Written Answers Nos. 105-120
105. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount allocated to the emigrant support programme in the years 2020 to 2024 and expected expenditure in 2025, in tabular form; the cost of increasing expenditure on this programme by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42840/24]
View answer106. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost to his Department of developing the Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42841/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together.
The Government’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025 reflects the evolving circumstances and needs of the Global Irish and sets out a number of principles and initiatives focused on sustaining and renewing a meaningful connection with our diaspora.
The strategy was shaped by contributions from hundreds of individuals and organisations both in Ireland and in Irish communities across the world. The cost of developing the Strategy itself was in the region of €45,000, with expenditure mainly related to the costs of hosting consultations in Ireland and key diaspora centres globally as well as the costs for graphic design and printing.
Delivery of the strategy is supported by the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which is managed by the Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Since its inception in 2004, the programme has assisted more than 850 organisations, in 51 countries, with total grants of more than €237 million.
Over the course of the Strategy, the emphasis of the Emigrant Support Programme has rightly remained on supporting culturally sensitive, frontline welfare services, targeted at the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities. We also continue to channel funding in support of cultural, heritage, business and Irish Studies projects. All of the projects supported are aligned with one or more of the key pillars of the Strategy.
In respect of the period referred to by the Deputy, the following sums were allocated in support of our global Irish communities as follows:
|
Year |
Allocated |
Comment |
|
2020 |
€13,195,000 |
|
|
2021 |
€13,693,800 |
|
|
2022 |
€14,923,000 |
|
|
2023 |
€17,843,000 |
Includes a specific allocation of capital funding |
Work continues on the 2024 programme and it is expected that over €16 million in grants will be disbursed this year to Irish community organisations and related projects all over the world.
The 2025 allocation will be €16,493,000.
107. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the allocation to the reconciliation fund in 2024; the allocated expenditure in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42842/24]
View answerIn Budget 2024, I secured a 40% increase in the allocation to the Reconciliation Fund to €7.045m. This increase has allowed the Fund, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, to provide enhanced support this year for projects and organisations that seek either to address the drivers of division, conflict, and barriers, or to build a strong civil society that encompasses all communities. The typical grant is around €25,000, but awards can be as small as €2,000.
The Reconciliation Fund supports a wide variety of organisations in the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities in Northern Ireland and border counties as well as organisations working on a north-south basis, along with a small number of organisations based in Britain. All projects supported by the Fund must be aligned to the Reconciliation Fund Strategy, available on my Department’s website.
For 2025, it is planned to retain the Reconciliation Fund at 2024 levels. A new strategy for 2025-2029 is in preparation and my Department will be carrying out consultations throughout Northern Ireland and border counties in the coming months to ensure that the Fund continues to support our vision of a reconciled Ireland and that the strategy remains relevant, effective and efficient over the coming years. The window of application for the Fund's 12-month grants will open in February, under the new strategy.
A full list of the organisations which received funding from the Reconciliation Fund since 2012 to present is available on my Department’s website : www.gov.ie/en/service/acf50-reconciliation-fund/#annual-round-funding.
108. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff employed in the Passport Service; the cost of increasing staffing levels by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42844/24]
View answerThe Passport Service has issued over 910,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times with the majority of adult online renewal applications issuing within two working days.
There are currently 794 staff employed in the Passport Service. Staffing levels reached 847 officers during the busy summer season. The adequate staffing of the Passport Service, to respond to demand, continues to be a priority for the Department and is kept under constant review. Recruitment to address staffing needs is ongoing and the Department recently ran a Temporary Clerical Officer competition for the Passport Service to ensure that adequate staffing is in place to meet demand for the rest of this year and into next year.
With regard to the Deputy's question relating to increasing staffing levels in the passport service by increments of 5% (40 staff), 10% (80 staff), 15% (120 staff) and 20% (160 staff), the costs are outlined in Table 1 below. Costs are based on the salary costs associated with Clerical Officers (COs), Executive Officers (EOs), and Higher Executive Officers (HEOS) on the mid-point of the scale and include the employer's PRSI contribution costs. The management structure outlined in the table correlates to the ratio of Higher Executive Officers and Executive Officers to Clerical Officers typical in the Passport Service. These costs do not include additional costs that would be incurred by an increase in staff including accommodation, utilities and equipment costs.
Table 1 – Estimated Salary & PRSI Costs of Additional Staff
|
Number of Additional Staff |
Salary & PRSI Costs |
|
40 (36 COs, 4 EOs) |
€1,752,500 |
|
80 (71 COs, 8 EOs, 1 HEO) |
€3,533,179 |
|
120 (106 COs, 12 EOs, 2 HEOs) |
€5,313,857 |
|
160 (139 COs, 18 EOs, 3 HEOs) |
€7,118,088 |
109. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to detail Ireland’s contribution in 2024 to the European Peace Facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42845/24]
View answerEstablished in 2021, the European Peace Facility (EPF) has three main aims: funding the common costs of the EU’s military missions and operations under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); financing Peace Support Operations led by international and regional organisations, and partner countries around the world; and strengthening the military and defence capacities of third states and international organisations on military and defence measures.
Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has led to the unprecedented mobilisation of the EPF to provide military assistance to Ukraine in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
The current overall budget ceiling for the EPF for the period from 2021-2027 is approximately €17 billion, having been increased in March to include €5 billion in dedicated funding for Ukraine.
In line with the Programme for Government, all of Ireland’s EPF contributions are directed solely towards non-lethal assistance. Ireland’s contributions to the EPF are calculated proportionally, based on a GNI key and spread across the life-cycle of the EPF from 2021-2027. The total amount payable annually depends on the actual assistance measures and the financing for missions and operations agreed under the EPF, up to the total annual commitment ceilings set out in Council Decision 890/2024.
Contributions under the EPF are shared between the Department of Foreign Affairs (Vote 28), which covers costs of Assistance Measures, and the Department of Defence (Vote 36) which covers costs of the EU’s military CSDP Missions and Operations.
Ireland’s contributions to date under the EPF for 2024 are below. Given the multi annual nature of the instrument, some payments for 2024 were made in 2023. Further contributions will be made before year end 2024, within the agreed payment ceiling.
|
Year |
Contribution in millions (DFA) |
Contribution in millions (Defence) |
Total 2024 Contribution in millions |
|
2024 |
24.813 |
1.773 |
26.586 |
110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) who is having ongoing difficulties obtaining same since their application for naturalisation was granted last year; if clarification can be provided regarding the documentation outstanding in this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43075/24]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended. The Passport Service requires the submission of many key supporting document in all first-time passport applications. The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously.
With regard to the application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was cancelled in June 2023. The applicant reapplied in August 2024. The Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly, in relation to the application, to outline what is required to progress their application.
111. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on relations between Ireland and Kuwait. [43127/24]
View answerIreland enjoys good relations with Kuwait. Ambassador Alison Milton, based in Abu Dhabi, represents Ireland in Kuwait. Kuwait opened an Embassy in Dublin in 2022, and Ambassador Mohammad M F M Al-Mohammad presented credentials to President Higgins in February 2023.
Relations between Ireland and Kuwait continue to develop, with the main areas of cooperation being in education, healthcare and advanced technologies. Kuwaiti students make up a large proportion of students studying in Ireland from the Gulf States. These scholarship students were previously supported by the Kuwaiti Cultural Office, which has since been incorporated into the Kuwaiti Embassy. A large cohort of the Kuwaiti students focus their studies in the fields of medicine and medicinal related disciplines.
Kuwait has long played a constructive role in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with which Ireland and the EU engage regularly on various issues. Ireland and Kuwait were both represented at the first EU-GCC Summit meeting in Brussels last week.
112. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of vacant properties owned by his Department; and the number of which are houses or residential properties. [43144/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs does not own or lease any properties within this jurisdiction. The Office of Public Works is responsible for all accommodation utilised by the Department of Foreign Affairs within the state.
113. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when retired An Post workers will receive the 2% pay increase due to them ten months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43104/24]
View answerUnder section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications ('MECC'), with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform ('MPENDR'), approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post.
In accordance with the act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both MECC and MPENDR to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme ("the scheme"). On June 21st 2024 An Post wrote to my Department seeking consent for amendments to the scheme, namely a 2% increase for pensions in payment and deferred pensions with effect from January 2024.
In line with both the Code of Practice for State Bodies and transfer of powers from Min/Finance to MPENDR which are contained in the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983, Ministerial consent was granted and has been conveyed to An Post on 21 of October 2024.
114. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to specify the agreed or provisionally agreed auction contracts under RESS 1, RESS 2, RESS 3 and RESS 4 respectively; the number of successful projects; the total capacity of successful projects; and the percentage share of total successful projects that are that are wholly or partly owned by ESB and its subsidiaries, in tabular form. [42437/24]
View answerUnder the Climate Action Plan 2023, Government has set an ambitious target of having an 80% share of electricity generation capacity coming from renewable sources by 2030.
In order to build on this success and increase wind and solar generation on the grid, my Department is delivering a regular programme of auctions under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).
The RESS auctions provide pathways for renewable developers to plan and develop their projects, with supported technologies including, but not limited to, onshore wind, solar, and hybrids (co-located wind, solar, and/or storage).
Details of projects successful in each of the RESS auctions are publicly available on the EirGrid RESS website, and RESS projects which have energised and are eligible for PSO support are listed on the annual PSO Statutory Instrument, the most recent of which can be found on the statute book website here: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/si/377/made/en/pdf
Given the Department's role in overseeing the RESS auctions and potential regular changes in the corporate structure of projects, it is not appropriate or feasible to provide a breakdown of ownership of RESS projects by an individual company. Information submitted at the time of the auction was at a point in time, and ownership (either in part or in its entirety) could have changed in the period since the auction. The ownership, partial ownership and potential ownership of individual projects is submitted to and taken into account by the CRU in the role of determining competition within individual RESS auctions.
The table sets out the aggregate information requested for the four RESS auctions to date:
|
- |
successful |
unsuccessful |
successful MW |
unsuccessful MW |
successful GWh |
unsuccessful GWh |
|
RESS 1 |
82 |
26 |
1,276 |
283.4 |
2,236.7 |
317.24 |
|
RESS 2 |
80 |
50 |
1,948 |
999.8 |
2,747.9 |
1,024.5 |
|
RESS 3 |
23 |
8 |
646 |
247.7 |
934.48 |
289.09 |
|
RESS 4 |
27 |
16 |
1,334 |
513 |
2,071 |
513 |
115. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to specify the agreed or provisionally agreed auction contracts under ORESS 1 and ORESS 2.1 respectively; the number of successful projects; and the total capacity of successful projects and the percentage share of total successful projects that are that are wholly or partly owned by ESB and its subsidiaries, in tabular form of. [42438/24]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) supports delivery of our Climate Action Plan target of meeting 80% of electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2030.
In 2023, my Department staged our first offshore wind auction under the RESS, known as ORESS 1. Of the six participants in the auction, four were successful and were awarded supports under the RESS. These four projects account for a total capacity of approximately 3.1 GW. None of the four successful projects involves ESB or its subsidiaries.
The two projects unsuccessful in the auction account for another 1.2 GW approximately. These two projects are pursuing an alternative, non-RESS supported route to market and if successful will contribute to our 2030 target of 5GW installed offshore renewable energy capacity in the same manner.
My Department's next offshore wind auction, known as ORESS Tonn Nua (formerly ORESS 2.1), is expected to take place in the first half of 2025. This auction will be for a single 900 MW site located in the South DMAP, recently approved by the Oireachtas.
|
ORESS 1 Successful Projects |
Capacity MW |
% ESB ownership |
|
Codling Wind Park |
1,300 |
Nil |
|
Sceirde Rocks Windfarm |
450 |
Nil |
|
Dublin Array |
824 |
Nil |
|
North Irish Sea Array |
500 |
Nil |
|
TOTAL |
3,074 |
116. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered the ban of polystyrene used for insulation as it is banned under the single use plastics Directive, considering its harmful effects to the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42495/24]
View answerThe EU Single Use Plastics Directive, which came into effect in Ireland in July 2021, banned a range of single use plastic products, where more sustainable alternatives are easily available and affordable. This ban includes single use beverage cups and food containers made from expanded polystyrene.
Polystyrene used for insulation is not covered by the Single Use Plastics Directive nor are there any plans to bring this within the scope of the Directive.
Insulation materials must be high performance and durable over a long period. The materials used must be manufactured to a relevant Irish, British or European Standard and be certified by the NSAI Agrément or equivalent.
Contractors installing insulation under any scheme supported by a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant must carry out the works using approved materials and in line with the SEAI’s 'Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications' as well as best practice and technical guidance documents, including:
- S.R. 54:2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings;
- Building Regulations Technical Guidance Documents (Latest updates of Part L, Part B, Part C, Part D, Part F, Part J, Part M in particular);- The System Supplier/ Product Manufacturer Guidelines;- National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Agrément certificates; and- Irish, British or European Standards Guides.
117. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that some bin collection companies have raised their collection fees, referring to an increase in the waste levy; whether there has been an increase in waste levy this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42499/24]
View answerWaste Management is statutorily a local authority function. Generally, household waste collections are carried out by private waste companies operating in a competitive market, in accordance with the requirements of their waste collection permits as issued by the National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO).
There has been no increase in the Waste Recovery Levy rate which remains constant at €10/tonne since it was first introduced in September 2023.
118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for the breakdown of the funding provided for community energy grants in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42529/24]
View answerThe Communities Energy Grant Scheme is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme. The primary objective of the scheme is to support and maximise the number of home energy upgrades delivered. Non-domestic projects are also supported to encourage broader community engagement and mobilisation.
Other objectives include:
• Building capacity working with project co-ordinators on large-scale and complex projects
• Supporting cross-sectoral, partnership approaches targeting public, private, commercial and community buildings
• Encouraging the retrofitting of rental properties
• Helping develop the retrofit supply chain
• Building relationships with communities and businesses
• Developing community project management capacity
The figures below set out the capital expenditure on the Community Energy Grant Scheme in the period 2020-2023:
• 2023: €27m
• 2022: €17.3m
• 2021: €21.8m
• 2020: €18.7m
A capital funding budget of €45 million has been allocated to the Community Energy Grant Scheme for 2024. A number of changes to the Scheme Guidelines were introduced this year including:
• Support for projects focused solely on residential upgrades;
• Improved supports to address the particular challenge of retrofitting Multi-Unit Developments such as flat complexes, including scaffolding and communal areas, and,
• A pilot focused on area-based home retrofit projects which will encourage CEG Project Coordinators, Local Authorities and local energy agencies to collaborate with an ethos of leaving no home behind.
Budget 2025 included a record allocation of €469 million from the Carbon Tax for Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV (photovoltaic) Scheme. The final details of the capital and current 2025 funding allocations to each SEAI scheme and the 2025 retrofit targets are currently being finalised as part of preparations for the 2025 Revised Estimates Volume (REV 2025).
119. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for the breakdown of the funding provided for domestic solar photovoltaic systems in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42530/24]
View answerThe Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government on 21 December 2021, to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installations, under the Climate Action Plan. The MSS provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €2,100 in 2024 for Domestic installations. These are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The SEAI maintains data regarding the financing and functioning of the Domestic Solar PV scheme and the previous pilot scheme it replaced in 2022 and has facilitated the information in response to your question. Past allocations of capital and current funding to the SEAI in respect of the Domestic Solar PV scheme are as follows:The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government on 21 December 2021, to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installations, under the Climate Action Plan. The MSS provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €2,100 in 2024 for Domestic installations. These are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The SEAI maintains data regarding the financing and functioning of the Domestic Solar PV scheme and the previous pilot scheme it replaced in 2022 and has facilitated the information in response to your question. Past allocations of capital and current funding to the SEAI in respect of the Domestic Solar PV sc
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
|
Capital |
€6,500,000 |
€11,000,000 |
€14,000,000 |
€28,770,000 |
€54,000,000 |
Not yet |
|
Current |
€200,000 |
€500,000 |
€680,000 |
€630,000 |
€680,000 |
Avail. |
Due to the success of this scheme and resultant high grant uptake levels, the initial capital allocations in 2020, 2022 and 2023 were exceeded, requiring the provision of additional funds, bringing the total supports provided to:
|
2020 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
Total capital provided |
€ 7,600,000 |
€ 25,200,000 |
€ 52,900,000 |
It is also projected that the total capital funding requirement for 2024 will amount to €67.3m. These funds have been made available by my Department, who are also currently conducting discussions with the relevant stakeholders on resources that will be required in 2025.
120. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for a breakdown of the funding provided for community solar photovoltaic systems in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42535/24]
View answerThe Programme for Government committed to the development of a Solar Energy Strategy for rooftop and ground-based photovoltaics to ensure that a greater share of our electricity needs is met through solar power.
The Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) Community Enabling Framework was launched in 2022. It 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), including one solar and one wind, have received €40,000 each in grant funding.
My Department is working closely with the SEAI and community groups to assess the barriers to community energy projects, to ensure a long term sustainable future for the community energy sector in Ireland. In that regard, community projects will now transition to the non-competitive Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS), enabling community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition.
The first phase of SRESS was launched in July 2023. This sees both SRESS and the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) providing support to communities, larger businesses, farms, and public buildings, with grants that support solar installations for self-consumption. These non-domestic scheme grants are supporting renewables self-consumers to invest in systems of up to 1MW in size. A total of 1,923 grants applications have been received, including, for the Community and Sports Sector 103 grant applications amounting to funding of €910,109 and a total installation capacity of over 7.7 MW.
The export project tariff phase of SRESS, is due to open for applications by the end of the year, and will be a major step forward in supporting the community energy sector and a key building block in delivering on the solar strategy.
