Written Answers Nos. 143-160
143. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide the number of public servants serving on State boards since 2006 in an independent capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55910/23]
View answerThere are no State boards, authorities or other State-appointed bodies under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
144. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the circumstances in correspondence (details supplied), anything can be done to assist a person to be relocated to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55921/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department and staff in our Embassy are aware of this case and are providing consular assistance. Consular officials have been in regular contact with the family of the Irish citizen concerned and have provided advice and guidance to them.
Matters relating to medical repatriation fall within the remit of the Health Service Executive.
I can appreciate that the circumstances of this case are difficult and upsetting for the family. Please be assured that my Department will continue to provide consular assistance to the citizen where possible and appropriate.
145. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Tánaiste agus Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [55996/23]
View answer146. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Tánaiste agus Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56016/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.
Úsáideann an Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha feachtais feasachta poiblí chun eolas maidir le seirbhísí riachtanacha ar nós seirbhísí pasanna agus consalachta nó beartais a chur ar fáil do mhuintir na hÉireann in Éirinn agus thar lear. Baineann an Roinn úsáid as raon leathan ardáin mean chun dul i bhfeidhm ar an méid is mó daoine is gur féidir, le cinntiú go bhfuil teachtaireachtaí seirbhíse poiblí na Roinne feiceálach do shaoránaigh – is é sin ar an raidió, sna méain chlóite agus ar line, na meáin shóisialta san áireamh.
Tógann mo chuid Roinne na dualgais atá leagtha amach in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla go han-dáiríre. Tá an Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha tiomanta don dualgas atá orainn seirbhísí ar ard-chaighdeán a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge do shaoránaigh, riachtanais fógraíochta an Achta san áireamh. Ó tháinig na riachtanais nua i bhfeidhm i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2022, tá tréaniarracht déanta ag mo Roinn cloí leo.
Is dushlán ollmhór é 5% de bhuiséad fógraíochta comhlachtaí poiblí a chaitheamh ar fhógraíocht sna meáin Ghaeilge amháin toisc an líon teoranta comhlacht meáin a chomhlíonann forálacha an Achta.
Mar is eol don Teachta, níl ach aon stáisiúin raidió lánGhaeilge amháin ar fáil go náisiúnta ar FM. Ní ghlacann an stáisiúin sin le fógraíocht. Níl ach stáisiún trádála amháin a bhíonn ag craoladh i nGaeilge ar FM agus a ghlacann le fógraíocht. Stáisiún atá ar fáil i gceantar Bhaile Átha Cliath amháin. Go dtí seo i 2023, tá 4.29% de bhuiseád fógraíochta na Roinne caite ar fhógraí raidió i nGaeilge.
Ó thaobh na meáin chlóite de, tá nuachtán náisiúnta amháin a bhfuil forlíonadh Ghaeilge ar fáil ann. Go dtí seo, in 2023 tá 5.97% de bhuiseád fógraíochta na Roinne caite ar fhógraí clóite i nGaeilge.
Tá dushlán níos mó ag baint le fógraíocht ar líne. Ag an bpointe seo, ní ann do chainéal ar na mheáin shóisialta a chomhlíonann foralácha an Achta don 5% agus is beag rogha eile atá ann ar líne. Go dtí seo, in 2023, ta 2.81% den bhuiseád fógraíochta na Roinne caite ar fhógraí ar líne i nGaeilge.
Oibreoidh mo Roinn go dlúth leis an gCoimisinéir Teanga le cinntiú go bhfuilimid ag déanamh gach iarracht chun cloí leis an reachtaíocht chuí.
Maidir le ceist 56016/23 ba mhaith liom a chur in iúl don Teachta, nach dtagann aon chomhlacht poiblí eile faoi scáth na Roinne Ghnóthaí Eachtraí .
147. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Tánaiste agus Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56034/23]
View answer148. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Tánaiste agus Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56052/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.
Úsáideann an Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha feachtais feasachta poiblí chun eolas maidir le seirbhísí riachtanacha ar nós seirbhísí pasanna agus consalachta nó beartais a chur ar fáil do mhuintir na hÉireann in Éirinn agus thar lear. Baineann an Roinn úsáid as raon leathan ardáin mean chun dul i bhfeidhm ar an méid is mó daoine is gur féidir, le cinntiú go bhfuil teachtaireachtaí seirbhíse poiblí na Roinne feiceálach do shaoránaigh – is é sin ar an raidió, sna méain chlóite agus ar line, na meáin shóisialta san áireamh.
Tógann mo chuid Roinne na dualgais atá leagtha amach in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla go han-dáiríre. Tá an Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha tiomanta don dualgas atá orainn seirbhísí ar ard-chaighdeán a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge do shaoránaigh, riachtanais fógraíochta an Achta san áireamh.
Ó tháinig na riachtanais nua i bhfeidhm i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2022, tá tréaniarracht déanta ag mo Roinn cloí leo. Tá solathróir seirbhíse seachtraí ag tacú leis an Roinn na dualgais monatóireachta seo a chomhlíonadh. De réir forálacha an Achta, cuirfidh an Roinn tuairisc faoi bhráid an Choimisineára Teanga i Ráithe 1, 2024.
Maidir le ceist 56052/23 ba mhaith liom a chur in iúl don Teachta, nach dtagann aon chomhlacht poiblí eile faoi scáth na Roinne Ghnóthaí Eachtraí .
149. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56110/23]
View answerOver the past three years, my Department has achieved much progress in a number of policy areas, framed by our commitments under the Programme for Government, and the Departmental Statement of Strategy.
Delivery of services to Irish citizens was, and remains, central to our work. Following disruptions to the service throughout the first year of the pandemic, the Passport Service began scaling up towards normal operations in May 2021 and, for the first time in history, issued over one million passports in 2022. This significant achievement was made possible by meeting demand delayed by the pandemic with technological and organisational innovation, and above all the hard work of the staff in all our passport offices. The Passport Service is successfully meeting the current high demand for passports, and has issued close to one million passports to date in 2023.
For much of the first half of the period under review, the COVID pandemic was the foremost global challenge. During the pandemic my Department handled the most extensive repatriation operation in the history of the State, helping well over 8,000 citizens to return from 129 countries across five continents. In addition, my Department continued to make an important contribution to the Government response to the pandemic, particularly in strengthening information flows across Government on global developments and trends, which informed critical decision making. We continue efforts to support investment in public health internationally.
Progress since 2020 has been achieved against the backdrop of an increasingly unstable and complex geopolitical context, with the disruption of the pandemic and its implications, Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, crises in Afghanistan and Sudan, and now the conflict in the Middle East, imposing significant demands on my Department and its staff in Ireland and around the world.
In the aftermath of the pandemic our Consular function has been strengthened, including by the establishment of new units for Crisis Planning and International Travel. My Department undertook substantial work in evacuating over 100 Irish citizens and their dependents from Afghanistan in the months following the fall of Kabul in August 2021, responding to the consular assistance aspects of the crisis in Ukraine, and in assisting the evacuation of over 280 Irish citizens and dependents from Sudan between 15 April and 25 May 2023. Ireland has continued to supply humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan under a humanitarian carve out which we negotiated in the UN Taliban sanctions regime. I also announced in June this year that Ireland will provide €8.5 million in humanitarian aid for Sudan.
In the immediate aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine we assisted 167 Irish citizens and their accompanying dependents in leaving Ukraine between 1 February and 25 March 2022. Since that time, we have also provided substantial support to Ukraine, and neighbouring countries, as we worked to address the global impacts of the conflict. To date, we have provided over €90 million in stabilisation and humanitarian support and commitments of approximately €122 million in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility as well as a variety of in-kind assistance, we have consistently supported the strongest sanctions against Russia, and have continually engaged with international partners to build support for the Ukrainian Peace Formula and to ensure accountability for any crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.
In more recent weeks the work of the Department has been dominated by the unfolding conflict in the Middle East and in particular efforts to ensure the safe exit from Gaza of all Irish citizens who wished to leave, and their accompanying dependants and working to secure the release of Emily Hand, who was held hostage by Hamas. The Department has assisted 56 citizens and their accompanying dependents to leave Gaza since 7 October. In addition, throughout the crisis I have unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism. I have also made consistently clear that the protection of civilians must be paramount. The loss of life in the conflict in Gaza has been horrendous. Thousands of civilians, including children, have been killed. That is why I have consistently called for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire and reiterated the need to adhere to International Humanitarian Law. The conflict must end.
Peace and reconciliation on our island has been a central priority throughout this period. A particular achievement of my Department during the period in question was the successful navigation of the challenge of Brexit, ensuring that our key objectives were met both in relation to Northern Ireland as well as in the overall EU-UK trade and cooperation arrangements.
Over the past three years, my Department has played a significant role in managing the complex outworkings of Brexit on this island. In this context, agreement of the Windsor Framework in February this year was a key milestone, and as a committed Member State of the European Union, Ireland is fully engaged with our EU partners as we work to make sure that the Framework is implemented fully and in good faith.
My Department is also working to restore the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. 2023 saw the 25th anniversary of the Agreement and we marked this significant milestone both at home and abroad.
The relationship between Ireland and the UK is vitally important, and central to sustaining prosperity and peace across these islands. My Department has worked with British counterparts to maintain and strengthen the relationships between these islands in the post-Brexit context. This has included establishing frameworks for cooperation with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, as well as strengthening ties with the North of England through a new Consulate General in Manchester.
Deepening our EU relationships and our influence at EU level has also been a central focus of all of my Department’s activity during this period including in respect of communicating and promoting Europe to citizens. The Programme for Government made a particular commitment to marking 50 years of Irish membership of the EU and I was delighted through 2022 and 2023 to lead on a “EU50” programme of national and international engagement marking this historic anniversary. The Government also launched the “A Career for EU” Strategy in May 2021 aimed at increasing the presence of Irish people in the senior ranks of the EU institutions. Work continues on implementing this strategy including through targeting an increase in the number of young Irish people aware of and applying for EU careers.
Between May and November 2022, Ireland held the Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. Through a critical period for the organisation, our Presidency delivered many significant achievements, notably securing agreement across the 46 Member States to convene just the fourth Summit in the Council’s 74-year history. Held in Reykjavik on 16-17 May 2023, the Summit saw leaders commit to revitalizing the Council across a wide range of human rights and democracy issues, as well as the establishment of the Register of Damages caused by Russia in Ukraine, which Ireland and 41 other countries have joined. Other notable achievements across our Presidency term included the negotiation of a Dublin Declaration on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence; the establishment of an innovative new Contact Group to formalise the Council’s cooperation with democratic opposition in Belarus; and a range of measures to support Ukraine, including fast tracking its membership of the Council’s Development Bank.
Our commitment to the reduction of poverty, hunger and humanitarian need has remained constant throughout the period in question. This year, the Government is providing a total of over €1.23 billion for Official Development Assistance. This is the largest ever allocation, and an increase of 17% on the 2022 allocation. The overall increase of €188 million includes €111.5 million for the international development programme operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs. €75 million of this will focus on the direct and indirect impact of the war in Ukraine, and €25 million is towards meeting our international climate finance commitments. In the latest available figures from 2021, Ireland’s Climate Finance was at its highest ever level at €99.6 million.
2023 saw a continued deepening of the global food security and energy crisis with 345 million people forecast to face acute food insecurity by year end. My department worked closely with Áras an Uachtaráin in support of President Higgins' important addresses to the Africa Food summit in January in Dakar and the World Food Forum in Rome in October. During the year my department worked in support of both humanitarian food assistance and longer term transformation of food systems through the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake meeting and other global initiatives. In 2023 my department will spend at least €284 million on food, agriculture and nutrition.
Following our election in June 2020, Ireland’s two-year term on the UN Security Council began in January 2021 and ended in December 2022. We were active across the whole Council agenda, including on issues of great significance to Ireland’s foreign policy priorities, such as the JCPoA, the Middle East Peace Process, Libya, Myanmar, and Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Together with Norway, Ireland served as co-penholders on the Syria humanitarian file, and we successfully led on negotiations twice to extend the mandate of the lifesaving UN cross border humanitarian operation into Syria. During our tenure, we also led negotiations to successfully renew Operation Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina in October 2022; championed human rights in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls, and been to the fore of efforts to hold the Taliban to account; and led efforts to bring the conflict and dire humanitarian situation in Ethiopia to the attention of the Council. Ireland successfully negotiated a landmark Resolution on peacekeeping transitions, which was adopted unanimously last September; and played a leading role on the Conflict, Hunger, and Women, Peace and Security files. Ireland was also a co-penholder for a resolution carving out a broad Humanitarian exemption for UN Sanctions in December 2022.
In 2022, the Department of Foreign Affairs led on a cross-governmental process to formulate Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap. The Roadmap sets out how Ireland will deliver on the target of providing at least €225 million per year in international climate finance by 2025, a commitment made by the Taoiseach at COP26 in Glasgow. Meeting this commitment will represent a more than doubling of Ireland’s climate finance from our 2020 baseline. Last year Ireland provided over €115 million in climate finance to developing countries – our highest spend to date. The 2023 figure is on track to be significantly higher.
Elsewhere throughout this period, my Department has led on the formation of a number of international negotiations. Ireland has continued to prioritise international climate action, we played an instrumental role in achieving progress on Loss and Damage at COP27 last year and in the last number of weeks at COP28 we have again been central to efforts to increase climate ambition. In November 2022, this Department hosted a high-level international conference for the “Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA)” which was endorsed by 83 States from across the world, a milestone disarmament achievement. In June 2023, my Department played an active a constructive role in the adoption of the UN Agreement on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), a historic global oceans treaty that has the potential to significantly enhance the protection of the marine environment. My officials were also instrumental earlier this year as Ireland served as co-facilitator of negotiations and secured agreement on the Political Declaration for the Sustainable Development Goals Summit in September. My Department also led on several other high level conferences over the period, such as the Global Diaspora Summit in April 2022, the European Congress on Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in November 2022.
In partnership with the Department of Defence, my Department played a key role convening the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy to start a discussion on Ireland’s foreign and security policy. The Forum focused on a wide range of issues, including Ireland’s efforts to protect the rules-based international order through peacekeeping and crisis management, disarmament and non-proliferation, international humanitarian law, and conflict prevention and peacebuilding as well as allowing for a discussion on Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
My Department also hosted the Global Irish Civic Forum in 2023, a gathering of Irish community representatives from across the world. The forum discussed support for communities abroad, promotion of Irish cultural heritage and sport, network building, reaching the next generations of the diaspora, and much more, and highlighted the critical importance of continued Government support for Ireland’s diaspora and representative organisations. The main vehicle for this support is the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which was established in 2004 and is administered by my Department. By the end of 2023, we will have disbursed over €230 million in ESP funding to over 840 organisations which work with and support Irish communities all over the world.
Under Global Ireland 2025, key strategies were launched throughout the period, framing our aspirations for engagement with the US and Canada, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific, Nordic and Latin American and Caribbean regions, and Small Island Developing States, as well as our Diaspora. Our mission network expanded to 99, with plans to open in Munich, Milan and Islamabad in the period ahead. We had over 350,000 visitors to our pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which was launched in October 2021, and have advanced preparations for Expo 2025 in Osaka. My Department has supported and promoted Irish culture, business and investment opportunities through the implementation of the Global Island Strategy and the Government’s Trade and Investment Strategy launched in 2022.
Finally, further to my appointment in December last year, I was pleased to launch a new Departmental Statement of Strategy earlier this year. This Statement provides an essential framework to guide the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs in the period ahead. It recognises the changed and challenging global context in which we are now operating, and makes clear that strong coordination across Government at home, and with our key allies abroad, remains key to developing sustainable and lasting responses to the many and complex challenges that Ireland is facing. In tandem, the commitment to improve capacity and capability within my Department continues. To that end, we have developed a range of policies during the period under review to support our staff, including a new Learning and Development Framework, a Gender, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion Action Plan, and a Blended Working Policy for HQ and Abroad.
It has been an intense and challenging period but one during which my Department has continued to deliver on behalf of Irish citizens at home and abroad, I would also refer you the Department’s annual reports of 2020, 2021 and 2022 which provide a comprehensive overview of our work.
150. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide details of what efforts Ireland is undertaking to ensure that Palestinians arrested by the Israeli military during the ongoing assault on Gaza are being treated humanely by their captors; if human rights organisations are being allowed access to prisoners to ensure their wellbeing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56187/23]
View answerAt the end of September 2023, the Israel Prison Service was holding 1,310 Palestinians, including children, in administrative detention. Since the Hamas attack on October 7, I understand that has increased to more than 2,000.
Ireland has repeatedly highlighted the applicability of international human rights standards and international humanitarian law in respect of detainees, in particular obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Detainees must have the right to be informed of the charges underlying any detention, have access to legal assistance, and receive a fair trial. We have also called on the Israeli authorities to end the practice of administrative detention completely.
At the UN Human Rights Council, most recently in July of this year, Ireland called on the Israeli authorities, in accordance with their obligations under Article 9 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to refrain from conducting arbitrary arrests and to follow the acceptable procedure established by law regarding arrest and detention. Ireland also made a recommendation to Israel regarding the treatment of detainees during the most recent Universal Periodic Review of Israel at the Human Rights Council in 2018, expressing concern at Israel’s extensive use of administrative detention in particular.
151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which inland fish conservation measures continue, with particular reference to the restocking of lakes and rivers including freshwater; whether research continues to be undertaken to promote coarse fishing and freshwater fishing in a way which is in keeping with best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56242/23]
View answerThe conservation measures referred to by the Deputy with specific reference to the restocking of lakes and rivers and the matter of research work undertaken to promote coarse and freshwater fishing are operational matters for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I nor my Department have any function.
IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is: oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie
152. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to examine the case and review the documents of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55681/23]
View answerThe Budget 2024 package includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme III through which €412.83 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €137.61 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - December 2023, January/February 2024 and March/April 2024. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.007 billion.
The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, 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).
Under Scheme III, usage levels are assessed to ensure that payments are withheld in relation to low usage electricity accounts identified by the distribution system operator, to prevent the payment from being applied to vacant houses.
ESB Networks identified accounts which consumed less than 150 kilowatt hours of electricity per quarter for four consecutive quarters between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. If a domestic electricity account identified by ESB Networks on the effective date in respect of each payment, is flagged as a low usage account, it will not be allocated a payment for that payment period. The payment will not be withheld for accounts with a financial hardship meter, registered as a vulnerable customer or has low usage due to exporting energy to the grid through microgeneration.
The Scheme allows for review by a customer’s electricity supplier, if contacted by a customer who has not received the payment, The Supplier will be able to review this and apply the payment if the customer is; a registered vulnerable customer, is eligible to be on the vulnerable customer register, or has a financial hardship meter. The customer can seek further review by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, following the decision of the electricity supplier.
Through the Submeter Support Scheme, three payments of €137.61 (exclusive of VAT) will also be paid to supplier submeter accounts, identified by suppliers, which cannot receive payments under Scheme III.
153. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that have been undertaken by local authorities in terms of CCTV monitoring of illegal dumping, including dog fouling and antisocial behaviour, since the enactment of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022, in tabular form. [55904/23]
View answerInformation in relation to measures undertaken to tackle dog-fouling can be obtained from directly from individual local authorities. Neither I nor my Department has any remit in relation to anti-social behaviour.
In relation to the use of CCTV to combat littering or the dumping of waste, the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act sets out the legal basis by which local authorities may utilise CCTV for waste and litter enforcement purposes under both the Waste Management Act and the Litter Pollution Act, and also by which certain other mobile recording devices may be utilised for waste enforcement purposes under the Waste Management Act. However the Act also states that before these technologies can be used draft Codes of Practice & Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), which the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) are required to prepare, must be approved by me in my role as Minister for Environment, Climate & Communications.
The LGMA is continuing to work on the finalisation of these draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs, which are fundamental to the future operation of CCTV schemes aimed at assisting waste enforcement and anti-litter efforts, including the monitoring of illegal dumping and dog fouling. The LGMA circulated draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister for Justice and the Data Protection Commission as part of the required consultation process and I understand all bodies have now responded to the LGMA with their views.
Separate codes of practice are required for the operation of CCTV schemes under both the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act, while a further Code of Practice is required for the use of "mobile recording devices" (e.g. bodycams etc) under the Waste Management Act. DPIAs must also be carried out as part of this process.
I understand this LGMA process is now at an advanced stage so I hope to be in a position to give final approval to these Codes of Practice in the near future.
154. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is prepared to address a policy anomaly in respect of the SEAI solar PV scheme that has seen the exclusion of an individual (details supplied) and potential other homeowners from access to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55929/23]
View answerThe Solar PV grant scheme under the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and is open to houses built and occupied prior to 1 January 2021.?The scheme came into operation in February 2022 and built on the success of the previous pilot version of the grant scheme. As part of the transition between schemes, the minimum BER C3?requirement was?removed?and the eligibility of the homes was changed from those built?prior to 2011, to those built prior to?2021.??This has already significantly increased access to the scheme, which received a record number of applications during 2022. In 2023, this level was surpassed by August, making this another record year.
Targeting the grant scheme at existing homes rather than newer builds, ensures that the grants available through the SEAI maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible, whilst also ensuring efficient and effective use of exchequer funding.?New?build houses must?follow?Part L of the Building Regulations, which relates to the energy performance of buildings requirements.
There are options to meet this requirement under the standard by including heat pumps and/or Solar PV, with the cost of installing Solar PV systems during the new build process significantly lower than for existing homes. Consequently, such houses already enjoy significantly higher energy performance and resultant reduced electricity demand, compared with older homes.
In this instance, my Department has forwarded this question to the SEAI for further clarification in relation to the specific issues raised.
155. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what funding is available for a person (details supplied) to carry out insulation work to their house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55933/23]
View answer161. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what funding is available for a person (details supplied) to carry out insulation work to their house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56068/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 161 together.
The eligibility criteria for the Warmer Homes Scheme are linked to certain Department of Social Protection (DSP) payments. Priority is then given to those living in the worst performing homes, with Building Energy Ratings of E, F or G. These criteria are in place with the aim of ensuring that resources available to the scheme can have the greatest impact.
The Widow's Pension is not a qualifying payment for the Warmer Homes scheme. However, households where someone is in receipt of the Widow's Pension may also qualify to receive Fuel Allowance, or another one of the relevant DSP payments. This would be subject to the household meeting the relevant DSP operational guidelines and/or means test. My Department has no function in relation to DSP schemes, means testing or payments.
A range of supports are also available for those that do not qualify for the Warmer Homes Scheme. This includes grants for attic and cavity wall insulation which were tripled in value last year, to urgently reduce energy use and cost as part of the Government’s overall response to high energy prices and the increased cost of living. Details are available on SEAI’s website at www.seai.ie/grants
There are also other grants and schemes available from Government that could be of assistance where there is an urgent need for home repairs. These include the Department of Social Protection Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices, and the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme which is administered by the Local Authorities.
156. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the next review of the climate action plan is due to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55974/23]
View answerUnder the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications is required to prepare an update to the Climate Action Plan on an annual basis.
Work has almost completed on this year’s update to the Plan, Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP24). Once complete, it will be submitted for Government approval before the end of the year, subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA). A public consultation on the Plan will be launched early in 2024.
The Department of the Taoiseach prepares quarterly progress reports on the implementation of measures committed to under Climate Action Plans. The reports provide an update on completed and delayed actions each quarter. The next such review of the Climate Action Plan will be the Q4 quarterly progress report of Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), which will be undertaken in Q1 2024.
157. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [55994/23]
View answer158. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56014/23]
View answer159. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56032/23]
View answer160. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56050/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 157 to 160, inclusive, together.
Tá mo Roinn tiomanta go hiomlán na ceanglais faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a bhaint amach.
Táimid ag obair i gcomhar lenár ngníomhaireacht chruthaitheach agus lenár ngníomhaireacht ceannaigh mean chun a chinntiú go mbainfear amach rothlú fógraíochta Ghaeilge 20% ar fud ár bhfeachtas ar fad, agus chomh gar agus is féidir don sprioc 5% maidir leis na meáin Ghaeilge, sa mhéid is indéanta ag brath ar spás fógraíochta atá ar fáil.
I gcomhréir leis an Acht leasaithe, tiomsófar an fhaisnéis uile maidir lenár gcomhlíonadh fógraíochta Gaeilge le haghaidh 2023 lena chur faoi bhráid an Choimisinéara Teanga in R1 2024 lena fhoilsiú ina dhiaidh sin.
Is ábhar oibríochtúil do gach gníomhaireacht an fhaisnéis a iarradh i ndáil leis na gníomhaireachtaí faoi choimirce mo Roinne. Iarrfaidh an Roinn ar na comhlachtaí ábhartha freagra a thabhairt go díreach don Teachta ina bhfuil an fhaisnéis a iarradh maidir lena n-eagraíochtaí.
