Tuesday, 5 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 100-123

Telecommunications Services

Ceisteanna (100)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

100. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his engagements with his Ministerial colleagues and the Commission for Communications Regulation regarding the issue of cold calls and or potentially fraudulent activities by telephone to persons living in Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the various media reports on the matter; and the progress to date with telecoms providers in respect of this issue. [47610/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

I am aware of phone customers in Ireland recently experiencing an escalated level of nuisance scam calls and smishing and that they can cause considerable distress and anxiety, in addition to causing some customers to incur additional charges.

It is not possible, from a telecoms point of view, to assess the level of scam call activity or to quantify it with any accuracy. While operators may notice an upsurge in traffic or change in patterns of traffic, this might not be related to scam calls.

While I understand that it is not possible to identify scam call numbers in advance, which can resemble normal, familiar geographical or international numbers encountered on a daily basis, the Regulator has published information for consumers in relation to this issue (www.comreg.ie/consumer-information/mobile-phone/scam-calls-2/). This provides advice urging vigilance at all times on the part of consumers and listing suggestions for the proactive steps to be taken by those receiving scam calls, and in particular, advising people not to answer, or to call back any number which they do not recognise or where there is a bland or no voicemail left.  The notice also provides a phone number for consumers to contact and the Regulator also offers a text call back service and other facilities to assist consumers.  

I understand that An Garda Siochána has also raised public awareness to warn phone users on the need to remain continually alert with respect to calls and text messages

I understand  that industry operators are actively analysing the position at network level and the matter continues to be monitored by the Regulator.

The advice to the public remains focussed on the importance of being vigilant. 

Environmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (101)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

101. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position in respect of the waiting times for the better energy warmer homes scheme in cases in which a person has been advised that there could be up to a three year wait for work to commence on their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47661/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date, over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme.  In the first six months of 2021, the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was approximately €17,100.

There are currently just over 7,000 homeowners on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. Data from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) indicates that for homes completed in the first half of 2021, the longest time waiting for a survey from application date was approximately 23 months countrywide and the average time from application to completion was approximately 26 months countrywide. The SEAI has advised me that wait times vary, based on the demand for the scheme at the time of application as well as other factors including the scale of works to be completed, access to the property, availability of materials and the weather.  The average wait times have increased significantly in 2021 due to the extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity in place between January and mid-April when the scheme was fully paused in line with Government guidelines.  Wait times have also been negatively impacted by challenges associated with availability and longer lead times for materials.

Funding for SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased significantly to over €109 million in 2021, with €100 million allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This is an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation and means that almost half of the total SEAI residential and community retrofit budget will support people vulnerable to energy poverty.  The funding will mean that more households can receive free energy efficiency upgrades making their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, in line with the Programme for Government. I have also secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme. In addition, delivery capacity in the supply chain has increased due to a new, broader contractor panel that commenced at the end of 2020.  Every effort is being made to maximise output now that construction activity in the residential sector has recommenced.

National Broadband Plan

Ceisteanna (102)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

102. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department along with NBI has engaged with companies (details supplied) or any other third-party contractor to expand and accelerate the National Broadband Plan contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47727/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

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 the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along some 699 schools.

I am advised by NBI that, as 24 of September, over 257,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed with over 108,000 premises under construction in Counties Cork, Cavan, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan. 

In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond.

In line with the Programme for Government, NBI and my Department are also engaged in a review of potential measures that can be taken to accelerate the network rollout in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19. My Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the NBP rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. As part of that work NBI is engaging with current build partners (eir and enet) to bring forward build activities and is also actively reviewing other possible build partners where such options could also speed up the build process. However, the primary focus must be on addressing the delays which have arisen and ensuring that NBI's build programme gets back on track and is building momentum month on month.  

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.

National Broadband Plan

Ceisteanna (103)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

103. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current deployment areas in County Mayo for the roll-out of fibre broadband; the townlands contained within each area; the number of completed premises surveyed in each townland; the number of premises fibre broadband will pass under the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47728/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

There are 84,299 premises in County Mayo of which 47,872 are in the commercial area and 36,793 are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by NBI that, as of 24 September 2021, over 257,000 premises in the Intervention Area across all counties have been surveyed and over 108,000 premises are under construction across 30 Deployment Areas.

Surveys are complete in the areas of Castlebar, Ballina, Newport and Carrowmorelacken. Surveys are ongoing in the areas around Killadoon. NBI anticipates that premises around Castlebar will be passed and available for connection in H1, 2022 and around Ballina in H2, 2022. There are 28 Deployment Areas covering 3,422 townlands in County Mayo.  NBI has advised that there are circa 168 townlands in the Ballina Deployment area, circa 163 townlands in the Newport DA, circa 208 townlands in the Castlebar DA, circa 73 townlands in the Killadoon DA and circa 174 townlands in the Carrowmorelacken DA. 

Further details are available on specific areas within County Mayo 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 as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, [e-mail], which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

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 24 September, 376 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. BCP’s are connected at The Black Tom Freeman Sport and Community Amenities Centre, Islandeady Community Centre, Kilmovee Community Centre, Killaser Community Centre, Clare Island Community Centre, Cushlough Community Centre, Carrowkennedy, Keel Community Centre, Belderrig Community & Research Centre, Finny Community Centre, Taugheen Community Centre, and Bofeenaun Community Centre. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.

Valley National School, Dookinella National School, Midfield National School, Cloonliffen National School, Errew National School, Gortskehy National School, Kinaffe National School, Rathbane National School, Tavraun Central National School, Saint Coleman's National School, Rathnamagh National School, Cloghans National School, Meelick More National School, Facefield National School, and Scoil Néifinn, Keenagh, have been installed by NBI for educational access. 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/.

Environmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (104, 105, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

104. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the primary focus of the EXEED grant scheme is carbon reduction or certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47801/21]

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

105. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the EXEED grant scheme is for carbon reduction or certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47802/21]

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

107. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether the scoring system for the EXEED grant scheme is weighted too heavily towards certification rather than carbon reduction projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47804/21]

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

108. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether the EXEED grant scheme is failing due to the fact that of 237 expressions of interest only 82 manifested in stage 1 applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47805/21]

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

109. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the fact that 82 stage 1 applications for the EXEED grant scheme is an extremely low uptake when compared to the number of eligible SMEs in the sector and may indicate that there is a problem with the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47806/21]

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

110. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether the fact that only seven EXEED grant scheme offers have been made in 2021 will have a significant impact on national targets for carbon reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47807/21]

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

111. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the seven EXEED grant scheme offers made, by industry, business size, geographical location of the successful applications, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47808/21]

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

112. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown by industry, business size and geographical location of the number of businesses that have passed audit and achieved certification (details supplied) since the inception of the EXEED grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47809/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 105 and 107 to 112, inclusive, together.

The Programme for Government commits to achieving an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

In order to ensure alignment to these commitments, last year I approved changes to the Excellence in Energy Efficiency Design (EXEED) Programme. These changes included setting the programme's primary objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting businesses and other organisations in adopting the EXEED Certified approach to energy efficient design management.  

The revised programme was launched in January 2021 and will operate for three years. Projects that apply for funding are evaluated using a scoring system that applies equal weighting to project impact and adherence to the EXEED Certified standard, which is in line with the overall programme objective.  

Given the programme is only open for applications since earlier this year, it is too early to evaluate its performance. A review will be carried our in mid-2022 at which point changes to the programme may be considered.  

The following have been approved for Stage 2 grants, which support capital investment, under the EXEED Programme since the start of this year: 

Organisation	Industry	Business size	Location (county)
Company 1	Mining & quarrying	Large	Multiple
Company 2	Mining & quarrying	Large	Meath
Company 3	Retail	Large	Dublin
Company 4	Manufacturing	Medium	Clare
Company 5	Manufacturing	Large	Dublin
Company 6	Retail	Large	Dublin
Company 7	Retail	Large	Dublin

The following have achieved EXEED designed, managed and/or verified certification since the inception of the EXEED Programme:

Organisation	EXEED Certification	Industry	Business size	Location (county)
Company 1	EXEED Managed	Transport	Large	Dublin
Company 2	EXEED Designed	Construction	Large	Wexford
Company 3	EXEED Designed	Education	Large	Dublin
Company 4	EXEED Designed	Leisure	Large	Limerick
Company 5	EXEED Designed	Hospitality	Medium	Louth
Company 6	EXEED Designed	Biotech/Pharma	Large	Carlow
Company 7	EXEED Designed	Biotech/Pharma	Large	Kerry
Company 8	EXEED Designed	Food & Drink	Large	Donegal
Company 9	EXEED Designed	Leisure	Large	Roscommon
Company 10	EXEED Designed	Biotech/Pharma	Large	Cork
Company 11	EXEED Designed	Manufacturing	Large	Multiple
Company 12	EXEED Verified	Manufacturing	Large	Limerick
Company 13	EXEED Designed	Food & Drink	Large	Dublin
Company 14	EXEED Designed	Food & Drink	Large	Roscommon
Company 15	EXEED Designed	Agriculture	Small	Cavan
Company 16	EXEED Designed	Other	Large	Clare
Company 17	EXEED Designed	Manufacturing	Large	Limerick

Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 104.

Environmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (106)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

106. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the SEAI business capital grant support that is available for individual micro, small, medium, and large business in Ireland to reduce their carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47803/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

There is a wide range of capital supports funded by my Department and administered by the SEAI that enable all businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and improve their energy efficiency:

- EXEED Certified grant scheme supports organisations with the costs of embedding energy efficient design in their assets, to reduce lifecycle impact with lower energy use and carbon emissions.

- Support Scheme for Energy Audits supports SMEs with a €2,000 voucher towards the costs of a professional energy audit.

- Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) grant scheme provides financial support in the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users..

- Communities Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme makes grant funding available for community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area. 

Other supports for businesses include: 

- Project Assistance Grants helping fund feasibility studies and business cases for energy performance improvements.

- Training (SEAI Energy Academy), information and advisory service, access to energy auditing services and case studies of best practice.

- Large Industry Energy Network where members work together to improve energy performance and share experiences.

- Accelerated Capital Allowances is a tax incentive scheme which allows businesses to reduce their taxable profits by the full level of expenditure on energy efficient equipment in the year the investment is made.

Full details on these supports are available at: www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/standards/

Question No. 107 answered with Question No. 104.

Question No. 108 answered with Question No. 104.

Question No. 109 answered with Question No. 104.

Question No. 110 answered with Question No. 104.

Question No. 111 answered with Question No. 104.

Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 104.

Fisheries Protection

Ceisteanna (113)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

113. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish any data his Department obtained on numbers of salmon present in Irish waters over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47820/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Salmon Management in Ireland is carried out by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). Since 2007, Atlantic salmon in Ireland are managed on an individual catchment basis, and strictly in line with annual scientific advice, in more than 140 rivers each of which has a generically unique population.

IFI advise that independent scientific assessment is carried out every year based on fish counters, salmon rod and commercial catches to determine if rivers are meeting conservation limits, established for each river stock. These annual assessments support IFI’s annual management advice.

The status of Irish rivers stocks over the last five years is summarised in the following table.

Irish Salmon River Status	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
No. of Rivers Open	44	41	40	39	48
No. of Rivers Catch and Release	27	36	40	42	32
No. of Rivers Closed	72	66	63	63	64

Salmon in its migratory stage at sea are a substantial mix of stocks from Irish and other European rivers, many of which are below safe biological limits. It is not possible to disaggregate these stocks during the marine stage of their life cycle and IFI’s focus is on assessment and protection of native river stocks.

Full details on the status of Irish salmon stocks for 2020 is available via the Report of the Technical Expert Group on Salmon to the North-South Standing Scientific Committee for Inland Fisheries which can be sourced at the Inland Fisheries Ireland Website – www.fisheriesireland.ie

IFI also publishes an annual Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Statistics report also available on its website.

Recycling Policy

Ceisteanna (114)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

114. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the proposed deposit return scheme of his Department excludes glass bottles; and if he plans to amend the scheme to include glass. [47829/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy sets out the roadmap for the introduction of a national Deposit and Return Scheme in 2022. Materials to be included in the scheme will be those for which Ireland faces challenging EU recycling and separate collection targets. The scheme will therefore focus on plastic bottles and aluminium beverage cans. Recycling rates in Ireland for glass are significantly above current EU targets.

Other materials may be considered for inclusion in the Deposit and Return Scheme when the scheme is fully established.  

Revenue Commissioners

Ceisteanna (115)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

115. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a settlement between a State agency (details supplied) and the Revenue Commissioners; if there are any agencies under his Department’s remit that have had a similar issue or have made a settlement with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to any issue in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48022/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

It was confirmed with the Deputy's office that the matter relates to overpayment of salaries and related settlements with the Revenue Commissioners.  I can confirm that my Department has not been advised by an agency under the remit of the Department of any settlement with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to overpayment of salaries. 

In relation to the broader question of a settlement with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to any issue over the past five years my Department has forwarded the query to each agency for direct reply to the Deputy.

Inland Fisheries

Ceisteanna (116)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

116. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 66 of 25 May 2021, the reason the works on the wall on the bridge in Ballylooby, Cahir, County Tipperary were not carried out in September 2021 as committed to by the OPW. [48108/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I refer to the response to Question No. 66 of 25 May 2021.

IFI has established a specific email address for queries on operational matters from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI's objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is [e-mail].

Electricity Grid

Ceisteanna (117)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

117. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when persons will be able to sell surplus electricity to the grid (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48182/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department outlined proposals for a new Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) in a public consultation that closed in February last. A summary report of the submissions received has been published on my Department's website.

While the primary aim of a micro-generation scheme is to allow electricity users to meet their own electricity needs, it is intended that a suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all renewables self-consumers later this year, subject to regulatory arrangements, and in line with transposition of Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has published a draft framework outlining the details, including eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction, of a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff for exported renewable electricity. Details can be found on the CRU website: www.cru.ie. When enacted, this framework will introduce an obligation on electricity suppliers to offer remuneration to their customers, by way of a CEG payment, for excess renewable electricity exported to the grid by eligible micro- and small-scale generators. I understand that the CRU consultation will last four weeks, with a decision expected to be published in November.  

The legal basis for the enabling framework is dependent on the transposition of the relevant articles of RED II and Directive (EU) 2019/944 on common rules for the internal market for electricity (IMED), which establish the renewables self-consumer model of electricity generation. My Department is engaging with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on transposing these Articles into Irish law and it is intended that this will be achieved before the end of this year.

Data Centres

Ceisteanna (118)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

118. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or any person in his Department has met with a company or the director of the company (details supplied) in relation to the data centre industry in Ireland; and, if so, if he will detail the content of any such meetings. [48312/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I can confirm to the Deputy that neither myself or officials in my Department have met with the person or organisation concerned.

Energy Policy

Ceisteanna (119)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

119. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he will justify the continuing use of the public finances to incentivise the unabated exploration and extraction of fossil fuels in view of the declaration of climate emergency and as emissions continue to rise; and the ratio between the €3 billion and the public investment in proven clean energy generating technologies. [48322/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I am not aware of public finances being used to incentivise the exploration and extraction of fossil fuels and the Government has taken a leading role on a global level in ending new exploration.  

On taking office as Minister, I made effective immediately the Programme for Government commitment to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of gas on the same basis as the decision taken in 2019 by the previous Government in relation to oil exploration and extraction. 

My Department is no longer accepting new applications for exploration licences for natural gas or oil, nor will there be any future licensing rounds in Closed areas. 

The recent legislative amendments to the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 made through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 have now provided a statutory underpinning to the Programme for Government commitment.

Cybersecurity Policy

Ceisteanna (120)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

120. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost in 2022 of recruiting fifteen additional full-time cybersecurity developers and analysts for the National Cyber Security Centre. [48373/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

In July 2021, the Government agreed a significant expansion of the  National Cyber Security Centre over the next 18 months, from 25 to 45 staff, and a further increase to 70 staff within 5 years. The associated budgetary increase for the NCSC for 2022 is €2.5 million. The cost of recruiting 15 additional developers and analysts as outlined by the Deputy is dependent on the grade at which these staff are recruited. At Engineer Grade 1 level, at the first point of the salary scale, this would amount to €72,578 per post, or €1,088,670 for 15 posts, exclusive of employer's PRSI and associated costs.

Heritage Sites

Ceisteanna (121, 122, 123, 124, 125)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

121. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the status of the transfer of the heritage sites in County Clare to Clare County Council; if there is a timeline for same; and if his Department can ensure appropriate communication is in place to ensure a smooth handover and that staff feel they have security of tenure. [48250/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

122. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the plans that are being put in place for the transfer of heritage sites to Clare County Council; if there a timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48251/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

123. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if consideration regarding the financial buffering that was carried out by a group (details supplied) is provided to the heritage sites in terms of a winter debt to offset the low level of footfall in winter months; and if the oversight of the Department will commit to maintaining this financial arrangement. [48252/21]

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

124. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport the status of the process of the transfer of the Shannon Heritage sites to the local authority including a progress report and a timeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48492/21]

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

125. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport the details of the engagement that has taken place between Shannon Heritage, the local authorities and other relevant stakeholders with those who hold leases at these sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48493/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 125, inclusive, together.

I would like to thank Deputy Wynne and Deputy Munster for their questions in relation to Shannon Group and the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to the relevant local authorities.

In terms of the timeline, I can advise the Deputies that Shannon Group is engaging with the relevant Local Authorities with a view to reaching an agreement on the transfer of the Shannon Heritage business by the end of year. Any such transfer is subject to agreement between the parties, completion of the required due diligence and provision of the applicable consents of the Ministers for Transport and Public Expenditure and Reform and the agreement of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. Before any possible transfer is executed, it remains the responsibility of Shannon Group to operate and manage the Shannon Heritage business in line with its commercial mandate, fiduciary best practice and with awareness of the Group’s accountability for the proper management of the Company.

In compliance with State aid rules, funding on an exceptional basis was provided to Shannon Heritage at the end of December to cover the incremental costs incurred when the sites were open during the winter of 2020. The funding provided is in addition to the economy-wide supports Government has put in place including the TWSS/EWSS, rates waiver and COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), all of which have been availed of by Shannon Heritage.

The position in relation to the opening of Shannon Heritage sites is a matter for Shannon Group. In this regard, Shannon Group has advised my Department that given the impacts of COVID-19 (lack of international traffic, low level of domestic visitors) and the resultant significant losses, it is not viable to keep the heritage sites open in line with its pre-COVID-19 operating model. In this regard, Government has been informed that, in order to mitigate the losses incurred, Shannon Heritage has made a decision to operate on a seasonal basis.

With regard to the transfer of the sites to local authorities and issues in relation to staffing, industrial relations matters are in the first instance a matter for the Group, staff and relevant staff representatives. I understand that Shannon Group are engaging with the staff of Shannon Heritage with regard to the transfer of the sites. This engagement has included an onsite briefing by the CEO and management, Group briefings and also regular Union meetings as well as continued engagement on a day-to-day basis.

Regarding the matter of lease holders and engagement with Shannon Group, this is a matter for the Group as part of its normal business activities. On the Deputy’s behalf, I have however requested further information from Shannon Group on this issue and have been informed that Shannon Group has communicated with all lease holders advising them that Shannon Heritage will continue to operate Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and that there will be no change to the leaseholders relationship with Shannon Heritage with the exception that Clare County Council will own Shannon Heritage once the transfer has been completed.

Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 121.

Question No. 123 answered with Question No. 121.