Written Answers Nos. 204-224
204. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will add fishers to the critical skills occupations list to enable them to be eligible for employment under the critical skills permit system, reflecting skills and worker shortages in this vital area. [27190/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State's employment permit system is designed to supplement Ireland's skills and labour supply over the short to medium term by allowing enterprises to recruit nationals from outside the EEA, where such skills or expertise cannot be sourced from within the EEA at that time.
The system is, by design, vacancy led and managed through the operation of the occupation lists: the critical skills list in respect of skills that are in critical shortage in the labour market and the ineligible occupations lists for which a ready source of labour is available from within Ireland and the EEA.
The occupation of fisher is currently on the Ineligible Occupations List for non-EEA nationals wishing to take up employment in the State. Changes to the employment permit occupations lists are made where there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available, development opportunities are not undermined, genuine skills shortage exists rather than a recruitment or retention problem and Government education, training and economic development policies are supported.
The lists are reviewed twice a year to ensure their ongoing relevance to the State’s human capital requirements, guided by available research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), and the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) in SOLAS. Cognisance is also taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and contextual factors such as Brexit and more recently COVID 19 and their impact on the labour market. The views of the relevant policy Departments are taken into account as well as those of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group which my Department chairs and on which a number of Departments are represented.
The Department will continue to review the employment permits system in light of changing labour market circumstances. The timing of the next review of the Occupational List will be kept under review in the context of clearing the current employment permits backlog. When open, submissions will be invited from sector representative bodies and interested parties via the Public Consultation Form which will be accessible on the Department’s website throughout the consultation period.
Fishers are currently facilitated under the Atypical Working Scheme administered by the Department of Justice and my Department is in close contact with colleagues in the Department with regard to the appropriate working authorisations for fishers.
205. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects that all homeowners with solar photovoltaic panels will start receiving payments or credits for excess electricity exported to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February I signed the Regulations (SI 76 of 2022) that create an obligation on suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. I am aware that some suppliers have advertised their CEG tariff. The CRU has asked suppliers to communicate their decision on when initial CEG payments will be made at the earliest opportunity. Micro-generators who wish to become eligible should register for an export grid connection from ESB Networks and have a smart meter installed where applicable. More information is available on the ESBN website (www.esbnetworks.ie). Those micro-and small-scale generators who have met the eligibility criteria are now accruing the CEG tariff value for all their exported electricity and can expect an initial payment or credit from their supplier from July 1, depending on customers’ billing cycle, backdated to their date of eligibility or the 15 February, whichever is the latest.The CRU encourages customers to contact their supplier to obtain information on their supplier's CEG tariff arrangements.
206. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of post-office contracts cancelled by postmasters since June 2020. [27089/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOperational matters relating to the Post Office Network, including staffing issues and the contracting of postmasters, are a matter for the Board and management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have a role.
207. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when additional financial supports will be introduced for the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27171/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the post office network will be enabled to provide additional government services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27173/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra214. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking in response to the concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) that many post offices are facing insolvency from January 2023. [27197/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 208 and 214 together.
The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The company fully understands the Government position and a sustainable, viable and customer-focused post office network is a key strategic priority for the company.
While decisions relating to the network are matters for the board and the management of the company, they continue to engage with the Irish Postmasters Union on operational matters. The Government is committed to ensuring that An Post continues to play a vital role.
The Government recognises the importance of the high value and high quality post office network to our citizens right across the country, as well as the central and trusted role of postmasters in our communities. An Post, including through the post office network provides important services to its customers and it is contracted to provide key Government services to citizens.
Officials in my Department have ongoing engagement with the company, other Government Departments and key stakeholders to explore all options in relation to the viability and sustainability of the network. At this point nothing has been ruled in or out in relation to proposals, including financial supports. I hope to bring proposals in relation to the network to Government in the near future.
209. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that he has initiated an investigation under a section of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 that is focused on the governance or accountability of a board and which ultimately envisages the removal of board members from office (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to serious concerns that such a limited investigation will deter other whistle-blowers from coming forward; if he will extend the remit of the present investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27172/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have initiated a review under section 18 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 (which section is entitled ‘Removal of Members from Office’, ‘Members’ being members of the Board). The provisions of section 18 are very specific and the review relates to issues raised in correspondence between my Department and Board members of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) during the period 1 February and 27 April 2022. The review is entirely unconnected with claims made in Seanad Éireann on 5 May which would not fall within the scope of the section. It is important to note that the allegations raised in the Seanad have been previously considered and addressed through, inter alia , the former Chair’s statutory Statement of Internal Control and audit reviews. The Department has accepted the former Chair’s assurances, on behalf of the Board, both in relation to these allegations and that IFI assets are being appropriately managed.
In the context of “whistleblowing”, my Department has been informed by IFI that a separate independent investigation is being carried out in relation to a number of matters which were the subject of anonymous disclosures earlier this year and that a member of staff has been suspended pending the outcome of this investigation. This investigation is entirely within the remit of IFI and neither I nor my Department have any role.
There is no link between the review I have initiated and the IFI investigation, nor do I believe that the statutory review will deter anyone who wishes to make a complaint or disclosure from so doing.
210. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will publish a new energy poverty strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27191/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnergy poverty, or fuel poverty is influenced by a person’s income, the energy efficiency of their home, and the cost of the energy they use in their home. In 2020, the ESRI estimated that 17.5% of households in Ireland could be at risk of energy poverty. Lower income households living in inefficient homes are more at risk of energy poverty when energy prices increase, as the proportion of their income needed to meet their energy needs increases. 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.
A research network on fuel poverty chaired by the Economic and Social Research Institute was established in 2021. The Group consists of representatives from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, 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 inform policy 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.
A review of the implementation of the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty will be completed in the coming weeks to inform future policy development in this area.
211. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of air quality monitoring stations that are being monitored by his Department in County Cork; the locations of the stations; when they will come online; the new monitoring stations that will be installed until the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27192/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme is operated, maintained and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rather than my Department. However, my Department has provided funding for a significant upgrade to the network in recent years and, as a result, the number of monitoring stations has increased from 29 in 2017 to 102 today.All stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants in order to provide information to the public, and for assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values. Details on locations of all monitoring stations currently in operation, along with real-time and historic data from each station, including all those in County Cork, can be found at the EPA-operated website, www.airquality.ie The final expansion of the network will be completed this year and will increase the number of official stations to 110. I have no function in determining the location of new monitoring stations. The EPA decide on the most appropriate locations based on best practice and EU requirements, and questions in relation to proposed sites may be addressed to them directly.
212. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking in response to rising electricity costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27193/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraElectricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).The most immediate factor affecting electricity prices in Ireland is high international gas prices where we are a price taker. Gas prices are now unprecedently high and these gas increases feed directly through to retail electricity prices as the wholesale price of electricity correlates strongly with the price of gas. 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.
In addition, Response 6 of the National Energy Security Framework tasks the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) with implementing a package of measures to enhance protections for financially vulnerable customers and customers in debt by quarter 3 - ahead of the next heating season.
213. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking to ensure that all commercial waste companies offer customers compost bins; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27195/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022 aims to support Ireland’s transition to a circular economy by providing the necessary legislative basis for several key actions in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE). The Bill provides for a mandatory segregation and incentivised charging regime for commercial waste, similar to what exists for the household market, to ensure waste minimisation and proper segregation in the sector.
EPA statistics indicate that 70% of the material placed in commercial general waste bin should be in recycling or organic bins.
At present, it is possible for commercial premises to dispose of their waste through a single, unsegregated bin. This will no longer be possible under the changes being introduced by the bill, forcing premises to manage their waste in a properly segregated manner. Addressing this will help us to attain our EU targets for recycling and landfill.
The Bill is currently before the Oireachtas and it is intended that it will be enacted before the Summer recess.
My officials will introduce the required secondary legislation to give effect to these measures as soon as possible after the Bill is enacted and will then work with the NWCPO to ensure that all waste collection permits are amended to reflect these new obligations.
215. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of high-speed rural broadband in the south-west of County Cork. [27198/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in almost 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. I am advised by NBI that as of 13 May 2022, almost 327,000 premises have now been surveyed and over 175,300 premises are under construction or complete across 26 counties, demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. I am further advised that almost 67,700 premises are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 23 counties, with over 56,600 premises passed across 22 counties and available for immediate connection.
NBI has advised that as of the end of April 2022 there are currently 5,790 premises passed and available for connection in County Cork. Further details are available on specific areas within County cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie . Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
NBI has made recent improvements to their website to enhance the provision of information to Oireachtas members. NBI has now completed a suite of changes, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas in all 26 counties, including the status of the Deployment Areas located in South-West Cork. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie .
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 13 May 2022, 581 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high-speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. In County Cork, 23 BCPs are installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/broadband-connection-points/
In County Cork, 45 schools have been installed by NBI to date for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/ .
216. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a new bus shelter and stand to show the bus timetables will be reinstated in Dingle, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26985/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops/shelters.
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.
217. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if it is intended to amend the road traffic acts to ensure that speed vans acting for the authorities on contract are clearly visible to oncoming traffic in both directions when checking for non-compliance with the law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26992/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislative basis for the use of speed cameras is set out in section 81 of the Road Traffic Act 2010. Subsection (7) of that section provides for the Minister for Justice to enter into agreement with operators of the cameras.
A number of requirements for the content of such an agreement are set out in the Act, but there is no requirement to make the speed vans visible to oncoming traffic and I have no plans to create such a requirement.
I would expect that most drivers as a matter of course drive within the legal speed limit, both because it is the law and because it is safer. Where people do not, the deterrent effect of seeing a speed van would be limited to the period when they knew they were within sight of the van. The deterrent effect is obviously stronger if speed vans are strategically located at locations determined by An Garda Síochána. This strategic approach lends added road safety benefits for all those using the road network by ensuring that those drivers who may be tempted to exceed a given speed limit are less inclined to do so.
218. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the multi-year budget allocated for the Connecting Ireland rural transport plan both current and capital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27001/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra219. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of providing all 635 settlements with a population of over 300, with at least three return services per day seven days a week, which would require the inclusion of 23 additional such settlements to the existing Connecting Ireland plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27002/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra220. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of providing all settlements with a population of under 300, with at least three return services per day seven days a week, which would require the inclusion of 74 additional such settlements to the existing Connecting Ireland plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27003/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 218, 219 and 220 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the Rural Transport Programme management, which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan is a major national public transport initiative developed by the NTA with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
221. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to reinstating Buttevant train station as part of active travel plans in the M20 project; and if so, the estimated cost of same. [27029/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network including the former station referred to at Buttevant, Co Cork, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
222. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if his Department provided funding for a footpath project in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27091/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993 and works are funded by local authorities from their own resources supplemented by State grants, where applicable.
The Discretionary Grant under the Regional and Local Road grant programme can be used by Councils for a range of works, including footpaths. The Department does not, however, hold details of all works carried out under this grant but it is understood from Kerry County Council that in the case of this footpath some Discretionary Grant funding amounting to €1,569.65 was used which represented approximately 3.4% of the overall cost. In this context it is suggested that the Deputy seek the further details requested in relation to the footpath on the R549 directly from Kerry County Council.
In relation to the Deputy’s reference to the Boolteens traffic calming scheme, as indicated in response to another PQ, the Department’s records indicate that the claims of €97,251 which were submitted by Kerry County Council related specifically to that project.
223. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans in the near future to upgrade the bus shelter in Tralee, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27159/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops/shelters.
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.
224. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if he will give consideration to abolishing the extra administrative charges applied to motorists who renew their motor tax every three or every six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27178/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, motor tax can be paid on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. Quarterly or half-yearly renewals impose an additional cost to process and administer. The rate applicable to the half-yearly option is 55.5% of the annual rate, and, for the quarterly option, 28.25% of the annual rate. These ratios have remained generally consistent since the 1960's. The loss of income that would arise from equalising rates for these options would have a negative impact on motor tax revenue and would have to be borne elsewhere in the motor tax system or in the taxation system generally. The potential loss to the Exchequer has been estimated at just over €37m, based on the volume of transactions in 2021. Given the sum involved, any proposed change is a matter for consideration in the context of Budget preparations.
