Tuesday, 24 Jan 2023

Written Answers Nos. 164-186

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (164)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

164. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Northern Ireland. [2121/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I travelled to Belfast on the 12th of January for a round of engagements with the leaders of the five main political parties, the focus of which were on the formation of the Executive and the EU-UK Protocol negotiations. Legacy and a number of other issues of concern, were also discussed.

I emphasised that it is a priority for this government to support the parties in Northern Ireland to form an Executive, so that all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement can resume their important work at this time of very significant political challenges.

I also met with the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group, who represent a variety of different parties, including retail, manufacturing and agrifood, during my visit. The discussion focused on the implications of the Protocol and Brexit.

Departmental Data

Questions (165)

David Stanton

Question:

165. Deputy David Stanton asked the Taoiseach the percentage of persons in the State who are 65 years of age or over. [3204/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The CSO publishes an annual estimate of the usually resident population, in its Population and Migration Estimates release. This release contains an age breakdown. The latest figures are for April 2022 and the following table shows the estimated population, from April 2016 to April 2022, in the 65+ age group and the total population.

Estimated Population Classified by Sex and Age Group, April 2016 - April 2022
	20161	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Population Estimate2	(thousand)
65 years and older	629.8	649.9	673.4	696.3	720.1	742.3	768.9
Total Persons	4,739.6	4,792.5	4,857.0	4,921.5	4,977.4	5,011.5	5,100.2
% 65 years and older	13.3%	13.6%	13.9%	14.1%	14.5%	14.8%	15.1%
1Figures refer to April of calendar year. 2016 estimates are based on the Census of Population 2016. 2Figures for 2017 - 2022 are preliminary and subject to revision following publication of Census 2022.

There were 768,900 persons living in Ireland aged 65 and over in April 2022. Those aged 65 and over had an increase in population share between 2016 and 2022, increasing from 13.3% to 15.1% of the total, a volume increase of 139,100 persons.

Business Supports

Questions (166)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

166. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach the total monetary amount of non-repayable moneys provided by his Department through grants, funding supports, tax breaks or other means to businesses in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [3390/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Department of the Taoiseach did not provide grants, funding supports, tax breaks or any other monetary assistance to businesses in the years 2020 - 2022.

Work Permits

Questions (167)

Pauline Tully

Question:

167. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of non-EEA home care support workers who have been employed since these workers have become eligible for employment permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3301/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Changes to the employment permits system for workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to address skills shortages in Ireland’s Home Care sector were announced on 16 December 2022.

Applications for General Employment Permits (GEP) in respect of this role can only be submitted when a valid Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) has been undertaken. To satisfy a valid LMNT, an employer must advertise the vacancy with the Department of Social Protection Employment Services/EURES employment network for at least 28 consecutive days without any edits or amendments.

To date there has been no Employment Permits issued in respect of non-EEA homecare workers form the quota of 1,000 announced in December 2022.

EU Regulations

Questions (168)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

168. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Government's position on the proposed amendment to Annex XXX No 1907/2006 by the European Commission which will ban the use of plastics on artificial pitches; if he will outline the timing and implementation of the legislation; the impact that it will have on existing playing surfaces such as 3D and 4D pitches that contain plastic inserts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3374/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The European Commission’s current proposal for a microplastics restriction under the REACH Regulation (EC No 1907/2006) is a broad and ambitious environmental measure which will be directly applicable in Ireland and other European countries once it has been adopted. The proposed restriction of intentionally added synthetic polymer microplastics in products will have a range of implications for many goods and consumer products, including cosmetics, agriculture, horticulture, detergents and recycled rubber infill for artificial sports pitches.

Since the publication of the proposal in September 2022, officials in my Department have actively engaged with relevant Government Departments and agencies to assess the wide-reaching environmental, socio-economic and practical impacts of the proposed restriction, including with the Department for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM) in relation to its potential impact on sports pitches.

The proposed restriction is primarily an environmental measure and a number of State bodies and agencies will have roles in giving effect to the restriction.

The proposal is currently under discussion at the Article 133 REACH Committee. It is not anticipated that the restriction will be adopted, published or enter into force prior to June/July. However, once the restriction enters into force, granular rubber infill cannot be placed on the EU market after a transition period of 6 years. Any infill that has already been sold prior to the expiry of the 6-year transition period can still be used.

The Deputy should note that the primary aim of the restriction is to eradicate over time, the leaking of intentionally added microplastics from various sources, including artificial sports pitches, into the environment and to replace these microplastics with more environmental and sustainable alternatives.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM) is the primary source of Government funding and supports for these types of facilities through the operation of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). The SCEP has operated since 1998 with the most recent round in 2020.

It is estimated that under the latest round of the SCEP at least 350 of the projects involved “Artificial Playing Surface Developments”. It is a requirement of the SCEP that all materials purchased and development works generally comply with all relevant national and EU regulations, and the potential impacts of the forthcoming restriction will be highlighted to new applicants for future rounds of funding from DTCAGSM.

The current restriction proposal, and the provisions regarding the use of recycled rubber as infill material for artificial sports pitches, is based on the Commission’s assumption that any new pitches being installed now would use an alternative to granular infill.

The main impact foreseen on artificial sports pitches will be around ensuring the full useful lifetime and benefits and the continued maintenance of the pitches (estimated at c. 10 years), which will exceed the current 6-year transition period contained in the Commission’s proposal.

In view of the potential impacts for existing pitches, officials representing Ireland on the REACH Committee are seeking agreement from the Commission and other Member States for an extended transition period, beyond the current 6 years from date of the restriction entering into force, for this specific aspect of the broader restriction.

The Deputy will find further details on the background to this restriction on the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) website.

State Bodies

Questions (169)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

169. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE staff vacancies by job title at Enterprise Ireland as of 16 January 2023; the estimated full-year cost of filling each of these vacancies; and when each of these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [2802/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The following are the current WTE staff vacancies in Enterprise Ireland.

Job Title	Number of vacant positions	When vacancies will be filled	Full Year Salary Cost (per post) *
Irish Based Posts
Executive Assistant	13	Q1/Q2 2023	€23,210
Assistant IT Specialist – Business Process Improvement & IT	1	Q1 2023	€27,024
Assistant Development Adviser	2	Q1 2023	€27,024
Administrator/Assistant Executive	7	Q1/Q2 2023	€27,024
HR Specialist - Human Resources	1	Q1 2023	€46,697
Development Adviser	3	Q1/Q2 2023	€46,697
Executive – Client Services	4	Q1/Q2 2023	€46,697
IT Specialist - Business Process Improvement & IT	2	Q2 2023	€46,697
Executive – Regions & Local Enterprise	2	Q2 2023	€46,697
Senior Development Adviser - Industrial & Lifesciences	1	Q1 2023	€73,236
Senior Executive - Client Services	2	Q1 2023	€73,236
Senior Investment Adviser - Investment Services	4	Q1/Q2 2023	€73,236
Senior Executive - Research & Innovation	4	Q1/Q2 2023	€73,236
Senior Executive - Regions & Local Enterprise	5	Q1/Q2 2023	€73,236
Senior Commercialisation Specialist – Research & Innovation	1	Q2 2023	€66,334
Senior Technologist – Technology & Services	1	Q2 2023	€66,334
Senior IT Specialist – Business Process Improvement & IT	1	Q2 2023	€73,236
Senior Market Adviser (Expat – New York)	1	Q1 2023	€73,236
Regional Director, UK & Nordics (Expat – London)	1	Q1 2023	€95,301
Department Manager, Climate, Sustainability & Agritech	1	Q1 2023	€95,301
Department Manager, Regional Funds	1	Q1 2023	€95,301
Divisional Manager, Technology & Services	1	Q2 2023	€151,137
Overseas Local Posts
Executive Assistant - Eurozone	0.5	Q2 2023	€18,489
Executive Assistant - Americas	1	Q2 2023	USD45,759 / €42,095
Assistant Market Adviser – India	1	Q1 2023	INR2,370,945 / €26,743
Assistant Market Adviser – Dusseldorf	1	Q2 2023	€58,841
Market Adviser - Beijing	1	Q2 2023	CNY421, 310 / €57,153
Market Adviser - Americas	3	Q2 2023	USD114,000 / €104,871
Market Adviser - London	1	Q1 2023	GBP53,046 / €60,052
Market Adviser - Dusseldorf	2	Q1 2023	€69,259
Market Adviser - India	1	Q1 2023	INR3,465,532 / €39,090
Senior Market Adviser, New York/Austin	3	Q1/Q2 2023	USD142,000 / €130,629
Senior Market Adviser, San Francisco	3	Q1/Q2 2023	USD172,068 / €158,289
Senior Market Adviser - Brussels	1	Q2 2023	€94,036
Senior Market Adviser - Shanghai	1	Q1 2023	CNY655,452 / €88,915
Senior Market Adviser - Amsterdam	1	Q1 2023	€76,883
Senior Market Adviser - Dubai	1	Q1 2023	AED450,518 / €112,861
Senior Market Adviser – South Africa	1	Q2 2023	ZAR945,976 / €50,543
Senior Market Adviser, Australia	2	Q2 2023	AUS148000 / €96,013

*Full Year Salary Cost is based on recruitment at the minimum point of the current relevant salary scale and does not include employers PRSI.

State Bodies

Questions (170)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

170. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE staff vacancies by job title in IDA Ireland as of 16 January 2023; the estimated full-year cost of filling each of these vacancies; and when each of these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [2803/23]

Written answers

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

IDA Ireland, the Government’s inward investment promotion and development agency, reported record annual results for 2022 in December last, with a substantial increase in growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) employment on 2021. The numbers directly employed in IDA multinational clients in Ireland reach 301,475, the highest FDI employment level ever and a 9% increase on 2021. IDA client companies recorded 32,426 gross new job gains in 2022, with a 24,019 net jobs increase. IDA won 242 investments in 2022 for Ireland, 103 of which were new name investments. Importantly, 52% or 127 of the 242 investments won went to regional locations, with employment growth in every region of the country.

As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment I am engaging with IDA on the newly launched White Paper on Enterprise and on this Government’s strategic objectives on decarbonisation, technological change and regional potential. A focus on transformation is more important than ever for companies, foreign-owned and home-grown, to remain competitive. The resilience and longevity of our multinational base in Ireland reflects their ability to constantly transform in response to change. IDA is engaging with my Department and with its clients on RD&I, training, digitisation and sustainability related investments to ensure the FDI base is positioned for continued success in the future.

IDA Ireland had 30 WTE staff vacancies as of 16 January 2023. The table below provides details of the current vacancies and the date these are expected to be filled. Note that IDA Ireland have approximately 360 staff.

Division	Job Title	WTE	Annual Salary	Expected date to be filled
Strategic Property Management	Property Executive	1	€ 46,697	Qtr 1, 2023
Overseas Cross Sectoral	Project Executive	1	$113,515	Qtr 1, 2023
Overseas Cross Sectoral	Project Executive	1	$113,515	Qtr 1, 2023
Overseas Cross Sectoral	Project Executive	1	$113,515	Feb-23
Global Marketing & Communications	Executive Assistant	1	€ 23,210	Feb-23
Global Marketing & Communications	Assistant Media Relations Executive	1	€ 27,024	Feb-23
Global Marketing & Communications	Project Executive	1	€ 46,697	Feb-23
Financial Management	Project Executive	1	€ 46,697	Feb-23
Financial Management	Financial Manager	1	€ 73,236	Feb-23
Engineering & Green Economy	Project Executive	1	€ 46,697	Feb-23
Strategic Property Management	Project Executive	1	€ 46,697	Feb-23
CEO’s Office	Chief Executive Officer	1	€ 212,941	Qtr 1, 2023
HR and Organisational Development	Executive Assistant	1	€ 23,210	Jan-23
Strategic Property Management	Assistant Property Executive	1	€ 27,024	Qtr 1, 2023
Overseas Cross Sectoral	Project Executive	1	$113,515	Jan-23
Regional Development & Sustain	Executive Assistant	1	€ 23,210	Jan-23
Regional Development & Sustain	Regional Executive	1	€ 46,697	Jan-23
Financial Management	Assistant Finance Executive	1	€ 27,024	Jan-23
Overseas Cross Sectoral	Market Analyst	1	€ 27,024	Feb-23
Regional Development & Sustain	Regional Business Development Manager	1	€ 73,236	Feb-23
Technology & Emerging Business	Project Manager	1	€ 73,236	Feb-23
Regional Development & Sustain	Executive Assistant	1	€ 23,210	Feb-23
Technology & Emerging Business	Executive Assistant	1	€ 23,210	Feb-23
Information Technology	IT Service Desk Administrator	1	€ 27,024	Feb-23
Overseas Cross Sectoral	Office Administrator	1	€ 23,210	Qtr 1, 2023
Life Sciences	Project Assistant	1	€ 23,210	Qtr 1, 2023
Marketing and Communications	Department Manager	1	€ 95,301	Qtr 1, 2023
CCBS	Assistant Project Executive	1	€ 27,024	Qtr 1, 2023
International Financial Services	Project Executive	1	€ 46,697	Qtr 1, 2023
Marketing and Communications	Assistant Communications Executive	1	€ 27,024	Qtr 1, 2023

Employment Rights

Questions (171)

Paul Murphy

Question:

171. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will take quick action to ensure the implementation of the security employment regulation order into law, given security officers have been waiting on this security ERO for 19 months; if he agrees that these minimal pay increases for hard-working front-line security officers need to be implemented urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3152/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

On 3 August 2022, the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail signalled his intention to issue an Order to give effect to a statutory recommendation of the Labour Court concerning minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions in the Security Sector. The Order was to apply from 29 August 2022.

On 24 August 2022, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment was informed that the High Court had granted an Injunction prohibiting the commencement of the proposed Statutory Instrument giving effect to the new Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry.

As a result of the Injunction, the Minister cannot at this moment in time proceed with the Order. The Minister has notified the applicants that he intends to defend the case. The matter is before the courts.

I am aware of the significant challenges faced by those working in the security industry at present and I would like to assure the Deputy that the Government remains strongly committed to Ireland’s wage setting mechanisms.

Redundancy Payments

Questions (172)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

172. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the fact that 38 former employees of an organisation (details supplied), who lost their jobs early in 2021, are still fighting to receive their proper redundancy package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3190/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

My thoughts are with the former workers of the company concerned who have been made redundant. This is a particularly vulnerable cohort of the workforce and I fully appreciate how difficult the situation is for those affected and for their families. At the time of the job losses in Limerick, dedicated staff in the Department of Social Protection worked directly with the employees to ensure they received their entitlements and other supports swiftly in order to avoid any further distress.

By law, it is the employer’s responsibility to pay statutory redundancy to eligible workers. In situations where an employer is genuinely unable to pay statutory redundancy entitlements due to financial difficulties or insolvency, the State provides a safety net and may make the statutory redundancy payments on the employer’s behalf from the Social Insurance Fund.

However, negotiations on enhanced redundancy packages over and above the statutory entitlement are entirely a voluntary matter between employers and workers. The State has no role in this matter.

For its part, the State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement mechanisms, that is, the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court, to support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences. However, I must emphasise that Ireland’s system of industrial relations is essentially voluntary in nature. The responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers rests in the first instance with the employer, the workers and their representatives.

I understand the workers and their families are disappointed that this issue is not yet resolved, but as Minister I cannot intervene in this matter. This is because the WRC and the Labour Court are independent offices of my Department. Recommendations arising from the WRC and the Labour Court are not legally binding. The State cannot compel a party to comply with a Labour Court Recommendation.

I want to emphasise that I strongly encourage parties to engage in the industrial relations process in a constructive manner and to comply with any recommendations arising from this process. All parties should respect the industrial relations mechanism of the State, which works extremely well and effectively in most cases.

InterTradeIreland

Questions (173)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

173. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the allocation under budget 2023 for InterTradeIreland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3218/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

InterTradeIreland (ITI) is one of six North-South implementation bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. It operates under the oversight of the NSMC and of its sponsor Departments, the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment and the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy. ITI works to promote trade and business on an all-island and cross-border basis. Through its range of programmes, the Body continues to support and develop cross-border trade and businesses as they face the challenges that have emerged in recent years, including Brexit and more recently, COVID-19.

A total of €11.586m has been allocated to support ITI’s work. This closely matches its allocation in 2022 and will allow the Body to continue to deliver its effective work to grow trade across the border and assist SMEs to scale their business and address challenges in the new trading environment.

In addition to continuing its existing core services, ITI is developing new targeted supports including a cross-border Trade Information Service, a Supply Chain Programme and a Digital Sales Platform, which will require adequate resourcing.

The Trade Information Service will build on the success of ITI’s Brexit Advisory service, reaching a wider range of cross-border traders and helping them adapt to and operate in the new trading environment. It will act as an all-inclusive programme offering new and existing cross-border traders a service to help them operate in the new trading environment. ITI estimate that it will reach a wider audience of 44,000 cross-border traders. ITI are finalising the development of the scheme and it is expected to launch in Q1 2023.

I expect a significant increase in demand for ITI’s resources in the period ahead. This means more applicants for its supports, more firms engaging with the Body for practical advice and more SMEs seeking to participate in ITI’s workshops. That is why my Department are working to ensure that ITI has the means to meet that anticipated demand.

Work Permits

Questions (174)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

174. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of employment permits that have been granted to home carers, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3258/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Changes to the employment permits system for workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to address skills shortages in Ireland’s Home Care sector were announced on 16 December 2022.

Applications for General Employment Permits (GEP) in respect of this role can only be submitted when a valid Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) has been undertaken. To satisfy a valid LMNT, an employer must advertise the vacancy with the Department of Social Protection Employment Services/EURES employment network for at least 28 consecutive days without any edits or amendments.

To date there has been no Employment Permits issued in respect of non-EEA homecare workers form the quota of 1,000 announced in December 2022.

The table below shows the total number of employment permits that have been granted in respect of home carers by county from January 2018 to December 2022 inclusive. It should be noted that prior to 16 December 2022, employment permits for home carers were only granted in the following strictly limited circumstances: where the person who requires the care has a severe medical condition and the prospective carer is a trained medical professional (a medical practitioner or a nurse as listed in Part A of Schedule 2 in the Regulations), or where it can be demonstrated that the applicant has a long history of caring for the person requiring the care.

County	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	Grand total
Cork	1		1	1	3	6
Dublin	4	1	10	2	10	27
Kildare		1		1		2
Longford				1		1
Waterford		1		1		2
Wicklow			1			1
Grand Total	5	3	12	6	13	39

Employment Rights

Questions (175)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

175. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what steps his Department is taking to ensure the employment regulation order for the security sector is adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3288/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

On 3 August 2022, the former Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail signalled his intention to issue an Order to give effect to a statutory recommendation of the Labour Court concerning minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions in the Security Sector. The Order was to apply from 29 August 2022.

On 24 August 2022, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment was informed that the High Court had granted an Injunction prohibiting the commencement of the proposed Statutory Instrument giving effect to the new Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry.

As a result of the Injunction, I cannot at this moment in time proceed with the Order. I have notified the applicants that I intend to defend the case. The matter is before the courts.

Business Supports

Questions (176)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

176. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total monetary amount of non-repayable moneys provided by his Department through grants, funding supports, tax breaks or other means to businesses in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [3379/23]

Written answers

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

My Department, through the enterprise development agencies, provides a range of tailored supports for enterprises of all sizes in Ireland. Supports include grants and softer supports such as access to finance, management development, mentoring supports, business development programmes, market supports and trade promotion. Tax breaks and other tax matters would be more appropriate to my colleague the Minister for Finance and to the Revenue Commissioners, however, in 2022 my Department provided €5,506,165.39 to the Revenue Commissioners to operate the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS).

The total monetary amount of non-repayable monies provided by my Department and its agencies through grants, funding supports or other means to businesses is set out below.

Agency/body	Year	Non-repayable supports to business (amount €)
Local Authorities Restart Grant and Restart Grant Plus	2020	€632.4m
Enterprise Ireland	2020	€140.8m
LEOs	2020	€68.4m
IDA Ireland	2020	€106.1m
DETE (Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund - DTIF)	2020	€19.3m
Local Authorities Restart Grant plus	2021	€297,920
Local Authorities Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid (SBASC)	2021	€20.7m
Enterprise Ireland	2021	€182.7m
LEOs	2021	€47.6m
IDA Ireland	2021	€105.2m
DETE (DTIF)	2021	€26.0m
Enterprise Ireland	2022	€153.6m
LEOs	2022	€31.2m
IDA Ireland	2022	€123.6m
DETE (DTIF)	2022	€28.7m

In relation to Restart Grant and SBASC please note that the Department did not provide grants directly to businesses, the Local Authorities operated the Schemes on behalf of DETE.

In relation to Enterprise Ireland; EI infrastructural clients, Craft Council, Research organisations, Incubation Centres, Tech Centres (competency centres), Tech Gateways SFZ transfer companies, (Repayable (Grant/equity) supports types: Shares; CLNs and repayable grants) were excluded from this reply.

In relation to the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), the 2022 outturn results have not yet been finalised and as such the results provided are preliminary figures. The LEO Grant supports included are Priming, Feasibility, Business Expansion and TAME Grants. The other non-payable supports include Training and Development supports offered to business owners and managers, COVID support schemes, the Trading Online Voucher scheme, LEAN for Micro, and Digital and Climate supports (Digital Start and Green 4 Micro).

In addition, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment provides joint funding, alongside the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy, for InterTradeIreland (ITI), the North-South implementation body responsible for the promotion of trade and business on an all-island and cross-border basis. ITI uses this funding from both departments to operate a wide range of supports to help promote trade and business on an all-island and cross-border basis.

DETE’s budget allocation for ITI in 2020 was €10.192m, of which €7.7m is dedicated to capital funding to allow ITI to operate its supports.

DETE’s budget allocation for ITI in 2021 was €11.036m, of which €8.37m is dedicated to capital funding to allow ITI to operate its supports.

DETE’s budget allocation for ITI in 2022 was €11.586m, of which €8.9m is dedicated to capital funding to allow ITI to operate its supports.

Environmental Policy

Questions (177)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

177. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the regulatory limitations on the sulphide content of diesel, petrol and aircraft noise, respectively. [2716/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Regulatory limitations on the sulphur content of petrol and diesel are set by the Fuel Quality Directives (Directive 98/70/EC, as amended by Directive 2009/30/EC). These Directives were transposed into Irish law by the European Communities Act, 1972 (Environmental Specifications for Petrol, Diesel Fuels and Gas Oils for use by non-road mobile machinery, including waterway vessels, agricultural and forestry tractors, and recreational craft) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No 155 of 2011)

The sulphur content limit for both petrol and diesel is 10mg/kg.

The annual testing regime has shown no exceedances of the limit for sulphur for petrol detected since 2013, and no exceedances for diesel have been detected since 2014.

Aircraft noise is governed by legislation, including EU Regulation 598/2014 and the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act, 2019. These do not set limits in terms of decibels but instead recognise that the sustainable development of air transport should be balanced with the introduction of measures aimed at reducing the noise impact from aircraft to maintain or increase the quality of life of neighbouring citizens. This should be done, in accordance with the Balanced Approach developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Air Quality

Questions (178)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

178. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has access to any research conducted on the presence of ultrafine particulate pollution from aircraft around any of Ireland's commercial airports. [2717/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the designated authority for monitoring air quality in Ireland. Under the national Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme, which has received significant investment from my Department in recent years, the number of monitoring stations have increased from 29 in 2017 to 108 today.

The EPA monitors a range of air pollutants, including fine particulate matter, otherwise known as PM2.5. These are particles with a diameter of 2.5m or less. Ultrafine particulate pollution is defined as particles with a diameter of just 1m or less. My Department is unaware of any research conducted into the presence of ultrafine PM from aircraft at Ireland’s commercial airports.

Fishing Industry

Questions (179)

John McGuinness

Question:

179. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline his intentions regarding the demand by fishermen for an urgent need for a review of the regulations governing snap net fishing on the rivers in the south east of Ireland; if he has considered the submissions and correspondence from a person (details supplied) who represents the fishermen in this regard; if he will make the policy changes requested; if he will meet the person and his group to discuss their concerns and their policy suggestions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2765/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

Each year a suite of secondary legislation – including the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations (WSSTTSRs) – is made by my Department to set out the fisheries management regime for the following year. Prior to finalising the annual legislation, a 30 day public consultation process is undertaken which affords an opportunity for all stakeholders to make a written submission outlining their views on the proposals. The representative of the snap net fishermen made his submission within that process and the submission was carefully considered before the legislation was finalised.

The management of each of Ireland’s more than 140 salmon rivers, derives from the individual conservation needs of the rivers as each has a genetically unique stock of salmon The legislation is based on individual annual assessments of each river, including the Suir, Nore and Barrow where historically Snap Net fishing has taken place. These individual annual stock assessments are carried out by the independent Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS). This scientific assessment supports the annual management advice of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) setting out the status of each river (open to harvest, open to catch and release angling or closed to all fishing) for the following fishing season.

The Chair of TEGOS has previously engaged with the snap net representative in relation to similar previous submissions. I can request that officials of the Department and IFI engage again with this group and update me.

In line with the conservation imperative the determining factor as to whether any river may open to fishing is the availability of a harvestable surplus above the river’s conservation limit regardless of the harvest method.

Litter Pollution

Questions (180)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

180. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of fines given to persons who did not remove dog fouling, by county, in tabular form; the amount raised by these fines; if the fines raised generated enough money to offset anti-litter and dog fouling advertising by the State; the cost of advertising in 2022 for anti-litter and dog fouling in each county; if he plans to amend legislation relating to dog fouling fines and associated litter laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2774/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution lies with local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement, and clean-up actions in relation to litter taking account of local circumstances and priorities.

My Department does not collate statistics on the number of fines issued by Local Authorities in relation to specific litter offences, such as dog fouling offences. Questions in relation to the number of litter fines issued, revenue raised through the imposition of such fines and the cost of advertising in each county should be directed to the relevant local authority.

My Department provides financial support to local authority efforts to tackle litter through the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. €750,000 was provided under this Scheme in 2022 with a similar amount expected to be made available in 2023.

Funding is also provided annually in support of a number of important anti-litter initiatives such as the National Spring Clean, Picker Pals, the PURE Project and Irish Business against Litter.

The recently enacted Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act advances several legislative provisions which will further support Local Authorities in their anti-litter efforts to tackle enhance efforts, including providing for the GDPR-compliant use of a range of technologies, such as CCTV for litter enforcement purposes and an increase in the level of the on-the-spot fine for littering.

State Bodies

Questions (181)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

181. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of funding allocated to Inland Fisheries Ireland in each of the years 2020 to 2023; the expenditure incurred on refurbishments or installations of new facilities for each of those years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2780/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The table below shows the voted funds that were allocated to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in each of the years 2020 to 2023.

Year	Allocated
2023	€32,721,000
2022	€30,513,000
2021	€30,442,000
2020	€31,095,000

The expenditure incurred on refurbishment or installation of new facilities is not disaggregated from the overall allocation and such expenditure is an operational matter for IFI, in which neither I nor my Department have any role.

IFI has established a specific e-mail 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 [e-mail]

Building Energy Rating

Questions (182)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

182. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes at each pre-works BER ratings that achieved B2 cost optimum standards in each of the years 2020 to 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2781/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The National Retrofit Plan, published in November 2021 sets out the Government's approach to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 by the end of 2030.

A key milestone in implementing the Plan was reached in February last year, when the Government launched a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. Free upgrades are available for households at risk of energy poverty under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme.

Demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes (including Solar PV) was exceptionally high in 2022. Preliminary figures from SEAI indicate that, as of end-December:

- Almost 49,700 applications for support were submitted to SEAI in 2022, representing a 150% increase on 2021 figures.

- Over 27,700 home energy upgrades were supported in 2022, exceeding the target of 26,940. This represents a 79% increase in outputs year on year.

- Of these, over 9,000 upgrades were to a post works Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or better, which is double the B2 upgrades supported in 2021.

My Department is working with SEAI to build on this strong performance across the schemes with a robust pipeline of activity carried forward from 2022 into 2023.

With regard to the specific data sought by the Deputy, it is acknowledged that the collection of both pre and post works Building Energy Ratings (BER) data offers a broad range of benefits, including: more effective retrofit design; more housing stock data; and greater homeowner understanding of their property. For this reason, the requirement for both pre and post works BER information was introduced under the Warmer Homes Scheme and the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (OSS Scheme) in February 2022. The provision of both pre and post works BER information is a requirement for homes upgraded under the Community Energy Grant Scheme. However, a pre-works BER is not a requirement under the Better Energy Homes or the Solar PV Scheme.

As such, the SEAI has advised that the specific data sets requested by the Deputy on pre-works BERs are not currently available for all upgraded homes for the indicated period.

Energy Prices

Questions (183)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

183. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update in respect of the engagements by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities with energy supply companies regarding the continuing high energy costs for domestic customers, in view of the fact wholesale energy prices have reduced over the past number of months. [2820/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets was assigned to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation.

CRU ceased price setting for electricity and gas in 2011 and 2014 and as such price setting is an operational matter for individual supply companies. With wholesale energy costs accounting for around 40% of total supplier costs, a sustained period of falling wholesale gas and electricity prices, can lead to retail market price reductions. However, given supplier hedging that results in a significant proportion of energy purchased several months in advance, and other costs may impact the ability of suppliers to reduce prices, notwithstanding the decline in the wholesale cost of fuel.

CRU is independent and accountable not to me as Minister or my Department but to the Oireachtas and has a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members to contact them for such queries: [e-mail].

Government is acutely aware of the impact that the increase in global energy prices is having on households. That is why throughout 2022 Government introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This includes the new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) is being credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods: November/December 2022, January/February 2023, and March/April 2023.

Additional Social Protection Measures include:- €200 lump sum payment for pensioners and people with a disability getting the Living Alone Increase- €500 cost of living lump sum payment to all families getting Working Family Payment- double payment of Child Benefit to support families with children- €500 cost of living payment for people receiving Carer's Support Grant - €500 lump sum cost of living disability support grant will be paid to all people receiving a long term disability payment

Furthermore, the Energy Poverty Action Plan, published in December last year, provides for the establishment of a €10 million fund to further support people in, or at risk of, energy poverty this winter and into 2023, including people on PAYG meters. The fund will provide a further safeguard in addition to the supports from suppliers and the Additional Needs Payment operated by the Department of Social Protection.

Energy Prices

Questions (184)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

184. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Commission for Regulation of Utilities has engaged with energy suppliers in respect of pricing for their renewably sourced energy supplies. [2821/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the matters raised by the Deputy, is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (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. The CRU is an independent statutory regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions to the Oireachtas, and not to me as Minister. The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters, such as the matter raised in this question, to CRU at [e-mail] for timely direct reply.

Electricity Generation

Questions (185, 186, 187)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

185. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the status of the winter 2022 emergency generation; the current expected date for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2832/23]

John Paul Phelan

Question:

186. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the status of the winter 2023 emergency generation; the current expected date for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2833/23]

John Paul Phelan

Question:

187. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if, due to expected delays in the delivery of emergency generation, the Government will grant the new capacity to be delivered in 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 the same rights and benefits emergency generation has been granted via the EirGrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2834/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 187, inclusive, together.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take sure measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in its role by EirGrid, which is required to report to the CRU regarding security of electricity supply matters. EirGrid is also responsible for daily management of the electricity system. The CRU currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters including Temporary Emergency Generation. The Temporary Emergency Generation units procured as a result of the EirGrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Act 2022 are being procured by EirGrid directly and thus are temporary in nature and required to cease operating by 31 March 2027, in line with the legislation.

The procurement process for purchasing generation units is complex and multi phased with a number of different types and size of generation units and the associated balance of plant required to be accommodated on the relevant sites. The first tranche of TEG has been delayed but construction on the North wall site has begun with energisation now expected in Autumn. For the second tranche of TEG for delivery in Winter 23/24 several contracts to support this project have been signed, with several more in train and expected to be signed in the coming weeks with energisation expected for Winter 23/24. The Temporary Emergency Generation units procured as a result of the EirGrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Act 2022 are being procured by EirGrid directly and thus are temporary in nature and required to cease operating by the 31 March 2027 in line with the legislation.

The generation capacity sought via the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism auctions are delivered by developers in the open market to be enduring capacity that will support an up to 80% renewable powered electricity system into the 2030s. The successful and expeditious delivery of all capacity projects is a critical component in ensuring enduring security of supply. The operation of the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism is currently being reviewed by the Single Electricity Market Committee (SEMC) and recommendations are expected shortly. It is anticipated these will support delivery of this critical infrastructure.

Additionally, it is intended that the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022, when enacted, will bring greater clarity, consistency and certainty to how planning decisions are made with a proposal for mandatory timelines for decisions on energy projects which will aid developers of generation capacity. Further information on the provisions contained in this Bill is available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/1b115-outline-of-the-proposed-planning-and-development-bill/

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 [e-mail] for timely direct reply.

Question No. 186 answered with Question No. 185.