Written Answers Nos. 155-164
155. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if on a visit to the West Bank, he asked to see a village that had been destroyed and ethnically cleansed by settlers; if so, if the IDF refused to allow it; if this is correct, the reason he did not make a public statement in relation to the matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7199/24]
View answerDuring my last visit to the West Bank, my planned programme included a visit to the community of Ein Samiya, a part of Area C where settlers has recently demolished a school. Israel, which has full civil and security control in Area C, did not facilitate my proposed visit.
I have previously made statements on this matter in answers to Parliamentary questions. The denial of permission was also the subject of media reporting.
Notwithstanding the lack of access to Area C, when I visited Ramallah in September, I met with members of a Bedouin Palestinian community living in Area C at risk of displacement.
Throughout my visit, and since, I have clearly and consistently underlined my grave concerns at the accelerating rate of settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territory, which, alongside demolitions, is leading to the displacement of Palestinian communities from their homes.
In December last year, a UN report detailed the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This report indicated that January to October 2023 saw the highest levels of violence from Israeli Security Forces and Israeli settlers against Palestinians since records began in 2005. The situation has deteriorated since October 2023.
Ireland has consistently called for EU sanctions against violent Israeli settlers who are displacing Palestinian communities. The US and UK have already implemented sanctions against a limited number of individuals. Listings of individuals and entities are under active discussion at EU level and Ireland wants to see these sanctions adopted rapidly.
156. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide the value of property funded or donated by Ireland in the West Bank which has been damaged by Israeli settlers since 7 October 2023; whether the State is pursuing any legal action to recuperate costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7221/24]
View answerThe Habitual Residence Condition is a social welfare condition that a person must satisfy to receive a social assistance payment. A person who is subject to a deportation order is considered not to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition as they do not have an unqualified legal right of residence in the State. As such they are ineligible for social assistance payments.
My department administers the Daily Expenses Allowance which is paid to international protection applicants who reside in, or are waiting for, accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services. The current weekly rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child.
Where a customer has been refused international protection their entitlement to the Daily Expense Allowance is stopped as the customer can no longer be deemed an international protection applicant. However, where customers show that an appeal of the refusal (to grant international protection) is pending before the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, the Daily Expenses Allowance will be reinstated pending outcome of that appeal.
Where a customer has been granted status under the International Protection Act 2015 (Refugee Status or Subsidiary Protection or Permission to Remain) to remain (stamp 4), they are no longer entitled to Daily Expenses Allowance payment and the payment is stopped accordingly.
It is not possible to state how many persons have had the allowance stopped as many customers appeal the decision not to grant international protection and the payment is reinstated pending the appeal outcome.
157. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if is considering intervening in the Gambia vs. Myanmar case before the International Court of Justice, in support of international efforts to ensure justice and accountability for the Rohingya population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7334/24]
View answerIreland strongly condemns the coup carried out by the Myanmar military in February 2021, and attempts by the junta to consolidate and legitimise the military regime. I remain deeply concerned by the widespread violence, the high levels of displacement, and the dire humanitarian and human rights situation, which have had a particular impact on the Rohingya population.
Ireland remains actively engaged on the issue, including through work at the United Nations General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. We strongly support the UN accountability mechanisms, including the International Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Myanmar.
At EU level, the eighth sanctions package on Myanmar since the coup in 2021 was adopted on 11 December 2023. Ireland fully supports these actions against perpetrators of the coup, as well as those who sustain them. We welcome consideration of further measures that would be effective in restoring Myanmar’s democratic path, and creating conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees.
In 2019, The Gambia instituted proceedings against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging violations of the Genocide Convention with respect to Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya. The ICJ ruled it had jurisdiction to hear the case in July 2022. Proceedings are currently focused on substantive arguments over whether Myanmar has breached its obligations under the Genocide Convention. The case is ongoing and The Gambia is due to submit its reply to the arguments made by Myanmar by 16 May 2024.
Ireland is a firm supporter of the International Court of Justice. My Department will continue to closely follow the work of the ICJ on this case.
Ireland also continues to support the Rohingya population through humanitarian funding. In 2023, Irish funding to Myanmar and the Rohingya crisis totalled nearly €2.4 million. Support for humanitarian assistance will continue in 2024.
158. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to EU Directive on single use plastics and the manufacturing requirements this places on diary producers for tethered caps, if he is aware of pressure on suppliers to source new moulds which has in turn created delays in providing compliant caps to dairy producers; if he is aware of the difficulties that dairy producers may face in being able to meet the new requirements under the Directive within the specified July 2024 timeframe; if he has engaged with EU counterparts on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7348/24]
View answerThe EU Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) aims to reduce the environmental impact caused by single use plastics and targets the 10 most commonly found single use plastic items on European beaches which includes beverage containers and their caps/lids.
The Directive was adopted in June 2019 and measures are being introduced on a phased basis in accordance with the timeline set out in the Directive. The first mandatory measure came into effect in July 2021, when a ban was placed on a range of single use items such as plastic cutlery, plates and straws. Much longer implementation dates were provided in the Directive for measures that impact product design or production, such as tethered caps, to ensure those businesses have sufficient time to make the necessary adjustments to their manufacturing processes.
The tethered cap requirement is coming into effect across the EU on 3rd July 2024 and, from that date, only plastic beverage containers where the cap/lid remains firmly attached to the product during use can be placed on the market. I have engaged previously with industry on SUPD measures, including the Irish Beverage Council at Ibec, however I have not been made aware of specific difficulties relating to tethered caps. I note these caps are already increasing in circulation.
While my Department engages regularly with EU colleagues on implementation of the Directive through a Technical Adaptation Committee, no issues in relation to tethered caps have been raised at that forum.
159. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when five-year contract positions for the post of climate action officer and climate action coordinator in local authorities will be converted to permanent positions for those staff who have been appointed, particularly considering all those employed during the course of 2023 will have their employment contracts expire in 2028, the year prior to the end of the lifetime of the Local Authority Climate Action Plan (2024-2029), and before 2030 targets will have been measured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7114/24]
View answerLocal government has a key role to play in implementing adaptation and mitigation measures to meet Ireland’s national climate targets. Local authorities are well-placed to respond to climate change and build momentum as the most direct connection that citizens and local communities have with government.
Local authorities have a statutory requirement to prepare Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LA CAPs). These plans are due to be adopted in Q1 2024. The LA CAPs are an opportunity to further embed climate mitigation and adaptation at the local level and enhance local authorities’ ability to lead, coordinate and become agents of change in response to the ongoing climate crisis.
I have recognised and responded to the need for additional capacity within local authorities to support the delivery of LA CAPs. My Department authorised funding in 2022 to support the Local Authority Climate Action Plan process, including for the recruitment of specialist staff in each local authority to form the nucleus of climate action teams – a Climate Action Coordinator and Climate Action Officer.
In 2022, a total of €3.2 million was paid to the sector to begin the implementation of Phase 1 of the LA CAPs. By January 2024, I understand that 30 local authorities had hired a Climate Action Coordinator and 27 local authorities had hired a Climate Action Officer. A total of €4.7 million was paid out to the sector in 2023 for Phase 2 to develop the Local Authority Climate Action Plans.
My Department is currently preparing the Service Level Agreement for Phase 3 of the LA CAPs - implementation, which will cover the five year period 2024 - 2028. Recruitment, contract types and workforce planning for the supported climate posts are the responsibility of each local authority.
160. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if serious health and safety issues (details supplied) will be examined and addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7208/24]
View answerI have no role or statutory function in the matter raised by the Deputy.
The company has offered a contact freephone number and it is primarily a matter for the private mobile network operator, operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market to improve their service times. Moreover, as the Deputy raised health and safety issues, my officials contacted the Health and Safety Authority who stated that they have no function as they deal in occupational matters only. However, Kerry County Council state they will accept reports of these complaints, and those affected may report these health and safety issues to their offices at 066 7183500.
161. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he plans to legislate to prevent retail telecoms and broadband providers from offering variable priced contracts based on the Consumer Price Index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7212/24]
View answerThe pricing levels set by telecommunication services providers, including for mobile phone and broadband services, is a matter for those relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with Section 11 of the 2002 Act and is directly accountable for the performance of its functions to Committees of the Oireachtas in accordance with Section 34(2) of the same Act.
Any proposal to legislate to prevent retail telecoms and broadband providers from offering variable priced contracts based on the Consumer Price Index would require careful consideration.
162. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that offshore islands are exempt from the new EU legislation in regards to brown bin collection services; what food waste collection services are available to communities on offshore islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7222/24]
View answerWaste collection service providers are not currently required to provide a segregated waste collection service on the offshore islands. These exemptions were introduced to take account of the fact that it may not be possible for all such islands to be accessed by waste collection trucks.
In the absence of a dedicated food waste collection service householders on the offshore islands are encouraged to home compost their food waste where possible. Please see www.mywaste.ie/what-to-do-with-my-food-waste/ for further information.
I understand that the forthcoming Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy, which will launched by the local authority sector shortly, will include a specific action to address the issue of waste collection on our offshore islands through examining the existing waste collection systems and identifying appropriate enhancements in line with international best practice and the waste hierarchy.
163. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to review the level of grant-aid available to sports clubs for the installation of solar panels considering a 30% grant is insufficient to make the installation of panels by non-profit organisations economically justifiable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7235/24]
View answerThe Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was launched in December 2021, with the aim of supporting 380MW of new micro-generation capacity by 2030, under the Climate Action Plan 2021. The scheme provides support to domestic and non-domestic applicants to install solar PV panels, in the form of grants administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The non-domestic microgeneration scheme commenced on 22nd September 2022, providing support for solar installations up to 6kW to a variety of sectors including schools, businesses, small farms and community enterprises including sports clubs and associations. An extended funding range of up to €162,600 was introduced in July 2023 to support installation sizes up to 1,000 kWp (1 MW) capacity, on a pilot basis. This includes cohorts typically covered under the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS).
Since the launch of the amended non-domestic microgeneration scheme, there have been over 860 applications with committed costs of over €14 million, amounting to a total installation capacity of approximately 69 MW. While this level of interest suggests the grant scheme is working well, its operation will be kept under review by my Department in conjunction with the SEAI.
Organisations investing in microgeneration are also eligible to avail of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff, which allows renewable self-consumers to receive payment from their supplier for the excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value of the electricity. My Department is aware of export tariff rates of between €15.89c/kWh and €25c/kWh currently available, significantly reducing the payback period for a solar PV installation and protecting organisations from higher energy costs into the future.
164. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of delays in the community climate action fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7394/24]
View answerThe Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) aims to support community climate action projects and initiatives, as well as capacity building, over a number of years. The first phase of the Community Climate Action Programme will see more than €30 million from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) invested in supporting communities across the country to run direct climate action projects and initiatives under Strand 1/1a, as well as capacity building under Strand 2.
Under Strand 2, €5 million of the Programme was allocated for education, capacity building and learning by doing projects. There are 19 projects currently in delivery under this programme, run by Pobal. Strand 2 also saw the Creative Climate Action Programme move to its second phase of funding of €2.545 million for 39 projects approved in July 2023. These are currently being implemented with a completion target of 2025. 14 projects from Phase 1 of the Creative Climate Action Programme, which saw €1 million allocated from the Climate Action Fund, are now complete.
I’m aware that there have been delays in the roll-out of Strand 1/1a of the programme which focuses on building low carbon communities. Some of these delays were due to the time required to recruit the Community Climate Action Officers (CCAOs). A CCAO is needed in each Local Authority to engage with community groups on potential projects, assist them in their applications and recommend particular projects to my Department for partnership between the Local Authorities and community groups. It also took time to develop and agree the contract that is required to underpin the funding for Strand 1 and 1a of the CCAP.
The contracts are now in place and the applications were opened in each of the 31 Local Authorities by December 2023.
