisation of supplies of oil products to operators of the emergency and critical services, including for the provision of health care, which encompasses care and nursing homes.
55. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the proposal of an organisation (details supplied) to transfer phase 2 of Arklow bank wind park into the maritime area consent regime is being considered by his Department; if so, the legal basis for doing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41404/22]
View answerThe Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (‘the Act’) was enacted on the 23rd of December 2021, establishing the legal framework for a new planning system for the maritime area. One of the main features of the Act is the creation of a new State consent, the Maritime Area Consent, as a first step in new and streamlined planning process.
To enable achievement of Ireland’s 2030 targets, a pathway was provided for in the Act to permit a select number of projects which had advanced under the existing Foreshore regime, to transition to the new regime once established.
The Transition Protocol, as set out in the General Scheme of the then Marine Planning and Development Management (MPDM) Bill gave guidance regarding the treatment of certain offshore wind projects in the context of the anticipated progression of the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Bill. These ‘Relevant Projects’ either applied for or were granted a lease under the Foreshore Act 1933, or were eligible to be processed to receive a valid grid connection offer in December 2019.
The Protocol allowed these projects to continue to progress a number of project elements, so that they could be in a position to apply under the new marine planning regime once the legislation was enacted.
Under the special transition provisions in the Act, the Minister for the Environment, Climate Communications has the responsibility for assessing and granting Maritime Area Consents (MACs) for this first batch of offshore projects. These ‘Relevant Projects’ are the projects which satisfy the definition of “relevant maritime usage” under the legislation.
Earlier this year, the developer referred to in the question wrote to the two relevant Ministers advising of their intention to apply for a Maritime Area Consent and no longer progress their application under the Foreshore Act, given the energy project satisfies the definition of relevant maritime usage under Section 100 of the MAP Act. The project is now being progressed by the developer under the MAC regime.
56. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the electricity supply companies that are offering customers payment under the clean export guarantee scheme at this time; the companies that have announced the tariffs that they will pay under the clean export guarantee scheme; if the other companies have given a timeline for when they will announce their tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39607/22]
View answerThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), which outlines the arrangements for the implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. More information is available here: Clean Export Tariff - Commission for Regulation of Utilities (cru.ie)
I understand that over 32,000 micro and small-scale generators have successfully registered for export and 22,000 of this cohort have smart meters which means they are already accruing the value of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff for their exported electricity, and payments will be backdated to the date of eligibility or the 15th of February 2022, whichever is the latest.
The CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. Once eligible, customers can expect an initial payment or credit from their suppliers from 1 July depending on billing cycle. The CRU has asked suppliers to communicate their decision to their customers on when initial Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) payments will be made at the earliest opportunity. The CRU expects all suppliers to put in place measures to make the first payment to customers at the earliest opportunity and anticipates that all suppliers will have made the first payment by 31 August 2022 at the latest.
The CRU encourages customers to contact their supplier to obtain information on their suppliers' CEG tariff arrangements.
The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
57. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the loans scheme for deep retrofitting. [39611/22]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan have set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 or carbon equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings by the end of 2030.
The residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme is part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan and will be co-funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility and Exchequer funding. My Department is engaging with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland and the European Investment Bank in relation to the development of the scheme and market engagement is also on-going. The Invitation for Pre-Qualification stage to identify interested On-Lenders has now concluded. This is an important milestone in the development of the scheme. The Invitation for Allocation stage, planned for Q3 2022, will determine how much of the guaranteed loan portfolio will be allocated to each On-Lender. The Invitation for Allocation will set out the interest rate pricing approach under the scheme. The aim is to make the loans under the guarantee available in Q4 2022.
The loan guarantee will provide risk protection to retail credit institutions participating in the scheme. This will enable credit institutions to offer loans with reduced interest rates to private homeowners and non-corporate landlords and make comprehensive home energy efficiency upgrades more affordable to consumers. This approach will signal to the banking sector, new sustainable business opportunities associated with retrofit and the transition to a low carbon economy as well as increasing the volume of retrofit activity within the State.
58. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received the review into the north-south interconnector; when the findings of this review will be published; the total cost of this review to date; the number of experts involved in the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39705/22]
View answerThe new North-South Interconnector, which will allow for the flow of 900 MW electricity between Ireland and Northern Ireland, will be critical for improving the operation of the all-island Integrated Single Electricity Market (ISEM). It will also help to facilitate the achievement of the goal of generating up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland's economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers.
The option of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions. Most recently, the key finding from the International Expert Commission's report of October 2018 was that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option for this critical electricity infrastructure.
Notwithstanding this, it was deemed appropriate to carry out a further short review to assess if the overall finding from the 2018 report remained valid and a financial assessment, relative to the value of the project, was conducted. Having requested tenders from a number of grid experts across Europe, two international experts were selected to carry out the study. Work is continuing on the report, which has taken longer than expected, but I understand it is to be finalised shortly. The final cost will be determined upon completion but is unlikely to exceed €40,000. This is a once-off piece of consultancy work and there should be no future costs involved.
59. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the target number of retrofits under each scheme for 2022 and for 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39706/22]
View answer60. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed under each retrofit scheme to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39707/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together.
Earlier this year, Government announced an enhanced package of measures to support the uptake of home energy upgrades and 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.
- Establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.
- A significant increase in the number of free energy upgrades provided to those at risk of energy poverty alongside changes to the operation of the Warmer Homes Scheme. This includes ensuring the Scheme prioritises those in the worst performing homes first and opening the Scheme for homeowner ‘revisits’ thereby allowing them apply for deeper energy upgrade measures now available under the scheme.
- A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation has also been introduced for all households. This will help to urgently reduce energy use as part of the Government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices.
A total of €267.2 million was allocated for SEAI residential and community retrofit schemes and the Solar PV scheme in 2022 as part of the Revised Estimates Volume. The capital allocation will be amended on foot of the Supplementary Estimate for my Department.
The investment this year targets almost 27,000 home energy upgrades, including over 8,600 homes to a BER of B2. Figures provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland show that to the end of June 8,628 homes have been completed across the residential energy efficiency schemes and of these, 2,681 have been upgraded to a post works Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or better.
The establishment of targets for retrofits for 2023 will be a matter for the 2023 Estimates and business planning processes later this year.
61. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons on the warmer homes scheme waiting list, broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39708/22]
View answer62. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average waiting time for retrofitting to be completed under the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39709/22]
View answer63. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes completed under the warmer homes scheme in each of the past five years per county in tabular form. [39710/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 62 and 63 together.
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.
Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times on the Warmer Homes Scheme waiting list is a top priority for my Department and SEAI. In order to reduce this timeline to completion and target a monthly average of 400 completions this year, the following actions have already been taken:
- The budget, at €109 million, is nearly three times the 2021 outturn (€38 million) and funding has also been sought through the European Regional Development Fund;
- SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
- SEAI is working to Increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.
Data provided to my Department by the SEAI indicates that, for homes completed in 2022, the average cycle time from application to completion was 28 months. However, it is important to note that cycle times have been affected by COVID related issues. In addition, there are deeper measures being provided under the Scheme since 2018, which involve more substantive works.
Details of the number of homes awaiting works, as at the end of June, on the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme work programme is set out in the table below. This includes homes that are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting the initial survey of their home. It is important to note that the SEAI received over 5,000 applications for the scheme to the end of June this year, compared with 2,874 for the whole of 2021. The improvements to this top priority Scheme introduced by Government and the increased public awareness following the launch of the new SEAI National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme together with the potential to reduce energy costs are driving demand and SEAI is ramping up delivery in response.
|
County |
No. of Homes |
|
Carlow |
114 |
|
Cavan |
95 |
|
Clare |
193 |
|
Cork |
1,014 |
|
Donegal |
360 |
|
Dublin |
2,697 |
|
Galway |
535 |
|
Kerry |
299 |
|
Kildare |
355 |
|
Kilkenny |
130 |
|
Laois |
148 |
|
Leitrim |
78 |
|
Limerick |
348 |
|
Longford |
70 |
|
Louth |
187 |
|
Mayo |
507 |
|
Meath |
340 |
|
Monaghan |
116 |
|
Offaly |
197 |
|
Roscommon |
173 |
|
Sligo |
172 |
|
Tipperary |
392 |
|
Waterford |
206 |
|
Westmeath |
170 |
|
Wexford |
345 |
|
Wicklow |
376 |
|
Total |
9,617 |
The number of homes completed, by county, in the past five years is set out in the Table below.
|
Homes Completed |
|||||
|
County |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022* |
|
Carlow |
63 |
67 |
11 |
25 |
14 |
|
Cavan |
173 |
44 |
22 |
35 |
37 |
|
Clare |
147 |
68 |
22 |
40 |
19 |
|
Cork |
504 |
223 |
142 |
153 |
159 |
|
Donegal |
587 |
162 |
87 |
116 |
87 |
|
Dublin |
829 |
649 |
500 |
693 |
688 |
|
Galway |
242 |
172 |
86 |
80 |
58 |
|
Kerry |
329 |
84 |
55 |
53 |
74 |
|
Kildare |
167 |
103 |
40 |
90 |
55 |
|
Kilkenny |
73 |
59 |
20 |
37 |
17 |
|
Laois |
95 |
63 |
11 |
21 |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
58 |
41 |
17 |
23 |
31 |
|
Limerick |
160 |
121 |
16 |
49 |
62 |
|
Longford |
72 |
37 |
13 |
21 |
22 |
|
Louth |
139 |
115 |
26 |
61 |
42 |
|
Mayo |
214 |
195 |
68 |
64 |
64 |
|
Meath |
124 |
90 |
60 |
81 |
80 |
|
Monaghan |
100 |
42 |
14 |
24 |
21 |
|
Offaly |
90 |
51 |
42 |
30 |
37 |
|
Roscommon |
116 |
56 |
33 |
43 |
31 |
|
Sligo |
105 |
59 |
27 |
35 |
22 |
|
Tipperary |
144 |
84 |
22 |
49 |
43 |
|
Waterford |
117 |
179 |
42 |
84 |
55 |
|
Westmeath |
140 |
78 |
39 |
52 |
63 |
|
Wexford |
317 |
178 |
74 |
110 |
58 |
|
Wicklow |
113 |
118 |
31 |
55 |
45 |
|
Total |
5,218 |
3,138 |
1,520 |
2,124 |
1,889 |
*to end of June 2022
64. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of the projected electricity demand in each year to 2030, including the demand from data centres; the projected electricity demand in each year to 2030, excluding the demand from data centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39741/22]
View answerIn 2020, data centres accounted for approximately 11% of the total electricity used in Ireland, demonstrating that the impact of data centres on Ireland’s energy demand, and the related electricity emissions, is significant. EirGrid, in their Generation Capacity Statement 2021-2030, forecast that demand from large energy users, including data centres, could account for 27% of all demand by 2030.
In November 2021, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, the independent energy regulator, issued a direction to EirGrid, the electricity transmission system operator, and ESB Networks, the electricity distribution system operator, that requires each of the system operators to prioritise data centre connections based on location, the availability of on-site generation (and/or storage), and flexibility in reducing demand when required. This will reduce the potential impact of electricity demand from data centres on security of supply.
The Government’s Climate Action Plan 2021 sets out the policies and actions for Ireland to deliver on its emissions and renewable targets and includes specific actions for large energy users, including data centres. This includes a review of the 2018 'Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy' to align with our renewable energy targets, sectoral emissions and climate priorities. This statement is due for publication shortly.
65. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will respond to an issue with the National Broadband Plan (details supplied). [39782/22]
View answerIt is not unusual in large-scale infrastructure/utility projects of this nature for a change of ownership to take place. Such an event is provided for under the National Broadband Plan Contract with specific provisions included in relation to a change in ownership, sale, or change in control of shareholders of National Broadband Ireland. The Contract requires the written consent of the Minister prior to the transfer of any interest, direct or indirect, in NBI.
My Department received a formal notification of a proposed change in control of NBI on 22 July 2022. My officials are undertaking a detailed review of the proposal with a determination expected in the Autumn.
66. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the pension increase and arrears due in January 2022 will be paid to An Post pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39804/22]
View answer71. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason for the delay with the final-sign off for the 2% increase that has been due since 1 January 2022 to An Post pensioners (details supplied); and the date on which the payment will be made to these retired members. [39867/22]
View answer73. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date upon which An Post pensioners will receive their 2% promised pension increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39916/22]
View answer80. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position in relation the An Post pension scheme; and if he intends to accept proposed changes and a small rise in pensioners payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40077/22]
View answer81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will be in a position to support the proposed changes to the An Post pension scheme; the likely timeline for the acceptance of changes proposed by the group of unions and the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40078/22]
View answer92. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when An Post pensioners (details supplied) will receive an increase in their payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40277/22]
View answer100. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will authorise the payment of the 2% pensionable increase effective from 1 January 2022 to An Post pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40529/22]
View answer127. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the procedure for approving the increase in An Post pensions has been agreed by the fund trustees; and when the outstanding 2% will be paid. [41022/22]
View answer128. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address concerns regarding authorising payments that are due to An Post pensioners (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41041/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 71, 73, 80, 81, 92, 100, 127 and 128 together.
Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
Under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983 and the rules of the An Post Pension Scheme, pension increases or alterations to the schemes are subject to the authorisation of the Minister given with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
In accordance with the Remuneration and Superannuation Protocol of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and Circular 16 of 2021 issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, An Post has formally sought Ministerial approval on 4 May 2022 to increase pensions in payment and deferred pensions for members of the An Post Superannuation Scheme by 2% per annum with effect from 1 January 2022 and up to a further 2% per annum with effect from 1 January 2023.
In line with the Code of Practice, NewERA’s views on the current proposal have been sought. This will inform the business case required under DPER Circular 16/2021, setting out the strategic, policy and financial rationale for providing the increases. The consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will then be sought .
67. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of community solar projects for local power generation currently in operation nationally; the further number of such projects planned to enter operation in the coming years; the supports, if any, in place by his Department to assist such projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39845/22]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) includes a dedicated community category developed specifically to allow communities and citizens to participate in and benefit from RESS.
In the first RESS auction, seven community projects were successful, two of which were 100% community owned, the remainder being at least 51% community owned. Five of these were solar projects, with four of these solar projects currently progressing through the scheme's delivery milestones to commercial operation. For the second RESS auction onwards, all community projects must be 100% community owned. Ten community projects received a notice of award in the second RESS auction, eight of which are solar projects.
The RESS Community Enabling Framework includes a package of enabling supports including technical, financial and legal services to assist communities in navigating the challenging terrain of electricity generation. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is leading in implementing and facilitating these components of the framework. In 2022, €2 million in capital funding has been allocated to support the development of Community projects, which allowed the SEAI to roll out a trusted advisory service and enabling grants service in April 2022. These vital supports will enable the growth of the community renewable electricity generation sector.
The Climate Action Plan also commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generation (>50kW) to support the deployment of rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV in cohorts that are not as suited to other support measures. This will enable farmers, SMEs and communities and others to maximise their participation in the energy transition. I will shortly be launching a consultation on proposed design elements of this scheme, which will have supporting the development of Community energy projects as a central focus. The scheme is expected to become available in 2023.
68. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a person can apply for windows and doors under the retrofit scheme as a stand-alone measure; if not, if the applicant must carry out other measures to qualify for grant assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39851/22]
View answerThe National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme introduces a new, highly customer centric, way to undertake home upgrades. SEAI registered One-Stop-Shops will provide an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors; and quality assurance.
The Scheme offers unprecedented grant levels, increased from circa 30% to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump.
Furthermore, many of the grant supports available under the new Scheme have also been aligned to other relevant schemes including the Better Energy Homes Scheme to support a step-by-step, self-managed approach to retrofit; and, the Community Energy Grant Scheme for homeowners that want to retrofit their homes as part of a community project.
Window and door replacements are available under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, as well as under the Community Energy Grant scheme, as part of a whole house upgrade solution, as required, to achieve an energy efficient home to B2.
Replacement windows are considered on a case by case basis under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme which delivers free upgrades to eligible homeowners in low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. Replacement doors are not included.
Window and door replacements are not supported under the Better Energy Homes Scheme, where homeowners can choose to carry out works on a step by step, self-managed basis.
69. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of litter fines issued in County Louth in the first six months of 2022 broken down by those issued in Drogheda and Dundalk respectively; and the number of litter complaints in both towns during that period. [39856/22]
View answerMy Department is responsible for setting the policy and legislative framework within which local authorities discharge their function under the Litter pollution and Waste Management Acts.
Questions in relation to the number of litter fines issued and the number of litter complaints received should be directed to the relevant local authority.
70. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding an application in respect of a location (details supplied); when it will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39859/22]
View answerThere are no applications for Petroleum Prospecting Licences with my Department. An application for a Lease Undertaking from Exola DAC, a subsidiary of Providence Resources Plc, together with their partners, Lansdowne Celtic Sea Limited, over Standard Exploration Licence SEL1/11, in which the Barryroe structure is located, is under consideration by the 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 .
72. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of posts advertised by his Department through the mobility scheme at Assistant Principal and Principal Officer levels to date in 2022, in tabular form; the title of each post advertised, the number of applicants for each post, the number of applicants shortlisted for interview, if a suitable applicant was identified for the post; and if not, the way that the post was filled. [39880/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below. All vacancies are filled in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform AP and PO Mobility Terms and Conditions.
|
Location |
Title |
Applications Received |
Shortlisted Applicants |
Suitable Applicant? |
|
Dublin |
AP Economic Unit |
2 |
0 |
Yes |
|
Dublin |
PO Corporate – Digital Transformation |
1 |
0 |
Yes |
|
Dublin |
AP NBP |
2 |
0 |
Yes |
|
Dublin |
AP Internal Comms |
0 |
n/a |
No – Re-advertised |
|
Wexford |
AP Environmental Protection |
3 |
0 |
Yes |
|
Dublin |
AP TPRD |
0 |
n/a |
No – AP Requested from PAS |
|
Dublin |
AP Offshore Energy |
9 |
3 |
Yes |
|
Dublin,Wexford, Cavan |
AP Environment Policy |
12 |
4 |
Yes |
|
Cavan |
AP Inland Fisheries |
4 |
n/a |
Ongoing |
|
Dublin |
AP Research ECRAU |
1 |
n/a |
Ongoing |
|
Dublin |
AP Electricity Network |
2 |
n/a |
Ongoing |
|
Dublin/Wexford |
PO International & Offshore Energy |
6 |
n/a |
Ongoing |
|
Dublin |
AP Climate |
1 |
n/a |
Ongoing |
|
Dublin |
AP EU & International ECPD |
1 |
n/a |
Ongoing |
|
Dublin |
AP NECP/Governance Regulation |
3 |
n/a |
Ongoing |
|
Dublin |
AP Campaign Lead Energy Security |
Ongoing |
n/a |
Ongoing |
|
Dublin |
Internal Communications & Engagement |
Ongoing |
n/a |
Ongoing |
74. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39953/22]
View answerMy Department has been reconfigured on several occasions since 2012. The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time to compile. The information requested by the Deputy, covering the period since the current Government formed is being collated and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
75. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental, Ministerial public relations; and if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39971/22]
View answerMy Department has been reconfigured on several occasions since 2012. The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time to compile. The information requested by the Deputy, covering the period since the current Government formed, is outlined in the table below.
|
Consultant/Company |
Purpose |
Jan 2020 to Date |
|
RPS |
PR support to help with Tellus survey outreach/info line |
€139,274.33 |
|
OSD Digital Agency |
Social media campaign advice |
€3,176 |
76. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of legal cases brought against his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39989/22]
View answerMy Department has been reconfigured on several occasions since 2012. The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time to compile. There have been 18 legal cases brought against my Department since 2017 broken down as follows:
|
Year |
Number of Legal Cases |
|
2017 |
4 |
|
2018 |
4 |
|
2019 |
3 |
|
2020 |
3 |
|
2021 |
4 |
|
2022 |
0 |
I am advised that it would not be appropriate to provide details on the nature of the specific cases as to do so would encroach on matters presently before the courts.
