Thomas Pringle
Ceist:51. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Taoiseach if an annual report on programme for Government implementation will be published; and if so, when this report will be published. [30103/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProgramme for Government
Ceisteanna (51)
Freagraí scríofa
Government has been working hard to implement the commitments in the Programme for Government across a wide range of issues in all Departments.
The ten Cabinet Committees established by this Government reflect the full range of policy areas that it will work on during its lifetime as set out in the Programme for Government.
Cabinet Committees meet regularly to continue this work.
Strategy Statements which have been prepared by departments reflect the key national priorities as outlined in the Programme for Government.
Government will continue to work hard to ensure delivery on every aspect of the Programme for Government.
I expect that a report on progress on implementing the Programme for Government will be published later in the year.
Youth Unemployment
Ceisteanna (52)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:52. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Taoiseach the number and percentage of young persons aged between 15 and 24 years of age classified as not in employment, education or training; and the corresponding EU average rate, in a tabular form. [30104/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a household survey which provides quarterly statistics on employment and unemployment and is the official source of labour market estimates in the State. The primary classification used for the LFS results is the ILO (International Labour Organisation) labour force classification.
The latest annual data for Ireland for persons who are not in education, employment and training (NEET) is for 2020 and is sourced from the LFS.
The table below shows the proportion of persons aged 15-24 years classified as NEET (annual average) for 2020 for Ireland and the EU 27. It also shows the number of persons aged 15-24 years classified as NEET for 2020 for Ireland.
There is no corresponding EU 27 data available with respect to the number of persons aged 15-24 classified as NEET.
All persons aged 15- 24 years classified as NEET, Ireland and EU 27, 2020 1 (annual average)
|
Proportion of persons aged 15-24 years classified as NEET |
2020 1 |
|
Ireland (%) |
12.0 |
|
EU 27 (%) |
11.1 |
|
Number of persons aged 15-24 years classified as NEET |
|
|
Ireland ('000) |
75.8 |
|
EU 27 ('000) |
n/a |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland and Eurostat.
1 Calculated as average of four quarters.
|
Data may be subject to future revision. |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: January - December (annual average).
Company Registration
Ceisteanna (53)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:53. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the issues raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the Companies Registration Office online filing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29883/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have been informed by the Registrar of Companies that there has been a high volume of traffic on the CRO CORE IT system ahead of the original deadline of Friday 28th May, with some presenters experiencing difficulties in filing Annual Returns. I understand that in the period 24th – 27th May, presenters encountered slow response times when filing on the system at times during the day.
The Registrar appreciates the difficulties and frustrations experienced by some during this period and, as soon as the issue came to light, the CRO commenced work on identifying the cause of the difficulties with a view to having them addressed as soon as possible. The Registrar also took the decision on 27th May to further extend the filing deadline for relevant companies until 11th June, to give them and their professional advisors the time necessary to fulfil their filing obligations.
Notwithstanding the difficulties experienced by some, it is worth pointing out that there was a significant level of filing during the affected period last week with over 14,000 annual returns filed. I understand that the system has been operating satisfactorily in recent days and no performance issues have been reported after Thursday 27th May.
I have been assured by the Registrar that the CRO is continuing to work to identify the cause of the difficulties with a view to ensuring that similar delays are not encountered in the future. In the meantime, presenters are encouraged to continue filing on the system over the coming period and in advance of the 11th June deadline.
Economic Policy
Ceisteanna (54)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:54. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional supports the Economic Recovery Plan will put in place to help persons back to work and to help SMEs survive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29945/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since the start of this pandemic, the Government has provided unprecedented levels of aid to businesses aimed at ensuring that viable businesses will survive this pandemic.
The Government was clear that there would be no cliff edge to this assistance and that businesses would be given as much certainty about the levels of help which will be available in the future as this pandemic allows.
The National Economic Recovery Plan provides this certainty and a clear pathway for the labour market and enterprise towards new opportunities.
The Plan includes in excess of €3.5 billion in further labour market and enterprise schemes and just under €1 billion additional funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).
The National Economic Recovery Plan details the measures the Government is taking to enable people to return to employment and help SMEs, not only to survive, but to grow.
To achieve these objectives, the Covid-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) will remain in place until year end to aid those severely affected businesses who continue to be subject to public health restrictions.
For those businesses existing CRSS in June, bonus payments will be available in the coming weeks and a new scheme called the Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) will provide additional targeted aid for those businesses ineligible for CRSS.
From the point of view of both helping businesses and providing employment, the extension of the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) scheme as laid out in the National Economic and Recovery Plan is significant.
The EWSS will be crucial for businesses as they re-open as it subsidises a portion of labour costs which gives businesses the opportunity to trade profitably even when operating under public health guidelines which may constrain demand.
The extension of the reduced VAT rate of 9% is another measure which will allow businesses operating in the highly impacted hospitality sector to maintain margins, re-employ workers and return to profitability.
Other aids include the announcement of phase 2 of the SBASC grant which will see the grant extended to those businesses without a rateable premises and the introduction of a smaller grant for those micro enterprises who are not eligible for SBASC.
The continued deferral of the €2.3 Billion in tax liabilities owing to the Exchequer and the fact that liabilities incurred for a short period after trading resumes can continue to be warehoused will provide additional liquidity to aid businesses, including SMEs, and help return them to profitability.
The plan provides a timetable for the future of available schemes over the coming months which will give businesses the certainty they require in order to plan for the future and re-employ staff.
The proposals in the plan will help both businesses and employees recover from the impact of the pandemic by enabling businesses to begin growing again and reverse the losses in employment suffered over recent months.
Flexible Work Practices
Ceisteanna (55)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:55. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the implementation of the National Remote Work Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29946/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department published ‘Making Remote Work’, the National Remote Work Strategy on January 15th, 2021.
The objective of the Strategy is to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits. The report is built on three pillars which are bolstered by underpinning conditions. These pillars are:
1. Create a Conducive Environment
2. Develop and Leverage a Remote Work Infrastructure
3. Build a Remote Work Policy and Guidance Framework
Under these pillars and the underpinning conditions there are 15 actions to progress remote working into the future. The Strategy outlines the Departments and State Agencies responsible for the delivery of each of the actions. Each of these actions has a deadline of Q1, 3, or 4 of this year.
My Department is leading on the implementation of the Strategy. Lead actors report the progress on their actions to the Interdepartmental Group on Remote Work. This Group has met twice to date this year, with the most recent meeting taking place last week, on May 27th. At this meeting it was established that actions to date have been met and that progress is underway to achieving the remaining actions by the end of the year. The Group will continue to meet as the year progresses to drive the implementation of the Strategy.
Notable actions already progressed include the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect, which is now in place, and a public consultation on the Right to Request Remote Working.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (56)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:56. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of trading online voucher scheme applications approved to date in 2021 in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29948/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme offers a 50% co-funded voucher of up to €2,500 to help businesses, which have been trading for at least 6 months, to develop their online trading capability and includes training sessions that cover various topics, including developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation.
This Trading Online Voucher Scheme has been a crucial support for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to assist businesses with digitalisation and developing their online presence.
From 1 January 2021 to 26 May 2021 the Trading Online Vouchers Scheme had a total of 122 applications in Mayo which led to 120 approvals to a value of €259,500. This builds on the very successful year of figures from 2020 in Mayo with 527 applications and 438 approvals to a value of €1,016,854.32.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (57)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:57. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the work on the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29949/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Government approved the priority drafting of the Companies (Small Company Administrative Rescue Process and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 on 11th May 2021. Drafting is currently underway with a view to enactment in advance of the summer recess. Officials from my Department continue to engage intensively with the Attorney General and Parliamentary Counsel to progress the Bill within this timeframe.
It is recognised that Ireland’s existing rescue framework, examinership, while internationally recognised and successful in its own right, may be beyond the reach of small companies due to the associated costs. The Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP) seeks to mirror key elements of examinership in an administrative context thereby reducing court oversight resulting in efficiencies and lower comparable costs. It will have limited court involvement where creditors are engaged in the process and positively disposed to a rescue plan.
SCARP is an integral part of the Government’s medium-term stabilisation response to the economic challenges of the pandemic, and in keeping with commitments contained in the Programme for Government. It is a further demonstration of its commitment to do all that it can to help businesses along the road to recovery as we emerge from Covid-19.
Joint Labour Committees
Ceisteanna (58)
Joe O'Brien
Ceist:58. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the proposed establishment of a joint labour committee for the early learning and care and school age childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29953/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following receipt of an application I made, the Labour Court placed on its website a notice of intention to hold an inquiry into an application to establish an Early Years Service Joint Labour Committee pursuant to section 38 of the Industrial Relations Act, 1946. A remote hearing took place on Friday 28th May 2021 and was open to the public.
Section 39 of the 1946 Act as amended by the Industrial Relations Act 2015 provides that where the Court has held an inquiry into an application for an establishment order, the Court may, if it is satisfied that to do so would promote harmonious industrial relations between workers and employers and assist in the avoidance of industrial unrest, make a recommendation to the Minister in either the terms of the draft establishment order prepared in accordance with Section 38 or with such modifications of those terms as it considers necessary.
My role as Minister, provided that I am satisfied that the procedures set out in the legislation have been complied with, and I consider that it is appropriate to do so, is to then make an order in the terms of the recommendation.
I will have no further input until, and only if, I receive a recommendation from the Court
National Minimum Wage
Ceisteanna (59)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:59. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons in receipt of the minimum wage; the number of persons in receipt of the minimum wage who are under 30 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30129/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Statistics on the number of persons in receipt of the minimum wage are gathered by the Central Statistics Office. Below is the latest information made available to my officials by the Central Statistics Office.
In Q4 2020, 60,500 employees between 15 and 24 earned the minimum wage or lower. A further 22,400 employees between 25 and 34 earned the minimum wage or lower.
Across all age groups a total of 127,600 employees earn the minimum wage or lower. Of these 105,100 earn the minimum wage and 22,400 earn less than the minimum wage.
This is in the context of total employment levels of 2,306,200 in Q4 2020, if using the standard International Labour Organisation (ILO) criteria, rather than COVID-adjusted figures.
The current National Minimum Wage is €10.20 per hour.
The National Minimum Wage applies to most employees. It applies to full-time, part-time, temporary and casual employees. However the following categories of employees are excluded:
Employees who are close relatives of the employer, where the employer is a Sole Trader, such as a spouse, civil partner, parent, step-parent, grandparent, child, step-child, grandchild, sibling or half-sibling of the employer;
A craft apprentice within the meaning of the Industrial Training Act, 1967, or the Labour of Services Act, 1987.
Sub-minimum rates also apply to those aged under 20 years.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (60)
Colm Burke
Ceist:60. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of loans approved for each State-backed loan scheme by his Department by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30213/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ireland, Government has worked to put in place a range of loan guarantee schemes that offer access to appropriate financing to businesses as they respond to the impacts of the pandemic on their business.
These include the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, which makes available up to €2 billion in lending for terms of up to five-and-a-half years. These loans may be used for liquidity as well as for investment purposes, which means that this support may be of assistance to businesses in need of liquidity support post-lockdown. These loans are available at interest rates below market value for similar loans without a State guarantee.
The COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme makes relatively short-term working capital lending available to pandemic-impacted businesses. Loans under this scheme must be used to innovate, change or adapt in response to the impacts of the pandemic. These loans are offered for terms of up to three years, at a maximum interest rate of 4%. Per-county uptake figures for this scheme are made available as part of quarterly reports on the scheme. The most recent report is that to the end of Q4 2020.
The Brexit Loan Scheme offers lending under similar terms to the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, however it is made available to Brexit-exposed businesses. Per-county uptake figures for this scheme are made available as part of quarterly reports on the scheme. The most recent report is that to the end of Q4 2020.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme was launched in 2019 and was expanded by €500m in July of 2020. This scheme makes available up to €800m in lending to assist long term, strategic investment by eligible businesses, including in response to Brexit and COVID-19. Loans under this scheme are for terms of 7-10 years. Per-county uptake figures for this scheme are made available as part of quarterly reports on the scheme. The most recent report is that to the end of Q4 2020.
The Microenterprise Loan Fund operated by Microfinance Ireland assists businesses with fewer than ten employees. It provides much-needed funding to help microenterprises meet payments for stock, working capital requirements and other overhead expenses through the provision of low-cost lending facilities.
Microfinance Ireland provides vital support to microenterprises by filling the lending gap in the market by lending to business that cannot obtain loans from other commercial lenders. It lends to business that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by commercial lenders and applies interest rate charges for its lending which are not reflective of its credit risk. Loans are available for up to €25,000, with interest rates ranging from 4.5% to 5.5% on the Covid-19 Business Loan and from 6.8% to 7.8% on standard business loans.
The attached table sets out the number of loans under each of these schemes.
|
County |
Future Growth Loan Scheme [Loans Drawn, end Q4 2020] |
COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme [Loans Drawn, end Q4 2020] |
Brexit Loan Scheme [Loans Drawn, end Q4 2020] |
COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme [Loans Drawn, 20/05/2021] |
MicroFinance Ireland loan fund (Loans approved, 1 April 2020-31 March 2021) |
|
Carlow |
48 |
5 |
8 |
68 |
26 |
|
Cavan |
57 |
6 |
5 |
51 |
24 |
|
Clare |
83 |
13 |
4 |
159 |
34 |
|
Cork |
327 |
118 |
26 |
609 |
105 |
|
Donegal |
131 |
33 |
20 |
262 |
42 |
|
Dublin |
243 |
309 |
102 |
1092 |
296 |
|
Galway |
160 |
35 |
13 |
426 |
61 |
|
Kerry |
90 |
28 |
1 |
164 |
48 |
|
Kildare |
58 |
24 |
13 |
205 |
56 |
|
Kilkenny |
58 |
5 |
5 |
97 |
36 |
|
Laois |
42 |
4 |
5 |
85 |
23 |
|
Leitrim |
19 |
4 |
1 |
36 |
12 |
|
Limerick |
85 |
28 |
6 |
199 |
51 |
|
Longford |
24 |
2 |
0 |
29 |
14 |
|
Louth |
54 |
18 |
9 |
108 |
29 |
|
Mayo |
114 |
16 |
3 |
264 |
31 |
|
Meath |
62 |
27 |
10 |
227 |
43 |
|
Monaghan |
58 |
4 |
6 |
58 |
19 |
|
Offaly |
64 |
9 |
3 |
83 |
29 |
|
Roscommon |
40 |
8 |
4 |
63 |
20 |
|
Sligo |
39 |
16 |
4 |
84 |
9 |
|
Tipperary |
152 |
16 |
5 |
218 |
40 |
|
Waterford |
68 |
15 |
2 |
103 |
43 |
|
Westmeath |
38 |
9 |
2 |
47 |
38 |
|
Wexford |
109 |
22 |
5 |
111 |
59 |
|
Wicklow |
57 |
20 |
15 |
157 |
41 |
|
Total |
2280 |
794 |
277 |
5005 |
1229 |
Insurance Industry
Ceisteanna (61)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:61. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures his Department is taking on the issue of insurance reform. [30236/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Sub-Group on Insurance Reform, under the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery & Investment, which I chair was established to oversee and drive forward insurance reform. The Action Plan for Insurance Reform was published on December 8th and sets out 66 actions across Government to bring down the cost of insurance for consumers and business.
Actions for my own Department under the Action Plan are set out as follows:
- Enhancing the role of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board
My colleague the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, has met regularly with PIAB and a range of representative bodies to assess the role of PIAB and develop proposals to enhance and reform the agency. The Minister has undertaken a public consultation seeking views on the matter from all interested parties. There has been very good engagement with the consultation and we are now concluding the examination of the responses with a view to introducing legislation to enhance and reform PIAB.
As set out in the Plan the new Personal Injuries Guidelines came into effect on the 24th April. These Guidelines apply to all cases assessed by PIAB from that date. The new Guidelines clearly represent a shift in the manner in which general damages are awarded in our country and in the level of those damages and should exert downward pressure on insurance premiums.
In addition, the Minister for Justice along with Minister Troy, published the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021 in April 2021. This Bill will bring Garda compensation claims within the PIAB process. This will benefit both claimants, in terms of quicker resolution of claims with an objective assessment of quantum, and the State as the respondent, in terms of lower legal and administrative costs.
- Strengthening the enforcement powers of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
On the 22nd December 2020 Government approved the General Scheme of the Competition (Amendment) Bill. This Bill represents a step change in competition enforcement for Ireland and will give the CCPC more effective enforcement powers to punish anti-competitive conduct. The Bill has undergone pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment and is currently undergoing drafting with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
- Working together with the Department of Finance to establish an office within government to encourage greater competition in the insurance market
A new office to promote competition in the insurance market has been established within the Department of Finance, supported by my Department and chaired by the Minister for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance. The work of the Office includes engaging with sectoral stakeholders to understand gaps in the insurance market, with a view to expanding the risk appetite of existing insurers. It is also involved in exploring opportunities for new entrants in order to increase the availability of insurance. This Office will provide a more coordinated Government policy approach to promote competition in the insurance sector.
Under the Action Plan my Department is also continuing to oversee the implementation of the remaining Personal Injury Commission’s recommendations by relevant bodies.
The Government wants a competitive, stable and consumer-friendly insurance environment. The Action Plan for Insurance Reform is one of the most important programmes that this Government will undertake. Implementation of the Plan is on track and I will shortly chair a meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Group on Insurance Reform to assess progress. The full implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform will help to ensure that we have an insurance system which is both affordable and reliable and one which underpins a vibrant economy.
Food Waste
Ceisteanna (62)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:62. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider developing a roadmap for halving food waste by 2026. [29885/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The strategy for tackling food waste is set out in the range of comprehensive actions focusing on food waste prevention, redistribution, infrastructure and food waste management contained in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, which was published in September 2020. These include a commitment to halve food waste by 2030. The plan is available at www.gov.ie. In addition, I intend to provide for the introduction of a statutory Food Loss Prevention Roadmap through the Circular Economy Bill, the General Scheme of which I hope to publish shortly.
Environmental Policy
Ceisteanna (63)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:63. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which restoration of peatlands can be a credit towards Ireland’s climate targets. [29886/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Peatlands are considered “Managed Wetlands” and are currently reported in Ireland’s national greenhouse gas emission inventory submissions to the EU and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. While no specific targets for emissions and removals from land use currently exist, this will change with the application of a new EU land-use accounting system, under the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation (LULUCF).
Under this Regulation, emissions and removals will be assessed over two consecutive accounting periods, the first from 2021 to 2025, and the second from 2026 to 2030. The LULUCF Regulation requires EU Member States to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions from the land use sector are offset by at least an equivalent removal of CO from the sector for the period 2021 to 2030, based on defined benchmarks. This commitment is referred to as the "no debit rule".
Should Ireland satisfy the “no debit rule” as outlined above, Ireland can avail of credits through additional removals in the LULUCF sectors that may be transferred to assist in meeting the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), which sets binding annual greenhouse gas emissions targets for Member States for the period 2021-2030. These targets concern sectors outside of the EU Emissions Trading System, such as agriculture, transport, buildings and waste. The ESR sets Ireland a target of 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. In meeting this target, a credit/flexibility of up to 26.8Mt CO2eq is available to Ireland under the LULUCF Regulation. As emissions and removals from peatlands, under Managed Wetlands, form a part of the LULUCF sector, their improved management could help Ireland achieve this flexibility.
Climate Change Policy
Ceisteanna (64)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:64. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that the selection criteria used in the awarding of contracts under Just Transition funds will include a criterion that recognises favourably applicants and communities located in the affected regions that are impacted by the low-carbon transition associated with meeting the EU’s 2030 targets (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29902/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The EU Just Transition Fund is designed to support the most affected regions in EU Member States to meet the challenges associated with achieving the EU's climate targets for 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. The Just Transition Fund will invest in specific projects that will contribute to alleviating the impact of the transition by financing the diversification and modernisation of the local economy and by mitigating the negative repercussions on employment.
In order to access the Just Transition Fund, Ireland must prepare a Territorial Just Transition Plan for approval by the European Commission. The Territorial Plan will define the regions eligible for funding and the measures to be funded, in line with the relevant EU regulation. The criteria used to select projects will depend on design of individual measures to be supported under the Territorial Plan. It is expected that this Territorial Plan will be completed and submitted to the European Commission in the second half of 2021.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (65)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:65. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 143 of 11 May 2021, if a property (details supplied) that is not included in the intervention area of the National Broadband Plan and cannot get an adequate service from commercial providers will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29928/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As stated in my reply of 11 May to a Parliamentary Question on this matter, the premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department has, however, raised a query regarding the premises in question with the service provider to get the current status for the location and has confirmed that the premises is not receiving speeds of 30 Mbps. Officials in my Department are examining a number of premises, including this one, and will ensure that access to high speed broadband is made available, either through commercial means or through the National Broadband Plan intervention. Where appropriate and if compliant with State aid rules, premises may be reclassified as AMBER on the high speed broadband map. Before reclassification of a premises can be confirmed, it must first go through a formal review process. This is to ensure that the State is compliant with State Aid rules and the State aid approval which enabled the contract to be awarded under the National Broadband Plan.
The NBP High Speed Broadband Map is dynamic. This means that the intervention area can be updated to reflect new commercial plans, or previous plans that have failed to materialise. This flexibility allows for an increase or decrease in the number of premises included in the State Intervention area, if appropriate to do so.
Exploration Industry
Ceisteanna (66, 67)
Michael Collins
Ceist:66. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has carried out an assessment on the expected reduction of carbon emissions which will result from banning future oil and gas licences; if he will provide a copy of the information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29992/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Collins
Ceist:67. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the banning of future gas licences, which will result in an increase in gas imports with higher emissions than local gas into Ireland, aligns with the objective laid out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 and in particular to the commitment to lowering Ireland’s carbon emissions to reach net zero by 2050; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29993/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together.
The commitment in the Programme for Government to ending the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of oil and natural gas has been implemented by my Department and it will be given statutory effect by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021.
I do not intend to review or revisit this policy. Therefore, my Department has not undertaken, and does not intend to undertake, studies in relation to the merits of future oil and natural gas exploration in Ireland in the context of achieving the Government's climate ambitions to 2030 and beyond.
My Department is currently carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The review is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review includes a technical analysis which will help inform a public consultation.
The technical analysis includes identification and examination of the key risks to the security of supply in the electricity and natural gas systems; identification of options that could address or mitigate these risks in the period to 2030; and appraisal of these options in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050.
The review will take into account the expected levels of indigenous natural gas production under pre-existing applications, options and licences. However, in line with the Programme for Government, the options that could be taken to address or mitigate potential risks will not include further additional indigenous gas production.
Question No. 67 answered with Question No. 66.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (68)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:68. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households that have applied for the national home retrofit scheme since its commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30012/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department funds a number of SEAI grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Partial grants are available for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty.
€221.5 million in capital funding has been provided this year for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes (including Solar PV). This represents an additional €100 million, or an 82% increase, on the 2020 allocation and is the largest ever budget for the schemes. Of this amount, €109 million in exchequer funding has been provided to support lower income households to retrofit their homes. The remainder of the 2021 budget (€112.5 million) will be spent on expanding other existing SEAI grant schemes and introducing new initiatives.
The new National Home Retrofit Scheme (One-Stop-Shop Development Call) is one such initiative and opened for applications last September with a budget of €21.5 million.
This new support scheme is designed to encourage the development of retrofit One-Stop-Shops, to support home retrofit on a larger scale, and support the growth of the retrofitting industry. The scheme facilitates home upgrades for private households, registered Housing Associations and Local Authorities who wish to participate in delivering home energy efficiency upgrades. One-Stop-Shops will bring benefits for homeowners and for the supply side. A key objective of One-Stop-Shops is to make retrofit easier to do and more attractive to homeowners. Given the scale of national retrofitting targets, the One-Stop-Shops provide a key opportunity for the development and growth of the retrofit sector and the supply chain with significant job growth potential. One of the characteristics of the One-Stop-Shop model is aggregation to facilitate increased efficiencies and scale. Applications are made by the One-Stop-Shop to deliver the energy efficiency upgrade of a stipulated number of qualifying homes. To date, 47 applications have been submitted by 23 developing One-Stop-Shops. Between them the contracts approved entail upgrades for over 1,500 homes to a B2 or cost optimal energy standard as per Part L of the Building Regulation. More details of this scheme, which has been well received by the market, are available on the SEAI website at: https://www.seai.ie/grants/national-home-retrofit/National-Home-Retrofit-Scheme-Guidelines.pdf.
Programme for Government
Ceisteanna (69)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:69. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the programme for Government commitment to develop a solar energy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30013/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government provides for the development of a Solar Energy Strategy for rooftop and ground-based photovoltaics (PV) to ensure that a greater share of our electricity needs is met through solar power. A number of steps as part of our overall approach to solar energy are under way.
The development of grid scale solar energy has been sharply accelerated in Ireland through the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS-1) auction, which included a dedicated solar category. In RESS-1, 51 solar projects, equating to approximately 631MW of new renewable energy capacity, have entered into implementation agreements as set out in the terms and conditions of the scheme. Detailed planning is now underway for the second onshore RESS auction, RESS-2.
In addition, a Micro-Generation Working Group, chaired by my Department, is examining an enabling framework for micro-generation, including from solar PV, which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. The proposed support mechanism was outlined in a Public Consultation which closed on 18th February last. An analysis of these submissions is underway by my Department with a view to publishing a summary of submissions and the submissions themselves on the Department’s website in the coming weeks.
While the primary aim of a micro-generation scheme is to enable electricity users to meet their own electricity needs, it is envisaged that a suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all renewable generators in the second half of 2021, subject to regulatory arrangements, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive.
Furthermore, my Department has been working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on a revision to the exemptions for solar installations under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 that would reduce the barriers to micro and small-scale rooftop solar PV and open up exemptions to new building types including educational, community and apartment buildings. It is expected that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will bring forward the required amendments to the Regulations later this year.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (70)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:70. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30014/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract 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 over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.
Despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that as at the 27 May over 220,000 premises have been surveyed across all counties.
This survey work has enabled detailed designs to be developed for each deployment area. The detailed designs are then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with Open eir, where Open eir ensures any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose and the make ready of other required infrastructure. This step also informs decisions on equipment ordering. Survey data is also needed to initiate pre-works which pave the way for the deploying of fibre. Pre-works involve construction of new duct routes, erection of poles, building chambers and tree trimming. On completion of these pre-works, the main construction works can commence.
The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected in Carrigaline, Co Cork and Cavan with almost 4,000 premises passed and available for connection to date. Premises in Galway and Limerick are expected to be available for connection in the coming months. I am advised that build works are continuing across the country in 12 deployment areas covering townlands in Carrigaline, Ballinasloe, Cavan, Clare, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick Monaghan, Roscommon, Tipperary, Tralee, Wexford and Carlow. In addition, "make ready" work is underway in a further 15 Deployment Areas.
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 27th May, 317 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs.
My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
Electricity Grid
Ceisteanna (71)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:71. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the programme for Government commitment to complete the Celtic interconnector to connect Ireland’s electricity grid to France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30015/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Celtic Interconnector is a proposed 700 MW electricity interconnector between Brittany and Cork, promoted and developed by the Irish electricity Transmission System Operator, EirGrid, and its French counterpart, Reseau de Transporte d’Électricite (RTÉ).
Upon scheduled completion in 2026, the Celtic Interconnector will result in the return of direct electricity interconnection between Ireland and the remainder of the EU Internal Energy Market, as well as enhanced market competition and security of electricity supply, to the benefit of Irish and French electricity customers. It will also provide for the direct export of surplus Irish renewable energy to mainland Europe, and a reduction in curtailment of wind generation in Ireland, including costs associated with this curtailment for Irish consumers.
As an EU Project of Common Interest (PCI), the Celtic Interconnector was awarded a €530m grant under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in 2019, which will cover approximately 50% of the project’s total estimated costs. This grant was made possible by significant support for the project from the Irish Government that resulted in its designation as an EU PCI.
The importance of the Celtic Interconnector to achieving Ireland’s climate and energy objectives, and Government commitment to completing its development, is highlighted in the Programme for Government. Support from the Irish and French Governments for this project was reaffirmed in the Joint Declaration at a meeting between Foreign Ministers in Dublin in May 2021.
Responsibility for developing the Celtic Interconnector is primarily a matter for the project promoter, EirGrid. Following extensive planning by EirGrid and a period of public consultation during 2020, a decision was arrived at by EirGrid regarding the location of interconnector infrastructure in East Cork, pending required approval by Irish planning authorities. A further decision was arrived at by EirGrid regarding the establishment of an enhanced community benefit scheme for impacted communities. According to EirGrid, applications for the required foreshore licence and onshore planning permissions in Ireland will be submitted in summer 2021.