Thursday, 21 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 152-163

Redundancy Payments

Ceisteanna (152)

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

152. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider an alleviation to the calculation of the average salary for the purpose of calculating severance packages to allow for a normal salary to be averaged as opposed to the actual reduced earnings which are currently being used and have been significantly lower for the past 19 months for some workers due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51878/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

In order to qualify for a statutory redundancy payment, an employee must have 104 weeks continuous employment, be an employed contributor in employment which was insurable for all benefits under the Social Welfare Acts and be over the age of 16.  An eligible employee is entitled to two weeks statutory redundancy payment for every year of service, plus a bonus week.  The redundancy lump sum calculation is based on the worker’s length of reckonable service and weekly remuneration, which is subject to a ceiling of €600 per week.

There is no legislative provision relating to the weekly remuneration to be used when an employee is on short-time work or reduced hours or salary.  However, the general guidance has been that if an employer has placed an employee on short-time work or reduced hours for certain periods of time, the full-time salary should be used for the calculation of statutory redundancy. An employee can refer a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission in the event of a dispute regarding the amount of the statutory redundancy lump sum.

Any arrangement or agreement relating to the calculation of a redundancy payment which is over and above the statutory redundancy entitlement is a voluntary matter between employers and employees and their union representatives. The State has no role in this regard.   

Legislative Programme

Ceisteanna (153)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

153. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the proposed right to request legislation; if the legislation will be enacted by the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51809/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The right to request remote work is part of the Government vision to make remote working a permanent feature of Ireland’s workforce in a way that can benefit all – economically, socially and environmentally.  The commitment to introduce legislation to underpin employees' right to request remote work was made in the national Remote Work Strategy published last January. 

The Bill will set out a clear framework to facilitate remote and blended work options, in so far as possible. It will ensure that when an employer declines a request, there are stated reasons for doing so. Remote working won’t work for everyone, so we will take a balanced approach with the legislation.

Informed by the public consultation and a review of international best practice, the drafting of the General Scheme of the Bill has commenced and I will be seeking Cabinet approval for the drafting of Heads of a Bill in Quarter 4 of 2021. The Bill will be progressed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible thereafter. The intention is to introduce a mechanism for employees to request remote working that is fair but does not place an undue burden on employers.

In the meantime, we will also continue to provide up to date advice, guidance and information on all aspects of remote working for workers and employers. 

On 28th June I launched my department’s Making Remote Work campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the advice and information available from Government to help workers and employers facilitate more remote and blended working. This includes guidance for employers and workers and a Remote Working Checklist which are all available on my Department’s website.

Waste Management

Ceisteanna (154)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

154. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the capacity that remains in the three remaining municipal landfill sites; when they are due to close; if extensions have been sought to EPA licences and or current planning applications and appeals; the alternative arrangements that are in place once they close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51742/21]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Waste management planning, including with regard to infrastructure provision, is the responsibility of local authorities under Part II of the Waste Management Act, 1996 (as amended). Under section 60(3) of that Act, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance, in specific cases, by a local authority of their statutory functions under the Act. Therefore questions in relation to the operation of the remaining municipal waste landfills in the State are best directed to the relevant local authorities concerned, namely Wicklow County Council, Kildare County Council and Meath County Council.

However, in line with commitments given at the recent hearing of the Public Accounts Committee, my officials will collate the requested information and provide it directly to the Committee.

Waste Management

Ceisteanna (155)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

155. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the regional waste management plans; the regions covered by the plans; if domestic waste generated in those regions is wholly disposed of within those regions; if not, the type of waste that is disposed of outside the region; the location of the waste disposed of and the volumes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51743/21]

Freagraí scríofa

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

The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices (RWMPOs), on behalf of the local authority sector, are currently drafting one National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy which will replace the current three Regional Waste Management Plans. A pre-draft public consultation process took place earlier this year and I am informed that the RWMPOs expect to publish a draft plan in Q1 2022, followed by a further public consultation process with the final plan expected  to be published in mid 2022. For details of the Regions covered by the current Regional Waste Management Plans please see http://emwr.ie/ , http://southernwasteregion.ie/ and http://www.curwmo.ie/. Not all waste generated in a specific region is disposed of within that region - some is processed within the same or other regions, some is sent for recovery in other EU Member States.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the collation of national waste data and reports annually on Ireland’s performance against the targets set out in EU and national legislation, please see https://www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/waste/national-waste-statistics for further information.

Finally, the National Transfrontier Shipments Office (NTFSO) maintains statistics and information on shipments of waste to and from Ireland, the NTFSO Waste Registers are available at the following link https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/environment/national-tfs-office/ntfso-waste-shipment-registers.

Renewable Energy Generation

Ceisteanna (156)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

156. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if eucalyptus is being used to fuel State-owned power stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51748/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I understand that biomass fuels are used in Edenderry power station, which is owned by Bord na Móna. The management of the power station is an operational matter for the Board and management of Bord na Móna and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function.

National Broadband Plan

Ceisteanna (157)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

157. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and dates of oral Ministerial briefings provided by his officials on the roll out of National Broadband Plan in 2020 and 2021; the Ministers present at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51755/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Ossian Smyth)

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract is a detailed document that provides for the design, build and operation of a national high speed broadband network by NBI and includes detailed provisions that are designed to protect the interests of the State and citizens. My Department as the contracting authority manages all of the elements of contract governance and engages with NBI on an ongoing basis across all elements of the programme to deliver the new high speed broadband network.

A governance structure has been established within the Department to monitor contract compliance and includes a NBP Senior Management Team and a number of NBI Engagement Groups. As part of the governance arrangements underpinning the oversight of the NBP Contract, I receive regular oral briefings, generally on a monthly basis, from the NBP Senior Management Team and have done so from the outset of my appointment. Minister Ryan also receives regular oral briefings on progress.

Recycling Policy

Ceisteanna (158)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

158. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the purpose for which the cumulative contents of brown bins is used; if the contents of brown bins could be processed and used to assist growers such as mushroom producers who may be reliant on imported peat; if the contents of brown bins are tested for the forever chemicals and PFAS; and if so, the levels at which they occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51806/21]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Material composted in industrial compost plants is used in agriculture, horticulture, and landscaping.At present, the substrate for growing mushrooms is generally made from horse and poultry manures with a thin layer of peat on top. Further research is required to determine if alternatives to peat are suitable and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has recently issued a Research Call for 2021 - one thematic area is looking for research projects to find “Alternative bio-resources and materials as raw materials for growing media”. Earlier this year the EPA-funded research project was published ‘Development of Quality Standards for Compost and Digestate in Ireland’, in this study it recommended that quality standards include testing for organic pollutants PAH16 which is in line with the EU Fertiliser Regulations. This research report will feed into the potential development of national end of waste standards for compost and digestate.

Electricity Generation

Ceisteanna (159)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

159. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a detailed breakdown by percentage on the way he plans intends to achieve the target of delivering up to 80% of Ireland’s electricity from a combination of onshore and offshore renewable sources of electricity by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51867/21]

Freagraí scríofa

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

The National Development Plan 2021-2030 sets out a €12.9 billion indicative allocation for my Department which underpins our commitment to achieving a climate neutral, sustainable, and digitally connected Ireland. Our goal is that up to 80% of our electricity will come from renewable generation by the end of the decade. We will increase the share of renewable electricity generation through measures to be set out in the forthcoming Climate Action Plan.

The goal of up to 80% of our electricity from renewable generation by the end of the decade will contribute to Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets by substituting primarily wind and solar electricity generation for fossil fuel electricity generation, as well as displacing emissions in other sectors, for example, through the electrification of car transport and residential heat. The detailed measures and actions to deliver on these emissions targets are will be set out in the forthcoming Climate Action Plan.

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is the Government’s flagship programme to deliver on our renewable electricity targets by providing support to renewable electricity projects through competitive auctions to determine the technology mix at least cost to electricity consumers.  This technology mix will include onshore wind, offshore wind, and grid-scale solar.  The second RESS auction is planned to be held next year and I will shortly bring  the final auction design to Government for approval.

My Department is also developing the first of a series of RESS auctions specific to offshore wind, the terms and conditions of which have been recently published for consultation. Further onshore and at least two further offshore wind auctions are planned this decade to achieve our 2030 targets.

In addition,  EirGrid are due to shortly finalise their ‘Shaping Our Electricity Future’ strategy, which will inform the policy and regulatory measures required for the development of the national grid to enable achievement of the 2030 renewable electricity target.

Renewable Energy Generation

Ceisteanna (160)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

160. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the discussions he has had with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the need to urgently develop marine facilities at Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine fisheries harbours to support the onshore and offshore energy business; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51963/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I regularly meet with my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, in relation to delivering the commitments set out in the Programme for Government on renewable energy and climate action. We are both members of the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Climate Change, which I chair.  

At official level, a number of relevant Departments are co-ordinating on renewable energy and associated infrastructure to facilitate our 2030 targets. Offshore renewable energy, in particular, will require significant development of our ports and marine facilities. In this regard, my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine are co-ordinating via the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan Steering Group and also the Offshore Renewable Energy Seafood Group, the latter of which was specifically established to develop engagement between the emerging offshore renewable energy sector and the established marine industries of fishing and aquaculture.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (161, 162)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

161. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the reason information on the availability of DART lifts was not available online on the morning of 10 October 2021; the steps he is taking to ensure this information is always available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51727/21]

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

162. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the reason the recently upgraded lift at Seapoint station was out of service on the morning of 10 October 2021; the details of all replaced or upgraded DART station lifts which have been out of service within six months of these works taking place; the steps he will take to assist Irish Rail to ensure recently upgraded or replaced lifts are fully functional at all times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51728/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.

I propose to answer PQs 51727/21 and PQ 51727/21 together.

As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. 

Irish Rail has developed a 5-year programme, involving upgrades, renewals and improved maintenance strategies for its lifts and escalators which will provide direct benefits to customers through improved reliability and availability of lifts and escalator assets. Subject to funding, lifts in 52 stations across the rail network are earmarked for investment up to 2024. The intent of this programme is to renew and replace life-expired lifts and lifts in poor condition, to ensure the reliability and availability of lift access.

In 2020 the National Transport Authority (NTA) established a rail lift refurbishment/replacement programme, under the Capital Programme, with a €3.3m ring fenced allocation. A major part of the programme in 2020 was the upgrading of lifts at 12 stations in the Dublin Suburban area. For 2021, €3.84m was originally ring-fenced by the NTA from the Capital Programme to the Lift and Escalator Renewal Programme. An additional €2m was allocated to the Programme in November 2020, as part of Budget 2021, bringing the total allocated to the Lifts and Escalator Renewal Programme to €5.84m this year. The additional allocation will enable the acceleration of the delivery of the 5-year programme.

I have also referred the Deputy's questions to Irish Rail for direct reply in relation to the issue of online information on lift availability and also in respect of the specific station mentioned. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Question No. 162 answered with Question No. 161.

Legislative Programme

Ceisteanna (163)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

163. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the current position regarding legislation to address the scourge of scramblers in communities, which is listed as priority legislation for publication and drafting in the Autumn Legislative Programme; the reason for the delay in producing this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51749/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

We committed in the Programme for Government to addressing the problem of anti-social use of scramblers and other similar vehicles, by legislation if necessary.

I am happy to be able to say that the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, which was published on 19 October 2021, includes provisions to deal with this problem.  New powers will allow for regulations to ban particular types of vehicle from particular places, and the Garda will be empowered to seize the vehicles either on the spot or at the place where they are kept.  In addition, the offence of dangerous driving will be amended so that it will apply everywhere, and not just in a public place.

These proposals have been developed in consultation with the Attorney General, and will provide a robust basis for combatting a menace which has gone unresolved for too long.