Written Answers Nos. 160-179
160. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the start-up funding available for new businesses; the details and descriptions of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36306/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide are a ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business and act as a ‘signposting’ service for all government supports available to the SME sector.
The Local Enterprise Offices can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (up to 10 employees) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the Local Enterprise Offices can provide financial assistance in the following categories:
- Feasibility Grants - to investigating the potential for business idea.
- Priming Grants - to part-fund a start-up.
- Business Development grants – to fund existing businesses that want to expand.
- Technical Assistance for Micro-Exporters - to support clients to explore and develop new export market opportunities.
The Local Enterprise Offices do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services or construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses.
Additionally, the Trading Online Voucher scheme offers skills training, mentoring and financial support of up to €2,500 to help small and micro-businesses to develop their ecommerce capability.
Furthermore, businesses operating in the domestic market (regardless of numbers employed) may avail of the soft supports available from the Local Enterprise Office, such as First Stop Shop, Mentoring and/or Training programmes. Further details and information can be found on the Local Enterprise Office website available at: www.localenterprise.ie
Full details on all business supports are available at: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/Which-support-is-for-you/ and in particular the mapping of support environment for entrepreneurs which lists both State and non-State supports for entrepreneurs at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Business-Sectoral-Initiatives/Entrepreneurship-/Mapping-of-supports/
161. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the restart grant application scheme for rateable businesses will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36314/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Restart Grant scheme was launched on 15 May with a budget of €250 million. The Restart Grant Plus scheme was launched on 10 August with an additional budget of €300m from the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus as a result of the increasing demand for the scheme.
The Restart Plus scheme closed as of 31 October and has effectively been superseded as part of Budget 2021 measures by the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners. The CRSS offers a targeted, timely and temporary sector-specific support to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID- 19 of up to €5,000 per week.
Accordingly, there are currently no plans to re-open the Restart Grant Scheme.
162. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional ring-fenced funding to be provided by his Department to domestic violence services in budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to the shadow pandemic of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36340/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not provide any funding towards any element of domestic violence services.
163. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Tipperary County Council will be allocated additional funding in order to issue the 30% grant to business start-ups in view of the fact the council has stated that it has no more resources for the grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36356/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Restart Grant scheme was launched on 15 May with a budget of €250 million. The Restart Plus scheme was launched on 10 August with an additional budget of €300m from the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus as a result of the increasing demand for the scheme.
The purpose of the scheme is to help with the cost of reopening or adapting business premises so that normal business can resume. Grant payments are administered by the Local Authorities via the commercial rates system. This was seen as the most effective means to get urgent financial assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Disbursements are made through Enterprise Ireland to the Local Authorities, based on estimated schedules per county.
Since the introduction of the Restart Plus scheme, several top-up payments were approved by Government to deal with additional financial pressures caused by necessary COVID-19 restrictions implemented in certain counties. These included top-ups in Kildare, Laois and Offaly, a top-up for ‘wet’ pubs, top-ups in Dublin and Donegal, and most recently, a top-up of 30% for all eligible businesses nationally.
In view of the additional costs to the scheme arising from these top-ups, my Department has worked with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Local Authorities on the remaining funding requirements over recent weeks and disbursement is now underway. If additional funding is required to fulfil all eligible claims, this will be considered in the course of the Department’s Further Revised Estimate currently under discussion.
The Restart Plus scheme closed as of 31 October and has effectively been replaced by the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners.
164. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken to counteract the dominance of a company (details supplied) to support the setting up of an Irish platform to which all retailers here could become members; if a working group will be set up with retailers to examine the matter; if initiatives such as those existing in other parts of Europe or internationally can be studied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36573/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn reference to the first part of the question, the Deputy is aware that the European Commission launched two antitrust cases against Amazon and its logistics and delivery services earlier this month under article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) on “abuse of dominant position”. The Commission has informed Amazon of its preliminary view that it has breached EU antitrust rules by distorting competition in online retail markets.
It is important to state at this juncture that Amazon has not been found to hold a dominant position in the relevant retail market. The Commission in the first instance must prove dominance and only then can it investigate any alleged exclusionary behaviour and abuse of this dominance.
These cases form part of the Commission’s wide-ranging competition agenda which is intended to ensure that there is fair competition in all EU markets. This agenda also includes a forthcoming legislative proposal which aims to both ensure a fair-trading environment in the EU platform economy by tackling the market power of certain platforms and increasing the innovation potential and capacity of the EU online platform economy. This proposal, termed the Digital Markets Act (DMA), will seek to ensure that certain large platforms behave fairly and can be challenged by new entrants and existing competitors, so that consumers have the widest choice and the Single Market remains competitive and open to innovations. I understand that the Commission's proposals will cover online marketplaces and are due to be published next month.
In relation to a proposal to establish a new platform for retailers here, I think there is broad consensus concerning the benefits for retailers brought about by online platforms. These platforms can lower the costs of starting and especially scaling a business and can facilitate cross-border trading and access to new markets. The importance of these platforms has become even more apparent during the global Covid-19 pandemic.
I want to flag an important piece of legislation aimed at the users of online platforms including online intermediaries. The EU Platform to Business (P2B) Regulation came into effect on 12 July 2020 and aims to promote fairness and transparency for business users of online platforms. Under the Regulation, platforms are required to make their standard terms and conditions more transparent, and easily available to business users. The Regulation also provides effective and quick means to resolve disputes between businesses and online platform intermediaries via:
- platforms establishing internal complaints handling systems;
- commitments by platforms to engage mediation in good faith; and
- allowing businesses to be represented by associations or organizations in cases against platforms to stop or prohibit any non-compliance with the requirements of the Regulation.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission have been designated the national public body designated with enforcing the Regulation under S.I. No. 256/2020 - European Union (Promoting Fairness and Transparency for Business Users of Online Intermediation Services) Regulations 2020.
The Retail Forum was established in 2014 to provide a platform for engagement between retail representative bodies, retailers and the public sector on key concerns for the retail sector. The Forum, which is chaired by the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail, enables key issues affecting the retail sector to be discussed, with a view to identifying practical actions which could be taken by Government, or by industry itself, to support sustainable jobs growth in the sector.
The work of the Forum has led to the introduction of the very successful Online Retail Scheme which supports retailers in growing their sales through online channels domestically and internationally. The Forum continues to focus on a range of policy issues including digital transformation. This important support combined with the continuing emphasis on digitalisation ensure Irish retailers are well placed to avail of the benefits online intermediaries and marketplaces present to them.
165. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of data centres by county; and the average monthly and yearly power usage in tabular form. [36680/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment does not collect or store the type of detailed information requested but the Deputy may wish to follow this up with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
There may be some scope for different definitions of what could be considered a data centre or multiple data 'halls' on particular sites might be counted. Nonetheless, it is clear that the vast majority of large 'hyperscale' or 'co-location'-type data centre developments are located in the greater Dublin area, with a small number operational or planned across Cork, Limerick, Meath and elsewhere.
While not all data centres are operated by multi-national firms, IDA Ireland has further advised me that it does not maintain a register of data centres or client energy use, as this information is privately held and often confidential for the businesses concerned. IDA Ireland point out that, when dealing with potential data centre investments, it promotes regional locations for those investments in line with the ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy’. Recent examples of large data centre developments outside of Dublin include an Amazon project in Drogheda and Facebook’s project in Meath.
EirGrid, in its 'All-Island Generation Capacity Statement 2020-2029', reported that there is currently 450 MVA (Mega Volt Ampere) of currently built data centres and other large energy users: http://www.eirgridnortheastprojects.ie/site-files/library/EirGrid/All-Island-Generation-Capacity-Statement-2020-2029.pdf.
An analysis of the data centre sector in Ireland, and its potential energy demand, is produced quarterly by industry groups BitPower and 'Host in Ireland'. The Deputy may find this a useful resource: https://bitpower.ie/index.php/dashboard.
166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No.167 of 10 November 2020, if he will provide the full costs including a detailed breakdown of each of the trade missions referenced in his initial response. [36837/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland is the Government agency responsible for the development and internationalisation of Irish enterprises. Each year, Enterprise Ireland, in consultation with my Department and with other agencies, as appropriate, organises a programme of overseas Ministerial led trade missions focussed on assisting Irish firms target and secure international contracts and overseas partners.
The costs of all Ministerial led Trade Missions are met by Enterprise Ireland apart from some incidental travel and subsistence costs which are met by my Department. In relation the three Ministerial led Trade Missions to Japan in the years 2016, 2017 and 2019, I have asked Enterprise Ireland to compile the information on the specific costs for those missions as requested by the Deputy, noting that in some instances additional locations, for example, Hong Kong in 2016 and Singapore in 2017 formed part of the overall mission programme. I have asked the agency to respond directly to the Deputy.
167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which his Department’s annual amount for contingent liability is set; the factors considered when setting contingent liability; if forecasting is undertaken regarding setting future amounts; the contingent liability figure for his Department for 2020; and if the contingent has been utilised to date in 2020. [36901/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my Department, contingent liability arises from the Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) and the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS). Both are underpinned by the Credit Guarantee Act 2012. These are important loan schemes which remove the requirement of collateral for businesses in loans which can be used for liquidity and investment purposes.
The CGS has operated since 2012 with variations in the level of contingent liability. Its current annual contingent liability is set out in S.I. 70 of 2017, Section 4(2). Here, the maximum annual lending amount is €150 million with a risk share of 80 percent. It further indicates that the aggregate amount liable to be paid by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is set at 13 percent. This results in a maximum annual contingent liability for the Department of €15.6 million. One claim of €89,000 was received in 2020 so far under the 2015 CGS Scheme. In 2020, no other claims have been received.
The CCGS was passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas in July of this year as a scheme to establish stability to the lending market as a result of the COVID-19 health emergency. Since its launch on the 7th of September 1,817 applications for over €104 million have been received by the three participating banks. More lenders are being evaluated and will be coming online over the next weeks. In order to give businesses certainty, €2 billion was agreed by government as the size of the Scheme. With no portfolio cap and a risk share of 80 percent, the contingent liability is a maximum of €1.6 billion. My Department assumes the liability for all but primary producers for whom liability will be with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Forecasting was conducted within my Department with input included from the expertise of the credit departments of the participating finance providers. €25 million was set aside in Budget 2021 for the contingent liability for those businesses covered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Since the Budget, the European Commission’s State Aid Temporary Framework, which underpins the legal parameters of the CCGS has been extended from the end of 2020 to the 30th of June 2021. This should allow more Irish businesses to access finance at reduced interest rates through the Scheme but may have implications for increased demand on the contingent liability levels. As a result, my officials are reviewing the level of liability set for 2021.
168. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a company (details supplied) in County Kerry has been successful in receiving grant aid from Enterprise Ireland under high-potential start-up, HPSU, funding to create new jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36967/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland has been engaging with the company in question since 2016, and to date, the agency has paid the company €65,350 in financial support. As part of this engagement the company was also successful in its application for Competitive Start Funding from Enterprise Ireland. Under the Competitive Start Fund, the company received a €50,000 equity investment which is designed to accelerate the development of the company as a high potential start-up. This will support the company to achieve commercial and technical milestones such as evaluating international market opportunities and leverage private investment funds.
169. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the decision to categorise greeting cards as non-essential services in the level 5 Covid-19 lockdown will be reversed (details supplied); if greeting cards will be restored to the list of essential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36990/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19, only essential retail outlets will remain open.
S.I. No. 448 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020 clearly sets out the temporary restrictions under Level 5 of the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID. A list of essential services can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/ and the list of essential retail outlets at Level 5 can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-5/.
Level 5 restricts people from physically going into non-essential stores in order to stop people congregating and browsing for non-essential goods, to limit the spread of the virus. All retailers – essential and non-essential – can however continue to trade via ‘remote ordering’ and fulfil orders for all products including non-essential items, by online or by phone, for home delivery and for collection.
Mixed retailers have been asked to separate their stock and only sell the items that are essential. This is to encourage all of us to stay at home and shop local and to ensure fairness to those non-essential retailers who have had to close.
I and my colleague Minister of State English met with the Retail Forum members on 21 October to remind those in the retail sector, of the need for strict adherence to the public health guidelines during Level 5. Minister English met again with the Retail Forum members and major multiple grocery retailers on 28 October and Retail Forum members and representatives of the retail grocery and distribution sector on 4 and 13 November to reinforce this message.
I would like to thank retailers and their customers for their efforts at this difficult time. By each of us following the spirit of these new rules and working together we can hopefully return to a lower level of the Living with Covid-19 framework.
170. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the assistance, particularly financial supports, in place aside from the voluntary code of conduct between landlords and tenants for commercial rents for commercial landlords that have been without an income from their properties since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic while tenants have been able to avail of the Covid-19 supports; if additional supports will be made available to the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37035/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand this is a difficult time for many businesses, including commercial landlords, and that many companies have had to close their businesses or curtail their activities due to COVID-19 restrictions. I am aware that these closures can have secondary effects impacting landlords and I recognise that many landlords have debt repayment obligations as well as other ongoing costs.
The issue of commercial rents is primarily a contractual matter for the parties involved. However, the Government has urged landlords and tenants to talk to one another and come to some arrangement, as it is in everybody’s interest that terms are amicably agreed. Landlords should be willing to do what they can to help their tenants to continue to operate rather than facing the risk of a vacant premises and inability to obtain new tenants. Equally, tenants should pay what they can and speak with their landlord when difficulties arise.
On 1st October, I published the Code of Conduct between landlords and tenants for commercial rents, which has been agreed with landlords and business representatives for commercial renters. The aim of the Code is to facilitate these discussions between landlords and tenants impacted by COVID-19. The voluntary Code of Conduct has been developed based on examples from other jurisdictions and with input from other Departments, State agencies and key stakeholders.
However, this Code should not be seen in isolation. To date, over €24 billion had been made available in support measures for businesses, including a package of over €7 billion worth of measures as part of the July Jobs Stimulus, and a total budgetary package of over €17 billion announced in Budget 2021 to help those impacted by COVID-19 and related public health restrictions. This further demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting the country through this crisis.
The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) announced as part of Budget 2021 will allow the Government to provide targeted support for those sectors and businesses that have been significantly impacted by the public health restrictions. It will help businesses to meet ongoing costs such as commercial rents, utilities or insurance. It offers financial assistance to businesses that have either been forced to temporarily close their premises or only been able to trade at significantly reduced levels as a result of restrictions introduced in response to COVID-19.
The relief will operate as a cash payment equal to 10% of the average weekly value of the 2019 business’s turnover up to €20,000 and 5% thereafter, subject to a maximum weekly payment of €5,000, for the same number of weeks as the restricted period. The intention of the scheme is to recognise the challenges experienced in particular by sectors that have been most affected by restrictions since the onset of the pandemic in March.
The full list of supports to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis is available on my Department’s website.
171. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider extending the operation of Moneypoint power station beyond the proposed closure date of 2025 to enhance the energy security of Ireland into the future; the consideration being given to converting electricity generating methods from coal to a more sustainable energy source in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36310/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government remains committed to ending the use of coal in electricity generation by 2025.
My Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050.
This review will consider a range of options to enhance security of supply including sources of electricity generation for use in the event of a shortage of natural gas. In this context the potential future use of existing power stations, such as Moneypoint, as a form of backup will be considered. ESB, who own the Moneypoint power station, will be consulted as part of the review.
The security of supply review will include a detailed technical analysis and a public consultation. A request for tender for the technical analysis was published earlier this month and I expect that the review to be completed by the end of 2021.
172. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if a person (details supplied) will receive an allowance to cover the additional costs of waste disposal incurred due to a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36436/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been examining this issue in detail for some time and has engaged with relevant stakeholders, including representative organisations and the HSE, in an effort to see how best to support persons with long-term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear. However, there are complex issues at play in this area, which are understandable given the sensitive nature of the medical data in question. These efforts will continue, focussing, in particular, on pricing trends.
Since mid-2017, a range of charging options have operated, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste. This provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging was not introduced. A Price Monitoring Group (PMG) was established in mid-2017 to monitor the on-going cost of residential waste collection to homeowners across Ireland as the ‘flat-rate structure’ was being phased out. While fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend has been relative price stability. Results from the PMG are available on my Department's website.
In September, I launched a new national waste policy for the period 2020-2025, A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. This plan contains a range of measures to empower households through enhanced consumer protection requirements. It also envisages an enhanced monitoring of the market to ensure no changes occur in the relative price stability.
173. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37128/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the additional ring-fenced funding to be provided by his Department to domestic violence services in budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to the shadow pandemic of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36341/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 178 together.
My Department does not provide funding for domestic violence services.
174. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the projections for gas imports in the next decade; the main source of gas imported here; if the use of indigenous resources has been considered as opposed to imported gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36178/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2019 natural gas use in Ireland was 53 TWh which is equivalent to over 30% of our primary energy requirements. Indigenous production from the Corrib and Kinsale gas fields supplied an estimated 47% of this demand with the remaining 53% imported via two interconnector pipelines from Moffat in Scotland.
Ireland's National Energy and Climate Plan, published in August, sets out projections for natural gas production and use in Ireland. Based on these projections, it is expected that natural gas demand will increase by circa 10% to 15% by the middle of the decade before dropping back to current levels by 2030. The increased demand in the near term is primarily driven by the growth in electricity demand along with natural gas replacing coal, peat and oil in electricity generation. The reduction in the second half of the decade is expected as a result of increased levels of renewable electricity displacing generation from natural gas.
The National Energy and Climate Plan projections indicate that by 2025 circa 80%, and by 2030 over 90%, of the natural gas consumed in Ireland will be imported via the two pipelines from Scotland. The expected reduction in domestic production is a result of the closure of the Kinsale gas field earlier this year, the forecast decline in production from the Corrib gas field and the Programme for Government commitment to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of natural gas.
The National Energy and Climate Plan set a target of 1.6 TWh of natural gas use (equivalent to 3% of total use) to be replaced by biomethane produced from agriculture and food waste and injected into the gas grid by 2030. My Department is currently considering a number of policy options to support the production of biomethane.
It should be noted the National Energy and Climate Plan is based on the commitments set out in the Climate Action Plan published in 2019. The implementation of the commitments set out in the Programme for Government may result in reductions in the level of natural gas use over the coming years and thereby lowering the level of import dependency.
Finally, I would note that my Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review will include a detailed technical analysis and a public consultation. A request for tender for the technical analysis was published earlier this month and I expect that the review to be completed by the end of 2021.
175. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the targets set to ensure the national 2050 climate objective as set out in the climate action Bill is being achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36179/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. A key aspect of delivering on this ambition will be enacting the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill, which will be reinforced by credible on-going policy.
The Bill will establish a 2050 climate neutrality objective in law and place all relevant climate plans and strategies on a statutory footing. The Bill will define how five-year carbon budgets and related sectoral targets will be set, with every sector contributing, ensuring we continue to work to achieve a broad political and societal consensus on the transition to a climate neutral economy and society. Putting these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future governments for sustained climate action.
The Bill also provides appropriate oversight by Government, a strengthened Climate Change Advisory Council and a significantly strengthened accountability and oversight role by the Oireachtas.
Each year, relevant Ministers will be required to give account annually to an Oireachtas Committee on their performance in adhering to their sector’s carbon budget. Where Ministers are not in compliance with the targets, they will need to outline what consequential measures are envisaged and respond to any recommendations made by the Committee within three months. This ‘comply or explain’ approach will ensure greater oversight to drive delivery.
The annual revision to the Climate Action Plan acts as a further review mechanism and opportunity to re-adjust or refocus actions, if required, to ensure targets are achieved.
The existing governance mechanisms established on an administrative basis by the 2019 Climate Action Plan will also continue, with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Climate Action Delivery Board overseeing implementation of actions under the Climate Action Plan and publishing quarterly progress reports.
176. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will provide clarity on the queries raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36224/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe importance of the post office network has been clearly demonstrated throughout the pandemic where we have seen a range of initiatives through our post offices which have helped support local communities, the elderly and vulnerable.
The serious decline in the volume of mail and the impact of Covid on footfall through post offices, has had a severe impact on the postal network and I am aware of the concerns of the Irish Postmasters Union. I am also aware of the findings of the Grant Thornton Report commissioned by the IPU, which are being considered by my Department. I am meeting with the IPU in the coming weeks to discuss the matters raised.
While it is long-standing Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by the Government, we remain fully committed to a sustainable post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure in both rural and urban areas.
The Programme for Government recognises that a modernised post office network will provide a better range of financial services and e-commerce services for citizens and enterprise, as part of our commitment to a sustainable nationwide post office network.
An Post put in place a Strategic Plan, covering the period 2017 – 2021, in response to the structural challenges faced by the postal sector.
In order to implement the Plan, the cost of which was estimated to be in the region of €150m, the Minister for Finance provided a loan of €30m to the company in December 2017 to support the renewal of the post office network (€15m) and the continued fulfilment of a 5 day per week mails delivery service (€15m).
As part of the delivery of the plan the company was split into two distinct business units, An Post Mails and Parcels and An Post Retail.
An Post is transforming its retail network by delivering new products and new formats. This includes, among other things, diversifying and growing the financial services products it provides for individuals and SMEs to include loans, credit cards and more foreign exchange products, local banking in association with the major banks and a full range of State Savings products. Two new dedicated sub-brands, An Post Money and a new business-to-business brand, An Post Commerce, were launched. Investment by An Post of €50 million in the network is about getting communities to use the enhanced services in their local post office.
Government believes An Post has untapped potential to do more and make a further significant contribution across many areas of public, business and community life in Ireland. With an evolving mandate An Post can emerge as a central hub for a wide variety of valuable community focused services. We will work closely with An Post to see if there is scope to channel additional services through the network. All options will be considered fully and efforts will be redoubled to give effect to our commitment to ensuring a sustainable and viable post office network.
177. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan; when further details will be announced regarding the phasing and locations of fibre broadband roll-out in communities; and if Dublin areas will be included. [36299/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.
There are 615,682 premises in County Dublin, of which 13,429 (2%) are within the intervention area for the National Broadband Plan. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. As of 9 November, almost 126,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed by NBI, which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company.
This activity involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area.
My Department is working with NBI to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans, following on from survey and design work already undertaken.
The first fibre to the home connections are expected next month in Carrigaline, Co Cork and they will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. I am advised that from the end of January retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in these areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network.
Surveying has taken place in Skerries, Balbriggan and North County Dublin and further details are available on specific areas within Dublin through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 30 October, some 187 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 59 of these are now connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. In addition, school BCPs will be provided with high speed broadband, for educational use only, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Education and Skills. To date, 6 schools have been connected with high speed broadband for educational access only.
In Dublin, Glenasmole Community Centre, Man of War GAA and Fingal Ravens GAA Club have now been connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, with more locations planned over the coming months. Balscadden National School has also been connected for educational access only as part of this initiative. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
179. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will implement a simple process for residents to change incorrect address details relating to their Eircode; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36367/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. All postal addresses, geographical addresses and geo-locations are provided to Eircode from authoritative sources, namely An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland through their subsidiary company An Post GeoDirectory. An Post collects information on all new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses, and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings.
Eircode does not change existing addresses and the Eircode can be simply added to the address normally used for the property. This address can be the most commonly used address, the postal address or/and the geographical address. The free to use online Eircode Finder (https://finder.eircode.ie/#/), which remains very popular with the public with over 74 million lookups since the finder went live, provides both the geographical and postal addresses for properties in the state.
Householders who have queries relating to the address of their property can contact An Post by email: eircode@anpost.ie. In the case where An Post makes changes to the address, the updated information will be provided to Eircode by An Post GeoDirectory.
