Sorca Clarke
Question:131. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Taoiseach what bilateral meetings he held during the recent UN General Assembly week. [48251/22]
View answerTaoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Questions (131)
Written answers
I visited New York for UN High Level Week from 21-23 September. While there, in addition to delivering Ireland’s National Statement, I had the opportunity to engage with a number of other Leaders in roundtable discussions, bilateral meetings and in the margins.
I had formal bilateral meetings with the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres; the President of the UN General Assembly, Csaba Kõrösi; the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari; the Vice-President of Uganda, Jessica Alupo; and the Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands, Bárður á Steig Neilsen.
I participated in a roundtable discussion on prospects for the Sahel region, convened by UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, and attended by regional states and organisations, as well as by members of the Security Council. I also participated in an event on implementation of the UN ‘Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection’ convened by Secretary General Guterres and by the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo. I took part in a panel on “Jobs and Social Protection to Recover from Overlapping Crises”, alongside VP Alupo, and facilitated by Mr Achim Steiner of UNDP, delivering a keynote address.
I also attended a ‘Forum of Small States’ reception, hosted by Singapore.
Citizens' Assembly
Questions (132)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:132. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the work of his Department in relation to setting terms of reference for the upcoming Citizens' assembly on drugs. [48623/22]
View answerWritten answers
Two Citizens’ Assemblies committed to in the Programme for Government were established in February this year, one on the issue of Biodiversity Loss and the other on the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin.
The inaugural meeting for both Assemblies took place in April 2022. The Terms of Reference, as set out by the Oireachtas, call on the Assemblies to conclude their deliberations within eight months, and to submit their reports ideally no later than nine months from the date of commencement, and sooner if possible.
The establishment of the next Citizens’ Assemblies, one on Drug Use and the other on the Future of Education, will be subject to a Government decision and resolutions of Dáil and Seanad Éireann at the appropriate time.
The question of when the next Assemblies might commence depends in large part on how soon the current Assemblies conclude their work and submit their reports.
Enterprise Support Services
Questions (133)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:133. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports in place for businesses, such as a business (details supplied), that rely heavily on refrigeration; if he will ensure similar businesses can survive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47879/22]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment I am acutely aware of the impact the current high energy costs are having on businesses of all size, including in the hospitality and food production sectors.
Last week, the Government announced the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme as part of the Budget. The scheme is aimed at businesses whose average unit gas or electricity price has risen by over 50% compared with their average unit gas or electricity price for the same period in 2021.
Pending State Aid approval, it is intended that the scheme will be up and running before the end of the year. Payments will be backdated to include September 2022. Whilst the finer details of the scheme are being finalised, in general, qualifying businesses will be able to apply to Revenue for a cash payment, representing an advance credit for energy expenses that are deductible for income and/or corporation tax purposes. The credit will be calculated as 40% of the excess of the 2022 bill over the 2021 bill, capped at €10,000 per business unit per month. Overall caps at business level will also apply as set out in the EU Temporary Crisis Framework.
The first thing any business can do to mitigate high energy bills is to take all steps possible to reduce energy use. A good first step to achieving greater energy efficiency is for businesses to gain a better understanding of their current usage. My Department's Climate Toolkit 4 Business provides a clear and accessible starting point for any business, pointing them to enterprise-specific climate action resources, including energy efficiency measures. Businesses can save their results and then monitor their performance over time.
An Energy Audit voucher is available to many businesses from the SEAI. The Support Scheme for Energy Audits pays for a high-quality energy audit for SMEs that spend more than €10,000 annually on energy. There is also a range of energy efficiency modules on offer through the SEAI Energy Academy – a free, online e-learning platform designed and curated by Ireland's leading energy experts.
Departmental Transport
Questions (134)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:134. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of domestic flights for work purposes taken by him, Ministers of State in the Department and Department staff for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [47911/22]
View answerWritten answers
On 17th September this year, I travelled on a Ryanair flight from Dublin Airport to Kerry Airport. I met with the CEO of Kerry Airport, visited the Kerry Technology Park and attended a meeting in Monavalley Business Park, Tralee. One official from my Department accompanied me on this flight.
No other domestic flights were taken for the purposes of Department business by Ministers or officials during the period in question.
Employment Rights
Questions (135)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the legislation regarding the number of hours a person can work per week in cases in which they have two different sources of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47937/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 transposed the original EU Working Time Directive (Directive 93/104/EC) – now consolidated by EU Directive 2003/88/EC – into Irish law. The EU Working Time Directive is primarily a health and safety directive and its purpose is to lay down common minimum safety and health requirements for organising the working time of employees in all EU Member States. Article 6 of the EU Directive on Working Time provides for limits to working time of not more than 48 hours a week on average (including any overtime). The EU Directive provides that, when calculating limits to weekly working time, the hours worked may be averaged over a “reference period”. This allows longer hours to be worked in certain weeks, provided that correspondingly shorter hours are worked in other weeks.
Section 15 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 transposes this EU Directive regarding working time. For most employees the reference period is four months. For night workers it is two months. For employees whose work is subject to seasonality (e.g. tourism or agriculture), or where employees are directly involved in ensuring continuity of essential services (e.g. hospitals, airports) or production (e.g. electricity), the reference period is six months. The 48-hour average week may be averaged over a period of up to 12 months for employees who have entered into a collective agreement with their employer if that collective agreement is approved by the Labour Court. Section 33 of the 1997 Act provides that an employer can employ an employee who has also worked for another employer but only where the aggregate of the periods for which such an employee does work for each of such employers respectively in that relevant period does not exceed the 48 hour total. Whenever the limit is breached the employer and employee shall each be guilty of an offence. The 1997 Act also provides for an uninterrupted minimum daily rest period of 11 hours, and at least 35 hours of uninterrupted weekly rest. These rest requirements along with the 48 hour (maximum) working week act as a safeguard to ensure that employees do not work excessive hours.
Energy Prices
Questions (136)
Paul Murphy
Question:136. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will discuss concerns regarding the energy crisis with an organisation (details supplied) to ensure workers in this industry are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47940/22]
View answerWritten answers
I regularly meet and discuss concerns with members of the business community, labour representatives and other enterprise stakeholders. Officials from my Department as well as the Ministers of State and I, have had ongoing engagement with the business community and its wider stakeholders in relation to the impact of rising energy costs on businesses. Fora where the cost of doing business and energy costs have been discussed with the business community include:
- the Labour Employer Economic Forum on the 7th of September which I attended along with the Taoiseach;
- the SME and State Bodies Group on the 13th of July which I chaired with the Minister for Finance;
- the Enterprise Forum which I chaired on the 29th of June;
- the Retail Forum chaired by Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English on the 8th of June; and
- the Hospitality and Tourism Forum chaired by myself and Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD on the 12th of September.
My Department has taken a leading role in the Government response to rising energy costs, working closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, who coordinate the whole of Government response via the Energy Supply Emergency Group on which my Department is represented. In particular, my Department convenes the Business Energy Users Sub-group which was set up to assess the impacts of rising energy costs on businesses and to help inform the Government response. This includes business representative groups, as well as officials from my Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Enterprise Ireland, and IDA Ireland.
I am very conscious of the scale of the energy crisis, and the impact it is having on business energy costs. With this in mind, a significant package to help businesses with escalating energy costs and to plan for the future was announced in Budget 2023.
This package includes the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme, which will provide qualifying businesses with up to 40% of the increase in electricity or gas bills - when compared to last year - up to a maximum of €10,000 per month. This is intended to aid small businesses most and will be administered by the Revenue Commissioners. The scheme will be backdated to September and will run until at least February 2023. Through supporting businesses in meeting rising energy prices, this scheme will help protect the jobs of those working in impacted sectors.
In addition, there is a new Growth & Sustainability Loan Scheme, which will make up to €500 million in low-cost investment loans of up to 10 years available to SMEs, with no collateral required for loans up to €500,000. A minimum of 30% of the lending volume will be targeted towards Environmental Sustainability purposes.
The reduced rate of VAT on gas and electricity from 13.5% to 9% has been extended until the 28th February 2023. We are also raising awareness around energy efficiency, helping businesses reduce the amount of energy they use in the first place and improving take-up of the approximately 20 existing schemes that we already have in place for business to help them reduce their energy costs. These include the Green4Micro programme and the Climate Toolkit for Business.
Additionally, small businesses can currently receive an energy audit voucher from SEAI to get professional advice on how to increase efficiency and reduce their costs. Other financial assistance includes the SEAI Community Grant and grants for microgeneration.
I would also encourage any businesses seeking assistance to contact their Local Enterprise Office. The Local Enterprise Offices act as a ‘first stop shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and act as a ‘signposting’ service for all government supports available to business owners throughout the country. Further information on the available business energy assistance can be found on my Department’s website: Energy supports - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)
The Government will keep the energy situation under constant review, and we will continue to examine what measures are possible to manage the impact of rising energy prices.
Work Permits
Questions (137)
Chris Andrews
Question:137. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a critical skills employment application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48014/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that on 13th September 2022 an application for a Critical Skills Employment Permit was received in respect of the named person (in the details supplied).
Applications for employment permits are processed in date order, Employment Permits Section are currently processing standard Critical Skills Employment Permit applications received on 2nd September 2022.
Applicants can keep track of Employment Permit applications current processing dates at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates.
Work Permits
Questions (138)
Holly Cairns
Question:138. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to reform and streamline the recruitment process of non-European Union and European Economic Area nationals and the fast-tracking of the processing of critical skills employment permits relating to the shortage of healthcare professionals for the nursing home sector. [48085/22]
View answerWritten answers
The employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one. The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations.
On 14 June 2021, following a review of the employment permit occupation lists, changes to the employment permit system were announced, to address skills and labour shortages in the healthcare and nursing home sector. Following this review, the occupation of Nursing Auxiliary or Assistant (Health Care Assistant) in hospital/nursing home settings became eligible for a General Employment Permit from that date. As the occupation of Health Care Assistant is not on the Critical Skills Occupations List it is not eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit unless the remuneration on offer is €64,000 per annum or more.
As regards processing times, following the implementation of an internal plan of action which increased resources and implemented more efficient methods of processing applications, the Employment Permits Unit has reduced the number of applications awaiting processing from about 11,000 in January 2022 to about 2,443 today, despite further strong demand in 2022.
Processing times are now 2-4 weeks depending on the permit type. My Department plans to maintain processing times for all applications at approximately this current level, on the assumption that demand remains at current levels.
Workplace Relations Commission
Questions (139)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:139. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when legislative change will be made to give the Workplace Relations Commission jurisdiction to hear complaints in relation to the working time at sea directive, as promised by his Department in January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48106/22]
View answerWritten answers
A Memorandum of Understanding on the monitoring and enforcement of the Atypical Worker Permission Scheme for non-EEA fishers employed on certain Irish-registered fishing vessels was signed by 11 Departments and Agencies in May 2016.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is one of a number of agencies which contributes to the enforcement of this scheme and has particular responsibility for checking compliance insofar as terms of employment, permission to work, payment of wages, annual leave, public holiday and National Minimum Wage entitlements are concerned.
Enforcing compliance with rest period and maximum working hours requirements in the fishing sector is the responsibility of authorised officers of the Department of Transport, i.e., Marine Surveyors.
However, a legislative amendment is required in order to provide the WRC with jurisdiction to hear complaints of breaches of the Working Time at Sea Directive.
My Department has engaged with the Department of Transport and agreement has been reached to submit a proposal to the Oireachtas to extend the WRC's jurisdiction in this matter. This proposal will be included as a miscellaneous amendment in a legislative instrument, when an appropriate legislative instrument is identified.
Departmental Policies
Questions (140)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:140. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the proposal in the European Citizens’ Initiative (2021) 000004 to ban fossil fuel ads. [48162/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed the issue of the regulation of fossil fuels advertising does not fall under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment. More broadly, the Department is helping businesses move away from fossil fuels and towards more sustainable, cheaper alternatives though schemes such as the €55 million ‘Green Transition’ fund.
Workplace Relations Commission
Questions (141)
Mick Barry
Question:141. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of non-compliances among fishing vessel owners related to their engagement of non-European Economic Area fishers that have been made by the Workplace Relations Commission inspectorate since that scheme’s inception in 2016; the number of individual vessel owners who are represented among those non-compliances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48214/22]
View answerWritten answers
There are currently 174 fishing vessels, registered to 126 vessel owners, on the Register of Irish Fishing vessels which come within the scope of the Atypical Worker Permission Scheme for Non-EEA Workers engaged on certain Irish-registered fishing vessels.
In the period since the launch of the Atypical Scheme, in February 2016, 95 of the 126 vessel owners have been issued with Contravention Notices; and a total 392 contraventions of employment legislation have been detected by Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Inspectors.
These contraventions relate to the employment of non-EEA fishers without permission, hours of work/hours of rest (which matters are referred to the Department of Transport), failure to cooperate with an Inspector and/or the provision of false information or documentation, failure to pay the National Minimum Hourly rate of pay, annual leave entitlements, Public Holiday entitlements, unauthorised deductions, failure to keep records, failure to issue payslips and failure to issue contracts of employment.
The WRC objective is to work with employers, in this case vessel owners, to achieve compliance. Fishing vessel owners who do not affect compliance on a voluntary basis, following the issue of a Contravention Notice, will, depending on the legislation involved, be issued with a Compliance Notice or Fixed Payment Notice or face prosecution. Current policy provides for the initiation of prosecution proceedings in relation to the offence of employing a non-EEA national without a valid permission to work.
In December 2021, the WRC consulted with 16 relevant stakeholders who were requested to make written submissions in relation to, among other matters, possible additional outreach measures for fishing vessel owners and migrant fishers. The WRC’s February 2022 report on the outcomes of these consultations sets out a range of actions including some 23 measures and initiatives, currently being progressed.
Enterprise Policy
Questions (142)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:142. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Tánaiste agus Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta cé mhéad airgid a chuir an Rialtas ar fáil in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 agus 2022 do chiste caipitil na Gníomhaireachta Forbartha Tionscail [48386/22]
View answerWritten answers
Cun a fhiafraí den Tánaiste agus Aire Fiontar; Trádála agus Fostaíochta cé mhéad airgid a chuir an Rialtas ar fáil in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 agus 2022 do chiste caipitil na Gníomhaireachta Forbartha Tionscail - Éamon Ó Cuív.
Freagra
Seo iad na cistí chaipitil a bhronnadh don Gniomhaireachta Forbartha Tionscail na hEireann ó mo Roinn sna blianta atá i gceist:
Gniomhaireachta Forbartha Tionscail na hEireann
|
Bliain |
Chiste Caiptil €m |
|
2008 |
€98.520 |
|
2009 |
€73.594 |
|
2010 |
€86.000 |
|
2011 |
€86.000 |
|
2012 |
€86.000 |
|
2013 |
€79.000 |
|
2014 |
€89.000 |
|
2015 |
€90.000 |
|
2016 |
€112.000 |
|
2017 |
€137.000 |
|
2018 |
€132.000 |
|
2019 |
€142.000 |
|
2020 |
€156.000 |
|
2021 |
€162.600 |
|
2022 |
€163.500 |
Enterprise Policy
Questions (143)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:143. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Tánaiste agus Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta cé mhéad airgid a chuir an Rialtas ar fáil in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 agus 2022 do chiste caipitil Fhiontraíocht Éireann. [48387/22]
View answerWritten answers
Chun a fhiafraí den Tánaiste agus Aire Fiontar; Trádála agus Fostaíochta cé mhéad airgid a chuir an Rialtas ar fáil in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 agus 2022 do chiste caipitil Fhiontraíocht Éireann.
Freagra
Seo iad na cistí chaipitil a bhronnadh do Fiontraíocht Eireann ó mo Roinn sna blianta atá i gceist:
Fhiontraíocht Éireann.
|
Bliain |
Chiste Caiptil €m |
|
2008 |
€177.645 |
|
2009 |
€220.736 |
|
2010 |
€197.393 |
|
2011 |
€203.893 |
|
2012 |
€202.500 |
|
2013 |
€182.000 |
|
2014 |
€159.600 |
|
2015 |
€163.430 |
|
2016 |
€173.600 |
|
2017 |
€185.000 |
|
2018 |
€185.000 |
|
2019 |
€187.750 |
|
2020 |
€931.250 |
|
2021 |
€472.649 |
|
2022 |
€231.675 |
|
Bliain |
Chiste Caiptil €m |
|
2008 |
€177.645 |
|
2009 |
€220.736 |
|
2010 |
€197.393 |
|
2011 |
€203.893 |
|
2012 |
€202.500 |
|
2013 |
€182.000 |
|
2014 |
€159.600 |
|
2015 |
€163.430 |
|
2016 |
€173.600 |
|
2017 |
€185.000 |
|
2018 |
€185.000 |
|
2019 |
€187.750 |
|
2020 |
€.000 |
|
2021 |
€472.649 |
|
2022 |
€231.675 |
Employment Rights
Questions (144, 145)
Thomas Pringle
Question:144. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions he proposes to take to address the security employment regulation order, which should see security workers on a wage of €12.90 per hour from 1 February 2023, but has been injuncted by a number of employers causing hardship to this sector of the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48448/22]
View answer
Brendan Griffin
Question:145. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined and clarification provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48478/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.
The Statutory Instrument giving effect to the new Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry was to apply from 29 August 2022. However, on 24 August 2022, my Department was informed that the High Court had granted an Injunction prohibiting the commencement of the proposed Statutory Instrument. Department Officials have engaged the Attorney General’s office on the matter. However, as the matter is still before the Courts, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time.
Question No. 145 answered with Question No. 144.
Film Industry
Questions (146)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:146. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the framework for recruitment, human resources and workers’ rights that currently exists for workers in Ireland’s film industry; and the role his Department plays in this framework and in ensuring the protection and promotion of robust workers’ rights. [48502/22]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the rights and entitlements available to employees working in the film and TV sector, it is important to point out that there is no exemption or separate category under Irish employment law for individuals working in the film and TV industry as all employees are treated equally and afforded the same protections.
Ireland has a comprehensive body of employment, equality and industrial relations legislation with which the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is mandated to secure compliance. Ireland’s body of employment rights legislation protects all employees who are legally employed on an employer-employee basis, regardless of what title is given to them. Once it is clear that a person is working under a contract of employment (written or verbal), on a full-time or part-time basis, that person has the same protection under employment law as other employees.
As you will also be aware, workers can request a determination from the Scope Section of the Department of Social Protection specifically in relation to their employment status where they believe their work history has been misclassified. Applications are thoroughly examined by a Social Welfare Inspector before a determination is made by a Deciding Officer in accordance with the law.
In 2020, the WRC published a report following its audit of the Independent Film and Television Drama Production Sector. The audit set out to:
- examine industrial relations generally, employment practices and procedure,
- assess issues arising (if any), and
- make recommendations for their improvement where appropriate.
The WRC received submissions from thirty-four groups and individuals from across the sector and the report contains a number of recommendations. The link to the report is as follows: www.workplacerelations.ie/en/news-media/workplace_relations_notices/wrc-audit-of-the-independent-film-and-television-drama-production-sector-in-the-republic-of-ireland.pdf.
Energy Policy
Questions (147)
Brendan Howlin
Question:147. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure by legislation or other means that tenants in multi-unit apartment complexes or buildings each have the right to choose their own electricity supplier and be able to change supplier without reference to other apartment occupiers or to their landlord; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47865/22]
View answerWritten answers
Regulation 6 of SI 20 of 2022 provides that electricity customers are free to choose the electricity supplier of their choice, with responsibility for regulatory oversight in this respect a matter for the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Gas and electricity retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within the overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the independent regulator, CRU, which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999.
In cases where apartment blocks or groups of buildings are supplied with heat, rather than fuel, commercial rates apply, as the energy service operator is purchasing the fuel at a large scale for this purpose. In this regard, under the Multi-Unit Developments Act, 2011, Owners’ Management Companies are precluded from entering contracts of duration greater than three years, and this provides a possibility to renegotiate energy supplier contracts.
District heating, within a structured framework, is a technology that, inter alia, offers the potential to diversify fuel supply used to heat the building sector; can offer flexibility in fuel choice; and the ability to adapt to changes in the economic and policy landscape. The Climate Action Plan 2021 contains actions to provide a solid basis for the appropriate expansion of district heating in Ireland, including the establishment of a multi-disciplinary District Heating Steering Group, which was established earlier this year. The Steering Group has met eight times to date and oversees a number of Working Groups that are conducting in-depth solutions based analysis of the key areas that must be addressed in order to support district heating. The Steering Group is working on recommendations to ensure that a robust governance and regulatory framework is put in place to support the expansion of district heating. This will help ensure consumer protection, and considerations in this regard encompass legacy group heating schemes that are already in operation.
Furthermore, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland will soon initiate a pilot feasibility study to explore the technical viability and implications of moving existing group heating schemes to renewable energy sources. This will inform the work of the Steering Group, which is due to bring its report to Government later this year.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (148)
Brendan Griffin
Question:148. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if advice will be provided on a matter (details supplied) regarding grants for heat pumps in new builds for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47949/22]
View answerWritten answers
My 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. 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.
The NZEB requirements make it more attractive for builders and homeowners to further incorporate renewable technologies and move away from fossil fuels for heating.
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.
Building Regulations
Questions (149)
John McGuinness
Question:149. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the building regulation SR54 will be amended to allow external insulation to be provided on solid stone walls, thereby allowing the insulation to be grant-aided by the SEAI warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48524/22]
View answerWritten 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 146,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.
In line with the Scheme guidelines and technical guidance, the Warmer Homes Scheme does not support insulation works on homes older than 1940, traditional or older buildings, specifically stone, random rubble and single-leaf brick walls. Older stone-build buildings (generally those built up until around the 1940s) usually fall into the category of traditionally built buildings.
To support the proper upgrade of traditional buildings a new technical Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” is being developed led by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. My Department and the SEAI are participating in the steering group overseeing the project. The objective is to finalise the guidance having regard to submissions received in the pubic consultation with a view to publishing it this year. Once available this guidance will be an important resource to support contractors in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrade and renovation of older stone-build buildings while ensuring compliance with the appropriate building regulations.
The Warmer Homes Scheme criteria relating to the inclusion of insulation works on homes built before 1940 will be kept under review in the context of the new Guidance Document.
Energy Policy
Questions (150)
Ged Nash
Question:150. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his proposals for a windfall tax on energy companies in a scenario in which no agreement is reached at an European Union level; if such proposals will be included in the Finance Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48538/22]
View answerWritten answers
On 30 September, the Council of Energy Ministers agreed the text of a Council Regulation on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices. The Regulation includes provisions that deal with windfall gains in the energy sector by imposing: 1. a temporary solidarity contribution based on taxable profits for fossil fuel production and oil refining; and 2. a cap on market revenues of for specific technologies in the electricity sector. The Regulation is to be implemented by the end of the year.
Energy Policy
Questions (151, 152, 176)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:151. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that will be in place in future Government electricity credits to ensure persons who are on subsidiary meters, yet are paying bills on a full property, will be able to avail of the full grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47896/22]
View answerRichard Boyd Barrett
Question:152. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of apartments and studios in larger buildings that are on subsidiary meters to the main electricity account and therefore not entitled to the full electricity credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47897/22]
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Johnny Mythen
Question:176. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a process for the electricity credits to be directly passed on to individual tenants who are in apartment blocks, with their own meters, but are registered through one meter-point-reference-number, usually with a landlord, or a county council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48615/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 151, 152 and 176 together.
Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households and throughout 2022 introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 has introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through whereby €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 in each of the following billing periods - November/December 2022, January/February 2023 and March/April 2023 to an estimated 2.2 million domestic electricity accounts, including pay as you go accounts. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion.
Under the previous Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment, a credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT), was applied to all domestic electricity accounts through April, May and June 2022. It used the single eligibility criterion of an MPRN to ensure payments to each domestic electricity account as early as possible without any additional means testing. The payment was 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).Upon the scheme’s conclusion on 30 June 2022, over 2.1 million domestic electricity accounts had received the payment, with the value of these payments totalling almost €377 million. This means 99.36% of all eligible domestic electricity accounts had the credit applied. The need to use the meter point registration number (MPRN) as the unique identifier, while ensuring a very broad reach and no application or means testing, does result in a relatively small number of households not being able to access the payment.
While the vast majority of people who rent their homes have their own MPRNs, there may be some who could have arrangements whereby their landlord holds the MPRN and energy costs are paid to the landlord in a variety of ways. There is no data set identifying this cohort. However, my Department has worked with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Residential Tenancies Board to make people aware of the RTB mediation services available to tenants in the event landlords did not pass on the payment to tenants in these situations. The RTB has reported that contacts with them on this matter were extremely low with regard to the first Scheme.
My Department also continues to engage with the Department of Social Protection on how to support people struggling to pay with their energy costs in the context of existing supports for meeting household bills. I note the comprehensive set of measures introduced as part of the Budget 2023 cost of living package aimed at supporting those most in need, including the expansion in eligibility for the Fuel Allowance and an additional lump sum payment of €400 for households in receipt of the Allowance, bringing its total amount for this winter to a total of €1,334.
Question No. 152 answered with Question No. 151.