Written Answers Nos. 306-323
306. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to facilitate, promote and nurture the artisan food sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12726/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe artisan and speciality food sector was valued at c. €632 million across the island of Ireland in 2014 including €462 million in this jurisdiction, with over 350 producers employing more than 3,000 people. Growth prospects for the sector are positive overall, driven by increased consumer interest in the provenance of food, environmental concerns, health and a desire to support the local economy. While the possible impact of the UK referendum on consumer sentiment remains to be seen, it is estimated that the sector may have grown in value to €700 million in 2016, including €500 million in this jurisdiction.
Artisan and speciality food businesses can have a significant impact on local economies as businesses are typically owner managed and may be closely linked to local farms. Recognising the value of the sector and its development and employment potential, FoodWise 2025 recommended actions to support it, including festival markets, a pipeline for new entrants to the Artisan Food Market at Bloom, promoting meet the buyer opportunities, delivery of small business specific consumer and market insights, and programmes to assist producers to extend business reach. A number of artisan businesses have participated in Food Academy (developed by Bord Bia, Local Enterprise Offices and Musgraves/Supervalu and delivering growth and jobs) and Food Works (developed by Bord Bia, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland for start-up food entrepreneurs).
The farmhouse cheese sector alone includes over 50 cheese makers producing more than 150 types of cheese valued at over €12 million a year at farm gate level. My Department has supported a three year Bord Bia programme under the EU Promotion regime. It is estimated that output of farmhouse and specialty cheese could increase to over 4,500 tonnes a year and €33m in value without significant additional capital expenditure.
In terms of small food businesses in general, close to 500 food companies with a turnover of €100k-€3.5m are registered with Bord Bia for supports and services. These owner managed businesses tend to produce high-end products with a strong focus on the domestic market.
In addition, over the last 5 years over 400 new companies with revenues of less than €100k have entered the sector. Through the Food Academy Start programme, these companies typically start with a support package delivered nationally by the Local Enterprise Offices. This collaborative approach ensures that early stage companies develop skills and capabilities through a ‘learn by doing’ approach. Over 300 companies have been given the opportunity to get product on the Food Academy fixture.
As a follow on to Food Academy Start, a select number of companies annually are identified as having high potential and progress to Food Academy Advance, an advanced stage, where they have access to expertise in branding, market research, business development and distribution, with the aim of scaling up production and even securing a national listing. In all, 13 companies were signed up to start Food Academy Advance in February 2017, the third wave of companies to participate on this programme.
Although these businesses are individually small, cumulatively the Irish small food business sector is a critical component of and contributor to the strength of local and rural economies. Entrepreneurship is the seedbed for innovation and entrepreneurial supports such Food Works help to embed the culture and belief in scalable start-ups through innovation.
Farmer’s markets and other direct routes to market continue to play a vital role to companies in the start-up phase and beyond by giving low risk market access and direct consumer feedback. Food Wise 2025 recognises the importance of direct selling and includes a recommendation for the introduction of a Direct to Consumer development workshop. Bord Bia developed a regional workshop programme in 2016 to help support new and existing members of the food market network as they seek to grow their business directly with consumers. These were expanded in 2017 and workshops have taken place in Dublin, Donegal, Cavan and Kerry.
The Food Market at Bloom 2017 also provides a platform for marketing, promotion and sales for up to 62 food and drink producers to reach around 100,000 consumers. The Food Market at Bloom is an established feature at Bloom and is also an important showcase opportunity for producers with trade buyers, from Ireland and the UK. It increases awareness of smaller and new food companies and provides an opportunity for food companies to engage with and sell directly to the consumer.
For a number of years my Department has provided bursaries for the UCC Diploma in Speciality Food Production, a food science and business course for food producers, potential start-ups and those interested in developing businesses and /or promoting the artisan sector. Over 180 students have graduated, many are successfully running small artisan and speciality food businesses. My Department will continue to fund bursaries over the next 4 years to maintain this momentum.
307. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he continues to monitor all aspects of animal welfare including canine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12727/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 is the main legal instrument available to my Department to enforce animal welfare standards. The Act puts clear obligations on owners regarding the need to look after animals under their care.
My Department employs a large team of veterinary inspectors to enforce the provisions of the Act. Inspections, both announced and unannounced, are undertaken on a regular basis to ensure that the requirements of the Act are strictly adhered to. These inspections are scheduled on both a random and targeted basis. My Department also operates an anonymous helpline through which members of the public can express animal welfare concerns. These reports are promptly examined by trained veterinary staff countrywide and corrective action is taken in those cases where the Act has been breached. The Act also provides for severe penalties in the event of successful prosecutions.
The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) was established by my Department in February 2002 on a non-statutory basis. It has been instrumental in promoting animal welfare in a practical way and providing a forum for different interest groups to meet, exchange views and reach consensus on the various challenges relating to animal welfare on farms.
While my Department remains the central reporting point for animal welfare concerns, it also works collaboratively on a range of issues with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. Under Section 37(2) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013, the manager of a local authority may appoint authorised officers to exercise functions conferred on them for the purposes of enforcing the Act.
One area of such co-operation is the governance of canine welfare. A joint inspection regime of dog breeding establishments, involving the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Local Authority Veterinary Service, took place in 2015 for the purpose of inspection and follow up action. While a very high percentage of inspections found the conditions of the animals to comply fully with the Act, corrective action was taken where necessary following the discovery of individual cases of non-compliance (mainly infrastructural in nature).
My Department also liaises on a daily basis with Local Authorities in relation to the enforcement of the Control of Horses Act 1996. The development of urban / traveller horse projects is one outcome of this co-operation. These projects seek to reduce the amount of stray horses and educate young people in the care of animals. I am glad to report a major improvement in horse welfare outcomes in recent years.
The Deputy may be assured that this level of monitoring, enforcement and education will remain in place in the future, both by my Department and the State agencies.
308. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to explore the potential for high quality food and food products on world markets, with particular reference to all aspects of the industry including the mushroom industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12729/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025 and with a view to ameliorating the impact of Brexit , Minister Doyle and I led Trade Missions to Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore and China in early September 2016. I also led a trade mission to Morocco in early November. During 2016 senior officials also led missions to Iran, Turkey and Algeria. This was done in co-operation with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland.
Last week I led a Trade Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The mission served to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. I used the opportunity to promote Ireland’s reputation as a producer of high quality, safe and sustainably produced meat and dairy products in the Gulf region.
European and UK markets remain very important to Irish food producers . In the case of the mushroom industry the UK market has been key to development. It is currently a challenging market due to the weakness of sterling and my Department and the development agencies are working closely with the mushroom sector to examine the potential for application of lean manufacturing principles, which have been found useful by other sectors, might be of benefit. Promotion campaign undertaken by Bord Bia under the EU promotion regime have been successful in increasing demand in the UK.
Looking ahead , I am considering a range of other destinations for the remainder of 2017, although no decision has yet been made in terms of content or timing. Again, markets in Asia, Africa and America are likely to feature prominently in these considerations, and I am of course ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.
309. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he continues to promote and support the mushroom industry, with particular reference to the likely difficulty in the UK market arising from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12730/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am only too well aware of the challenges that the mushroom sector is experiencing in the aftermath of the UK Referendum decision last June to exit the EU, particularly in light of recent fluctuations in currency. I am focused on working with the industry to meet these difficulties in the months and years ahead.
Budget 2017 underpins my Department’s efforts through strategic investment in key areas, such as in its agencies and in the agrifood sector. As part of Budget 2017 I secured an additional €700,000 in funding for capital investments in the Commercial Horticulture Sector. This means that this year’s budget for the scheme will amount to €5 million. In addition, the Horticulture Sector will have access to the €150 million low interest cash flow support loan fund announced in Budget 2017, providing access to highly flexible loans for amounts up to €150,000, at an interest rate of 2.95%, for up to six years.
The impact that the devaluation of sterling is having on mushroom producers and grower margins is a problem that has happened over a very short space of time. Grower production of this highly perishable product must be well aligned with demand and the mushroom sector, like many other exporting sectors, is particularly at risk because of the high dependency on the UK market. I can assure you that my Department is closely monitoring the situation regarding sterling volatility to consider the direct impact of Brexit on our industry. Although it is still a serious situation, the sterling exchange rate has stabilised and is now holding at around 85p to the euro.
My Department, along with the various State agencies, in particular Bord Bia, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland, are working closely with the industry to provide the necessary support and assistance. Bord Bia is actively supporting the sector in the areas of Market Intelligence, UK consumer research and Quality Assurance. Towards the end of 2016 they held a currency and negotiation workshop specifically targeted at the sector, which I understand was very well received by the mushroom industry.
Bord Bia is also running a Marketing Intensification Programme which aims to provide targeted marketing supports to companies with high dependency on UK markets. Grant supports will be prioritised to assist companies in strengthening their position in that market and in their efforts to identify new markets.
My Department is also providing funding for a pilot programme on LEAN processes, with the assistance of Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland. It has started with 6 mushroom growers, to assess efficiency across all aspects of the business, including supply chain, innovation, marketing and logistics. It is hoped that a template can be developed through this programme that will enable growers to optimise their production costs further.
I would also draw attention to support being provided to the industry through the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007 – 2013, mainly through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. To ensure ongoing support for the sector, my Department extended, under EU sanction, the Scheme to run until 31 December 2019. To date some €6m has been paid out in grants under the Scheme to support about €15m in investment.
Applications for 2017 under the Scheme are currently being assessed.
I wish to assure the House that the Government remains very focused on supporting the agri-food industry through the challenges ahead. I will continue to consult with the industry as the negotiations develop, and press Ireland's case for continued free access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures.
310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which the venison food sector continues to be promoted, with particular reference to potential export markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12731/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord Bia is available to assist producers and food companies in identifying market opportunities. In the case of venison, there are producers engaged in this line of farming and one factory has been approved by my Department for the slaughter of deer. Bord Bia have received a few enquiries from venison producers about export market opportunities in the UK and have provided assistance with market insight and importer and distributor contacts.
311. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the increase in costs of farm inputs with particular reference to fertilisers remains a concern; the degree to which he remains assured that such increases remain manageable and will not affect the viability of farming enterprises in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12732/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo fertilisers are now manufactured in Ireland, resulting in indigenous fertiliser companies being price takers, dependent on global supply and demand and subject to Euro exchange rates against the US dollar and other currencies. Fertilisers are mainly traded in US dollars and are thereby subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. A weak euro means increased costs for fuel and fertiliser imports and this has impacted on price trends in recent years.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) monitors the price of fertilisers on a monthly basis. My Department receives data on the type and quantity of fertilisers and lime sold on a Quarterly basis from Industry.
Most recent CSO data on fertiliser prices (December, January and February 2017) show some increases in the price of fertiliser such as Urea and CAN recently. However current prices remain below prices in early 2016. (The price of Urea has increased from €330/tonne to €365/tonne. Prior to this in 2016 we had seen a decrease in Urea price of 18% from €396/ tonne in January 2016 to €321/tonne in December 2016 and overall fertiliser prices reduce by over 20% in 2016 based on CSO data).
Currently, Europe is only 80% self-sufficient in fertiliser production and must import 20% of its requirements. As such, European and Irish fertiliser prices are strongly linked to global prices and heavily influenced by supply and demand.
I understand that the price of fertilisers is an important issue for farmers. Over the past 20 years fertiliser use has decreased by 28% reflecting improved environmental controls brought about by schemes like REPS, AEOS and GLAS. The Nitrates Directive limits the amount of Chemical Nitrogen and Phosphorus based on stocking limits and crop types. There is a greater awareness of the value of slurry which is being used to replace nutrients as chemical fertiliser prices increased. Farmers would benefit from using the cheaper ureic form of Nitrogen- Urea fertiliser, which has a price advantage over calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) per unit of nitrogen.
Teagasc has identified that soil pH has a large influence on nutrient availability with 64% of grassland soils below optimum pH. Grassland soils can release up to 80 kg N/ha per year when soils are at optimum pH. This can be achieved by the application of ground limestone based on soil analysis results.
312. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which EU fishing conservation measures have affected the industry here, with particular reference to employment in the industry and competition from elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12733/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing industry while supporting our families and communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood.
A key element of the CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield). This should ultimately lead to healthy fish stocks, higher quotas for both Irish and EU fishermen and lead to more sustainable fishing patterns. The CFP specifically calls for the progressive restoration and maintenance of populations of fish stocks above biomass levels capable of producing MSY. This is being phased in gradually and is due to be complete by 2020 at the latest for all stocks. This will result in more fish being left in the sea to mature and reproduce leading to increased abundance of fish, and over time to higher quotas for Irish fishermen.
The EU Commission has noted that the state of fish stocks in European Atlantic and nearby waters continues to improve which I believe indicates that we are continuing to see the benefits of prudent and responsible fisheries management practices.
The ongoing implementation the landing obligation, which began in 2015 will also contribute to an improvement in the state of the stocks of importance to Ireland and will result in increased fishing opportunities for the Irish fishing industry.
My overarching goal for fisheries is to ensure a sustainable, profitable and self-reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to safeguard fish stocks for future generations. This will ensure that families dependent on fishing can look forward to being part of a vibrant, productive and resilient Irish fishing industry and can expect to continue to achieve a reasonable return for their efforts and investment.
Our seafood sector, supported by Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Enterprise Ireland, has focused much effort on developing business in the emerging seafood markets in Asia. Bord Bia plays a key role in assisting the Irish seafood sector in developing sales in a number of emerging seafood markets through its international office network. Through the range of services provided to seafood clients in areas such as trade research, customer profiling, buyer-supplier contact events, in-store and online seafood promotions and trade awareness events, Bord Bia has been instrumental in assisting the Irish seafood sector establish a foothold in these markets in the past 5 years. Bord Bia will focus its trade and market development efforts on Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan in 2017. This will be in addition to the China seafood development programme already in place.
My Department’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme is supporting Bord Bia’s increased seafood promotion effort through €800,000 additional funding per year. In addition, the EMFF Operational Programme is funding a suite of schemes implemented by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to support our seafood processing sector develop new value-added seafood products, put in place the capital investment to produce new and more seafood products, develop business and marketing strategies to take advantage of the export opportunities, and to work cooperatively with other seafood enterprises to develop marketing resources in potential export markets.
313. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review an application for a forest road grant in respect of person (details supplied) in County Limerick, in view of the adverse weather conditions which resulted in delays in the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12766/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applicant in question applied for approval to build a forest road which was granted on 28 September 2012 with a completion date of 31 December 2012. There were two subsequent extensions to the completion date, the first to 31 March 2013, and the second to 30 June 2013. At the time of granting of this second extension the applicant was advised that no further extensions would be granted.
In August 2013 the application for payment of the road grant (Form 2) was received on which it was indicated that the road had been completed on 31 July 2013, outside of the extended period for completion of the project. The applicant appealed against this decision but his appeal was unsuccessful. It is open to the applicant to make a submission to the Office of the Ombudsman as was outlined previously in reply to a representation on his behalf in August 2014.
314. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department that the Chief State Solicitor's office has incurred expenses on dealing with for each of the past three years and to date in 2017; and the amount of fees for counsel and other legal costs incurred respectively, for each of the past three years and to date in 2017. [12768/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of Freedom of Information requests received by my Department from 1 January 2014 up to and including 3 March 2017 is set out in the table that follows.
|
Year |
Number of Freedom of Information Requests Received |
|
2014 |
205 |
|
2015 |
319 |
|
2016 |
347 |
|
01/01/2017 to 03/03/2017 |
87 |
My Department has not incurred any legal fees or costs in responding to these Freedom of Information requests.
315. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if Ireland is in compliance with WEEE obligations under EU legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12524/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if fines have been imposed in respect of any failure to meet WEEE obligations under EU legislation in the past seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12525/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra317. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the levels of WEEE compliance under EU legislation for each year from 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12526/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 315 to 317, inclusive, together.
Ireland has met every target prescribed by the European Union under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive to date and I am satisfied that my Department has put in place the legislation and supporting structures and systems required to ensure that all future targets will continue to be met.
Each Member State is obliged to meet targets for the collection of household WEEE per person per annum, and separate targets for recovery, reuse and recycling for each of the ten categories of WEEE. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) statistics, published in January 2017, illustrate Ireland’s current progress towards meeting EU waste targets including WEEE. The most recent WEEE statistics are with respect to 2014 and demonstrate that 7.2 kg of household WEEE was collected per person in Ireland, compared to the EU target of 4 kg per person, and that Ireland is also meeting recovery rates of 80% and 90% across different recycling processes. This information is available on the EPA’s website http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/waste/stats/EPA_Progress%20towards%20EU%20targets_Jan17_web.pdf.
These statistics are tangible proof of the positive response to the implementation of the WEEE directive in Ireland. Since the introduction of the Irish WEEE legislation, some 100 million waste electrical items have been collected and over 300,000 tonnes of WEEE diverted from landfill. The Irish public have supported the WEEE system and have fully utilised the network of free collection facilities and take-back options available to them. In so doing, they have played an important role in eradicating the visible blight on our countryside and towns caused by waste fridges and washing machines and other electro-scrap.
318. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has being drawn to a recent statement from the European Commission regarding Irish mobile phone operators breaching EU laws if they attempt to impose high roaming charges by modifying consumers' contracts once they are abolished across the EU; his plans to enforce ComReg to monitor operators to ensure they do not modify consumers' contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12538/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the engagement he has had with mobile phone operators seeking to rewrite customer contracts in relation to data usage; the engagement he has had with ComReg on this; the engagement he has had with the European Commission on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12758/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 322 together.
EU "Roam Like at Home" (RLAH) will give Irish and EU consumers the ability to use their mobile devices, within other EU countries, at domestic rates, subject to Fair Use Policy, from 15 June 2017.
Throughout negotiations at EU level on this initiative, including at the EU Council of Ministers, Ireland has been fully supportive of the Roam Like at Home principle, and, in particular, the importance of obtaining a sustainable agreement for business and consumers alike.
As the European Commission has stated, the new EU rules will offer Roam Like at Home on data services, voice and SMS. There is no exemption for the data services, only exceptional limits in case of unlimited or very competitive offers. The Commission has also confirmed that it will also not be possible for operators to offer selective roaming on only part of a domestic plan.
With respect to the monitoring of any modification of contracts, that is a matter for the Irish Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, as the competent statutorily independent regulatory authority for Telecoms. ComReg will also be the authority which will regulate the Roam Like At Home regime in Ireland from 15 June 2017. As ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions, I have no authority to intervene in those functions.
I would expect all mobile operators to be fully compliant with Irish and EU legislation, including RLAH from 15 June 2017. The European Commission is currently collaborating with National Regulatory Authorities to provide detailed guidance on how Roam Like at Home can be introduced at retail level and is also working closely with consumer organisations across the EU (BEUC).
It would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on matters which are independently regulated by ComReg. ComReg will have a role in scrutinising all existing and new mobile market offerings.
319. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider plans to retro-fit estates to ensure better energy saving through better ventilation and insulation; if his Department has availed of any of the EU funding of €23 billion in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12540/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra320. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of grants provided to ensure energy saving upgrades to properties; the number of grants issued over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12541/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra321. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding supplied to the State by the European Commission to bring homes of inferior energy ratings up to a better standard during the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12542/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 to 321, inclusive, together.
The Better Energy Programme which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department consists of the Better Energy Homes Scheme, Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme and Better Energy Communities Scheme.
The Better Energy Homes (BEH) Scheme provides grant aid to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER). In 2016 over 15,000 homeowners had energy efficiency works carried out to their homes which resulted in €17m being spent on this scheme.
The following table details the numbers of homes that have received grant support and the amount of grants paid over the past five years.
|
Better Energy Homes |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Total |
|
Total number of homes completed |
26,423 |
13,710 |
9,927 |
12,339 |
15,265 |
77,664 |
|
Total grant amount paid |
€28.945m |
€13.159m |
€9.915m |
€14.326m |
€17.029m |
€83.374m |
|
Total number of measures completed |
72,440 |
36,627 |
25,488 |
30,354 |
36,099
|
201,008 |
The Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the eligibility criteria. The measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation. These measures can deliver the most energy savings at the lowest cost to the greatest number of homes. In 2016, 6,743 homes received energy efficiency upgrades under the BEWH scheme and the level of funding was just over €20m.
The Better Energy Communities Programme (BEC) aims to encourage community based partnerships to improve the thermal and electrical efficiency of the building stock and energy poor homes and facilities, encouraging the implementation of deeper and more technically and economically challenging measures. These partnerships can be between the public and private sectors, domestic and non-domestic sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations and energy suppliers. The community and business supports leverage considerable additional private investment. In 2016, almost €17m in funding provided for energy efficiency upgrades to more than 2,600 homes and almost 300 community and commercial facilities.
Beginning this year the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme will be co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of a wider package of State expenditure of €150m which is required to draw down €75m in ERDF grant funding. My Department also continues to explore ways to avail of EU funds in the form of financial instruments, which would be re-payable to the EU. It is necessary to bring forward projects of significant scale, with robust business cases, for such EU funding. Exploring options to develop projects of sufficient scale is a key objective of the range of energy efficiency pilot schemes, which have either begun, or are being becoming operational in 2017, particularly in the residential sector where the need for alternatives to the Exchequer will be necessary to fund the scale of deeper renovation required to place that sector on the trajectory required to meet long term emissions reduction targets.
323. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department that the Chief State Solicitor's office has incurred expenses on dealing with for each of the past three years and to date in 2017; and the amount of fees for counsel and other legal costs incurred respectively, for each of the past three years and to date in 2017. [12771/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo Freedom of Information requests received by my Department over the last three years and to date in 2017 have been referred to the Chief States Solicitor's Office and therefore the issue of costs does not arise.
