Written Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when an application for a passport renewal will be completed (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5549/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the standard turnaround time for child renewal applications is 15 working days from the date the Passport Service receives the required supporting documents. The applicant's supporting documents were received on 22 January 2024. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.
23. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason why paper passport applications are taking eight weeks and longer to process; the percentage of applications received that are paper based; the reason why such applications cannot be prioritised in urgent cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5659/24]
View answerThe Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. Passport Online is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications.
Over 90% of all passport applications are made through Passport Online which is now available to 99.9% of all applicants globally.
The Passport Service remains committed to offering a range of application channels, including a paper-based service for citizens who are not eligible or do not wish to use the Passport Online service.
Due to the nature of the paper application process, it will always be a slower service. The turnaround time for all paper applications is 8 weeks and the Passport Service is meeting this target turnaround time successfully. 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.
The Passport Service has a dedicated Travel Emergency team that works to expedite all types of passport applications in cases of genuine emergency such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad.
For applicants resident in Ireland, the Passport Service offers an Urgent Appointment service whereby applicants who need to renew their passport urgently can book an appointment at either the Dublin or Cork passport offices. The Dublin passport office can issue a passport within 1 or 4 days, while the Cork passport office can issue a passport in 4 days. Applicants who already have a paper passport application in the system can avail of the Urgent Appointment service and their original paper application will be cancelled once they attend their appointment at the Passport Office and their new passport is issued.
My Department is currently running an extensive communications campaign to encourage passport applicants to apply early and to apply online. This campaign has been very successful in increasing the numbers of applications received in January 2024 and will help to ensure that those citizens who need to renew their passport this year or apply for a passport for a child will have their passports well before the traditional summer peak season.
The Passport Service is well-resourced to meet forecasted demand for 2024. My Department has implemented a staffing plan to ensure that excellent customer service is maintained throughout periods of peak demand. There are currently 795 staff working in the Passport Service and my Department is continuing to work to increase resources within the service.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
The percentage of paper based applications received in 2023 and in 2024 to date is outlined below in tabular form.
|
Year |
Paper Passport Applications Received |
|
2023 |
94,749 (9% of total applications received) |
|
2024 (up to 01/02/24) |
10,540 (8% of total applications received) |
24. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that on 7 January 2024, in an interview with RTÉ radio, that the Taoiseach made explicit mention to the Armenian genocide, and if this reference marks a change of course by Ireland in officially recognising that the Armenian people suffered a genocide during the First World War. [5722/24]
View answerThe Irish Government views the terrible events which saw the deaths of a large number of the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire as a tragedy, and has expressed deepest sympathy for the enormous suffering of the Armenian people during this period.
The term ‘genocide’ has a particular meaning under international law. The Government has not taken a stance on whether those terrible events should be described as a genocide. To reach a conclusion that any event amounts to genocide involves the consideration and determination of a number of complex factual and legal issues, including an assessment of the actions and intentions of many parties.
Currently, there is no international consensus on whether these events amount to genocide. No Irish or international court has issued a final judgment recognising these terrible events as an act of genocide.
Ireland’s position on the description of these events does not diminish in any way our recognition of the terrible and shocking nature of what occurred to the Armenian people between 1915 and 1917.
26. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps an energy bill holder (details supplied) should take when neither they nor their late father received the energy credit on their household account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5653/24]
View answerAs part of Budget 2024, Government approved a new tranche of Electricity Credits which over 2.2 million households will benefit from -- worth €450 in total per household.
Three payments of €150 (including VAT) are being made between December 2023 and April 2024.
The payments are being 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. Domestic electricity accounts flagged as low usage accounts, will not be allocated a payment for that payment period. The payment will not be withheld for accounts with a financial hardship meter, accounts held by registered as a vulnerable customer or accounts which have low usage due to the exporting of 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 customer can seek further review by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, which has oversight of the Scheme, following the decision of the electricity supplier. I would encourage any customer who thinks that they should have received the credit to contact their supplier at the first instance, and then the CRU if they have still not received the credit.
The CRU confirmed that as of 12 January 2024, 95.2% of the accounts not designated as low usage accounts received the December payment.
27. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on action 33 of Ireland’s second National Implementation Plan for the SDGs, which requires his Department to lead on the undertaking of Ireland’s first Voluntary Local Review on the SDGs, and which was due to be completed in Q3 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4972/24]
View answerAction 33 of the National Implementation Plan 2022 – 2024 outlines the commitment to undertake Ireland’s first Voluntary Local Review (VLR).
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasises the need for an inclusive and localised approach to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to achieve their implementation at a local level.
The second National Implementation Plan acknowledges this approach, as well as the importance of cross-sectoral partnerships, community engagement and the role of local authorities, in the localisation of the SDGs. It is also acknowledged in the plan that there is still much work to do to translate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into local actions and impacts that contribute to the global achievement of the SDGs. Localisation of the SDGs can not only provide a framework for local development policy, but also for support from local governments for action from the ground up.
Agenda 2030 commits to regular and inclusive review of progress at the subnational, national, regional and global levels. National reports allow for assessments of progress and the identification of challenges at the regional and global levels, while also informing recommendations for implementation. Follow-up and review at the regional and sub-regional levels can provide useful opportunities for peer learning, sharing of best practices and discussion on shared targets. VLRs can play an important role in this.
The priority afforded to the Voluntary National Review process which I presented to the UN last July delayed the completion of this Action in 2023, and my Department now looks forward to working with relevant stakeholders in the Local Authority sector in undertaking a VLR this year.
28. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of reporting on energy poverty; the actions being taken to alleviate it as required under the EU clean energy package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4996/24]
View answerThe Energy Poverty Action Plan 2022 set out the range of measures implemented, as well as key longer-term measures, to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs were supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes over winter 2022/23. The implementation of the Action Plan is being monitored by a cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department.
The inaugural Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum was held in July 2023. The Forum provided a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, assess progress on objectives from across the action plan, and share new ideas to combat energy poverty. A report on the recommendations and outcomes of the Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum was published on gov.ie
An Annual Report outlining progress under the various actions in the Plan will be published in Quarter 1 2024.
As set out in the plan, as part of the ESRI’s research programme, Government is providing funding to examine whether existing supports are well-targeted towards those who are at risk of energy poverty and the impact of those supports on the level of energy poverty.
As part of this research the ESRI will:
• propose a metric for measuring energy poverty that combines expenditure and energy efficiency;
• propose metrics to measure changes in the trend of fuel poverty regarding the number of households and its severity.
The research programme is a three year programme and the ESRI will publish papers throughout this time.
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.
DECC will engage with relevant stakeholders and consult with the public in the coming months to further the implementation of the Energy Poverty Action Plan, and in the context of the development of a revised Action Plan.
29. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the timeline for publication of a public consultation on the National Adaptation Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5001/24]
View answerThe Climate and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021 requires that the National Adaptation Framework (NAF) be reviewed at least every five years. Following a 2022 review of the 2018 NAF, I approved the review Report which recommended the development of a new NAF.
My Department engaged with key adaptation sectors, the EPA and the Climate Change Advisory Council to develop the new NAF which I approved for a statutory consultation. The draft, published on 19 January 2024, at Gov.ie/NAFConsultation, takes account of key developments in the international and EU arenas, notably the publication of the IPCC Working Group I and II reports, publication of the new 2021 EU Adaptation Strategy, and feedback on adaptation policy progress in Ireland.
Concepts including just resilience and nature based solutions are central to the new draft. It also identifies where new sectoral adaptation plans may be requested from relevant Ministers. Notice of the consultation, closing on 19 February 2024, was published in the newspapers and online.
Submissions received from this public consultation will be considered ahead of a new NAF being submitted to Government for approval.
30. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 11 of 17 January 2024, if he will report on the findings of Department officials who visited the Sellafield site in July 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5048/24]
View answerThe Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is the lead government department for radiation policy and nuclear safety. My Department is assisted in this role by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who provide scientific and technical expertise on nuclear and radiological matters. The main Irish legislation in relation to Radiological Protection is the Radiological Protection Acts 1991 to 2018, which comes under my remit as Minister.
Under the auspices of the UK Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters, a delegation from my Department, the EPA and the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) was hosted by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) at the Sellafield Ltd site on 25 July 2023. The delegation did not include an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs as that Department is not a member of the UK Ireland Contact Group, which was specifically established to discuss nuclear safety and radiation policy matters at official and technical levels.
The group took a close-up look at some of the facilities of particular interest to Ireland and were briefed on their current status and plans for decommissioning, including the Pile Fuel Storage Pond, the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS), the Pile Fuel Cladding Storage Silo Construction Site, and the High-Level Waste Plant.
The decommissioning operations planned and on-going are substantial and it is understood that the full decommissioning of Sellafield will take approximately 100 years.
31. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when ESB pensions can expect him to sign off on their planned pension increase. [5054/24]
View answerMyself and my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform, have both now consented to the 4% increase effective from 1 January 2024, which can now be applied by the ESB Pension Scheme Trustees.
32. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if EU Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion and use of energy from renewable sources applies in full at present in Ireland; if so, to list the State agencies to which the Directive applies; the way that the Directive has been amended in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5071/24]
View answerDirective (EU) 2009/28/EC has been repealed under Article 37 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and does not, therefore, apply in full in Ireland at present. Directive (EU) 2018/2001 was, in turn, amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413. Directive (EU) 2018/2001 has been substantially transposed by way of S.I. 350 of 2022, with all remaining elements expected to be transposed this year.
Due to the recent adoption of Directive (EU) 2023/2413, analysis is ongoing as to the full suite of actions required by the various state agencies. However, Ireland's draft NECP, submitted December 2023, outlines the framework within which Ireland and its state agencies will deliver on, inter alia, our renewable energy targets.
Directive (EU) 2023/2413 has transposition deadlines of end June 2024 and May 2025.
33. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of times he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form [5240/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
34. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that Ireland has dropped six places on the climate change performance and is now 43rd amongst 63 countries; to report on the factors to that contributed to Ireland falling down the list; what steps he is taking to improve Ireland's performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5255/24]
View answerThe latest Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) assessment shows that Ireland's efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions must must accelerate in line with our successive national Climate Action Plans and European commitments. There is an urgent need for us to decarbonise our energy sector and reduce our agricultural emissions. Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP24), which was approved by Government in December 2023, sets out the policies, measures and actions to achieve these necessary transitions in a just and fair way that maximises our future economic opportunities.
In the energy sector, the focus is on accelerating and increasing the deployment of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels, with a target 9 GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar, and at least 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030, while developing an associated industrial development strategy. Significant progress is already being made to establish our offshore wind generation infrastructure - the CCPI experts highlighted Ireland's successful offshore wind energy auction which will see four projects produce enough clean indigenous electricity to power more than 2.5 million homes. Alongside expanding our renewable energy capacity, the Plan includes measures aimed at strengthening our grid and phasing out the use of coal and peat.
This Government is also taking a number of significant measures to reduce our agricultural emissions. Measures in CAP24 include reducing our chemical nitrogen fertiliser use, increasing the adoption of inhibited urea, improved animal feeding and the diversification of our agricultural sector. Furthermore, Ireland has set goals to increase organic farming from 75,000 to 450,000 hectares by 2030, and to increase tillage to 400,000 hectares by 2030. These measures will ensure the sustainability of our agriculture and food processing industries into the future, maintaining and growing rural incomes and employment.
In addition to the latest Climate Action Plan, Ireland’s ambitious climate policy is also reflected in the Long-term Strategy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions, which was approved by Government and published in April 2023. An updated version, to align with the latest climate data and projections and with the detailed pathways to 2030 set out in Climate Action Plan 2024, will be finalised in Q1 of this year. The updated strategy will be the first national long-term climate strategy to be prepared in line with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021. As the updated strategy will conform to both EU and national requirements, it will also be submitted to the EU Commission and UNFCCC.
The impact of Ireland's strengthened climate policy is becoming evident, with the most recent data from the EPA showing a decrease of almost 2% in Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 compared to 2021. Key factors behind the decrease include the shift a substantial increase in renewable energy deployment driving a 16% drop in emissions from electricity.
While the downward trend is welcome, it is clear that we need to move faster and intensify our efforts to drive emissions down further, and the CCPI assessment helps to highlight the urgent need for accelerated implementation of our climate policies.
35. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5347/24]
View answerMy Department uses advertising to promote a range of services, supports and initiatives for people and communities across Ireland.
As the media landscape has evolved over the past number of years, advertising expenditure has grown to address the diverse needs of different audiences, including costs associated with achieving national reach for important public messages. For example, my Department has run a significant national campaign on reducing energy use in 2022, 2023 and 2024. This “reduce your use” campaign was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs. In recent months, advertising expenditure has also grown to ensure that we are meeting our Irish language advertising requirements under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021.
My Department utilises both digital and traditional media, recognising that traditional media is an integral part of Ireland’s communications landscape and a crucial tool for us to connect with communities and regional audiences across Ireland.
The table below sets out overall digital and traditional advertising expenditure in my Department since 2019. It is not possible to identify expenditure on advertising prior to 2019 due to restructuring of Department.
|
Year |
Media Type |
Spend |
|
2019 |
Online |
€4,285.00 |
|
|
Traditional |
€275,520.00 |
|
|
Total |
€279,805 |
|
2020 |
Online |
€8,205.08 |
|
|
Traditional |
€99,693.09 |
|
|
Total |
€107,898.17 |
|
2021 |
Online |
€56,758.84 |
|
|
Traditional |
€459,909.60 |
|
|
Total |
€516,668.44 |
|
2022 |
Online |
€534,398.00 |
|
|
Traditional |
€3,293,683.00 |
|
Total |
€3,828,081.00 |
|
|
2023 |
Online |
€863,757 |
|
|
Traditional |
€2,943,244.00 |
|
|
Total |
€3,807,000.50 |
|
2024 |
Online |
€144,049 |
|
|
Traditional |
€606,197.00 |
|
|
Total |
€750,246.00 |
36. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental, Ministerial public relations; if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5365/24]
View answerMy Department has a press office function who manage public relations and media queries, alongside other communications personnel working on digital marketing, campaigns, events, and internal communications. My Department may occasionally engage external PR expertise where specialist or extensive support is required.
The information which the Deputy requested in relation to my Department is outlined in the table below.
|
Consultant/Company |
Year |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
RPS Communications |
2020-2022 |
PR support to help with Tellus survey outreach/info line |
€134,566 |
|
OSD Digital Agency |
2020 |
Social media campaign advice |
€3,176 |
|
Kano Communications |
2022-2023 |
PR Support as part of Reduce Your Use Campaign |
€5,535 |
37. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount spent by his Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5383/24]
View answerThe information requested is currently being compiled by my Department, and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
38. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount spent by his Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [5401/24]
View answerMy Department's office accommodation needs are supplied by the Office of Public Works. There is no cost to the Department.
The cost of office furniture and IT Equipment for the period requested is set out below:
|
Year |
Furniture |
IT Equipment |
|
2015 |
€6,835 |
€71,844 |
|
2016 |
€14,683 |
€282,997 |
|
2017 |
€8,830 |
€160,612 |
|
2018 |
€41,540 |
€174,964 |
|
2019 |
€72,073 |
€62,816 |
|
2020 |
€49,834 |
€279,463 |
|
2021 |
€26,393 |
€603,400 |
|
2022 |
€171,487 |
€379,977 |
|
2023 |
€108,138 |
€483,041 |
|
To date in 2024 |
€2,334 |
€34,431 |
39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the findings by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study of the warmth and wellbeing pilot scheme; if a report has been published or will be published in the future; how the finding of the study will inform the SEAI retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5430/24]
View answerThe Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme was an interdepartmental and inter-agency project led by my Department, in collaboration with the Department of Health (DoH), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Health Service Executive (HSE). The project was established to produce research on how extensive energy efficiency upgrades to homes can improve the health and wellbeing of people living with chronic respiratory conditions.
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) were recruited to carry out independent analysis of the health impacts. Participants’ health and wellbeing was assessed and tracked over a 3-year period following their upgrade. The pilot, provided fully funded upgrades to 1,600 homes including attic and wall insulation, window and door replacement and heating system upgrades where needed.
The research shows that retrofits have resulted in measured improved comfort in the homes as well as improved health and well-being scores across multiple dimensions. These included:
- warmer, more comfortable homes, with heating systems that are easier to control;
- improved physical health including reduced pain;
- improved mental health and wellbeing including reduced feelings of anxiety and depression;
- reduced visits to GP and A&E and fewer incidences requiring hospitalisation;
- reduced prescription drug usage for their respiratory conditions;
- being more comfortable inviting other to their homes.
The learnings from the project are already influencing policy. This includes mainstreaming elements of the project into our national energy poverty retrofit scheme – the Warmer Homes scheme. Working with vulnerable homeowners has allowed my Department and SEAI to improve the scheme for everyone, keeping the customer at the forefront of the process.
Further, the project created very strong working relationships and policy understanding between DECC, SEAI and other Government Department and agencies which were reflected in the practical and effective implementation structures used, ensuring ‘cross Government cooperation’. These relationships have supported the development of the Energy Poverty Action Plan and the establishment of the Energy Poverty Steering Group.
The scheme was also featured in a report by the World Green Building Council as an example of international best practice in starting a renovation wave.
It is planned to finalise and publish the report in Q1 2024.
40. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 168 and 169 of 25 January 2024, his views on the particular cases in questions and whether or not they are eligible payment for the microgeneration support scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5466/24]
View answerIn relation to export payments received under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) scheme, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), who oversee and set the parameters for this scheme, published a CEG decision paper on 1 December 2021, which outlines arrangements for the implementation of the tariff, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. This includes scenarios where the deemed export formula would apply.
As part of their decision, the CRU decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis which must be reflective of the market, or wholesale, value of the electricity, in line with the requirements of Article 21(2)(d) of the recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). Moreover, under certain conditions, customers with renewable generation capacity but without a smart meter may still avail of the CEG. In these instances, customers may be eligible to be remunerated under deemed export arrangements. These conditions are set out clearly in the CRU’s CEG decision paper, which is available at www.cru.ie/publications/27028/.
Under these conditions a deemed quantity will be calculated by the ESBN. This is the final determination of the quantity for export which customers are to be paid by suppliers. Customers who believe they are eligible for payment under the deemed payment method should contact their supplier. In cases where this can not be resolved with the supplier directly, CRU operates a customer contact email for escalation on matters such as this: customercare@cru.ie.
The Deputy is reminded that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions on energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
