Paul Murphy
Question:131. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement in relation to the attacks by armed gangs in Nigeria (details supplied). [2149/24]
View answerForeign Conflicts
Questions (131)
Written answers
I was seriously concerned by news of the violent attacks on 24th and 25th December in Plateau State, Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of over 300 people in villages in the Bokkos and Barkin Ladi areas.
Recurring inter-communal violence remains a serious threat to peace and security in Nigeria. We strongly condemn all forms of violence and persecution on the basis of ethnicity, religion or belief. Such acts of violence against civilians are completely unacceptable. I welcome President Tinubu’s stated intention to bring to justice the perpetrators of these attacks. I understand that, in an effort to identify and hold accountable the armed groups responsible, a military operation has been launched by the Nigerian Army.
Our Embassy in Abuja, working locally in cooperation with key partners, is following developments closely and advocating for the protection of human rights, including freedom of religion.
Passport Services
Questions (132)
Róisín Shortall
Question:132. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2209/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly to explain what is required to progress her application and the reason an additional document is required.
International Agreements
Questions (133)
Carol Nolan
Question:133. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, being international agreements involving a charge upon public funds, were approved by Dáil Éireann prior to the State agreeing to be bound by them, as required under Article 29.5.2 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2210/24]
View answerWritten answers
In order to answer this question it is necessary to consult archived information, which is not immediately available. We will contact the Deputy directly once the information required to answer this question is to hand.
Cybersecurity Policy
Questions (134)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:134. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to comment on safety and cyber concerns raised in an article (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2101/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland engages regularly with the UK Government on issues of nuclear safety and security, including in relation to the Sellafield site. It is not considered that the recent article referred to has uncovered any significant matters which would cause concern for Ireland.
Building Energy Rating
Questions (135)
Paul Murphy
Question:135. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he agrees that all homes which have received a G BER rating should be entitled to improvements under the warmer homes scheme; if he will instruct his Department to update the terms of the scheme to ensure this is the case given in the (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2158/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in lower income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the Scheme. The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, type and condition of the property.
Preliminary data from SEAI shows that last year, a total of approximately 5,900 homes were upgraded under the scheme with an average spend per home of €24,000.
As home types vary for each eligible home, SEAI’s technical surveyor will determine which upgrades can be installed and funded. The survey and works recommended are informed by the Building Regulations, incorporating NSAI S.R.54: 2014 Code of Practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings.
With specific regard to pre-1940s stone-built dwellings, all eligible homes are assessed and where they comprise stone, SEAI will not insulate the stone walls. These walls are not suitable for the NSAI approved products and standards for retrofitting which are used on more modern construction types. If these walls are insulated using materials or techniques suitable for modern construction, vapour can become trapped leading to problems which can cause harm to the building and its occupants.
However, SEAI will assess applicant homes which are stone built for other measures apart from wall insulation which may be possible. If a home is suitable for attic insulation this can be provided. SEAI will also assess, and insulate where appropriate, any post-1940 extensions that may be present in the same home.
There can be instances however where the application will be cancelled following this assessment as it may not be possible for any appropriate works to be recommended. These reasons might be that no further works are possible e.g. attic and wall insulation is already there, or that the house is not technically possible to insulate.
To support the appropriate upgrade of traditional buildings and stone built homes, a new Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” has recently been published by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. This guidance will be an important resource to SEAI as well as the retrofit and wider construction industry in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrading of older, traditionally built buildings while ensuring compliance with the appropriate building regulations. My officials have asked SEAI to consider the implications of the new Guidance for the operation of the residential and community energy upgrade schemes.
There are also other Government grants and schemes available 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.
SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
Postal Services
Questions (136)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:136. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to consider establishing an Ombudsman for An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2185/24]
View answerWritten answers
There are no plans to establish an Ombudsman for the Post Office network. An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially.
The operation of the post office network and the terms under which Postmasters contract with An Post is a matter between the Postmasters and An Post and any negotiations are a matter for both parties directly and I, as Minister, have no function.
State Bodies
Questions (137)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:137. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the contracts that have been awarded by the SEAI to a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2018 to 2024, in tabular form and for each contract to detail the service provided and the total value of the contract. [2226/24]
View answerWritten answers
This is an operational matter for the SEAI. I have asked the SEAI to respond directly to the Deputy to provide the specific data sought as soon as possible.
Additionally, SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
Renewable Energy Generation
Questions (138)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:138. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the number of 100% community-owned renewable energy projects and number of 51% community-owned renewable energy projects from RESS 1 that have received the enabling grant. [2252/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) Community Enabling Framework was launched in 2022. To ensure genuine community participation in the separate community category of RESS, the definition of a community-led project for the purposes of the first RESS auction included the stipulation that such projects must be at least 51% owned by a Renewable Energy Community (REC). For RESS 2, this was increased to a 100% REC ownership requirement for entry to the community category.
RESS provides a range of supports, including grant funding of potentially up to €180,000, offered from SEAI to community renewable energy projects, to help them participate in the RESS. To date, two community projects (both under RESS 1 in 2022) have received €40,000 each in grant funding.
In advance of issuing potential grant funding, SEAI offers a free feasibility assessment on projects to assess key project risks, that may impact on project viability. However, to date most projects have not passed this initial feasibility stage.
My Department is working closely with the SEAI and community groups to assess the barriers to community energy projects, including grid connections, in order to ensure a long term sustainable future for the community energy sector in Ireland.
There is evidence of significant challenges that REC projects may face with the competitive, auction based nature of RESS, along with grid and other barriers to project delivery. Therefore, Community projects will now transition to the non-competitive Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS).
The export tariff phase of SRESS, to support small scale and community renewable projects, is due to be launched in the coming months and will be a major step forward in supporting the community energy sector.
Defence Forces
Questions (139)
Matt Carthy
Question:139. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the process that would be involved should Ireland decide to re-establish a Defence Forces infantry group to the UNDOF UN Peace Keeping mission in the Golan Heights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2212/24]
View answerWritten answers
There is no plan to review the decision to withdraw the Defence Forces' Infantry Group from the UNDOF mission this year. The replacement Troop Contributing Country (TCC) has been selected to take over the role of the Force Reserve Company, following the scheduled Irish departure in April 2024. Planning for the withdrawal of the Defence Forces' contingent and their replacement is well advanced, involving the United Nations, the Force Headquarters, the current Irish contingent and the replacement TCC to ensure a smooth handover that in no way compromises the mission.
Notwithstanding the withdrawal of the Infantry Group, the Defence Forces intend to continue to occupy a small number of staff officer posts at the UNDOF mission HQ.
Participation in future peacekeeping and crisis response missions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and when considering any particular request, the following factors are taken into account:
• An assessment of whether a peacekeeping operation is the most appropriate response.
• Consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy.
• The degree of risk involved.
• The extent to which the required skills or characteristics relate to Irish capabilities.
• The existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution.
• Whether the operation is adequately resourced.
• The level of existing commitments to peacekeeping operations and security requirements at home.
Defence Forces
Questions (140)
Matt Carthy
Question:140. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 207 of 11 September 2023, the status of the review of the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the PDF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2213/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Conciliation & Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for the Permanent Defence Force is the mechanism for addressing industrial issues within the Defence sector. In line with the Irish model of industrial relations, this is a voluntary mechanism which provides structures for management and staff to engage on collective issues that may arise. These structures have helped to maintain positive industrial relations in the sector over a number of years.
A revised Conciliation and Arbitration scheme is in place since 2020, incorporating the recommendations of an independent review of the scheme. An independent Chair of Conciliation Council, which the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations had sought as a key outcome from the review, was appointed in March 2020.
A review of the C&A Scheme is currently being undertaken by the Independent Chair of the Conciliation Council. This was mutually agreed by all parties to the Scheme. Individual submissions have been sought and received by the Chair from all parties to the Scheme, and discussions between the Chair and the individual parties, on foot of those discussions, continue.
A plenary session, involving all parties to the C&A Scheme, was held in late 2023. Following on from this, further discussions have taken place. The Chair currently plans to hold a final plenary session, again with all parties, in order to complete this review early in 2024.