Written Answers Nos. 115-132
115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied that entitlements to redundancy payments will not be affected other than during the period of lockdown and that actual entitlement will be met in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48450/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory redundancy entitlements are provided for in the Redundancy Payments Act 1967. Section 12A of the Act is the provision which temporarily suspended an employee’s entitlement to make a claim for redundancy following periods of lay-off or short time work as result of Covid-19. This provision expired on 30 September 2021 and the employee right has been reinstated.
All other provisions of the Act remained in force for the duration of the emergency period. If an employer makes an employee redundant, protections such as the payment of a redundancy lump-sum to the affected employee apply.
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.
It is the employer’s responsibility to pay statutory redundancy payments to eligible employees. However, in situations where an employer is unable to pay these entitlements due to financial difficulties or insolvency an application for payment under the Redundancy Payments Scheme may be submitted to the Department of Social Protection. That Department can then make the statutory redundancy payment to eligible employees on behalf of the employer and will seek recovery of the debt.
The necessary Government-enforced lockdowns caused lay-off situations which resulted in a loss of reckonable service for employees. Therefore the Government have agreed that in situations of redundancy the State will make a payment in respect of specific periods of lay-offs due to Covid-19 and where the employee was in receipt of PUP or a jobseekers payment. It is expected that this new scheme will be in operation in the first half of 2022.
116. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address a scenario (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52938/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Enterprise Offices act as a ‘First Stop Shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and act as a ‘signposting’ service for all government supports available to entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the country.
The Local Enterprise Office can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the Local Enterprise Office can provide financial assistance within four main categories, Feasibility grants, Priming grants, Business Development grants and Technical Assistance (TAME) grants. However, it should be noted that the Local Enterprise Offices do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services, construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses.
The Local Enterprise Offices also provide a wide range of high-quality business training and capability supports tailored to meet specific business requirements of anyone exploring self-employment as an option or for those who are currently operating a business.
The Start Your Own Business programme guides clients through the various aspects of business and business planning. The objective is to assist clients in critically assessing their business idea, its viability and to decide if they should proceed or take a step back. This programme covers a wide variety of topics designed to equip entrepreneurs to tackle the obstacles and opportunities presented in the current business environment.
The Mentor Programme is a service offered free of charge by the Local Enterprise Offices that allows business owners to work with an experienced mentor to identify solutions to areas of exposure within their business, develop strategies that are more robust, address issues and maximise potential opportunities. Business Mentors can assist business owners with the issue of access to finance for start-ups and can help in the completion of business cases and application forms.
117. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if healthcare assistants have been removed from the ineligible list for work permits, yet organisations providing home care have been excluded from eligibility, even though it is public policy to support persons remaining independent for as long as possible and pay levels in the sector are now comparable with those in residential settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52993/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The system is intended to act as a conduit for key skills which are required to develop enterprise in the State for the benefit of our economy, while simultaneously protecting the balance of the labour market.
The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for an employment permit where there is a surplus of those skills in the domestic and EEA labour market.
In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence, these lists undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews which 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, in this case the Department of Health.
The results of the most recently concluded review were announced on 28 October 2021. The review did not recommend removal of the occupation of care worker/home carers from the Ineligible Occupations List as the evidence suggested that the contracts of employment on offer and employment terms and conditions being offered are factors in the recruitment challenges faced by the sector, rather than a demonstrable labour market shortage. The sector has also previously been advised that a more systematic and structured engagement with the Department of Social Protection needs to be demonstrated.
The next Occupational Lists Review will open in the coming months.
118. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of venues that have applied to be a designated venue under the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021 since it was enacted; and if the upcoming World Cup qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Portugal has been designated a venue under the legislation. [53011/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications his Department received from venue operators to have one or more of their venues designated for the purpose of the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act from its implementation in July to date. [53345/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 123 together.
Six venues applied for designation under the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021 (Designation of Venues and Events) Regulations 2021, SI No. 399 of 2021. All six venues have been designated and the details are available on the Department’s website at Register for Designation of Venues and Events - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie).
As the Aviva Stadium is designated as a venue for all events held there, with effect on 28 October, the World Cup Qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Portugal as an event taking place in that venue is captured under that designation.
The Department has established a simple and effective process for designating both venues and events. The venue operator or event organiser may submit a short application electronically seeking to have a designation put in place. The average response time, so far, for such an application is a matter of days, with designation effective shortly afterwards. Also, all operators of venues with a capacity of more than 1000 and sporting organisations, major event organisers and concert promoters were written to, both by my officials and by me on separate occasions in July and September, explaining clearly the benefits of the legislation for fans and the process involved. My officials are also following up with venue operators who have not applied for designation to date to encourage them to do so.
119. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacant properties at the IDA Business Park, Johnstown, Navan, County Meath. [53047/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently no vacant buildings at the IDA Business & Technology Park, Navan, Co. Meath.
120. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of his engagement with regard to pursuing existing flexibilities in the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, TRIPS, to allow for a waiver of intellectual property rights concerning Covid-19 vaccines to facilitate the universal and equitable access to said vaccines. [46660/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUniversal and equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines, diagnostics and treatments is crucial in the global fight against COVID-19.
International Trade is a competence of the EU under the Treaties and in exercising that competence, the European Commission engages fully with the Member States, including Ireland, through a variety of Committees and Working Parties/Groups, including on Intellectual Property.
As regards the broad waiver proposed by a number of WTO Members, on 4 June, the EU submitted a proposal to the WTO General Council, which proposed that WTO Members could agree on a global trade initiative for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics encompassing the three components of (i) trade facilitation and disciplines on export restrictions; (ii) concrete actions to expand production and ensure supply of vaccines at affordable prices to low and middle income countries during the pandemic and (iii) clarification and facilitation of TRIPS Agreement flexibilities relating to compulsory licences.
The EU has also submitted a Declaration to the WTO TRIPS Council to assist the next phase of discussions with a view to trying to reach agreement with all Members of the WTO on how to achieve the shared goal of expanding production and facilitating equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics for all.
The EU continues to be committed to an open and comprehensive dialogue with all WTO members to explore how the multilateral rules-based trading system can best support universal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and to continue ramping up production, to share COVID-19 vaccines and medicines more widely and faster and to ensure equitable access to these products for low and middle-income countries.
Ireland will engage with the European Commission and other member states on the EU position for the WTO discussions including discussions on how the flexibilities within the TRIPS Agreement can contribute towards increasing the manufacturing capacity and the equitable access to vaccines around the world.The EU considers that the COVAX Facility, the international initiative to ensure global access to COVID vaccines, is the mechanism that is best placed to ensure that high-income countries finance the vaccines and support the developing countries to secure their share of global supply. The EU with its Member States has been the leading donor to the COVAX facility with €3.2 billion committed to support equitable distribution of vaccines. Team Europe has committed 200 million doses to reach low and middle-income countries by the end of this year, mainly through the COVAX initiative and is investing €1 billion to ramp up mRNA production capacity in Africa.
The Irish Government announced that it plans to donate one million of its surplus vaccines to low-income countries as part of the Covax global vaccine initiative. This brings Ireland’s total contribution to COVAX to €7 million in 2021.
The global production of vaccines is increasing rapidly, and it is estimated that 12 billion doses of COVID vaccines will be produced by the end of 2021. The EU has been the leading exporter of vaccines, exporting over 730 million doses, around half of its vaccine production, to more than 130 countries by mid-September 2021.
Reports from the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) suggest that by January 2022, there will be sufficient vaccines produced for every adult on every continent.
Ireland has consistently championed collaborative responses to the pandemic, with a focus on ensuring that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are served by our collective effort. As a member of the global health community, Ireland continues to play an active role in ensuring fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. This includes supporting the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund, to develop, produce and equitably distribute effective technologies in the COVID-19 global response.
121. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of existing contracts of an indefinite period entered into by his Department prior to the enactment of the EU Procurement Directive. [53227/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a dedicated Procurement Co-Ordination Unit, with responsibility at Principal Officer level. The Unit assists internal business units and our Offices on a range of procurement matters, as required, so as to ensure that there is an appropriate focus on procurement best practice. The Department is also guided by various national and international (EU) procurement rules and guidelines.
The Department, for the vast majority of its procurements, will try to avail of various centralised procurement frameworks put in place by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) as well as utilising the e-Tenders website and advertising in the EU Journal, where applicable.
With regard to the specific question asked by the Deputy, my Department uses three legacy proprietary ICT software systems where system support or software licensing is not available through third party suppliers, and there is an ongoing need for support or licensing from the system suppliers. The suppliers in question are Advance Systems, pTools and Oracle EMEA.
The Department also currently has a contract with one supplier, Virgin Media, for legacy ICT network connectivity to a small number of regional sites where historically there have not been other connectivity options. My Department regularly reviews such arrangements to identify alternative procurement options.
122. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the meetings or consultations that took place between his Department and representatives of the live performance and nightlife sector, including workers and businesses, in the week prior to the announcements on 19 October of the plans to ease restrictions on the sector. [53306/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will know policy responsibility for the live performance and nightlife sector is not within the remit of my Department. This sector is the responsibility of my colleague, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD.
The final decision by Government on 19th of October, following NPHET advice in light of the high level of disease in the community at that time and the uncertain trajectory of the disease, was that the remaining aspects of the hospitality, entertainment and night-time economy sector can reopen only with the full range of protective measures in place and the wide and robust implementation of the EU Digital COVID Certificate. So while we were in a position to allow the reopening of the sector as planned from 22 October for the live performance and nightlife sector, and businesses across the country did reopen, further engagement was necessary with the sector to ensure appropriate protocols were in place to mitigate the risks of further community transmission.
Following the Government decision on the need to maintain protective measures, a meeting was called by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for the following day with the sector and was attended by officials in my Department.
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media continued to engage with stakeholders to tease out various operational issues and to complete the drafting of regulations and guidelines to come into effect for 29th October last. My officials also attended these meetings.
The regulations and guidance have now been published and the sector have fully clarity on how to operationalise the decision.
124. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the analysis published by the International Monetary Fund on 16 June, which found that meeting the envisaged emissions reduction target in Ireland's Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 is estimated to require significant investment of close to €20 billion or 5 % of GDP 1 annually over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51989/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2021 IMF Country Report for Ireland highlights that Ireland has missed its 2020 EU climate target by a significant margin and that full implementation of the new ambitious climate agenda is needed to catch up and achieve 2030 targets. It also emphases that recovery policies should prioritise green investment that facilitates Ireland's transformation to a low carbon economy.
The Government is fully committed to meeting the climate challenge. The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, enacted in July 2021, commits Ireland to achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050, and provides for a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. The Climate Act also establishes a significantly strengthened climate governance framework to support delivery of these targets, including the introduction and implementation of carbon budgets. The Climate Act also provides for maximum amount of emissions that are permitted in different sectors of the economy during a budget period, referred to as ‘sectoral emissions ceilings’. Putting these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future governments for sustained climate action.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 is being finalised and will be published shortly. The plan will bring forward policies and measures to support the delivery of the 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, and put us on a pathway to climate neutrality no later than 2050. These steps will be challenging, but they will also create new opportunities.
The step up in ambition will require significant investment across the entire economy. It should be noted that a significant part of this investment has been anticipated and provided for through the commitments included in the recently published National Development Plan (NDP), which sets out the appropriate level of capital spending for the economy over the period to 2030.
The climate investment priorities included in the NDP must be delivered to help meet the targets set out in the current and future Climate Action Plans, and to achieve our climate objectives. The investment priorities represent a decisive shift towards the achievement of a decarbonised society, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to securing a carbon neutral future.
The distribution of costs and benefits arising from detailed policy design work, i.e. between the exchequer, individuals, and businesses, necessary to achieve the targets set out in the plan, will be determined by the mix of regulations, taxes, incentives and subsidies which the Government may choose to deploy to achieve the target abatement range in each sector.
125. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when high-speed broadband will be delivered to a property (details supplied) under the national broadband plan. [52017/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
Complaints about service provision are a matter to be dealt with between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.
Notwithstanding this, my Department has undertaken an investigation into the matter and has established that the premises should be able to place an order for high speed broadband through a commercial operator operating in the area.
126. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to make the warmth and wellbeing scheme available to homes outside of the currented limited pilot areas. [52050/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme aims to objectively measure and validate the health and wellbeing impacts of improving the living conditions of vulnerable people living in energy poverty with chronic respiratory conditions. The scheme is a collaboration between my Department and the Department of Health and is jointly administered by the Health Service Executive and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Since 2016, over 1,300 homes have received free upgrades to their homes, including attic and wall insulation, window and door replacement and heating system upgrades where needed.
The Exchequer investment in this scheme has significantly improved the warmth and comfort of the homes involved. Initial reports have indicated that the upgrades are also delivering benefits to the health and wellbeing of participants, including reports of needing fewer GP and hospital visits, fewer prescriptions for antibiotics as well as increased engagement with other support services in the community. An independent analysis of the scheme benefits is being carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with the Health Service Executive.
The research element of the scheme has unfortunately experienced significant delays due to complications associated with GDPR, Brexit and more recently the COVID-19 emergency. However, every effort is being made to progress the research as quickly as possible and publish the results. The findings will inform Government’s approaches to retrofitting, especially with regard to those who are more vulnerable and at risk of energy poverty.
As sufficient participants for this research have been recruited under the scheme there are no plans to extend the pilot area further. The Warmer Homes Scheme, is already available nationwide and provides a similar range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. In addition, the Warmer Homes Scheme has wider eligibility criteria than the pilot scheme as it is not limited to those with chronic respiratory conditions. 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. This year, the budget for the Warmer Homes Scheme is €100 million.
127. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount paid by Ireland since joining the NATO accredited Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence; the additional co-operative arrangements with NATO forces in the area of cybersecurity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52066/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCoE) was established by NATO member states to develop and enhance capabilities to counter cyber threats. The Centre is based in Tallinn, Estonia. The Centre is staffed and financed by its participating states which include both NATO members and non-NATO members including Austria, Finland, Sweden and Ireland. The Centre does not fall within NATO’s military command or force structure and has no operational mandate. As a Contributing Participant, Ireland has access to the CCDCoE training catalogue and can participate in cyber exercises. Ireland is also represented on the CCDCoE Steering Committee which has responsibility for oversight of the administration and policies of the Centre.
The total amount paid to CCDCoE to date is €3,680. These fees are in respect of training courses in areas of International Law, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Threat Intelligence and Malware Analysis.
128. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a fasttrack one-stop-shop framework for planning and licensing as was recommended by the Just Transition Commissioner in his progress report dated April 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52100/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take it that the question refers to a consent system for peat extraction. Commercial peat extraction is subject to a dual consent process requiring planning permission and, for sites over 50 hectares, an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There has been a history of widespread non-compliance with this dual consent process, with many operators in the sector lacking planning permission and / or an IPC licence.
Following a 2019 High Court judgment which re-affirmed, inter alia, that commercial peat extraction absent planning permission constitutes unauthorised development, the onus has been on operators to first regularise their activities via the planning system and then secure the necessary licenses before any recommencement can take place.
The State cannot simply remove the requirement for operators to regularise their past unauthorised development, as this requirement is derived from EU law, and I believe the quickest route to regularisation is through engagement with the existing consent system rather than through the establishment of a new one.
Insofar as this issue relates to the use of peat for horticultural purposes, that matter is being considered by a working group established by Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
More generally, the upcoming Climate Action Plan 2021 will contain a specific chapter on just transition for the Midlands region and will address the Programme for Government commitment to prepare an implementation plan in response to the recommendations contained in the Commissioner’s reports. The Climate Action Plan is due to be published in the coming weeks.
129. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there has been an environmental assessment carried out on the importation of peat; if not, if he will conduct one; if so, if he will publish the details of the assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52101/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no function in relation to this matter. National peatlands management is a matter for the National Parks and Wildlife Service and issues around the extraction of horticultural peat are a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Furthermore, market activities such as the importation or exportation of any product do not require an environmental assessment (either a Strategic Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Assessment).
130. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a person (details supplied) in County Clare who has submitted an application under the SEAI scheme will be assessed given that he or she has applied since November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52110/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 average time from application to completion was approximately 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. 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. This added to the longer wait times that had already arisen due to other COVID-19 related restrictions last year. Wait times have also been negatively impacted by challenges associated with availability and longer lead times for materials.
Individual applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are an operational matter for the SEAI and as Minister I have no role in such matters. However, in reference to the case raised by the Deputy, I have been informed by the SEAI that the home in question has been allocated to a surveyor. The SEAI expects the applicant to receive a survey appointment call within the next 3-4 weeks. The applicant can contact the SEAI call centre at 1850 927 000 for any further information.
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 since construction activity in the residential sector recommenced earlier this year.
131. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has met representatives of a company (details supplied); if so, the nature of the discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52148/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met with representatives of the company in question on 7th October to discuss general energy matters. The company outlined its current operations and future plans.
The oil refinery operated in Co. Cork by the company in question is a private commercial operation and I have no role or function in the management of this facility.
132. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the assessment and ultimate decision on the hydrogen strategy by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52169/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the additional work that has took place during 2021 on producing a hydrogen strategy for Ireland; his views on whether the relative inaction on the part of Ireland will result in Ireland not being able to benefit from the economic advantages of hydrogen production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53198/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 156 together.
The Programme for Government recognises the need for research and development of hydrogen from renewable sources, known as ‘green hydrogen’, for use in power generation and as a zero-emission energy source in difficult-to-decarbonise sectors such as transport and industry.In July 2020, the European Commission published a hydrogen strategy for a carbon-neutral Europe. Ireland supported the hydrogen strategy, including the need to deploy green hydrogen in line with the Programme for Government. Ireland also supported the publication of the Council Conclusions on a hydrogen market for Europe in October 2020. In the development of these conclusions, Ireland strongly supported the need to focus on green hydrogen.
I can assure the Deputies that work is underway to examine the role of green hydrogen to ensure we realise the benefits it can bring in contributing to our commitment of net zero emissions by 2050. My Department is working with relevant Departments, agencies and stakeholders to inform Ireland's future policies in relation to the production and use of green hydrogen. The role of green hydrogen, and the polices and measures needed for its development, are being considered as part of the development of the 2021 Climate Action Plan.
