Written Answers Nos. 76-99
76. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider adding trained printers to the list of skill shortages which will facilitate supply shortages as in the case of companies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47462/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.
The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations. In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure their ongoing relevance to the State’s human capital requirements, they undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews. The reviews are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), SOLAS and involves public/stakeholder consultation. Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and known contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID-19 and their impact on the labour market. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by my Department and of the relevant policy Departments.
A number of printer roles are currently included on the Ineligible Occupations List at present. In order to add or remove an occupation from the lists, evidence is sought demonstrating that recruitment difficulties are solely due to genuine shortages across the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and/or employment conditions. The review process invites stakeholders, through the public consultation, to provide data to substantiate claims of lack of skills or labour availability in a detailed evidence-based business case. Sectors are also advised to engage in a systematic and structured manner with the public employment service of the Department of Social Protection.
A review of the occupations lists for employment permits is currently well underway with submissions received under active consideration. The Economic Migration Policy Unit of my Department informs me that no submissions were received from the print industry. It is expected that the review will be finalised in the coming weeks and any changes necessary to deal with verified skills or labour shortages will be made at that time. The next review will commence with a public consultation soon after, with commencement announced on the Department's website. Contact details may also be forwarded to the Department for those who wish to receive email notification of the consultation phase.
77. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of Programme for Government commitments (details supplied); if they have been completed; if not, the timeline on their progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48006/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra‘Making Remote Work’, the National Remote Work Strategy, was published in January 2021. The objective of the Strategy is to ensure remote work is a permanent feature of the Irish workplace in a way that maximises the economic, social and environmental benefits.
The Strategy contains 15 actions to progress remote work into the future. Each action has been attributed actors for its delivery and a deadline of this year. Lead actors report progress on the actions to the Interdepartmental Group (IDG) on Remote Work. This IDG has met three times to date this year. At these meetings it was established that good progress is underway to achieving actions by their deadlines.
A number of key achievements have been made to date in line with the Strategy such as the following:
- My Department is currently developing new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024 in which there will be a focus on promoting remote working opportunities and investing in infrastructures across the nine regions. My Department also recently announced €10 million in funding for a new Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme. This scheme is administered by Enterprise Ireland includes a €500,000 Feasibility Study to assist enterprise development projects, including the development of remote working and enterprise infrastructure.
- ConnectedHubs.ie- Ireland’s first national digital hub network- was launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development at the end of May. ConnectedHubs.ie is an online platform which provides information about the facilities available at remote working hubs throughout Ireland, and enables users to book spaces, desks, offices and events in hubs for short- and long-term use. ConnectedHubs.ie will ultimately link over 400 hubs throughout the country. The Connected Hubs Call has awarded funding of €8.8m to 117 remote working hub projects in July to upgrade Ireland’s remote work infrastructure.
- In April 2021, the Workplace Relations Commission published the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect which will help employees to strike a better work-life balance and to switch off from work outside of normal working hours.
- In April/May 2021 a Public Consultation on the Right to Request Remote Work was held by my Department. The arising submissions were published in August 2021 and work is underway on the next steps required for this legislation.
- Discussions are ongoing to find ways through which the rollout of the National Broadband Plan can be accelerated in order to improve connectivity in all parts of Ireland.
- Remote Work promotion and skills training is underway by a range of agencies including EI, IDA Ireland, WDC, Skillnet Ireland and the ETBs.
- In June 2021, the Government launched the ‘Making Remote Work’ campaign across broadcast, print and social media to promote the Guidance for Working Remotely webpage. This webpage acts as a central access point for employers and employees and brings together the existing State guidance, legislation and advice on remote work into one place. The webpage includes an Employer Checklist to provide employers with a quick way to successfully navigate the adoption of remote working arrangements. The Government is encouraging workers and employers to discuss the kinds of remote working arrangements that may be suitable for their organisations.
78. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding available to the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48102/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee is an advisory committee to the Board of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). As an advisory committee the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee itself is not funded directly. Costs associated with the work of the Committee are contained within the overall budget of the HSA.
At the beginning of the year, the HSA has estimated an expenditure of approximately €500,000 on specific agricultural sector initiatives throughout the year.
The Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee was established to involve all industry stakeholders in improving occupational safety and health in the Agricultural sector. The Committee is a consultative and advisory forum on the determination of the HSA’s priorities and work programme for the Agricultural Sector. It develops and agrees a national action plan, coordinating the actions of working groups and representative organisations, and, also, identifies, prioritises and progresses the key actions related to improving safety and health standards in the Agriculture Sector.
The Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee, and its working groups, are made up of representatives and experts from various relevant agricultural organisations including the Irish Farmers’ Association, Macra na Feirme, Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland, Farm Relief Service, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) and Teagasc.
The work of the Committee is set out in Farm Safety Action Plans. In August 2021, the Health and Safety Authority published the current Farm Safety Action Plan 2021 – 2024. The aim of the new Farm Safety Action Plan is to reduce fatalities, serious injuries and ill health in the agriculture sector. Five critical areas for have been identified for attention:
- Behaviour, Education and Training
- Health and Vulnerable Persons
- Tractor, High Risk Machinery
- Livestock Handling
- Buildings, Work at Height
The HSA, through its Agricultural Policy Unit, provides practical assistance and support to achieve the goals and objectives contained within the Farm Safety Action Plan.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is also delivering initiatives to promote farm safety, particularly through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS II). A wide range of farm safety related investments are available which are grant-aided under the suite of seven TAMS measures. Grant aid of approximately €6.0 million has been spent on specific farm safety investments in TAMS II since the scheme opened in 2015.
79. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the restart grant will be extended over the coming 12 months; and the terms applying for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022. [47534/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Restart Grant, subsequently the Restart Grant Plus, Scheme provided by my Department was introduced as part of the COVID-19 enterprise measures on foot of Government Decisions and operated by the 31 Local Authorities from May 2020 to October 2020. The Scheme was superseded as part of Budget 2021 by the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by Revenue.
As announced in June this year by the Minister for Finance, a new additional support for businesses impacted by Covid-19 is now available. The Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS), operated by Revenue, is open for registration via the e-Registration facility in ROS. Once registered, eligible businesses can make a claim at any time up to 30 November 2021 for the single payment support via the eRepayments facility in ROS.
The BRSS is a targeted support for companies, self-employed individuals, partnerships as well as certain charities and sporting bodies that carry on a trade that was significantly impacted by Covid-19 public health restrictions, including where the impact has continued after the easing of the restrictions. The scheme is available to businesses that were actively trading on 1 September 2021 and intend to continue doing so.
A qualifying person may make a claim under BRSS for a single payment which will be equal to three times the average weekly turnover of the relevant business activity for the applicable reference period as follows: 10% of average weekly turnover up to €20,000, 5% of average weekly turnover above €20,000, and subject to a maximum payment of €15,000. Further details are available from Revenue at www.revenue.ie/en/self-assessment-and-self-employment/brss/index.aspx.
The range of measures taken by government, such as the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme, the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), the BRSS, and sector-specific measures such as business continuity grants and the lower VAT rate, have all been critical in supporting businesses and jobs. Details of the wide range of supports available are noted on my Department’s website at www.enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Supports-for-businesses-COVID-19.html.
The Government will carefully consider any additional measures required to ensure that Budget 2022 addresses key priorities for business survival and recovery such as continued business continuity and employee supports.
80. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify the substance of the initiatives in relation to the Action Plan on Insurance Reform (details supplied); the number of doctors that have completed the clinical education referenced to date; if that education is now standardised training at CPD level and specified in the personal commission reports from which this recommendation was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47588/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Action 65 of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform, my Department committed to overseeing and monitoring the recommendations of the Personal Injuries Commission (PIC).
The PIC was established following a recommendation contained in the Report of the Cost of Insurance Working Group on the Cost of Motor Insurance published in January 2017, the Personal Injuries Commission (PIC) was established in February 2017 under an independent chair. The first report of the PIC, published in December 2017, recommended “Training and Accreditation of medical professionals who complete personal injury medical reports should be promoted. This should become ‘Best Practice’ and training should be introduced at the CPD level.”
In March 2018 the Personal Injuries Commission engaged with medical stakeholders on an education package for doctors. There was also engagement between the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) and medical professional bodies the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in relation to the PIC recommendation.
In December 2020 I wrote to the ICGP and RCSI requesting updates on this recommendation. Further to this engagement the ICGP reported on initiatives undertaken to progress clinical education of GPs around assessment of soft tissue injuries and standardisation of medical report writing. These initiatives included dedicated training and providing assistance in the design and development of a management and assessment algorithm for use by medical professionals. The RCSI report that the curriculum of training for all their surgical specialties and emergency medicine are adequate to ensure these professionals are competent to make an assessment of relevant medical injuries, the RCSI will continue to advocate for the highest standards of medical care and support the recommendations of the PIC report.
81. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment 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. [48021/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny dealings that the State agencies under the remit of my Department have with Revenue are operational matters for the agencies themselves and I do not have any direct function in these.
I have been informed by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) that NSAI made an unprompted voluntary disclosure to Revenue in 2019 in respect of the application of Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT) to certain payments by principal contractors to subcontractors in the construction sector.
This followed the receipt of professional advice by NSAI that certain services provided through NSAI's facilities management company contract, such as building maintenance and repairs, are subject to RCT. Upon receipt of the advice, details of relevant transactions were compiled and sent to Revenue in an unprompted voluntary disclosure.
In March 2021, NSAI issued payment for a civil penalty of €2,096.08 in relation to this.
82. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the date when the next round of critical skills permits will be announced; if he will be allocating additional permits for dairy farm workers given reports of skills shortages in this industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48044/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.
The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations. In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure their ongoing relevance to the State’s human capital requirements, they undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews. The reviews are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), SOLAS and involves public/stakeholder consultation. Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and known contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID-19 and their impact on the labour market. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by my Department and of the relevant policy Departments. Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are represented on the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group.
A current review of the occupations lists for employment permits is well underway with submissions received from a range of sectors, including from the dairy sector, under active consideration. It is expected that the review will be finalised in the coming weeks and any changes necessary to deal with verified skills or labour shortages will be made at that time.
83. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permit applications in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021, by sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48125/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that a total of 94,854 Employment Permits issued in the years 2015 to 2020 and to the 29th September 2021.
As requested by the Deputy, a breakdown of these permits by Economic Sector for each year in question is provided below.
Permits received between 2015 -29/09/2021 by Economic Sector
84. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding work permits for non-EU workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48131/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.
The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations. In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure their ongoing relevance to the State’s human capital requirements, they undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews. The reviews are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), SOLAS and involves public/stakeholder consultation. Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and known contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID-19 and their impact on the labour market. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by my Department and of the relevant policy Departments. Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are represented on the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group.
In May 2018, a pilot quota-based scheme was introduced to remove certain agri-food occupations from the ineligible occupations list. The scheme provided for 2,500 General Employment Permits for the meat processing industry, 500 for horticulture and 150 for the dairy sector to address the immediate needs of the sectors in sourcing labour. In addition, a quota of 300 permits was granted in respect of meat deboners. To date this pilot scheme has proved very successful for a range of employers in the sector. These three quotas created for dairy farm assistant, horticulture worker and meat processing operative have now expired.
A review of the occupation lists is currently underway with submissions, including those In respect of meat & pig processing, under consideration. It is expected the review will be finalised in the coming weeks.
85. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of work exchange and WWOOFing practices under the current Covid-19 restrictions. [48138/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I do not have responsibility for educational skills development or cultural exchange programmes in the farming sector, my Colleague, Charlie McConalogue, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is the Minister responsible for the farming sector.
The Work Safety Protocol, which was updated on the 16th of September, reflects the prevailing Public Health guidance for employers and workers on the infection prevention and control as well as other measures that should be put in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Farms are places of work and anyone visiting a farm, just like any place of work, should follow the guidance and advice contained in the Protocol. The Work Safely Protocol can be accessed on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment website www.enterprise.ie .
Some sectors have also developed guidance based on the Work Safely Protocol, the Irish Farmers Association (IFA ) is one such representative body which has developed additional guidance for its members.
If an individual is travelling from overseas to take part in an cultural exchange programme on a farm, they should follow the current public health advice on travelling into Ireland from overseas. Information on international travel into Ireland can be found on the Government website www.gov.ie.
86. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment 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. [48313/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither I nor any officials in my Department have met with the company or the individual in question in relation to the data centre industry in Ireland.
87. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he spoke to the Governor of Washington DC during his recent visit to the United States of America. [48363/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI travelled to Washington DC on 26th September for a series of high level business and political meetings on 27th and 28th. During the mission I met with the US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai and with Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, two of my counterparts as Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment. I also engaged with representatives from multinational companies at a private roundtable hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, and gave a public address at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Ireland's Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Mulhall, hosted a dinner at this Official Residence on the evening of 27th at which I was able to engage with a number of prominent Irish American Senators and Members of Congress, officials from the White House and the current Biden/Harris Administration, as well as members of the business and economic communities. I did not have any meetings with Leaders from Washington DC itself during the short mission.
88. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if additional funding will be made available to continue the Go Fishing outreach service to educational settings until December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48330/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has funded its Education and Outreach Programme via Dormant Accounts Funding.
IFI advised my Department of a decision of its Board not to apply for Dormant Accounts Funding for 2022 in order to focus on the core functions of protection, management and conservation the inland fisheries resource.
The administration and management of the programme and Board decisions on same are operational matters for IFI. I and my Department have no function in the matter.
IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI's objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
89. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the additional commercial concerns that can compete in the farm plastics recycling market place and receive access to the levy contributions as would be required in terms of open competition (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48405/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra90. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the initiatives his Department is taking in terms of improving the recycling rates of farm plastics (details supplied); the access to levy payments that has been offered to private contractors to provide alternative collection opportunities on and off-farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48406/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra91. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on concerns regarding issues of restricted competition or his Department’s support for a possible monopoly situation in the management of farm plastic recycling given that it appears that his Department has only licensed one entity for this activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48407/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the evaluations that have been carried out on licensed farm plastic film recycling sites in view of actions against a facility (details supplied); the location and licensing status of these sites; the storage capacity these sites are currently using or exceeding; the environmental protections and analysis that have been carried out in the past year with respect to these other sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48408/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 89 to 92, inclusive, together.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy model in which a producer's responsibility is extended beyond the consumer stage of a product's life cycle. There are a number of these schemes operating in Ireland and they have proved very successful in enabling us meet domestic and EU recycling targets. The EPR scheme for farm plastics has been in place since 1998 and has grown significantly since then. The existing arrangements are functioning very effectively and the targets in place are being achieved, with a recycling rate for 2020 reaching 80% significantly exceeding the target of 70%.
The regulations allow for any organisation to apply to the Minister for approval to operate a scheme. Any application will be assessed and evaluated by the Department. There is currently one approved body operating a farm plastic scheme, Irish Farm Film Plastics Group (IFFPG). Their approval was renewed earlier this year following a lengthy process and the renewal will last for a five year period, subject to periodic reviews.
The current funding mechanisms used by IFFPG for farm plastic collection is in line with the polluter pays principle and EU requirements, with producers funding 70% of the necessary costs of the scheme and farmers contributing the remaining 30% of the costs. The fees collected are used by the operator to fund the operational costs of the scheme which is run on a not for profit basis.
Local authorities have a key role in ensuring compliance with the farm plastics regulations and broader waste legislation obligations. The Department supports local authorities taking appropriate enforcement action against individuals or corporate entities through the appropriate channels. The Department is also aware that the National Trans Frontier Shipment Office (NTFSO) are liaising with a number of local authorities to ascertain the extent of the storage of farm plastics and the implications for waste shipments abroad. An effective system of waste management compliance is critical to the welfare of the environment and society in general.
93. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if information will be provided on previous and planned actions by RTÉ in response to the Report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action Climate Change: A Cross-Party Consensus for Action March 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47475/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009, and, as such, the Minister has no role in it day-to-day operations. Section 98 provides that “subject to the requirements of this Act, a corporation shall be independent in the pursuance of its objects.”
As such it is for RTÉ to note the recommendations from the report and implement them in its own decision making.
94. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if information will be provided on previous and planned actions by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in response to recommendations made in section 4.4.2 in the Report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action Climate Change: A Cross-Party Consensus for Action, March 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47476/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has operational independence under Section 24 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 which states that “subject to this Act, the Authority and each statutory committee shall be independent in the performance of their functions.”
As such it is for the BAI to note the recommendations in the report and implement them in its own decision making.
95. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the seven representatives from the academic and community sectors on the newly established RESS community steering board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47477/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe community commitments in the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) seek to support sustainable community energy projects and ensure that local communities benefit from all RESS projects.
An RESS Communities Steering Board has been established by my Department to advise on the policy and implementation of the community features of RESS. The representatives from the academic and community sectors come from a variety of backgrounds including Sustainable Energy Communities, Public Participation Networks, community energy co-ops, community generators, research and third level institutes and international community energy advocacy.
The members bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from across the community and academic sectors, ensuring a broad range of views are represented and heard. The Board will be decisive in shaping the tremendous opportunity for the development of community energy in Ireland that will be important in achieving a just energy transition and our national energy and climate policy goals.
96. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if information will be provided on the change of timelines for auctions under the renewable electricity support scheme 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47478/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDates for the main milestones for the second onshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction (RESS 2) were published in June. However, this timetable was subject to change based on the final approved RESS 2 terms and conditions.
My Department is in the process of finalising the terms and conditions for RESS-2. This process includes development of a revised timeline, which is being developed in conjunction with the RESS auction operator EirGrid. I expect to be able to publish further details on the auction timetable later this month.
97. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will allow households that received shallow energy improvements under the warmer homes scheme to apply for deeper measures; and the date from which persons can lodge applications. [47550/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to lower income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme leaving them better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. During the first 6 months of 2021, the approximate average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was €17,100.
There are currently over 7,000 homeowners on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme who have never received any upgrade works under the scheme. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in the first half of 2021, the average time from application to completion was almost 26 months. 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.
Revisits under this scheme are currently not available. This enables the work programme to prioritise eligible homes that have not previously received free upgrades under the scheme. Recommendations on the implementation of changes to the scheme to better target those most in need will be finalised and published shortly.
It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.
98. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to introduce a scheme for an area wide scheme of energy improvement during the course of 2022; if areas will be selected starting with older estates in which BER values are lower; and the measures that are under consideration to encourage persons to participate. [47551/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 or cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years.
This year, some €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes, including the Solar PV scheme and the Building Energy Rating programme. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes.
A new National Retrofit Plan will be published in Quarter 4 2021. The Plan is designed to address barriers to energy efficiency investments in four key areas: customer proposition and demand generation, financing and affordability, supplier capacity, and governance.
The Plan will seek to incorporate new approaches including the testing of Community based social marketing in communities with the highest retrofit potential. Coordinated activities will be conducted to generate demand and help to convert as much demand as possible into completed retrofit activity.
Building on the One Stop Shop Development Call pilot 2021, the new National Retrofit Scheme (One Stop Shop Service) will launch in Quarter 4 2021. The new Scheme will support home retrofit on a larger, aggregated scale through the development of a network of one-stop-shops which will offer homeowners, all the services required for a complete home energy upgrade to a BER B2 level.
The new Scheme, similar to the One Stop Shop Development Call pilot 2021, will deliver aggregated projects including area-based approaches where appropriate. This year the One Stop Shop Development Call has supported 13 projects, involving the upgrade of 575 housing units - primarily approved housing body dwellings - in specific estates or a targeted area.
99. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has made any changes in the schemes of support for energy efficiency measures and solar installations by households; and the schemes which will be available during 2022. [47552/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 or cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. A new National Retrofit Plan will be published in quarter 4 of this year. The plan is designed to address barriers to energy efficiency investments in four key areas: customer proposition and demand generation, financing and affordability, supplier capacity, and governance.
SEAI grant schemes will be a central element of the Government's approach to achieving our retrofit targets. It is intended to launch a new National Retrofit Scheme focused on achieving B2 retrofits later this year. The existing SEAI grant schemes will be aligned with the National Retrofit Scheme as appropriate.
Some €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided this year for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes, including the Solar PV scheme and the Building Energy Rating programme. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes.
Of the overall capital allocation for 2021, €48.9 million has been spent as of 16 September. It is important to note that extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity between January and mid-April had a significant impact on activity this year. Output has also been negatively impacted by challenges associated with availability and longer lead times for materials. Every effort is being made to maximise output now that construction activity in the residential sector has recommenced.
The schemes which will be available during 2022 and the overall allocations will be finalised as part of the annual Estimates process.
