Written Answers Nos. 102-121
102. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures being taken to address poor air quality in breach of World Health Organisation guidelines, to identify particular towns or geographical areas of concern to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1713/25]
View answerThe Clean Air Strategy published in 2023 set outs our ambition in relation to reaching the WHO guidelines by 2040 and the roadmap for how this will be achieved. In addition, the new EU ambient air quality Directive will set more stringent legally binding limits for Ireland to achieve by 2030 and plans are already in development to support achievement of these levels. Ireland is currently not in exceedance of any of our legal requirements for air quality levels.
The EPA annual air quality report for 2023 sets out the data from all monitoring stations in relation to all current limits and guidelines and a list of all the stations data can be found here - www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/air/air-quality-in-ireland-2023.php
103. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if solar farm developers receive grants or subsidies to develop solar farms; if the electricity they generate on solar farms is subsidised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1716/25]
View answerThe Government has set a target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030, including a specific target of 8 GW of solar capacity.
My Department has established two key support schemes to meet these targets, addressing large-scale and smaller-scale generators. The first element, the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), is characterised by a series of competitive auctions, with four to date held in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The RESS support price is set in a competitive auction where successful applicants are offered a two-way support arrangement for a period of up to 16.5 years. This arrangement guarantees developers and consumers a stable electricity price for that period. The scheme is funded via the Public Service Obligation (PSO).
The Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) also provides financial incentives to develop smaller scale solar and wind energy, and was designed with two support mechanisms to suit two distinct cohorts of applicants.
Under SRESS Phase 1, grants are available for renewables self-consumers above 50 kW and up to 1 MW. Renewables self-consumers are electricity customers who produce renewable electricity for their own use. They may then sell or store any excess electricity that they produce, if electricity generation is not their primary business.
SRESS Phase 2 targets community, SME and farm export projects above 50kW to 6MW, offering a simpler route to market, with fixed tariffs for solar and wind. As with RESS, this is supported by the PSO. All export projects up to 1MW can also apply to SRESS, and need not be communities, SMEs or farmers. The scheme is due to open for applications on 27 January.
104. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the full address and Eircode of each property that is directly occupied by his Department where that address is located in Dublin, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1762/25]
View answerThe Department has four occupied buildings in Dublin the addresses and eircodes are below.
|
Building |
eircode |
|
Tom Johnson House, Haddington Road, Dublin 4 |
D04K7X4 |
|
Booterstown Hall, Booterstown Avenue, Blackrock Co.Dublin |
A94NZR6 |
|
GSI Corestore,Carmenhall Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18 |
D18H3A4 |
|
Unit 4036, Kingswood Ave, Citywest Business Park, Dublin 24 |
D24VY00 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
105. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications 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. [1859/25]
View answerMy Department has collated the information requested by the Deputy in respect of all foreign travel undertaken in my capacity as Minster for the Environment, Climate and Communications and my accompanying officials in 2023 and 2024 and this is set out in the table below. This covers all travel which has been processed through the Department to date.
2023
|
Date |
Location |
Travel Costs Total |
|
28/02/2023 |
Stockholm, Sweden |
€1,967.28 |
|
09/03/2023 |
China |
€19,623.03 |
|
27/03/2023 |
Brussels |
€2,625.10 |
|
24/04/2023 |
Ostend |
Government Jet |
|
09/05/2023 |
Nantes/Paris |
€4,125.54 |
|
06/06/2023 |
Paris |
€2,538.6 |
|
18/06/2023 |
Luxembourg |
€2,213.16 |
|
22/06/2023 |
Paris |
€4,782.81 |
|
16/07/2023 |
New York |
€7,340.35 |
|
04/09/2023 |
Kenya |
€11,845.10 |
|
10/09/2023 |
London |
€3,871.03 |
|
17/09/2023 |
Washington & NY |
€15,189.39 |
|
27/09/2023 |
Paris |
€4,143.42 |
|
01/10/2023 |
Madrid |
€4,119.07 |
|
15/10/2023 |
Luxembourg |
€3,018.63 |
|
30/10/2023 |
Abu Dhabi |
€8,306.18 |
|
19/11/2023 |
Amsterdam |
€942.97 |
|
23/11/2023 |
Berlin |
€1,340.88 |
|
01/12/2023 |
Dubai |
€18,583.68 |
|
Total |
€116,576 |
2024
|
Date |
Location |
Travel Costs Total |
|
15/01/2024 |
Brussels |
€1,062.24 |
|
12/02/2024 |
Paris |
€6,058.90 |
|
17/02/2024 |
Berlin |
€1,635.38 |
|
03/03/2024 |
Brussels |
€2,497.22 |
|
10/03/2024 |
Brazil |
€13,673.68 |
|
21/03/2024 |
Bilbao |
€5,374.65 |
|
24/04/2024 |
Berlin |
€2,944.02 |
|
13/05/2024 |
Paris/Bruges |
€3,906.45 |
|
30/05/2024 |
Brussels |
€1,241.07 |
|
16/06/2024 |
Luxembourg |
€3,643.06 |
|
23/06/2024 |
London |
€1,816.88 |
|
10/07/2024 |
Budapest |
€2,145.83 |
|
21/09/2024 |
New York |
€11,557.38 |
|
11/09/2024 |
London |
€2,446.96 |
|
08/10/2024 |
Baku |
€4,376.93 |
|
13/10/2024 |
Luxembourg |
€4,333.78 |
|
23/10/2024 |
Copenhagen |
€1,966.12 |
|
12/11/2024 |
Baku |
€37,506.98 |
|
04/12/2024 |
Paris |
€1,642.62 |
|
16/12/2024 |
Brussels |
€2,622.17 |
|
Total |
€112,452.30 |
Personal expenses incurred by accompanying officials are claimed by the individual officers in accordance with applicable Civil Service procedures. In relation to the above travel a total of €44,230.18 was claimed for 2023 and €24,825.87 was claimed for 2024.
My Department makes an annual payment to the Climate Action Fund scheme to offset emissions for travel on commercial flights, in accordance with Circular 01/2020 (D/PER).
106. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households that availed of the grant as part of the SEAI’s warmer home scheme in Kerry, broken down by pre and post-BER; the average waiting time; the number of applications that were rejected in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1882/25]
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.
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. 209 of these homes were in County Kerry.
The specific additional data sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of households that availed of the grant as part of the SEAI’s Warmer Homes Scheme in Kerry, broken down by pre and post-BER; the average waiting time; and the number of applications that were rejected in each of the years 2019 to date, is not routinely provided to my Department by SEAI.
I have directed SEAI to reply directly to the Deputy with the data requested, in so far as it is available, as soon as possible.
107. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he will take to accelerate approval for offshore wind infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2004/25]
View answerFollowing a decision by Government in 2023, all future offshore renewable energy (ORE) projects in Ireland will be located within maritime areas identified for this purpose through the establishment of Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs).
The move to a plan-led, or State-led, system reduces risks associated with non-plan led development and as a result should accelerate the decision-making process. DMAPs are positive policy instruments that articulate the State’s priorities for offshore wind and provide a clear planning framework for future development. Environmental considerations are integrated from the beginning of the DMAP process. This gives greater certainty on the suitability of locations for development. The selection of suitable areas occurs in an open and transparent manner, is evidence-based and informed by comprehensive opportunities for stakeholder engagement and public participation. The DMAP seeks to resolve any conflict between maritime activities thereby reducing the likelihood of this becoming an issue during the assessment of projects.
By way of update on the Government decision referenced above, following its approval by the Oireachtas in October 2024, the South Coast DMAP has been adopted as Ireland’s first statutory forward spatial plan for ORE. Contingent on future Government approval, this will be followed by publication of a roadmap on the approach to establishing further ORE DMAPs, which will accelerate sustainable development of future offshore wind projects.
108. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the incentives he will put in place to improve and increase domestic electricity micro-generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2005/25]
View answerDomestic electricity micro-generation is supported by the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS). Grants are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for domestic installations of solar PV, up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2025.
Since the introduction of the MSS domestic grant in February 2022, the SEAI have seen application levels rise sharply. In 2023, 22,214 households received grant support totalling €52.2m, while last year saw over 28,000 households supported and 160MW generation capacity installed. This high level of demand is expected to continue into 2025 and indicates that the scheme is working well and that households across Ireland are recognising the benefits of investing in solar PV.
It should also be noted that maximising consumption of self-generated electricity will provide the most benefit to offset rising electricity costs and shorten the payback period for the investment in the installation of solar panels. Additionally, the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is now available from all electricity suppliers, offering the opportunity for remuneration for excess renewable electricity exported to the grid.
A tax exemption is available for certain earnings from the generation of residual electricity at an individual’s qualifying residence from 1 January 2022 until 31 December 2025. Section 216D of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for a tax exemption of up to €200 per year for tax years 2022 and 2023. Finance Act (No.2) 2023 increased the exemption available for tax years 2024 and 2025 to €400 per year. Household uptake of micro-generation has been further supported by the Government decision to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the Supply and Installation of Solar Panels, since May 2023.
109. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he will take to increase provision of solar farming in otherwise unusable open space like airports and motorway verges and central reservations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2006/25]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2024 reaffirms Ireland’s ambitious targets of 9 GW of onshore wind capacity, 8 GW of solar capacity and at least 5 GW of offshore wind capacity connected to the grid by 2030 in order to meet the requirement of 80% of electricity demand supplied by renewables.
Under the aegis of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce (ARE Taskforce), officials from my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have been developing a renewable electricity spatial policy approach that provides for the alignment between local plans and national policy.
Regional renewable electricity targets for solar and onshore wind have been included in the draft First Revision of the National Planning Framework. This will deliver a regional balance and distribution of renewable technologies, including solar, and provide a supporting policy framework for Ireland’s electricity supply to keep pace with economic growth, protect Irish homes and businesses from volatile fossil fuel prices through the deployment of indigenous wind and solar energy across our regions.
Solar energy is a growing source of electricity and is rapidly transforming Ireland’s energy system with circa 1.5 GW of solar energy generation. Significant further development is needed to support Ireland’s economic growth through the deployment of 8 GW of solar connected to the grid by 2030.
Solar energy development guidelines are a potential future objective under the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce. It should be noted that planning matters fall within the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
In addition, the Land Use Review currently underway will ensure that optimal land use options inform all relevant Government decisions. The second phase of the Land Use Review has commenced and seeks to identify the key demands on land (both public and private) to inform policies for land use across key government objectives, improving socioeconomic, climate, biodiversity, water, and air quality outcomes.
110. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will commit to a programme of installation of solar panels on all public buildings including schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2007/25]
View answerThere are currently a range of schemes underway to support the roll-out of solar PV in Ireland, including for public buildings. The Non-Domestic Microgen grant, as part of the wider Microgeneration Support Scheme, commenced in September 2022. The grant is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and provides financial assistance to help businesses and other organisations to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site. An extended funding range of up to €162,600 was introduced in July 2023 to support non-domestic installation sizes up to 1,000 kWp (1 MW) capacity.
Suppliers are now obliged to offer a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they receive payment for excess renewable electricity that they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. Eligibility criteria and other relevant information is available from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities: Clean Export Guarantee - Enduring Arrangements to Remunerate Customers for Microgeneration Exports | CRU.ie. or on www.cru.ie/publications/28051/
The first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic (PV) Programme was launched in November 2023 to over 1,600 schools. The scheme is funded by the Climate Action Fund in line with the government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development. The scheme provides eligible schools with 6 kilowatt peak of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels.
The first phase has seen over 1,100 schools approved for PV panels, with 1,011 installations completed so far in 11 areas across Ireland. Funding was approved in October 2024 to proceed with solar PV installations on the 2,673 remaining eligible schools in 16 counties – Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Westmeath and Wexford. The latest figures indicate that over 2,100 schools in phase two have completed the Expression of Interest stage, and 546 have submitted tenders. This means that of the 4,000 schools in the country, the majority have had Solar PV installed or are currently in the application and tendering process under the scheme.
111. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications 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. [2033/25]
View answerMy Department requests Irish tax clearance certificates for all contracts entered into which exceed a combined value of €10,000 in a twelve month rolling period. My Department does not hold information as to the tax residency of suppliers as this is a matter between the supplier and the Revenue Commissioner.
112. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications 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. [2051/25]
View answerI am advised that my Department has no contracts with the companies referred to by the Deputy.
113. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence 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. [46186/24]
View answerThe table below provides a breakdown by month and grade of civil servants in my Department who were on a career break in 2023 or 2024. There have been no instances in my Department where career breaks have been extended longer than five years in 2023 or 2024.
114. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence 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. [46204/24]
View answerThe table below sets out the number of vacancies that arose in my Department, by month and by grade throughout 2023 and 2024. Any vacancies that arise are filled as soon as possible, either through the Civil Service mobility scheme, on appointment from the Public Appointments Service or alternatively, through an internal promotion process. Staffing in support of the Army Pensions Board is drawn from my Department. For completeness, the administration staff of the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces have also been included in the table.
115. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence 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, that consideration has been given to facilitating them on a supernumerary basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46222/24]
View answerI can confirm that the provisions of Circular 4/2013, Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service, are strictly complied with in all cases where civil servants avail of a career break in my Department. As per the Circular, the onus is on each individual to notify the Department of their intention to return to work at least two months in advance of the end of their career break. My Department facilitates a return to work as soon as a vacancy at the appropriate grade becomes available. There have been no instances in my Department where career breaks have been extended beyond five years arising from there being no suitable vacancy.
116. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of WTE civilian tailors employed by his Department but based in military barracks in the years of 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [46308/24]
View answerCivilian staff are employed at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum of roles and include craft workers, services, administrative, healthcare professionals and other specialist grades. There were no civilian tailors employed by my Department during the period 2023 to date.
117. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there are plans to purchase dock landing ships for the Naval Service. [46388/24]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government.
Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes. The potential procurement of a new multi-role vessel (MRV) for the Naval Service is being examined by Marine Advisers. Work is currently underway that will inform next steps in this regard, in line with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's Infrastructure Guidelines.
Further additions to the EDP are kept under consideration, including in the context of the Government’s decision to move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), in light of specific recommendations made in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The Commission of the Defence Forces specifically recommended an accelerated programme of naval vessel replacement, to ensure a balanced fleet of nine modern ships is reached by early in the next decade. This recommendation has been accepted in principle by Government.
118. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel, by rank, required to fully crew LÉ George Bernard Shaw, LÉ Gobnait and LÉ Aoibhinn naval ships. [46389/24]
View answerThe LE Aoibhinn and the LE Gobnait, the Naval Service's P70 Class Inshore Patrol Vessels, each has a minimum crewing requirement of 24 personnel. The LÉ George Bernard Shaw and all of the P60 Class of Offshore Patrol Vessels have a minimum crewing requirement of 45 personnel.
I am advised by the Defence Forces that the strength of the crew, and ranks thereof, may vary, depending on the mission and tasking.
The breakdown by rank of the minimum crew for both the P60 and P70 class vessels is as follows:
|
RANK CODE |
NAVAL RANK |
P60 Class |
P70 Class |
|
OF-3 |
Lieutenant Commander |
1 |
1 |
|
OF-2 |
Lieutenant (NS) |
4 |
4 |
|
OF-1 |
Ensign |
1 |
- |
|
OR-7 |
Chief Petty Officer |
2 |
1 |
|
OR-6 |
Senior Petty Officer |
1 |
- |
|
OR-5 |
Petty Officer |
9 |
6 |
|
OR-4 |
Leading Seaman |
8 |
6 |
|
OR-2/3 |
Able Seaman |
19 |
6 |
|
|
TOTAL ALL RANKS |
45 |
24 |
119. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will consider an alternative to the Ishihara test, given that it is not used in other countries such as the US and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46488/24]
View answerCandidates applying for positions in the Defence Forces are required to meet specific criteria, which include medical standards for military service, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations, made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended and extended. These medical standards are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and, having regard to the nature of the job, the duties of military service and the training exercises undertaken by members of the Defence Forces
The vision standards required for entry to the Defence Forces include that applicants colour vision must be normal. The Defence Forces colour vision standard is defined by the ability to pass the Ishihara Colour Plates. To be accepted as an eligible candidate for entry into the Defence Forces, the applicant must have a normal result in this test.
The conditions for entry to and service in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), including the methodologies used for assessments, are subject to continuous review and modification having regard to the needs of the organisation and the development of best practices. More specifically in relation to the issue of colour blindness, a Defence Forces Colour Vision Working Group, established to review the colour vision requirements for entry to the Defence Forces, has concluded its work. The military authorities advise that the report and its recommendations remain under consideration.
120. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on any recent interaction there has been between the Government and the United Nations in relation to the death of an Irish peacekeeper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46696/24]
View answer121. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the investigation being carried out into the death in Lebanon of an Irish Defence Forces member of UNIFIL (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46697/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.
I last updated the Deputy on the investigation on 17 October 2024 and today I am happy to advise him of some significant developments since then.
I have determined that it was necessary and appropriate to carry out a Post-Incident Internal Inquiry. This inquiry, which commenced on 1 November 2024, is being independently led by Mr. Michael Delaney S.C., and will examine, among other matters, the training and briefing of Defence Forces personnel, the planning of the convoy, and the Standard Operating Procedures, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures surrounding the incident.
The Independent Reviewer may identify areas for learning and recommend changes where required. But it is important to note that this inquiry will not investigate the criminal matters leading to Private Rooney’s death and the injuries sustained by other personnel, as these fall under the remit of the Lebanese criminal investigation.
As I mentioned, work on the inquiry commenced on 1 November 2024 and is anticipated to be finalised within nine months.
In relation to the Lebanese civil case, the Irish Government has continued to maintain close diplomatic contact with the Lebanese authorities regarding the progress of the Lebanese criminal investigation, through the Embassy in Cairo and the Consulate in Beirut.
The Government has repeatedly stressed the need for justice to be served in this case. I have personally raised the issue with my Lebanese Defence and Foreign Affairs counterparts on several occasions. I will continue to make strong representations to the Lebanese authorities and the United Nations on this matter. Private Rooney’s family is being kept informed of all developments.
The next hearing is scheduled to take place on 12 February. The Department of Defence will be represented in court at the hearing by its Beirut-based lawyer.
Given that this matter is before the Lebanese judicial system, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time. However, I, along with the Department of Defence, the Embassy in Cairo, and the Consulate in Beirut, will continue to monitor developments very closely.
The Dublin Coroner's Court is also carrying out a hearing into Private Rooney's death, the next hearing of which will be held on 24th January next. On 6 August last, the Coroner wrote to the UN (via the Departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs) requesting access to two reports on investigations carried out by the UN into the incident leading to Private Rooney's death. In her correspondence, the Coroner also requested that the UN become an “interested party” for the purposes of the inquest. To date, no response has been received from the UN regarding either request. The Departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs continue to engage with the UN on this matter, and I continue to be kept appraised of the situation.
