Bernard Durkan
Question:154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in regard to EU enlargement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29033/23]
View answerEU Enlargement
Questions (154)
Written answers
Ireland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that the candidate countries meet the necessary requirements for membership. We firmly believe that it is through EU membership that peace and prosperity can best be ensured across our continent. Furthermore, the change in geopolitical circumstances brought about by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the subsequent applications from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia for EU membership last year, highlighted the importance of the enlargement process for the EU.
Concrete steps taken in 2022 included the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, and the granting of candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2023, the EU will need to find ways to maintain this renewed momentum, whilst also ensuring the credibility of the enlargement process. President von der Leyen's recent outline of a Growth Package for the Western Balkans is one proposal in this regard, which is under active consideration.
The creation of new candidacies and expectations of accelerated progress have provided renewed impetus to discussions around enlargement and its implications. On 21-22 June, an informal meeting of the General Affairs Council will receive an oral update from the Commission on Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, as well as having a preliminary discussion on enlargement issues.
Ireland’s immediate priority is that discussions about the EU’s capacity to welcome new members facilitate, rather than distract from, the overall enlargement process. While recognising the need to consider the challenges and prospective costs of enlargement, we have also stressed the need to keep sight of its benefits, both principled and practical.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (155)
Bernard Durkan
Question:155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Irish Embassies abroad continue to be actively involved in the promotion of increased volumes of trade with this country with particular reference to the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29034/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs’ mission network plays an important role in promoting Irish trade throughout the world. In the aftermath of Brexit, this has become more important than ever.
This network of embassies and consulates is central to the Team Ireland approach, which sees Government Departments and State Agencies working closely with other Irish stakeholders to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and drive the development of trade, investment and tourism. The mission network engages in economic and public diplomacy to advance Ireland’s prosperity, as part of overall duties to promote Ireland's interests and support our citizens. They also support Ministerial visits and trade missions, in partnership with Team Ireland colleagues. Missions also work more specifically on a range of trade-related issues, including market access, regulatory compliance, visas, phytosanitary issues, and double taxation agreements. The role of the network in promoting and protecting Irish trade interests is particularly important in markets with limited or no State Agency presence.
The Department is guided in this work by the Government's Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026: Value for Ireland, Values for the World. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has lead responsibility for this strategy, which sets out seven priority actions. The Department of Foreign Affairs is strongly supporting its implementation, at home and abroad, working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and other departments.
The Government's Global Ireland strategy, which aims to double the impact and scope of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025, is also key. Working together as Team Ireland overseas is at the heart of the strategy. Ongoing implementation is enhancing Ireland’s international visibility, facilitating market diversification and intensification, and deepening bilateral relations in support of our economic and political objectives.
Ireland’s economic relationship with the UK remains of key strategic importance. While the loss of pre-Brexit trading arrangements with the United Kingdom has been challenging, the Government worked from the outset to support traders in managing the permanent change brought for them by Brexit. Following the initial period of adjustment, the trading environment has largely settled, although the UK’s phased introduction of import controls, starting later this year, will require further changes for many, particularly those in the agri-food sector. The agreement on the Windsor Framework also offers the beginning of a new, more cooperative phase in the EU-UK relationship, maximising the opportunities of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Ireland’s network of missions will continue to work closely with businesses, Government Departments and State Agencies in adjusting to the new post-Brexit EU-UK trading environment.
Undocumented Irish in the USA
Questions (156)
Bernard Durkan
Question:156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being made to identify with and support the needs of undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29035/23]
View answerWritten answers
Providing ongoing support, along with finding long term solutions, to address the challenges faced by the undocumented Irish in the U.S., remains a key priority for this Government.
Immigration matters are raised on a regular and ongoing basis with U.S. political representatives. The Government actively supports the Biden administration’s efforts to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. While comprehensive reform would be the optimal solution for undocumented Irish citizens, I do not underestimate the obstacles to achieving this given the political sensitivities of immigration issues in the United States, including in Congress.
Immigration matters feature consistently in high level political engagements with the United States. During my visit to Washington last February, I raised the question of access to visas with politicians on both sides of the aisle, while the issue has also been raised directly with President Biden in recent months.
In addition, in March I raised the issue of the undocumented with Congressman Richie Neal. Representative Neal is co-Chair of the Congressional Friends of Ireland, and has been a steadfast advocate for the undocumented Irish over many years. During that visit, I also spent time with organisations in New York and Boston that are actively supporting the Irish diaspora. My Department provided over €4.2 million in Emigrant Support Programme Funding this year to organisations that provide ongoing, valuable assistance to our citizens, including the undocumented, in the United States.
Minister of State Fleming was in the United States last week, where he had the opportunity to hear directly from organisations in receipt of this Emigrant Support Funding, and to see first hand the very real and practical assistance that they provide to Irish immigrants, including the undocumented.
In addition to this support and to our engagement at the Federal level through our Embassy in DC, our eight Consulates General in the U.S. proactively seek opportunities to improve the day-to-day lives of the Irish undocumented., including by working with local state legislatures. An example of this is in Massachusetts, where new legislation will take effect in a number of weeks that will enable residents to apply for drivers' licences, irrespective of their immigration status. The Consulate General of Ireland in Boston led a sustained campaign in support of this reform for many years, and I strongly welcome the passage of this law, which will make a modest but appreciable difference in lives of undocumented Irish citizens in Massachusetts.
Question No. 157 answered with Question No. 149.
European Union
Questions (158)
Bernard Durkan
Question:158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent if any to which efforts are ongoing within the European Union to address the issue of Euro-scepticism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29037/23]
View answerWritten answers
The European Parliament Spring 2023 Eurobarometer survey shows EU citizens’ strong support for democracy and a high awareness of the upcoming European Parliament elections. One year ahead of the next European elections, public interest in these elections has measurably increased. A clear majority of citizens (56%) are interested in the next European elections, 6 points higher compared to 2018, one year before the last European elections. In Ireland, this figure is at 66%. In response to the question as to how the public felt that democracy works in the EU, 54% responded as being satisfied across the EU, the corresponding figure in Ireland was 82%.
While EU engagement among Irish citizens remains favourable, we cannot take this for granted or be complacent. For that reason, the Programme for Government underlines the Government’s commitment to communicating and promoting the EU’s work at all levels of society and to marking 50 years of Ireland’s membership of the EU in that regard.
I was very pleased to launch an EU50 programme of events on 22 January 2022 at the National Archives on the anniversary of Ireland’s signing of the Treaty of Accession in 1972. The EU50 programme, which ran until May this year, encouraged reflection and celebration of 50 years of membership across Irish society, in particular among our young people. It included, amongst other initiatives, a MYEU50 primary, secondary and third level competition; an EU50 Iveagh House lecture series; two nationwide Europe Day/Week schools outreach programmes in 2022 and 2023 involving Government Ministers and EU Ambassadors; a Government of Ireland EU50 Ireland in the Single Market Conference; a doubling in funding for the annual Communicating Europe Initiative scheme towards EU50 initiatives; a new funding stream for local authorities to mark EU50 during May 2023; two travelling EU50 exhibitions: one, Into Europe, in partnership with the Royal Irish Academy and on display in libraries and other venues across Ireland and in over 30 countries worldwide, and the second, Ireland and the Birth of Europe, in partnership with University College Cork for presentation by our Embassies across Europe. The programme also saw visits by both the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola to Ireland with each addressing special joint sittings of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The programme concluded last month with a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the National Concert Hall. It also complemented performances of Ode to Joy as the European Anthem by primary and secondary schools across the country during Europe day/week 9th May as part of a project between my Department, the Department of Education and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. As we look towards Ireland’s next Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026, my Department will seek to build on the EU50 programme and to continue further enhance our communication of the European Union to citizens across Ireland.
This will complement the wider efforts of the European Union to engage with citizens and promote the values of our Union. The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) which concluded in May 2022 was a major innovation in terms of EU participatory democracy, drawing on the views of EU citizens across all 27 states through a series of Plenaries and Citizen Panel events held during 2021 and 2022, including in Ireland.
One of the major messages which emerged from the Conference was the strong desire of ordinary citizens to be better informed and engaged about the EU and its decision-making process. Many of the proposals and recommendations emanating from the Conference are now being followed up, including by the European Commission which has incorporated a large number of them into its legislative programme for the current year.
Passport Services
Questions (159)
Bernard Durkan
Question:159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29052/23]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 30 May 2023. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.
Passport Services
Questions (160)
Mattie McGrath
Question:160. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason post passport applications are not being processed at the same rate as online passports applications; and if the Government plan to introduce measures to enable both applications (i.e. online and post) to be processed in similar timeframes. [29100/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports, and has issued over 510,000 passports to date in 2023. All turnaround times are at their target level, and over half of all online adult renewals issue within 2 working days. The Customer Service Hub is responding to an average of 15,000 queries per week.
Firstly I would like to highlight the efficiencies of Passport Online, which is by far the quickest way to apply for a passport. It is an award winning online platform, which places the Irish Passport Service amongst the most innovative in the world. Through Passport Online, citizens also have the option of applying for a passport card, which is valid for travel to most EU countries as well as the UK.
I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient online service, which is now used by over 90% of applicants worldwide.
The Passport Service remains committed to offering a range of application channels for citizens, including a paper-based service for citizens who are not eligible or do not wish to use the Passport Online service.
Paper applications, by nature, will always be a slower process. It is also not possible with paper applications to differentiate between simple adult renewals and the most complex of first time applications as it is the same form for all application types. Therefore the turnaround time for all paper applications is 8 weeks. Given that less than 10% of applicants now use the paper service, it is not the priority service for the Passport Service in the context of strategy and resources. As such, there are no current plans to enable both paper and online applications to be processed within the same timeframe.
The Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance this essential service for citizens.
Fuel Poverty
Questions (161)
Richard Bruton
Question:161. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline his assessment of fuel poverty and the success of measures taken to tackle this challenge. [24648/23]
View answerWritten answers
Energy Poverty remains a central Government priority given the high energy costs faced by people across the country, and the need to tackle energy poverty as part of the just transition.
Budget 2023 introduced €2.5 billion of measures to support people with the high cost of living, including €1.2 billion through the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme. This scheme saw €600 credited to each domestic electricity account over three payment periods. Evidence from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities has shown these credits have made a positive impact on reducing electricity arrears, and keeping them below 2022 levels.
My Department will continue to work with suppliers, public bodies and NGOs to support people experiencing difficulties meeting energy costs this winter, including Pay As You Go gas and electricity customers. Additional measures are currently being considered in the context of Budget 2024.
In December 2022, Government published the Energy Poverty Action plan, which outlines the long-term measures needed to support a just transition, and to ensure those most vulnerable can stay warm and well. The Action Plan pledges support for ESRI research to develop metrics to measure energy poverty and track changes in its severity and scope over time. This three-year research programme will assist Government to ensure future actions protect those most at risk.
In addition, my Department commissioned a nationally representative fortnightly research tracker, which is indicating that Irish families are making every effort to reduce their energy use and that there has been a reduction in the difficulty of meeting energy costs.
Ultimately, the best way to combat energy poverty in the long-term will be by continuing to make investments to improve the energy efficiency of homes, boost renewable energy adoption, and deepen interconnection with Europe. Improving home energy efficiency and cutting our dependence on fossil fuels will ensure a cleaner, cheaper energy future.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (162)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:162. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department have considered including solar panel systems in the warmer home scheme provided through the SEAI, to ensure that those with the lowest income and most vulnerable persons have the ability to install solar panels which will help this cohort manage the extortionate energy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28897/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 150,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the Scheme.
The scheme seeks to reduce the amount of energy a household needs by reducing heat loss through the installation of insulation and ventilation in the first instance, before moving to replacing heating systems where required under Building Regulations. This is in line with the fabric first/energy efficiency first principle and best practice.
The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property. For each eligible home, SEAI’s technical surveyor will determine which upgrades can be installed and funded. Currently these can include:
• Attic insulation and appropriate ventilation;
• Wall insulation and appropriate ventilation – cavity wall, external wall or dry lining depending on the property;
• Secondary measures – lagging jackets, draught proofing, energy efficient lighting;
• In certain circumstances: heating system replacements (including heat pumps where appropriate), window replacements where the wall is being insulated
Currently, there are no plans to include solar panel systems in the scheme.
Separately, there are already supports in place to assist homeowners with the cost of installing Solar PV:
• The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) provides grant funding up to a maximum of €2,400 towards the installation of solar PV (Photovoltaic) through the SEAI. Any excess energy can be exported to the grid with customers compensated for same by their electricity provider under the Clean Export Guarantee.
• Recently the government agreed to reduce the VAT rate on the supply and installation of solar panels to zero for private dwellings from 1 May 2023. This will result in a significant reduction in the installation cost for households. This is a permanent change that came into effect from 1 May 2023. This measure underlines the Government’s commitment to help households to save money on their energy bills.
• SEAI are also currently finalising a scheme to provide Solar PV to vulnerable customers registered as being dependent on electrically powered assistive devices. This €20m scheme is targeted to provide direct support to vulnerable customers who may have limited opportunity to reduce their demand.
Renewable Energy Generation
Questions (163)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:163. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department are considering the introduction of low-interest loans or State-provided finance for the provision and installation of solar panels for households in order to help meet Ireland’s climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28903/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is targeting 380MW of new renewable generation capacity to contribute to an overall revised target for solar PV of up to 8GW by 2030, under the Climate Action Plan 23. The scheme design was supported by detailed economic and policy analysis, as well as public consultation, prior to its approval in December 2021.
Grants are currently available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for domestic installations, up to a maximum of €2,400. Since the introduction of the MSS domestic grant in February 2022, the SEAI have seen application levels rise sharply. In 2022, the SEAI received 16,819 applications to the Domestic Solar PV programme, which resulted in grant support for 10,018 homes, at a cost of €24.4m and a total installed capacity of 46.5 MW. This indicates an average installation size of 4.6kW. This is a significant increase from 2021 when 4,077 homes received grant support, with 16.3 MW capacity installed. Moreover, current projections for 2023 indicate an even higher level of applications will be supported.
While this very high level of interest indicates that the current design of the MSS is working well, its operation and effectiveness will be kept under review and adjustments made where necessary.
There are no plans for a dedicated Solar PV loan scheme but a residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme is in development in my Department. The retrofit loan guarantee scheme will provide loans for solar as part of deep upgrade to a home and will be the first consumer-focused guaranteed loan of its kind in Ireland. It is expected that the loan guarantee scheme will be in place in Q3 2023.
It should also be noted that maximising consumption of self-generated electricity will provide the most benefit to offset rising electricity costs and shorten the payback period for the investment in the installation of solar panels. Additionally, the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is now available from all electricity suppliers, offering the opportunity for remuneration for excess renewable electricity exported to the grid.
Air Quality
Questions (164)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:164. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the required establishment of dedicated resources within regional lead authorities to provide co-ordination, expertise and advice to ensure enforcement of the new air-quality regulations nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28905/23]
View answerWritten answers
At present there are no regional lead authorities in place in relation to air quality enforcement. My Department has worked with the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) to develop the business case for an enhanced enforcement structure to support the provision of improved co-ordination, expertise, and advice to underpin consistent implementation of air quality legislation across the country. We expect this to be submitted formally to the sector for approval in the coming months.
In the absence of a co-ordination body, officials from my Department have been engaging directly with enforcement personnel on the ground, developing guidance and training, holding workshops, providing funding and supporting the sharing of best practice in relation to a range of legislative obligations that are under the remit of the Local Authorities.
In 2022, the Department made €200,000 available to support Local Authorities through a pilot solid fuels enforcement scheme. On foot of the learnings taken from the pilot scheme and feedback from the sector, officials from my Department have allocated additional funding of €500,000 to Local Authorities to support targeted enforcement campaigns. Further funding to support enhanced enforcement structures will be made available once agreed.
Pension Provisions
Questions (165)
Seán Haughey
Question:165. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will sanction the payment of increases due to An Post pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28938/23]
View answerWritten answers
On 9 March 2023 An Post wrote to my Department seeking consent to the second phase of their current pay agreement which provides for a 2% increase in pay from 1st January 2023. In addition to this, on foot of a recent Labour Court decision, An Post also wrote to my Department on 9 March seeking approval to make increases to pensions in payment and deferred pensions of a 5% increase from 1 January 2022 and a 1% increase from 1 July 2023. In accordance with the relevant Code of Practice from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, An Post must seek Ministerial approval to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. As per Circular 16/2021, all such proposals require NewERA’s views, as well as a business case setting out the strategic, policy and financial rationale for the proposed increase. Circular 16/2021 states that pension approval requests should be submitted for approval well in advance of any decision to implement changes in acknowledgement of the necessary processes that must be completed and in order to ensure that pension increases are not unduly delayed. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place. Following receipt of the requests and associated documentation in recent weeks and months from An Post, the standard process is now being followed, with NewERA’s views and assessment by officials being required prior to the consent of both Ministers being sought.