Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made in determining the longer-term skills needs of the healthcare services; the role which the further and higher education sector can play in meeting those skills needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals is a key priority. The challenges presented by Covid-19 have given extra urgency to the need to address the long-term workforce planning needs of the health system. My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services.
My Department has been engaging with the Department of Health on the number of places available in areas where the HSE has identified significant skills shortages. The areas identified include, but are not limited it, places in health disciplines such as medicine, nursing, health and social care professionals including Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language therapists, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Medical Scientists and Dieticians.
In the short term, my officials are engaging with the Higher Education Authority and representatives from the higher education sector on the provision of additional places for the coming academic year, with a focus on areas such as healthcare where there is a need for more skilled graduates. However there are real, material limits on the immediate increases that can be accommodated on highly practical courses such as healthcare courses which involve clinical placements.
In the longer term, the Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service. I will ensure that there is continued engagement with all stakeholders to ensure that we deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector.
122. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider the establishment of a campus in Kilkenny to provide a national centre for apprenticeships as part of the new South East Technological University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12780/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the development or operation of any campus of the new multi-campus South East Technological University will be a matter in the first instance for the governing body of the new university upon its establishment.
In February this year, I launched two new capital investment programmes for the higher education sector, including one focused on the technological sector, as well as two new programmes for the further education and training (FET) sector. Higher education institutions and Education and Training Boards have received details on how to apply for capital funding under these programmes.
123. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made regarding the development of the next national research and innovation strategy; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12774/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of a new national strategy for research and innovation (R&I) is a key commitment in the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan 2021, which sets out the “dual ambition of placing research, development and innovation at the heart of addressing Ireland’s economic and societal challenges, and building capacity and capability across the research and innovation system to move R&I up the value chain.”
My Department is leading the development of this new national strategy, in consultation with key Government Departments, agencies and stakeholders.
The new strategy will set a vision and ambition for Ireland’s R&I system with which all relevant actors will identify and contribute to, with ambitious national strategic goals and objectives. Action-led Work Programmes will set out deliverables over shorter timescales. This will enable agility and responsiveness over the full period of the strategy and a strong focus on delivery and reform.
My Department has led a public consultation process and has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders in the preparation of this Strategy. Development of the strategy is nearing completion and I expect to bring it to Cabinet for consideration in the coming weeks, and to launch it thereafter.
124. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his strategy to broaden access to further and higher education to traditionally less well represented groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12773/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEquity of Access to Further and Higher Education continues to be a national priority for the Government and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Inclusion is a key goal in my Department's Statement of Strategy. The Programme for Government also reflects the importance of supporting learners at risk of educational disadvantage and learners with special education needs in higher education.
The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by the Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including student grants, are considered in the context of the annual Budget.
As part of Budget 2022, I have secured an additional €15m to enhance the existing financial supports under the Student Grant Scheme for implementation in 2022.
For the academic year 2022/23 this will mean:-
- An increase to all student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, of €200 per year which will benefit all students entitled to receive a maintenance Grant. There are currently circa 62,000 SUSI grant recipients receiving maintenance support.
- The income threshold to qualify for the standard rate of student grant has been increased by €1,000.
- The qualifying distance criterion for students to qualify for the non-adjacent rate of grant has been reduced from 45km to 30km, effective from the start of the 2022/23 academic year.
I have prioritised these changes for the 2022/23 academic year and they will benefit thousands of students building on the improvements that have already been made for postgraduate students through this year’s student grant scheme. These improvements to the student grant scheme have been a priority for me since taking up my Ministerial appointment.
I am also happy to give an update on the review of the Student Grant Scheme. This was a very important commitment in the Programme for Government, which will help shape decision-making on how we support students over the years to come. The draft report was submitted to me in late December 2021. Given the inter-connectivity between strategic student support issues and other reform priorities (e.g. the expansion of supports to part-time and blended learners as an enabler of lifelong learning or enhanced postgraduate supports as an enabler to equality, diversity and inclusion in the R&I system), it is now my intention to bring the report to Cabinet shortly alongside the Future Funding Model report.
The vision of the Third National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2021 is that the student body entering, participating in, and completing higher education at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population. The plan set out five goals and more than thirty actions, developed following widespread consultation with stakeholders, with the aim of supporting increased access and participation in higher education by six main target groups. Those groups include entrants from socio-economic groups that have low participation in higher education; first-time mature students, students with disabilities, part-time/flexible learners, further education and training award holders; and Irish Travellers. The plan also indicated subgroups that require support, including lone parents, teen parents and ethnic minorities. Improving equity of access to higher education is an ongoing objective.
My Department is committed to the continued roll-out of supports for students and targeted initiatives to support delivery of the vision and targets within the National Access Plan.
Work on developing the new National Access Plan 2022 – 2026 is underway. Colleagues in my Department are working closely with the Higher Education Authority in developing priority actions and new target groups for the next National Access Plan. I am looking forward to publishing this new and exciting Plan this year. We hope to have a more student centred plan that drives our strategic goal of inclusion which is a cornerstone of my Department priorities. Our new plan which is at an advanced stage of preparation will have an increased focus on student success.
I secured an additional €5m in budget 2022 to bring forward targeted measures to support the implementation of this plan when it is published.
The objectives of the National Access Plan are supported by a range of interventions and programmes:
The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) which comprises dedicated funding to support access to higher education and consists of three strands focussed on increasing the participation of under-represented groups in higher education. The PATH fund has a current investment envelope of €42 million over the period 2016 to 2022, across the three strands which are currently supporting access to initial teacher education from the target groups identified in the National Access Plan (Strand 1), providing a three-tiered bursary system (Strand 2) to students who have been identified by their higher education institution, approved for PATH 2 funding, as being the most socio-economically disadvantaged students in the target groups under the National Access Plan, and supports regional clusters of higher education institutions with the aim of attracting additional students from groups currently under-represented in higher education (Strand 3).
The full impact of PATH investment will be seen over the lifetime of this and subsequent national access strategies.
Students in higher education institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The annual Fund of €9.1m provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. Students can apply for SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs, medical costs and books/class materials. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification.
It is recognised that COVID19 has had a major impact on the financial situation of students and their families. As part of my Department’s response to the issues affecting students arising from the pandemic, I have allocated significantly higher amounts to the Fund over the past two academic years. For 2020 and 2021 I doubled the level of baseline core funding for the SAF by providing an additional €8.1m in each of those two years.
Also in 2021 an additional €1.3m was allocated to the Fund to meet the additional demands identified by the Higher Education Institutions arising from COVID19.
In total, €18.5 million was allocated for the 2021/2022 academic year. In addition to this I also made available €1.9 million in Covid-19 funding to a contingency fund for HEIs to provide additional resources to access and support services to respond to the emerging needs of the COVID pandemic.
The Action Plan for Increasing Traveller Participation in Higher Education 2019-2021 was launched in 2019 and its aim is to advance Traveller participation in higher education within the context of approaches on retention and transition of Travellers across the education spectrum.
In 2021, I secured ring-fenced funding of €300,000 for targeted supports to address the implications of COVID-19 for Traveller transfer to and progression within higher education. The funding will help ensure expected increases in Traveller participation in higher education remain on track.
I am pleased to announce an increase in funding for 2022, €450,000 has been secured which will help to safeguard the increases already seen in participation in higher education by marginalised communities and to mitigate against the risk of long-term damage arising from COVID-19.
The additional funding means that institutions can now broaden their reach to assist members of the Roma community and to do so in a community-led way.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) supports participation by students with a disability in further and higher education. €9.6m is allocated to the Fund annually for both Further and Higher Education. In 2019/2020, circa 16,000 students were supported through the fund.
In January 2021, I approved a number of strategic projects under the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) aimed at supporting students with disabilities to access and engage with higher education. The initiatives, which involve 24 higher education institutions (HEI) and €5.8m in expenditure, are broad and are aimed at improving access to higher education for people with a disability, to improving college campuses and to assist staff with training and development. Among the projects are a number of projects for students with autism including the establishment of autism friendly rooms across nine different campuses, the development of assistive technology including for students with disabilities, an app to help students with visual or hearing impairment navigate their way around campus and specialist assistance for students who are deaf.
A study commissioned by the Higher Education Authority on the challenges facing mature students in participating in higher education was publish in June 2021– the findings will be considered in the context of the new National Access Plan due to be published in the coming months.
Persons in the protection process (asylum and subsidiary protection) or leave to remain process are not eligible to access the statutory based SUSI grant scheme. However, the administratively based Student Support Scheme provides supports along similar lines to the SUSI grant scheme and is available to persons in the asylum, subsidiary protection or leave to remain process.
Fostering Inclusion is one of the three core pillars around which the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-2024 is built. The FET sector is committed to increasing levels of inclusion through the provision of high quality, more accessible and flexible education and training programmes and supports suited to the identified needs of individuals, including those in traditionally less well represented groups. FET provision is largely free or heavily subsidised, and a number of financial supports may be available to learners to facilitate the participation of individuals who would not otherwise be in a position to take up training. I would encourage people to make an appointment with their local Adult Education Guidance Service (AEGS), available in each Education and Training Boards (ETB) across the country free of charge, to discuss what supports may be available to them.
125. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on statistics released under freedom of information which reveal that 75 reports of sexual harassment were lodged by staff and students in Irish colleges between 2015 and 2020. [12712/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for the question on this matter. Our higher education institutions have a duty of care to their students and staff, and a responsibility to foster a campus culture that is clear in the condemnation of unwanted and unacceptable behaviours, which act as barriers to their safety and their active participation in college life.
Significant progress has been made regarding the Framework for Consent in Higher Education, since it was first launched in 2019. The Framework aims to ensure the creation of an institutional campus culture which is safe, respectful and supportive.
In August 2020, I wrote to all the Presidents of the publicly funded higher education institutions, with a view to strengthening institutional action in the area of consent. Institutions were requested to produce individual action plans on tackling sexual violence and harassment and to submit these to the HEA Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality, whose responsibilities have been expanded to cover all areas of equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as oversight of the implementation of the Framework for Consent in HEIs.
As part of monitoring requirements moving forward, the HEA requires that institutions, in respect of both staff and students, report progress annually on implementation of the Framework for Consent.
My Department has provided support for a number of consent awareness raising and training initiatives in the HEIs, including the:
- UIG Active Consent Programme
- UCC Bystander Training
- Speak Out report and support online platform
- The ESHTE Toolkit and It Stops Now Campaign led by the NWCI in conjunction with USI.
My Department is partnering with the Department of Justice and the NUIG Active Consent programme to support the development of an online hub that will provide, for the first time, an integrated, publicly available resource on sexual consent awareness and learning, which will be an important resource for our further and higher education institutions and the wider community.
The IUA has published guidelines entitled 'Guidelines for Universities on How to Respond to Alleged Staff or Student of University Related Sexual Misconduct', which are available to assist HEIs in this area.
THEA launched their PROPEL Report (Promoting Consent and Preventing Sexual Violence), in March 2021, with funding from my Department. The PROPEL report details key components and options for inclusion in institutional action plans, outline of best practice and guidelines for emerging policies and procedures in this area and a series of conclusions and recommendations.
With regard to the recently published surveys of student and staff experiences of sexual violence and harassment in higher education, I want to take this opportunity to thank students and staff across the country who took the time to engage with this survey and share their experiences with us. A total of 11,417 responses were analysed (7,901 students and 3,516 staff) and inform the findings.
The survey findings point to some positive developments in the higher education institutions that can be built upon in areas such as awareness raising and education. But there are also some deeply troubling findings, such as the levels of sexual harassment experienced by staff and students that responded to the survey and particularly the female students that reported that they had experienced sexual violence.
An Expert Advisory Group chaired by the HEA is currently reviewing the survey reports and will be submitting proposed actions shortly which will complement the work already underway on the Consent Framework in the higher education sector.
I will continue to lead the way on institutional change, championing the changes required to achieve a cultural norm where bullying and sexual harassment are not tolerated.
126. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the most recent European Council meeting. [12183/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI attended a special meeting of the European Council on 24 February, the day the current Russian invasion of Ukraine began.
The European Council demanded that Russia immediately cease its military actions, unconditionally withdraw forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine and fully respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders.
We said that Russia was grossly violating international law and the principles of the UN Charter and undermining European and global security and stability.
In response to the Russian invasion the EU has adopted the most stringent ever set of sanctions. In addition, it is making a significant contribution to addressing the humanitarian crisis it has caused, including on refugees.
127. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the criteria used for employing the census enumerators; the way that the enumerators were picked; and the way that a decision made in circumstances in which a person worked as an enumerator in the past and was not selected on this occasion. [12678/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll of the recruitment for the census field operation is carried out by the CSO under licence by the Commission for Public Service Appointments and complies with their strict recruitment principles regarding fairness, equality, openness and transparency.
The census is employing 5,100 enumerators in areas all across the country. In selecting candidates for the positions of census enumerator, the CSO called over 12,700 people to interview and all applicants were assessed on the basis of their skills, abilities, and suitability for the post in question. An order of merit was established in each field area, based on the results of the interview process. The jobs were ultimately offered to the most qualified candidates. In some areas, there were large numbers of well qualified candidates and although people passed the interview and were placed on the order of merit, due to the number of positions available in the area, not all candidates were offered jobs.
128. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if an external contractor has been engaged regarding a protected disclosure over that time period; if so, the cost of same; and the number of protected disclosures that were rejected, accepted and that remain under review for the time period in question. [13060/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received no protected disclosures from serving or former staff of the Department during the period in question.
129. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the dates on which each Cabinet Committee (details supplied) met from June 2020 to date inclusive [13114/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below lists the Cabinet Committee meetings held from June 2020.
|
Cabinet Committee |
Meetings held from June 2020 |
Meetings held 2021 |
Meetings held to date 2022 |
|
COVID-19 |
3 July, 11 August, 10 September, 14 September, 18 September, 5 October, 9 October, 17 October, 19 October, 26 November, 21 December |
5 January, 25 January, 18 February, 22 February, 29 March, 28 April, 27 May, 28 June, 6 August, 19 August, 27 August, 30 August, 26 October, 15 November, 3 December, 17 December |
28 February |
|
Economic Recovery and Investment |
8 July, 15 July, 21 July, 2 September, 22 September, 9 October, 5 November, 4 December |
4 February, 1 March, 12 April, 6 May, 27 May, 16 September, 30 September, 22 November, 13 December |
10 February |
|
Housing |
30 July, 28 September, 16 November |
8 February, 15 April, 9 June, 21 June, 5 July, 15 July, 30 August, 15 November, 6 December |
24 January, 3 March |
|
Health |
28 July, 12 November, 14 December |
8 November, 9 December |
28 February |
|
Environment and Climate Change |
30 July, 9 November, 7 December |
22 February, 1 April, 10 May, 31 May, 1 July, 18 October, 3 November, 8 December |
21 February |
|
Education |
1 February, 17 February, 13 May |
||
|
Europe |
16 July, 8 October, 8 December |
22 March, 14 October |
7 March |
|
Brexit and Northern Ireland |
29 October |
4 March |
|
|
Government Co-ordination |
13 July, 27 July, 31 August, 7 September, 14 September, 28 September, 2 November, 9 November, 16 November, 23 November, 30 November, 7 December, 14 December, 21 December, 28 December, 30 December |
11 January, 18 January, 25 January, 1 February, 8 February, 15 February, 22 February, 1 March, 8 March, 22 March, 29 March, 13 April, 19 April, 26 April, 10 May, 17 May, 28 May, 31 May, 14 June, 21 June, 28 June, 5 July, 12 July, 19 July, 26 July, 14 September, 7 October, 11 October, 18 October, 22 November, 29 November, 6 December, 13 December |
4 January, 11 January, 17 January, 24 January, 31 January, 7 February, 14 February, 21 February, 28 February, 7 March |
130. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if correspondence from a person (details supplied) has been received; if a response will issue in advance of the ceremony of remembrance on 20 March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12468/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe correspondence referred to has been received and a response has issued to the person concerned.
131. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff currently employed by his Department; the current annual salary of the highest and second highest paid persons respectively, employed by his Department; and the various pay scales for persons working in his Department. [12473/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently a total of 982 staff in my Department with a full time equivalency of which 945.47.
As of the 3 March 2022 the highest and second highest annual salary associated with staff of my Department are €205,199 and €181,439 respectively. Remuneration of all the staff of my Department and its Offices is as sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in line with Government policy.
The Remuneration, Industrial Relations and Pensions Division of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) is responsible for the issuing and maintenance of grades and their associated pay scales across the civil service, including approved payscales for staff at my Department. There are a wide range of standard and specialised pay scales for staff employed in the civil service and my HR and Finance teams access relevant departmental payscales from the centrally approved database, which provides both current and historic grade and scale information and which is available at civilservicepayscales.per.gov.ie.
132. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the process by which retired workers will be included in the proposed the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12538/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI intend to launch a consultation into certain matters raised during consideration of the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021 shortly.
This consultation will include input from organisations representing retired workers which will assist the Government in making informed decisions on the matter.
133. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a matter and the mechanism that may be available to expedite cases (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12602/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully appreciate how difficult the situation is for those people who have been affected by redundancies in the case outlined.
By law, it is the employer’s responsibility to pay statutory redundancy to eligible workers. In situations where an employer is genuinely unable to pay statutory redundancy entitlements due to financial difficulties or insolvency, the State may make the statutory redundancy payments on the employer’s behalf from the Social Insurance Fund.
Negotiations on enhanced redundancy packages over and above the statutory entitlement are a voluntary matter between employers and workers, therefore the State has no role in this matter.
In the event of a dispute, the State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement mechanisms i.e. the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court, to support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences. The responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers rests with the employer, the workers and their representatives and the Government cannot intervene in the industrial relations process.
I can assure you that Government works in a coordinated way to assist any person who loses their job. I understand that officials in the Department of Social Protection have held group information sessions and one-to-one phone meetings with the workers involved. Officials will continue to advise further on supports for jobseekers with disabilities, including the EmployAbility service which is an employment and recruitment service that helps people who have a disability to secure and maintain employment.
134. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if an external contractor has been engaged regarding a protected disclosure over that time period; if so, the cost of same; and the number of protected disclosures that were rejected, accepted and that remain under review for the time period in question. [13049/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table attached sets out the number of protected disclosures made to my Department in each of the 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022. I am informed by my officials that external contractors were not engaged regarding a protected disclosure over that time period, and that none of the protected disclosures remain under review.
|
Year |
Number |
|
2019 |
2 |
|
2020 |
2 |
|
2021 |
0 |
|
2022 |
0 |
135. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the retrofit work will be carried out for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12383/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The administration and management of applications under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications.
The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
136. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 29 September 2021, the date by which a nationally accredited insulation product will be available for use in homes that were built before 1940; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12394/22]
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. A range of home energy improvements can be funded under this scheme. The upgrades that are recommended for any given property depend on many factors including the age, size, type and condition of the property. The Warmer Homes Scheme criteria relating to the inclusion of insulation works on homes built before 1940 will be kept under review in the context of a forthcoming guidance document entitled “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings”. These Guidelines are being developed by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. I understand that this process is well advanced and the Guidance is expected to be available later this year.
137. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will request that Eirgrid submit updates regarding grid reinforcement projects to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas [12414/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of quality energy infrastructure is essential to underpin Ireland’s economic development. Development of this infrastructure is undertaken under the direction of EirGrid, the transmission system operator.
As well as ensuring security of electricity supply, EirGrid must deliver on Government ambition of up to 80% renewable electricity on our system. EirGrid’s “Shaping Our Electricity Future” roadmap was designed to outline a secure transition to deliver on this renewable ambition. Work on 48 grid reinforcement projects listed in the roadmap is already underway, spread nationwide and with delivery ongoing to 2030.
In the context of the above, there is already a significant range of engagement and reporting in place. EirGrid develop, engage and consult on all of these projects in accordance with their 6 step grid development framework – a rigorous approach to planning, design, consents, construction and energisation for each project, all underpinned by substantive public engagement.
The reporting, monitoring, and incentive requirements for the work programme is formally overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the energy regulator, through a specific regulatory “Price Review” framework. Reporting and monitoring requirements for development projects are detailed in CRU's decision PR5 Regulatory Framework, Incentives and Reporting - CRU/20/154 (Dec 2020).
CRU publishes performance and investment planning and delivery reports on an annual basis, as well as performance reports under the Price Review process every 5 years on their website.
In light of the above, it may not be appropriate to duplicate reporting; however, EirGrid are available to attend the relevant committee of the Oireachtas to outline their work in more detail.
138. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 2 November 2021, if he or his officials have had further engagements with the European Commission regarding the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive 2014/61/EU, specifically in regard to article 8 and new buildings being broadband ready (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12436/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra139. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 2 November 2021, the details of the engagements he and his officials have had with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive 2014/61/EU, specifically in regard to article 8 and new buildings being broadband ready; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12437/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together.
My Department last engaged with the European Commission in respect of Article 8 of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (BCRD) via teleconference on 25 January last. Draft Regulations to effect transposition of Article 8 of the BCRD are at an advanced stage of development and my Department continues to engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the necessary measures to transpose this outstanding provision, in order that they can be finalised as a matter of urgency.
140. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a SEAI grant assistance application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12443/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The administration and management of applications under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications.
The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie
