Written Answers Nos. 32-51
32. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which family businesses continue to contribute to the economy with particular reference for the need to so do in the aftermath of Brexit. [32510/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. While the CSO's statistical Business Register contains a classification by legal form of enterprise, the statistics do not separately count family businesses. The closest approximation available is enterprises that are classified as Sole Traders or Partnerships. The latest year for which this information is available is 2018. Data for 2019 will be available in mid-July.
There were 270,344 enterprises in the private business economy in 2018, of which 141,916 (52.5%) were Sole Traders or Partnerships. These contributed 15.3% of total Persons Engaged and 4.2% of Turnover in the private business economy in 2018. The corresponding figures for the years 2015 to 2017 are provided in the table below.
The CSO's recent report on the Business Impact of Brexit on SMEs, which was published on Friday 11 June 2021, contains analysis of how small and medium enterprises have been impacted by and responded to Brexit: https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/presspages/2021/businessimpactofbrexitonsmes2020/
Table: Contribution of Sole Proprietors / Partnerships to the private business economy, 2015 to 2018
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
|
Number of enterprises |
Number of enterprises |
Number of enterprises |
Number of enterprises |
|
|
Total enterprises |
248,843 |
250,033 |
271,166 |
270,344 |
|
Sole traders or partnerships |
140,479 |
137,061 |
148,394 |
141,916 |
|
Share of sole traders and partnerships in total private business economy (%) |
Share of sole traders and partnerships in total private business economy (%) |
Share of sole traders and partnerships in total private business economy (%) |
Share of sole traders and partnerships in total private business economy (%) |
|
|
Enterprises |
56.5% |
54.8% |
54.7% |
52.5% |
|
Persons Engaged |
17.5% |
16.4% |
16.3% |
15.3% |
|
Turnover |
5.9% |
4.3% |
4.8% |
4.2% |
Notes:
1. If an Enterprise has the Legal Form of Sole Proprietor (sole trader), it does not necessarily mean there is only one person employed in the business. A Sole Proprietorship may have employees. Conversely, businesses with only one Person Engaged may have a legal form other than Sole Proprietorship (e.g. Limited Company).
2. The private business economy comprises the Industry, Construction, Distribution, Financial and Services sectors (NACE Rev 2 codes B to N, excluding code 64.20 “Activities of Holding Companies”) as classified by the CSO.
33. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 last met. [32240/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cabinet Committee on COVID-19 meets as required. It last met on 27 May.
34. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding issued under the small business assistance scheme for Covid-19 to date; and the number of businesses that have benefitted by county in tabular form. [32277/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below provides the details requested by the Deputy on a per county basis for the SBASC scheme.
Details of the small business assistance scheme for COVID per county to date
|
Local Authority |
Vol of Applicants |
Value of Applications to date |
|
Carlow |
35 |
€ 140,000.00 |
|
Cavan |
31 |
€ 124,000.00 |
|
Clare |
76 |
€ 304,000.00 |
|
Cork City |
163 |
€ 652,000.00 |
|
Cork County |
192 |
€ 768,000.00 |
|
Donegal |
87 |
€ 348,000.00 |
|
Dublin City |
357 |
€ 1,428,000.00 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
104 |
€ 416,000.00 |
|
Fingal |
167 |
€ 668,000.00 |
|
Galway City |
57 |
€ 228,000.00 |
|
Galway County |
90 |
€ 360,000.00 |
|
Kerry |
107 |
€ 428,000.00 |
|
Kildare |
89 |
€ 356,000.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
56 |
€ 224,000.00 |
|
Laois |
34 |
€ 136,000.00 |
|
Leitrim |
14 |
€ 56,000.00 |
|
Limerick |
137 |
€ 548,000.00 |
|
Longford |
34 |
€ 136,000.00 |
|
Louth |
93 |
€ 372,000.00 |
|
Mayo |
131 |
€ 524,000.00 |
|
Meath |
153 |
€ 612,000.00 |
|
Monaghan |
68 |
€ 272,000.00 |
|
Offaly |
87 |
€ 348,000.00 |
|
Roscommon |
69 |
€ 276,000.00 |
|
Sligo |
35 |
€ 140,000.00 |
|
South Dublin |
153 |
€ 612,000.00 |
|
Tipperary |
89 |
€ 356,000.00 |
|
Waterford |
78 |
€ 312,000.00 |
|
Westmeath |
60 |
€ 240,000.00 |
|
Wexford |
118 |
€ 472,000.00 |
|
Wicklow |
115 |
€ 460,000.00 |
|
GRAND TOTALS |
3079 |
€ 12,316,000.00 |
As of June 11th 2021. Based on data from the LGMA. Not all applicants are approved.
35. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Workplace Relations Commission participated in joint operations with An Garda Síochána focused on the detection of labour exploitation in the fishing industry in 2020 or 2019; if so, the outcome of those inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32145/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset I should emphasise that the Workplace Relations Commission inspectorate service is independent in its functions.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) inspectorate contributes to multi-agency efforts to enforce the Atypical Worker Permission Scheme for Non-EEA Workers engaged on certain Irish-registered whitefish fishing vessels which was introduced by the Department of Justice and Equality in February 2016. The WRC liaises with these agencies/organisations, including An Garda Siochana, from time to time and as required in relation to information sharing and other matters. Some 180 fishing vessels come within the scope of the Scheme.
I am advised by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) that it participated in one joint, in-port, operation with An Garda Siochana in the period 2019 to 2020 and that the outcome in that case was a referral to the Department of Transport of matters which came with that Department’s responsibility.
Some 454 fisheries inspections have been undertaken by WRC Inspectors since the introduction, in February 2016, of the Atypical Scheme for Non-EEA Workers engaged on certain Irish-registered fishing vessels. Some 323 contraventions have been detected to date by WRC Inspectors.
36. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for continuing subvention of the travel agent sector given the extraordinary challenges ongoing (details supplied); the supports that will be offered to a sector suffering a continuing 80% to 90% revenue reduction as a result of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32165/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the impact the necessary COVID-19 restrictions has had, it is likely that businesses in the travel sector, such as travel agents, will take longer to recover than those engaged in other sectors of the economy. It has been an incredibly difficult time for such businesses.
The Government’s comprehensive package to help the wide range of businesses during the pandemic, including travel agents, includes the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.
In addition to these financial provisions, my colleague Mr Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and Transport also provided access to the Refund Credit Note scheme which allowed travel agents to issue credit notes, underwritten by the State, to consumers in lieu of cash refunds. This measure helped further enhance the ability of travel agents to survive this crisis.
These schemes have been vital in sustaining businesses and workers, getting us to the point we have now reached. With the economy now re-opening in clear phases, and vaccine roll-out comprehensively underway, the Economic Recovery Plan sets out a renewed package of assistance, investments and policies for a new stage of economic recovery, providing 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).
This Plan comprehensively expands the EWSS and PUP, and provides clarity and certainty for businesses and employees over the period ahead by outlining next steps.
In addition, it extends CRSS as well as enhances the SBASC payment; extends the Commercial Rates Waiver until the end of September 2021; provides for a new additional Business Resumption Support Scheme; extends Tax Debt Warehousing until the end of 2021; and further extends the 9% tourism VAT rate until September 2022. Information on the wide range of schemes can be found on my Department’s website.
Eligibility for the SBASC for Q2 2021 applications has been broadened in two ways. Where businesses have a minimum turnover of €50,000 they can benefit from a €4,000 grant. This now includes businesses in non-rated premises, thereby benefitting self-employed people working from home, who meet all other eligibility criteria. It also provides for a grant of €1,000 for businesses with a minimum turnover of €20,000 and a maximum turnover of €49,999, with all other SBASC eligibility criteria applying. Applications for this Scheme close on 21 July 2021.
We are committed to the economic recovery of the country and work is ongoing across Government to ensure the assistance which will be in place is sufficient, targeted and sustainable.
I, along with my colleagues, Ms Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, and Mr Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, am fully committed to doing everything possible to support all those affected by the necessary restrictions implemented due to COVID-19, and including continuing to help businesses survive until such times as they can begin to trade in a meaningful way again.
37. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of an enterprise centre (details supplied) in County Cork. [32172/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Enterprise Centre mentioned in the question commenced operations in 2016 and provides fully equipped office space, hot-desking facilities and meeting/training rooms for rent on a monthly, weekly or daily basis. The Centre has achieved almost 100% occupancy for its rented office space with ten tenant companies.
The Enterprise Centre is a not-for-profit entity led by a board of 14 directors with a five-person Enterprise Centre Management Group acting as the project executive members. Title to the Enterprise Centre is held by a local registered charity Community Forum.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a decline in numbers attending the centre with some clients working from home. However, all 10 tenant companies have retained their leases throughout and a steady increase in demand for the rental of hot-desk facilities has been noted.
In November 2020, due to the adverse impacts of Covid-19, some €8.24m in grants for 95 Enterprise Centres around the country under the Enterprise Centres Fund were announced . This centre was approved €84,400 under this fund. An expansion of hot-desk facilities with the support of the Enterprise Centres Fund is currently being planned.
38. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the duties the EU directives in relation to the transfer of undertakings imposes on all employers in Ireland involved in such a transfer; the rights currently conferred on all employees as a result of this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32215/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 131 of 2003) apply to any transfer of an undertaking, business or part of a business from one employer to another employer as a result of a legal transfer (including the assignment or forfeiture of a lease) or merger.
Regulation 8 of the Regulations provides that, in a transfer situation, both the original employer and the new employer must inform the representatives of their employees affected by the transfer, of
1. the date or proposed date of the transfer;
2. the reasons for the transfer;
3. the legal implications of the transfer for the employees and a summary of any relevant economic and social implications of the transfer for them, and any measures envisaged in relation to the employees.
The original employer must give this information to the employees’ representatives, where reasonably practicable, not later than 30 days before the transfer and in any event, in good time before the transfer occurs. The new employer must give the information to the employees’ representatives, where reasonably practicable, not later than 30 days before the transfer occurs and in any event, in good time before the employees are directly affected by the transfer as regards their conditions of work and employment.
If either employer envisage measures in relation to their employees, the employees’ representatives must be consulted, where reasonably practicable, not later than 30 days before the transfer occurs and, in any event in good time before the transfer about such measures, with a view to reaching agreement. Where there are no employee representatives, the employers must arrange for the employees to choose (including by means of an election) representatives for this purpose.
Complaints relating to alleged contravention of the 2003 Regulations can be brought in the first instance to an Adjudication Officer of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and, on appeal, to the Labour Court. Any such case should be taken within six months of the date on which an employee considers that there has been a contravention of the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations.
39. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding that will be provided to deliver a Ministerial-led SME and entrepreneurship implementation group to coordinate the delivery of supports for SMEs across all sectors of the economy in addition to the single SME portal to streamline access to assistance as outlined in the Economic Recovery Plan 2021. [32275/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, I am very proud of our small business community who have shown immense drive, commitment and flexibility during the pandemic.
I and my colleagues across Government must now determine how we adapt our current policies to futureproofing Ireland’s workforce.
The Economic Recovery Plan focuses on anticipating and responding to the challenges ahead in terms of ensuring Ireland is well positioned to adapt and prosper into the future by having skilled people working in quality jobs in sustainable sectors.
Last autumn, the Tánaiste also established an SME Growth Taskforce of entrepreneurs, business leaders and other stakeholders to fulfil the commitment made in the “Programme for Government – Our Shared Future”, to draw up an ambitious long-term strategic blueprint for SMEs and entrepreneurs beyond COVID-19.
The resulting ‘Report of the SME Taskforce: National SME and Entrepreneurship Growth Plan’, which was published in January 2021 by my Department, sets out a wide range of recommendations with long-term strategic relevance for SMEs and entrepreneurs.
Importantly, the recommendations in the Report include measures to help SMEs and entrepreneurs to start up, scale up and access foreign markets, as well as recommendations aimed at helping SMEs to become more productive and ready for the transition to a digital, green economy.
My Department and its Agencies will be central to driving the recommendations of the Report. These proposals while not yet Government policy, are being reviewed and taken forward, as appropriate, by the Ministerial-led SME and Entrepreneurship Growth Plan Implementation Group during 2021.
The Implementation Group is co-chaired by Minister Robert Troy and myself, and is supported by Department and Agency Officials, and is funded from within my Department's current budget. The Implementation Group has already had a series of meetings where it has met with the Departments and Agencies who have responsibility for the policy and operational areas, and where appropriate the associated budgets, covered by the recommendations made by the SME Taskforce, to move these recommendations forward.
The SME and Entrepreneurship Implementation Group is committed to driving the new SME and Entrepreneurship Growth Plan, which is wholly beneficial to anyone trying to turn a business idea into a business reality.
40. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the provisions in place to require a primary tenderer to ensure that a contractor to whom a contract is awarded by that primary tenderer pays any sub-contractor in full for work undertaken and completed satisfactorily by any such sub-contractor; if there is a public register of defaulting contractors; the procedures for the registration of any such defaulting contractors to make future sub-contractors aware of any such previous defaults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32283/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of payment disputes under construction contracts is addressed in the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 which applies to certain construction contracts entered into after the 25th July 2016.
The purpose of the legislation is to regulate payments, particularly the timing of payments, under a construction contract covered by the legislation. It provides important statutory payment protections for subcontractors in the construction industry who have been considered vulnerable in the payment cycle in that industry. It also provides a statutory entitlement to avail of adjudication as a means of swiftly resolving payment disputes that arise under construction contracts.
There is also a general prohibition in section 3(5) of the Act that a provision in a construction contract is ineffective if it provides that the payment of an amount due to an Executing party or the timing of such a payment is conditional on the making of a payment by a person who is not a party to the construction contract.
Section 6(1) of the Act provides a right for a party to a construction contract to refer a payment dispute arising under the contract for adjudication. When this right is exercised, the parties to the contract may jointly agree to appoint an Adjudicator of their own choice. In circumstances where the parties cannot or do not agree as to whom to appoint, a party may apply to the Chairperson of the Construction Contracts Adjudication Panel under section 6(4) of the Act to appoint an Adjudicator to the dispute from the Ministerial-appointed Panel of Adjudicators. The adjudication will then be concluded within a set timeframe in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
As construction contracts, by their nature involve private contractual arrangements between parties, there is no statutory public register for cases where non-payment may have arisen. However, as stated above, the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 provides a statutory entitlement to avail of adjudication as a means of swiftly resolving such payment disputes in a professional and efficient way. Full details of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 are available on the website of my Department at the following link:
https://www.enterprise.gov.ie/en/Construction-Contracts-Adjudication-Service/.
41. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost of introducing a universal basic income at the core social welfare rate of €203 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32371/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not examined the costs of introducing a universal basic income.
As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to ‘Request the Low Pay Commission to examine Universal Basic Income, informed by a review of previous international pilots, and resulting in a universal basic income pilot in the lifetime of the Government’. Earlier this year, I formally requested the Low Pay Commission to examine this issue.
The Deputy will note that the terms of reference agreed by the Low Pay Commission for research on Universal Basic Income include “the different rates at which UBI could be set”.
The terms of reference for this research are again provided below.
The Low Pay Commission intends to provide a report to me on this research and their recommendations later this year.
I will then work with my officials to examine the Low Pay Commission’s findings and recommendations, including those on the rates at which a Universal Basic Income could be set. Estimated costs of the introduction of a Universal Basic Income will be examined at that time.
Universal Basic Income Study Terms of Reference
Question 1: What are the key messages from academic literature on UBI?
a) from the literature, identify the main policy objectives a UBI is expected to deliver
b) from the literature, identify the key risks of introducing a UBI and potential mitigation actions
Question 2: How have other countries run UBI pilots? And what can be learnt from them to guide Ireland’s pilot?
Examine Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilots in other countries, specifically:
a. establish the main policy objectives that each pilot sought to examine;
b. identify any potential policy objectives that were considered but then excluded and why;
c. describe the scope of each pilot;
d. summarise the findings of each pilot and assess their robustness;
e. assess how, in retrospect, each pilot could have been improved, and
f. draw conclusions from all of the above for any UBI pilot in Ireland.
Question 3: How might a UBI in Ireland work? What policy objectives might a UBI aim to achieve in the Irish context?
Consider the implications of the introduction of UBI in Ireland by examining:
a. The different rates at which UBI could be set;
b. the fiscal implications of the different potential rates of UBI (what it would cost in gross and net terms and how it might be funded);
c. the possible interactions between UBI and other policy instruments, such as tax rates, social insurance rates;
d. the labour supply implications of any tax changes needed to finance the introduction of UBI;
e. the distributional consequences of the introduction of a UBI scheme compared to the current contingency-based scheme;
f. depending on the differing UBI rates, what changes to other policy instruments might be considered as part of the introduction of UBI (might part of the state pension, carers allowance etc. be redesignated as a UBI payment?);
g. the impact on recipients (e.g. health, education opportunities, etc.) and
h. on the basis of the above, what research questions might a UBI pilot answer?
Question 4: How might a UBI pilot be designed for Ireland? What question(s) should a UBI pilot aim to answer?
Drawing on questions 1, 2 & 3, make recommendations for a UBI Pilot for Ireland, including areas such as:
a. which policy objectives could be accurately assessed in a pilot;
b. what risks would be associated with the pilot and how would they be mitigated;
c. whether the payments made to participants in any UBI trial should be fixed across participants or based on the net payment they would receive after any anticipated tax/welfare changes.
d. scope/parameters/rules;
e. target population(s);
f. expected expenditure on UBI payments during the course of the study;
g. evaluation methodology;
h. metrics, and
i. data collection procedures.
42. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he expects to continue to support family-owned businesses that may have suffered more than others during the lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32508/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s comprehensive package to help the wide range of businesses during the pandemic, including family businesses and workers, includes the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.
The schemes are there to help meet fixed costs that cannot be avoided and to provide basic weekly income support up to maximum of €350 per week. They are not created to provide compensation for loss of personal income above this level or compensation for loss of profits for any sector.
Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors, and the new National Economic Recovery Plan includes €4 billion of stimulus to fuel the economy and for businesses to recover and rebuild.
The Plan has outlined the changes to the current financial supports as public health restrictions unwind, assuring that the CRSS will remain in place for businesses that have to stay closed. For businesses re-opening in June and July, they will receive a double payment for the first three weeks upon reopening up to a maximum of €30,000. This will help firms with cashflow and to restock and re-engage with staff.
The PUP is a statutory income support for qualifying employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to Covid-19. Under the Recovery Plan to support the reopening of the country, the PUP has been extended beyond the end of June 2021, in recognition that some sectors will continue to be impacted. The scheme is due to close for new applications from 1st July 2021 due to the progress in the roll out of the vaccine programme and reopening of the economy. The PUP will continue to be paid at existing rates until 7th September, when the rate will commence a gradual reduction back to the Jobseekers rate on a phased basis. Further adjustments are scheduled from 16 November 2021 and from 8 February 2022. As recipients are placed on to the €203 rate, they will be transferred to standard Jobseeker terms commencing from this September.
A person in receipt of the PUP who is engaging in self-employment can earn up to €960 over a rolling eight week period and continue to maintain entitlement to PUP. Where a self-employed person exceeds this threshold and works up to 24 hours per week, they may be eligible for the Part Time Job Incentive scheme which has been extended to the self-employed who transition from the PUP. This enables a person to take up limited self-employment and retain a weekly personal payment of €128.60. This scheme will be available to the self- employed until the end of the year.
The Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) is available to eligible self-employed recipients who close their PUP and re-start their business. The grant, of up to €1,000, is payable to self-employed individuals who employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from similar business reopening grants from other Departments. The ESG will continue to be available to self-employed people closing PUP claims on its current terms until the end of 2021, at which point it will revert to its normal rules. Self-employed people closing their PUP claim to reopen their business will be able to avail of this grant even if they have previously claimed it as part of a reopening in 2020.
Details of the PUP and the ESG are available on the website of the Department of Social Protection, which has the remit for these Schemes.
The EWSS is being extended until the end of 2021, the commercial rates waiver will continue during the third quarter of this year for those availing of it, the 9% VAT rate will be extended until the 1 September,2022, tax warehousing is being extended until the end of the year and will be interest free in 2022.
Eligibility for the SBASC for Q2 2021 applications has been broadened in two ways. Where businesses have a minimum turnover of €50,000 they can benefit from a €4,000 grant. This now includes businesses in non-rated premises, thereby benefitting self-employed people working from home, who meet all other eligibility criteria. It also provides for a grant of €1,000 for businesses with a minimum turnover of €20,000 and a maximum turnover of €49,999, with all other SBASC eligibility criteria applying.
Applications close on 21 July for this scheme.
A streamlined Business Resumption Support Scheme will be introduced in September 2021 for businesses with significantly reduced turnover as a result of public health restrictions. More details will be announced shortly.
I would urge business owners to seek the supports outlined above if they have not already done so. I would also suggest they contact their Local Enterprise Office who can signpost them and advise them of supports that may be available for their business.
43. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date of the National Parks and Wildlife Service peatland scheme for large-scale peatlands restoration in 2021; the number of Bord na Móna employees reassigned to date from peat harvesting activities; the number of Bord na Móna seasonal staff re-employed on each bog in which rehabilitation has commenced; the planned recruitment on each bog to be rehabilitated in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32377/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra51. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 11 May 2021, if he will provide details on the progress to date of Bord na Móna’s large-scale peatlands restoration project and the number of Bord na Móna employees reassigned to date from peat harvesting activities; the number of Bord na Móna seasonal staff re-employed on each bog in which rehabilitation has commenced; the planned recruitment on each bog to be rehabilitated in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32376/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 51 together.
The Government is committed to a just transition in the Midlands region and has dedicated significant funding to supporting workers, companies and communities affected by the closure of the peat-fired power stations and the end of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna. The Government approved funding of €108 million for Bord na Móna’s large-scale peatlands project to rehabilitate 33,000 hectares of peatlands. This project is seeing Bord Na Móna reassign employees from peat harvesting activities into rehabilitation operations while supporting the natural environment and biodiversity of the peatlands.
In 2020, following a public procurement process, Bord Na Móna were engaged by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to project manage, provide other professional services, and undertake restoration works within the designated raised bog network.
Since its appointment in April 2020, Bord Na Móna, overseen by a project working group, has undertaken significant preparatory works in advance of restoration measures at 9 project sites in the Midlands region, with a further 5 raised bog special areas of conservation to form part of this year’s programme.
Combined, these schemes will support 350 jobs - taking seasonality into account, this equates to 230 full-time equivalent roles. Of the 350 jobs, approximately 330 will be from the existing workforce.
To date across counties Galway, Meath, Kildare, Westmeath, Offaly, Roscommon, Laois and Longford I'm advised that 152 jobs have been assigned. This is an increase of 47 posts since May 2021. This number will continue to increase through the summer.
|
County |
Jobs to date |
|
Galway |
27 |
|
Meath |
0 |
|
Kildare |
10 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
|
Offaly |
87 |
|
Roscommon |
5 |
|
Laois |
4 |
|
Longford |
15 |
|
Totals |
152 |
44. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 3 June 2021, the number of premises connected and complete under the National Broadband Plan in counties Galway and Roscommon to date in tabular form. [32175/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in my rely to Question No 222 of 3 June 2021, there are 38,897 premises within the NBP intervention area in County Galway. I am advised by NBI that 15,290 of the premises have been surveyed. Surveying is complete or ongoing in the areas of Oranmore, Clarinbrige, Claregalway, Furbo, Barna, Ballinasloe, Kiltomer, Oatfield, Annagh, Kilconnell, Ahascragh, Inverin, Spiddal, Bealadangan, Costelloe, Rossaveel, Derroe, Carraroe, Sruthan, Loughrea, Kilnadeema, Kilchreest, Clostoken, Carrabane, Bullaun, Kilreekill and Heathlawn. Main build works are currently underway in areas of Galway and Ballinasloe with pre-build works underway in Gort. There are 19,185 premises within the Intervention Area in County Roscommon and NBI has advised that 8,268 of the premises have been surveyed. In County Roscommon surveying is complete or ongoing in the areas of Ballymurray, Athleague, Castlecoote, Donamon, Ballymacurley, Lackan, Kilroosky and Fourmilehouse. Main works have commenced in the areas around Ballymurray, Athleague, Castlecoote, Donamon, Ballymacurley, Lackan, Kilroosky and Fourmilehouse.
The following table sets out the areas where build works for the new high speed broadband network have commenced in Counties Galway and Roscommon and where premises are expected to be passed and available for connection later this year according to NBI.
|
Area |
Number of Premises (approx.) |
Current Status |
|
Galway |
3,502 |
Main build works underway |
|
Ballinasloe |
3,307 |
Main build works underway |
|
Roscommon |
3,591 |
Main build works underway |
Further details are available on specific areas within Counties Galway and Roscommon 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. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans.
45. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he is taking to ensure that data centres do not disrupt or damage electricity supply to homes given the recent pronouncements from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. [32263/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra46. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the transition to electric cars can be expected when the volume of data centres located in the State is threatening electricity supply to homes given the recent pronouncements from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. [32264/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together. I propose to answer Questions 45 and 46 together.
The Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy (2018) acknowledges the role of data centres as part of the digital and communications infrastructure for many sectors of our economy. The statement also notes that data centres pose considerable challenges to the future planning and operation of Ireland’s power system.
Ensuring a continued secure supply of electricity is vital for the proper functioning of society and the economy. It is also necessary to ensure people and business have confidence in switching to electrified solutions such as heat pumps and electric vehicles.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has statutory responsibility, under S.I. 60 of 2005, to monitor security of supply of electricity and to
take such measures as it considers necessary to protect security of supply.
In this regard, on 8 June, the CRU published a proposed direction related to data centre grid connections. This direction, which is currently subject to consultation, proposes to prioritise the processing of data centre applications to connect to the electricity grid based on a number of criteria which are focused on security of supply. These criteria include location relative to grid constraints, ability to provide onsite dispatchable generation and/or storage and the ability reduce consumption when requested by the system operator.
My Department is also 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 net zero emissions by 2050. The review will consider the impact of increased electricity demand, including from data centres.
47. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his position with regard to the proposed development of a LNG fracked-gas processing facility at Ballylongford, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32315/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government set out that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and committed to developing a policy statement to establish that approach. On 18 May 2021, the Government's Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas was published. The policy statement sets out that, pending the outcome of a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems being carried out by my Department, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with.
The review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems 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.
It is planned that the technical analysis will be published and the public consultation undertaken in the second half of this year. The review, once completed, will be submitted to Government.
48. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps being taken to eliminate the use of one-off plastics; if it is planned to legislate to ban the use of one-off plastics either immediately or on a phased basis; the barriers to doing this; the progress made in this regard in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32317/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy outlines the measures Ireland is taking to substantially reduce the amount of single use plastic items we use and to sustainably manage the waste arising from those we do. The initial impetus in this area arises from the Single Use Plastics Directive (EU 2019/904) which has a transposition deadline of 3 July 2021. From this date single use plastic cutlery, plates, straws, balloon and cotton bud sticks may not be placed on the Irish market. This ban will also apply to expanded polystyrene cups and food containers and all products containing oxo-degradable plastic. The Plan also details our ambition to lead EU efforts on dealing with disposable coffee cups through the introduction of a latte levy and an eventual ban on disposable coffee and cold drinks cups.
49. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of missing the target for the roll-out of high speed rural broadband in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32366/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra50. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of rolling-out high speed broadband across Ireland in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32367/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 50 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) contains a number of targets and milestones to be completed by NBI in order to deliver the rollout of high-speed broadband services to all premises in the Intervention Area by 2026. NBI is only entitled to claim the payment of relevant subsidy when the targets and milestones have been met. Subsidy payments are therefore held until NBI meets the milestones set out in the NBP contract.
I stated recently that NBI has informed me that the target for homes passed in 2021 as part of the NBP rollout will be less than originally envisaged. This will have a financial impact in that less subsidy will be paid to NBI this year; the precise amount is uncertain at this stage. This will not impact the overall level of subsidy required for the NBP intervention. Payment of subsidy in 2022 will be linked to the achievement by NBI of milestones under the NBP contract and the 2022 allocation for the NBP will be determined as part of the 2022 Estimates process later this year.
