Written Answers Nos. 164-179
164. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 26 April 2022, the process of engagement that is taking place in more detail; and the process and timeline for the public consultation. [23925/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of the proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence in February, my Department has been engaging at EU working party level to clarify the practical implications for stakeholders. This process is ongoing and given the complexity of the issues being addressed, subsequent negotiations on the proposal at EU level may well continue through the remainder of this year and into 2023.
I support the objective of the proposed Directive to promote responsible business conduct and I will seek to ensure that the proposal strikes the right balance by providing effective protections whilst ensuring that the measures to be implemented by companies are clear, proportionate and enforceable.
I look forward to hearing the views of all those with an interest in the proposal. In this regard, I have recently met with the Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights and my officials have also met with key stakeholders including representatives of business and civil society organisations. I intend to have further engagement with stakeholders over the coming months and will also launch a public consultation to help inform our position on the proposal.
165. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current processing time for work permit applications; his plans to reform the current scheme due to labour shortages within sectors of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23966/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland operates a managed employment permits system which maximises the benefits of economic migration while 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, by design, vacancy led and driven by the changing needs of the labour market, expanding and contracting in tandem with its inherent fluctuations.
The State’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the State and other EEA states. However, where specific skills prove difficult to source within the EEA, an employment permit may be sought in respect of a non-EEA national who possess those skills.
The employment permit system is managed through the operation of the critical skills and the ineligible occupations lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy, they undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews. These reviews are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), SOLAS and include a public consultation process and extensive consultation with other Government Departments through the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy. 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.
My Department experienced a significant increase in applications for employment permits in the past year, impacting on processing times. From the start of January to the end of December 2021, some 27,666 applications were received, representing a 69% increase over the same period in 2020 (16,293) and a 47% increase on 2019 (18,811), which itself represented an 11 year high in applications. 16,275 employment permits were issued in 2021, with a total of 17,968 applications processed which represents a significant volume of activity. The increased demand was also driven by the extension of categories of employment permits, in particular for the agricultural sector, following the Review of the Occupational Lists announced in October 2021. This included 3,000 permits made available to the agricultural sector.
My Department recognises the impact delays on the processing times for work permits has for businesses and their workers and has developed a plan of action to reduce processing times built up over the pandemic. The plan includes both additional staffing and systemic changes. The processing team has trebled in size and daily output has more than tripled compared to 2021 levels. Internal processes have been streamlined and initiatives introduced which are all having an impact.
Since the implementation of this plan, the Employment Permits Unit has made positive progress to reduce the current backlog reducing the number of applications awaiting processing from c.11,000 in January 2022 to under 6,500 to date.
As new staff were trained on Critical Skills and Intra Corporate Transfer Employment Permits, processing times for those permits have fallen from 21 weeks to 6 weeks.
All flexible resources have now been redeployed to address processing times for General Employment permit applications which currently stand at 22 weeks. My Department expects to see a consistent strong fall in waiting times for General Employment Permits, from mid-May, with processing times considerably reduced by end Q2. In Q3 my Department will continue to drive down waiting times across all permit types.
Full details on current processing times are published on my Department’s website - Current processing dates for employment permits - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie).
166. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement he and his Department have had with SME's who are struggling with fuel and inflationary costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24041/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Government have responded with up to €2.1 billion in measures to date to mitigate the rising cost of living including a personal income tax package worth €520 million, a social welfare package is €550 million & we have reduced VAT from 13.5% to 9% on gas and electricity bills from the start of the month until the end of October.
The Government has already implemented several measures to help ease the impact on enterprises of energy price increases including reductions in VAT and excise on some fuels, as well as a temporary grant scheme to hauliers.
Earlier this week the Government announced the extension of the 9% Value Added Tax (VAT) rate for the tourism and hospitality industry for a further six months; a measure for which €250 million is the estimated cost to the exchequer which will derive value for the sector.
My Department’s Enterprise Forum met most recently on 16th March 2022 and was convened at the request of the Tánaiste to hear first-hand how the war in Ukraine is affecting businesses in Ireland. One of the main issues raised at that meeting was concern over energy security and prices.
Alongside other Fora led by my Department, such as the Retail Forum and the LEO Steering Group, I regularly meet with business representatives and relevant stakeholders where a range of issues are raised including fuel and inflationary costs.
The agencies under my Department’s remit also continue to implement a range of programmes open to SMEs to increase their energy and other efficiencies thereby reducing costs with a view to maintaining and improving their competitiveness.
Enterprise Ireland also regularly survey impacted clients which helps to inform our thinking on how best to help these companies remain resilient to current and future shocks and disruptions. Enterprise Ireland continues examine any necessary measures to help companies respond to the current business pressures. In particular, they are considering how the EU's temporary state aid crisis framework could be used to assist companies which are vulnerable but viable.
The Climate Enterprise Action Fund currently being administered by Enterprise Ireland which helps firms to plan climate action will be further built upon with additional funding for a range of initiatives launching later this year. These will fund investment in carbon measurement and abatement technologies for manufacturing enterprises and will be open to clients, or potential clients, of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
LEOs also support clients to reduce costs with initiatives such as Green for Micro, Lean for Micro and the Trading On-Line Voucher programmes.
The recently launched Climate Toolkit for Business also provides a useful resource to firms seeking to better understand their carbon footprint and plan.
Government Departments have been consulting with stakeholders on specific measures that could be considered to ameliorate the short to medium term challenges to energy security. The Energy Supply Emergency Group is an inter-departmental and inter-agency group with responsibility for informing the Government response to the impact of rising energy costs on business, in addition to security of energy supply more generally, and a longer-term reduction in Ireland’s dependency on imported oil and gas.
Under the aegis of this Group, my Department has established the Business Energy Users Sub-Group to lead on consultations with business and industry to learn about the specific impacts on Irish businesses, and to hear their concerns and perspectives on the appropriate and most effective tools for policy action. The work of this sub-group, as part of the wider Energy Supply Emergency Group has informed the National Energy Security Framework which was launched by the Government on 13th April 2022.
The Government has provided clear and practical guidance to business users on ways of maximising their energy efficiency and thus helping to manage overall levels of demand across our energy networks. This guidance is available on www.gov.ie.
In the long term the Government are working towards having up to 80% of our electricity from renewables by 2030, which will make a significant difference in protecting Ireland from similar energy price shocks in future.
We are encouraging and supporting firms to make investments in increased energy efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint, for example, SEAI, provide direct grants such as the support scheme for renewable heat, project assistance grants, the EXEED grant scheme, tax incentives available through the Accelerated Capital Allowance, and funding for energy audits.
167. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the future of snap net fishing on the river Suir following its closure a number of years ago; and if his Department will engage with fishermen in the area who wish to examine options for the future. [23905/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the River Suir has been closed to snap netting for the past few years, the longer term track record shows that the Suir opens and closes on a cyclical basis of foot of annual scientific assessments – rivers are not permanently closed but can only be open to taking and killing salmon if the biological imperatives are met. The trend over recent years in terms of meeting the conservation limit on the Suir is positive. While predictions cannot be definitively made, annual assessments will continue and will inform IFI stock management decisions.
168. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish a complete list of the properties in County Galway owned by Inland Fisheries Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23933/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue is an operational matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I nor my Department have any role. IFI has established a specific e-mail address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
169. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that have been put in place by his Department to alleviate fuel and energy poverty in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23961/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnergy poverty is influenced by a person’s income, the energy efficiency of their home and the cost of the energy they use. The Government has put a range of policies and measures in place at national level to alleviate fuel and energy poverty. These measures supplement lower income households through the Fuel Allowance and other payments, as well as providing free energy efficiency upgrades through the SEAI schemes and the Social Housing retrofitting programme. Examples of key recent developments include:
- Budget 2022 incorporated a range of measures to support citizens with the rising cost of living. These measures included increases to weekly social welfare payments, targeted measures with increases in the living alone allowance and the qualified child increase and a €5 increase in the weekly rate of fuel allowance, with that increase implemented immediately in October. The weekly income threshold for Fuel Allowance was also increased by €20 which enables more people to qualify for this support.
- Further measures were recently announced to help mitigate the effects of rising energy costs. As part of these measures an additional lump sum payment of €125 was paid to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment. This lump sum payment, in addition to the Budget increase, will mean low-income households will see an increase of 41% this fuel allowance season when compared to last season.
- This year, 58% (€203 million) of the total Government retrofit budget of €352 million will be spent on dedicated energy poverty retrofit supports and local authority retrofits. These supports are available nationwide and are linked to a household’s individual circumstances.
- A once-off payment of €200 (inclusive of VAT) is being paid from April 2022 onwards to all domestic electricity accounts as part of the Government’s package of measures to provide further support to households in the context of increased living costs.
In addition to the measures outlined above, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities has in place a suite of protections against disconnection that are set out in the Supplier Handbook. In brief, priority customers cannot be disconnected, while vulnerable customers are protected over winter months from 1 November to 31 March each year. Additionally, under the supplier led voluntary Energy Engage Code, suppliers will not disconnect a customer who is engaging with them at any time. Accordingly, any customers who are experiencing difficulties with their Bills should engage with their supplier to discuss the various options and assistance available.
170. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the methodologies, reports, databases, statistics and all other relevant sources used by his Department to measure fuel and energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23962/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnergy poverty is influenced by a person’s income, the energy efficiency of their home and the cost of the energy they use. Recent measurements of the share of households likely to be experiencing energy poverty include:
- In 2019 and 2020 the Economic and Social Research Institute assessed the number of households likely to be spending more than 10% of their income on energy needed. In the 2020 analysis, this was estimated to be 17.5% of households;
- The Survey of Income and Living Conditions is carried out annually by the CSO and gives an indication of the number of households experiencing difficulty in keeping their homes warm. In the survey results for 2021, the proportion of people who reported that they were unable to afford to keep their home adequately warm was 3.2%.
A research network on fuel poverty chaired by the Economic and Social Research Institute has been established to examine the data and metrics needed to improve existing measures for fuel poverty in Ireland. The group consists of representatives from my Department, the Department of Social Protection, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the Central Statistics Office. The Group has commenced examination of the data and metrics needed to improve existing measures for fuel poverty in Ireland. The main goal is to provide insights that enhance policy design to protect vulnerable households. A work programme, proposed outputs and timelines will be agreed and finalised shortly.
The Government has put a range of policies and measures in place to support households who are at risk of energy poverty. These measures supplement lower income households through the Fuel Allowance, the Household Benefits Package and other payments, as well as providing free energy efficiency upgrades through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland schemes and the Social Housing retrofitting programme. This year, 58% (€203 million) of the total Government retrofit budget of €352 million will be spent on dedicated energy poverty retrofit supports and local authority retrofits.
Recognising the unprecedented rise in energy prices facing people the Government has also put in place a number of additional measures earlier this year including:
- an increase in the weekly rate of the Fuel Allowance by €5 to €33 a week so that €914 was paid to eligible households over the course of the winter, an additional lump-sum payment of €125 was paid to the 370,000 households receiving the fuel allowance in mid-March.
- the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment of €176.22 (excl. VAT) credited to their accounts.
- the new National Retrofit Schemes include specific measures to support householders in taking actions to reduce energy bills, including up to 80% grant funding for low-cost, high-impact measures such as attic insulation.
To further manage the impact of recent price increases the Government, in the recently published National Energy Security Framework, has also announced a number of additional measures for households and businesses including:
- A new targeted €20 million scheme for the installation of Photo Voltaic (PV) panels for households that have a high reliance on electricity for medical reasons.
- A package of measures to enhance protections for financially vulnerable customers and customers in debt in the electricity and gas sectors.
- A review of the price-drivers behind electricity and natural gas bills (including network costs) with a view to mitigating cost increases for consumers and businesses in the near term.
- The continuation of the excise duty reduction on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil until the Budget in October 2022.
- A reduction in VAT from 13.5% to 9% on gas and electricity bills from the start of May until the end of October.
- An additional payment of €100 for all recipients of the Fuel Allowance.
- The reduction to zero of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy on electricity bills.
In addition to the measures outlined above, the electricity and gas markets, which are overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, have a range of protections against disconnections in place for consumers. In brief, priority customers cannot be disconnected, while vulnerable customers are protected over winter months from 1 November to 31 March each year. Additionally, under the supplier led voluntary Energy Engage Code, suppliers will not disconnect a customer who is engaging with them at any time. Accordingly, any customers who are experiencing difficulties with their Bills should engage with their supplier to discuss the various options and assistance available.
171. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking to address the base-load cost of renewable energy; the studies completed and that are underway to address this challenge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23973/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Single Electricity Market (SEM) is the wholesale electricity market for the island of Ireland. The SEM is regulated by the SEM Committee and administration of the SEM is managed by the Single Electricity Market Operator. The SEM Committee comprises the two energy regulators, CRU and Northern Ireland’s Utility Regulator and an independent member.
In the SEM, all electricity generators, including gas and renewables, are obliged to sell their output into the “pool” within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive.
The CRU is an independent statutory Regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions to the Oireachtas and the CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030. Renewable energy projects compete under the RESS in auctions for support for a period up to 16.5 years under a two way floating feed in premium.
Renewable energy generation such as wind lowers wholesale electricity prices during periods when they are generating power, highlighting the need to accelerate the delivery of renewable electricity projects and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation.
172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current position in regard to the payment of Government subsidy towards ESB bills throughout the country; when all payments are likely to be concluded including to those on pay-as-you-go arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24084/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current position in regard to the payment of a Government subsidy towards ESB bills to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24085/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.
The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 established a scheme for the making in 2022, of a once-off Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. The credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT) is being applied to all domestic electricity accounts from April and includes prepay, or pay as you go, meters.
The scheme is operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
This Scheme is in addition to the Government’s ongoing measures to address energy poverty and the protection of vulnerable customers, and is in addition to the measures introduced in the Budget and those set out in the recently published National Energy Security Framework.
This is an exceptional measure which uses the single eligibility criterion of a Meter Point Registration Number, to ensure payments to each domestic electricity account as early as possible in 2022, without any additional means testing. As such, it is being applied automatically to all domestic electricity accounts which were held with suppliers on 29 March.
Suppliers are required to maintain records of any accounts they have been unable to credit, and to return these unallocated credits to ESB Networks by 15 July 2022.
The Deputy may also wish to note that updates on the electricity credit, including frequently asked questions, are available on gov.ie at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/4ae14-electricity-costs-emergency-benefit-scheme/
174. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23910/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. My department does not have access to individual applications.
I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days, I would ask that he contact my office directly.
175. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting times per NCT centre; and her plans to address this matter. [23926/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Test (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
176. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of journeys that were cancelled by a provider (details supplied) on a route in both directions since this company won the tender from the NTA. [23982/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if a provider (details supplied) is currently operating a full service on a route; if not, if the company is providing a reduced service for example, a Saturday schedule service from Monday to Friday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23983/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA intends to take action or issue fines for the ongoing failure of a provider (details supplied) to meet service targets on a route; the reason provided by the company for these failures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23984/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, together.
As 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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific questions in relation to Go-Ahead Ireland Bus Route 120, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
179. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric buses that are currently deployed for service in Ireland; the geographic area that they are servicing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23985/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra183. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the total funding provided by his Department in 2022 for electric vehicle feasibility studies for public service obligation routes and non-public service obligation routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23989/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 183 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the procurement of the national bus fleet.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
