Written Answers Nos. 62-81
62. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a schedule of all foreign travel undertaken by him and his accompanying officials in 2023 and 2024, including flight, hotel, transfers and other miscellaneous costs. [1861/25]
View answerThe table below outlines the dates and destinations of foreign travel undertaken by the Tánaiste in 2023 and the associated travel and hotel costs for the Tánaiste and other members of travelling delegations.
In some cases, there were no travel costs charged to the Department or reduced costs, as Ministerial Air Transport was organised by the Air Corps, while in other cases there were no accommodation costs or reduced costs, as the host authorities covered some or all costs.
The Department is currently compiling details of flight costs and hotel costs for the Tánaiste and accompanying delegations for 2024.
64. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide details of any public contracts in his Department provided to companies or individuals who do not pay tax in Ireland, including the names of the contractor, value of the contract and purpose of the contract, in tabular form. [2035/25]
View answerThe policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering in order to achieve best value for money.
Procurement takes place in the context of EU Directives and supported by procurement guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). The Department participates fully in on-going initiatives of the OGP focusing especially on achieving procurement savings and delivering value for money, including the use of shared framework agreements for the provision of different categories of supplies and services. Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers through the submission of tenders following advertisement. It is open to companies and individuals who are tax resident outside of Ireland to participate in tender competitions.
It is a condition of a contract award that successful tenderer(s) shall for the term of such contract(s), comply with all EU and domestic tax laws. My Department requires that successful tenderers supply a Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax reference Number to facilitate online verification of its tax status prior to making payment. This does not provide my Department with information as to the tax residency of the suppliers. Therefore, the information requested is not available to my Department.
65. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide details of any public contracts issued to a company (details supplied) over the last 10 years, including the value of the contract and the purpose of the contract, in tabular form. [2053/25]
View answerThe Department has reviewed its records and there are no payments over the last 10 years, to the companies named by the Deputy.
66. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the current situation in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2079/25]
View answerThe Government is deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus, and Alexander Lukashenko regime’s continued persecution and intimidation of all segments of Belarusian society. The Lukashenko regime has consistently used state sponsored crack-downs to stifle opposition voices and shore up its own illegitimate authoritarianism. It is clear that this unprecedented level of repression is intended to stop any criticism of the regime.
Based on the fraudulent 2020 and 2024 elections, I assume that the Belarusian presidential election scheduled to take place on 26 January 2025 will be neither free nor fair, and will not result in any change in regime in Minsk. I regret that the Lukashenko regime has prevented an election observation mission from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe / Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) access to key stages of the forthcoming election process, making meaningful observation of the 2025 presidential election impossible.
Ireland’s response to the situation in Belarus has focused on working bilaterally, at EU and multilateral level to: highlight concerns regarding the overall political climate, lack of respect for human rights and freedom of expression, and persecution of political opponents; support accountability initiatives; support the democratic opposition in exile, and; support the courageous human rights defenders and civil society organisations who continue their important work despite the increasing risks.
For example, in 2024, Ireland co-hosted a side event at the Human Rights Council entitled “Belarus: Crackdown on Civil Society Continues”, to hear from the Special Rapporteur on Belarus and representatives of civil society organisations on the needs of civil society and the human rights situation in Belarus.
My Department has provided bilateral funding to Viasna, an NGO which provides medical, psychological and humanitarian support to current and former political prisoners. My Department has also provided funding to several other Belarusian civil society projects, including in support of independent media, through grants provided by the European Endowment for Democracy.
In response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the EU has adopted a wide range of sanctions targeting both Russia and Belarus. These are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history, with over 2,000 individuals and entities now subject to EU restrictive measures.
The current measures targeting Belarus build on the restrictive measures first introduced by the EU following the presidential election in Belarus in August 2020 and the crackdown on peaceful protesters, democratic opposition and journalists that followed.
On 29 June 2024, the EU adopted further measures against Belarus, in view of its involvement in Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, with the aim of further aligning with the Russia regime and combatting circumvention. Ireland will continue to support measures to combat circumvention and maintain pressure on Russia, including by limiting its access to sensitive items and battlefield goods.
In December 2024, the Foreign Affairs Council agreed proposals to add further listings to the list of persons subject to EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
The Government continues to support strong coordinated EU sanctions and other measures, including action at the UN, to hold Belarus accountable for its violations of human rights and the rule of law, and its complicity in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
67. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the number of current and planned global Irish diplomatic missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2081/25]
View answerThe Global Ireland Strategy was launched by Government in 2018 with the aim of doubling Ireland’s footprint and impact by 2025. Under the strategy, Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with the opening of twenty-two new missions under the Strategy. A further five new diplomatic missions were announced in March 2024 with new Embassies in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Moldova, and new Consulates General in Málaga and Melbourne.
When these new diplomatic missions are established it will bring the total number of new diplomatic missions opened under the Global Ireland Strategy to twenty-seven and the total number of Ireland’s diplomatic missions to 107.
This wider and deeper international presence is helping Ireland promote our economic interest and our values in a changing and uncertain international landscape. It has also assisted Ireland in promoting our culture and in building stronger bridges with our diaspora.
Increasingly, where feasible, the focus and nature of our missions is the Ireland House model, where diplomatic and State Agency colleagues work together as a single team, under one roof, winning investments, exports and jobs for Ireland. At present, there are 19 Ireland Houses including the recently opened flagship Ireland House in New York. New Ireland Houses are currently under development including in Chicago, Tokyo and London, and others are planned in Toronto and Milan. This will bring the total number of Ireland Houses to 23 by the end of 2026.
68. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of civil servants in his Department, and in agencies under the aegis of his Department, who were on career break in 2023 or 2024, by month and grade, and by length of career break; the number of civil servants in his Department and in agencies under the aegis of his Department who were on career break for longer than five years or longer than six years in 2023 or 2024, by month, grade, and length of career break, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46189/24]
View answerThe number of civil servants in my Department who were on career break in 2023 or 2024, by month and grade, and by length of career break and the number of civil servants in my Department who were on career break for longer than five years or longer than six years in 2023 or 2024, by month, grade, and length of career break, is set out in tabular form in the file attached.
Staffing is an operational matter for those Agencies under the aegis of my Department and I have asked those bodies to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
69. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of vacancies, by month and by grade, in his Department, and in agencies under the aegis of his Department, in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46207/24]
View answerI am advised that the number of vacancies, by month and by grade, in my Department in 2023 and 2024 is as set out in the table below.
Staffing is an operational matter for those Agencies under the aegis of my Department and I have asked those bodies to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
70. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an assurance that no civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years where there is a suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency; that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years on account of there being no suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency, that they have been placed on a redeployment panel; that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond six years, consideration has been given to facilitating them on a supernumerary basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46225/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that in my term as Minister that no civil servant had their career break extended beyond five years where there was a suitable vacancy in my Department.
In the case where a civil servant had their career break extended beyond five years on account of there being no suitable vacancy, this was to facilitate the redeployment/transfer of this civil servant.
My Department had two cases where a civil servant had their career break extended beyond six years. Consideration was not given to facilitating either officer on a supernumerary basis as neither civil servant indicated they wished to return to my Department and the matter was addressed through resignation and the aforementioned redeployment/transfer, respectively.
71. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications of those in fuel poverty, how many people got boiler and/or full heating upgrades out of the total number who applied under the warmer homes scheme. [46481/24]
View answerThe Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in, or at risk of, energy poverty through the provision of free energy upgrades. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of the Government. The scheme is funded through carbon tax receipts via the Exchequer and by the European Regional Development Fund. Budget 2025 allocated a record €280 million for the scheme this year.
Until 31 December 2024, in order to comply with Building Regulations requirements where a major renovation is taking place under the scheme, a new gas or oil heating system could be recommended for installation and funded.
However, under the revised EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), Member States cannot provide financial incentives for the installation of stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels from 1 January 2025. Therefore, since January 1 2025, the SEAI does not recommend the installation of new stand-alone oil or gas boilers as an upgrade measure when surveying homes under this scheme.
Since 1 January, where a heating system upgrade is required under the Building Regulations for major renovations taking place under the scheme, the SEAI will instead assess the suitability of the home for a heat pump, and other renewable heating technologies, which are compliant with the EPBD. Homes surveyed and recommended for a boiler upgrade prior to 1 January are not affected by this change and planned works already communicated to homeowners, including boiler upgrades, will continue.
Based on provisional property upgrade data for 2024, 7,743 homes were upgraded under the scheme at an average cost of €27,411. Of this number 2,038 homes received a heating system upgrade as part of a major renovation. In some cases, no heating system existed prior to these upgrades. 49 homes had heat pumps installed and the remainder (1,989) had high-efficiency boilers installed to replace older, inefficient or broken systems.
72. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of inequality within the warmer homes scheme; if he agrees that the people who qualify for the ‘free’ scheme are treated differently/less favourably to people who qualify for the one-stop shop funding (details supplied); and the reason there are more options and more funding available for those with more disposable income. [46482/24]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households in, or at risk of, energy poverty is a top priority for the Government. In 2024, over 7,700 fully funded upgrades were provided at an average cost of almost €27,500.
Under the scheme, the upgrades recommended for a given property depend on many factors, including age, type and condition of the property. For each eligible home, an SEAI technical surveyor determines which upgrades can be installed and funded. These can include:
• attic insulation and appropriate ventilation;
• wall insulation and appropriate ventilation – cavity wall, external wall or dry lining depending on the property;
• secondary measures – lagging jackets, draughtproofing, energy efficient lighting; and
• in certain circumstances, renewable heating systems, window replacements.
The scheme guidelines can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/grants/home-energy-grants/fully-funded-upgrades-for-eligible-homes/SCHEME-GUIDELINES.pdf. These scheme guidelines are informed by the Building Regulations, incorporating NSAI S.R.54: 2014 - Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings.
The upgrades available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the programme. Under the scheme, attic insulation works are carried out by insulating at ceiling level. The programme does not insulate at rafter level apart from sloped ceilings which are recommended for upgrades on a case-by- case basis. The provision of insulation at rafter level can differ significantly between homes, requiring bespoke solutions outside the scope of the programme. The Deputy may wish to note that a 5 square metre storage floor is provided where the homeowner wants to store items in the attic, along with guidance on how to protect items stored in the attic.
73. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the protections that are in place for the use of public money as part of Ireland's ambitious retrofitting programme overseen by the SEAI (details supplied). [46505/24]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of home energy upgrade schemes on behalf of my Department. The day-to-day management of the grant schemes including the quality assurance of individual registered contractors are operational matters for the SEAI.
Contractors operating under any relevant SEAI scheme must carry out the works in line with the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice and Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications as well as best practice and technical guidance documents including:
• NSAI S.R. 54:2014 - Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings;
• Building Regulations Technical Guidance Documents;
• The System Supplier/Product Manufacturer Guidelines;
• Irish Agrément Certificates; and
• Irish, British or European Standards Guides.
Contractors are also required to demonstrate their tax compliance and insurance cover and cooperate with a scheme's Quality Assurance (QA) programme. The QA programme has been designed by the SEAI to maintain high standards of contractor workmanship; build consumer confidence; monitor health and safety; and ensure proper governance of the spending of public money.
Further protections in place include the requirement that a Declaration of Works be signed by both the homeowner and the contractor certifying completion of works as well as a post-works Building Energy Ratings (BER) carried out by an independent BER assessor.
In addition, regular inspections of works, which can take place at prepayment or post-payment stage, are undertaken by the SEAI on a risk-based approach in accordance with international best practice. The SEAI deals with all complaints received and this also informs the risk-based approach to inspections. When sub-standard works are found, contractors are required to rectify the works to the satisfaction of the inspector, at no cost to the homeowner.
The SEAI operate under a Customer Charter and a complaints and appeals procedure is in place. If after following this procedure an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome, they can ask the Office of the Ombudsman for an independent review of the complaint. Further details are available here: www.seai.ie/customer-charter.
74. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what provisions are made for those who are unable to avail of the electricity credit allowance due to the meter being installed by the landlord (details supplied). [46547/24]
View answerBudget 2025 provided a €2.6 billion package of social protection measures to support households, individuals and businesses impacted by the increases in prices from recent high levels of inflation. It also introduced the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme IV through which over 2.2 million households will receive two payments of €125 (inclusive of VAT) in the November/December 2024 and January/February 2025 billing cycles, at a total cost of €520 million (excluding VAT). The payments apply 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).
While the majority of residential tenants will hold their own domestic electricity accounts, and therefore receive the credit directly, others could have tenancy agreements where tenants pay their actual share of each bill and, in those cases, will benefit from the payment because the amount of the bill will be reduced by the amount of the payment. A small proportion could have other arrangements in place whereby electricity costs are part of the rental cost. Where tenants have a dispute relating to tenancies including any terms relating to electricity payments, these can be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for dispute resolution.
In addition, the Submeter Support Scheme II was established to provide equivalent support to households where electricity is supplied via a ‘supplier submeter’ installed by an electricity supplier. This situation occurs where an existing dwelling has been divided for the purposes of accommodating additional people and provides an independent meter for this accommodation. Examples of this situation would include a secondary suite, or house being modified to contain further distinct units than for which it was initially purposed.
The Scheme allows for review by a domestic electricity customer’s supplier, where the customer has not received the payment. The customer can seek further review by the CRU, which has oversight of the Scheme, following the decision of the electricity supplier. CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members at oireachtas@cru.ie, which enables them to raise matters directly to the CRU.
75. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on behalf of a transition year student at a school (details supplied), who is part of the Young Social Innovators programme, whether a mechanism could be introduced on the return deposit scheme machines to donate all or part of the returned deposit to charity. [46562/24]
View answerThe Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) provides a great fund-raising opportunity for charities, schools, clubs and local groups. While the facility to allow a consumer donate directly from a reverse vending machine (RVM) is still at trial stage, there are a number of existing options for charities and communities to benefit from the Scheme.
‘Return for Children’ is a new charity fund-raising initiative launched by Re-turn, the DRS operator, and is designed for large-scale events such as festivals, concerts and sporting matches as it provides attendees with the option of donating their bottle and can deposits at designated Re-turn bins, with the proceeds going to the six national children’s charities who are supported by this initiative. To date, over €90,000 has been raised for the Return for Children initiative. An information pack is available on Re-turn’s website for any organisation wishing to participate in this initiative.
There has also been high interest from other charity and community groups who wish to participate in DRS and almost 2,000 groups have registered with Re-turn for fund-raising activities. Re-turn are providing bins or bags where appropriate and information packs are available on the Re-turn website so assist with communications and signage.
Further information on DRS fund-raising opportunities can be found on Re-turn’s website at www.re-turn.ie/community.
76. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans for current and future upgrading of the broadband infrastructure in rural parts of Cork, in particular the village of Liscarroll, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46572/24]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, over 326,300 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 111,500 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.
In the Deputy’s own county of Cork over 35,180 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 12,650 premises now connected. A further 46,820 premises in Cork will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the contract.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork and can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators’ in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
Liscarroll Village is within the BLUE area on the broadband map which is available on my Department's website www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/.
The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and the Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
If a person lives in the BLUE area and after contacting their Retail Service Provider are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query via the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) webform at secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and the Department will escalate with the commercial operator to investigate this matter further.
77. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline any scheme administered by his Department whereby recipients of fuel allowance can have solar panels installed, either free of charge or heavily grant-aided. [46588/24]
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 support to both domestic and non-domestic applicants in the form of grants to support solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2025 for household installations, available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Homes built prior to 2021 are eligible for the domestic solar PV grant, with further details available on www.seai.ie. Recipients of the Fuel Allowance are eligible for free energy upgrades through the Warmer Homes Scheme, administered by the SEAI. The scheme seeks to reduce the amount of energy a household needs by reducing heat loss through the installation of insulation and ventilation in the first instance, before moving to replacing heating systems where required under Building Regulations. This is in line with the fabric first/energy efficiency first principle and best practice. SEAI are currently piloting the installation of renewable technologies, mainly heat pumps, where a major renovation is taking place. The purpose of the pilot is to test the capabilities and the suitability of installing heat pumps in the context of energy poverty objectives for the Warmer Homes Programme. While Solar PV is not currently offered as a standard upgrade under the scheme, SEAI data indicates that in a small number of homes in the pilot, Solar PV has also been installed with a heat pump with the aim of providing further insights in relation to running costs and uptake. The learnings from piloting PV installations will also inform the approach to compliance with future changes to the Building Regulations for major renovations under the scheme.
78. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when full telephone and broadband reception will be available at Dromid, Waterville and at Ballycleave, Glenbeigh on the N70 Ring of Kerry route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46603/24]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that over 326,300 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 111,500 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.
In the Deputy’s own county of Kerry over 19,000 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 5,350 premises now connected. A further 9,000 premises in Kerry will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the contract.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Kerry and can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators’ in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity Strategy are achieved.
Open eir have already passed over 54,130 homes and businesses in Kerry with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c. 11,430 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years. SIRO are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Kerry having recently passed over 16,799 premises for full fibre.
Dromod, Waterville is an area located in the AMBER area on the broadband map which is available on my Department’s website www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/.
The AMBER area is to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to this area can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s website at nbi.ie/map/.
This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time.
There is no record of Ballycleave, Glenbeigh available on the broadband map. However, Ballintleave, Glenbeigh is within the BLUE area on the broadband map.
The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
If a person lives in the BLUE area and after contacting their Retail Service Provider are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query via the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications webform at secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and the Department will escalate with the commercial operator to investigate this matter further.
The mobile coverage within the townlands of Dromod and Ballintleave is classified as “good” and “very good” for 4G connectivity.
Outdoor Mobile Coverage can be reviewed by the public on coveragemap.comreg.ie/map .
79. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what plans are in place to progress the Shannon LNG storage facility at Ballylongford in Kerry, now that planning permissions have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46604/24]
View answerThis is a private project and queries in relation to private projects should be addressed to the developer.
Government policy in relation to gas storage to support energy security is set out in Energy Security Package published in November 2023.
80. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what interaction he has had with Bord na Móna on its decision to dispose of AES recycling; his views on the impact of the disposal of waste management in Ireland; whether he will intervene to ensure that the company is not disposed of but remains a key part of Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46609/24]
View answerBord na Móna is a commercial State body under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. The Department understands that Bord na Móna Recycling is undergoing a strategic review, with disposal being one of the options under consideration. My Department continues to engage in dialogue on all governance related matters, including the aforementioned, with Bord na Móna.
81. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if further consideration will be given to the issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46860/24]
View answerMy Department is providing funding of €10 million per annum over a three-year fixed term, 2023-2025, to An Post to support a sustainable, nationwide post office network.
There is an existing network of some 900 post offices in the country made up of company offices and contractor post offices. All contractor post offices are benefiting from the Government funding with the objective of securing the stability of the network during the three-year funding period.
The provision of funding to Postmasters is contributing towards ensuring that the public have access to important socially valuable services across the post office network, and that the network is of sufficient scale right across the country. The funding provides time and space for An Post to accelerate the transformation and commercialisation of the network, to ensure a relevant, commercially viable network delivering more services to citizens and small businesses.
Decisions relating to the network, including actively seeking new business and exploring opportunities to develop new or enhanced product lines, are operational matters for the board and management of the company and not matters in which I, as Minister, have a direct function.
