Written Answers Nos. 125-144
125. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Taoiseach the State boards that are under his remit; the details of each State board; and the details of all the persons who are currently on each board in tabular form. [33840/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Taoiseach appoints members to two state boards – the NESDO and the National Statistics Board. The role of the National Statistics Board is to guide the broad strategic direction of the Central Statistics Office and to establish priorities for the development of official statistics in Ireland.
The NESDO board is responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, its financial position and enables it to ensure that the financial statements comply with Section 31(2) of the National Economic and Social Development Act, 2006.
Appointments to these boards generally fall into three categories - independent members, members nominated by sectoral organisations and ex-officio members (including public servants). The Taoiseach has limited discretion on appointments depending on the category where the vacancy arises. All appointments to the NESDO and to the National Statistics Board are made in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards and on the basis of the relevant legislative provisions.
The Department of the Taoiseach endeavours to improve gender balance on the NESDO and the National Statistics Board by requesting nominating bodies and organisations to take account of gender balance when making nominations in future. The Department will also seek to ensure that the nomination of independent members continues to meet the Government’s gender balance objective.
Current Membership of the National Statistics Board
|
Name |
Position Type |
Basis of Appointment |
|
Ms. Anne Vaughan (Chairperson) |
Chairperson |
Appointed by the Taoiseach |
|
Dr. Eimear Cotter |
Board Member Head of Department - Low Carbon Technologies, SEAI |
Appointed by the Taoiseach |
|
Mr. Gerard Brady |
Board Member Senior Economist, IBEC |
Appointed by Taoiseach on nomination by organisation(s) representative of the users of official statistics |
|
Mr. John Martin |
Board Member Adjunct Research Fellow, UCD Geary Institute |
Appointed by Taoiseach on nomination by organisation(s) representative of the users of official statistics |
|
Ms. Eithne Fitzgerald |
Board Member Disability Policy Analyst D/Health Disability Unit |
Appointed by Taoiseach on nomination by organisation(s) representative of the users of official statistics |
|
John Shaw |
Board Member Assistant Secretary, Department of the Taoiseach |
Act specifies the appointment of Assistant Secretaries from D/Taoiseach & D/Finance |
|
John McCarthy |
Board Member Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance |
Act specifies the appointment of Assistant Secretaries from D/Taoiseach & D/Finance |
|
Padraig Dalton |
Board Member Director General of the CSO |
Ex-officio |
Current Membership of the NESDO Board
|
Name |
Position Type |
Basis of Appointment |
|
Mr. John Callinan (Chairperson) |
Chairperson |
Appointed by the Taoiseach (ex officio) |
|
Ms. Elizabeth Canavan |
Deputy Chair, D/Taoiseach |
Appointed by the Taoiseach |
126. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the total number of persons who are employed by his Department; the number who are currently working remotely; and the estimated number of persons in his Department who ordinarily worked from home prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. [33983/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 218.9 whole-time equivalent staff employed in my Department. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of the staff of my Department have been working from home since March 2020. A phased return to the workplace has been underway since the easing of restrictive measures on 21 January 2022. The current working arrangements require staff to attend on site at least 2 days per week. While a significant number of staff had remote access to Departmental systems prior to March 2020, no staff had formal remote working arrangements.
In line with the rest of the Civil Service, my Department will finalise and progressively roll-out its blended working policy for the longer-term. This policy will be guided by the Central Policy Framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
In the meantime, remote working alongside attendance on site will continue in line with business needs.
127. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Taoiseach the breakdown of the number of actions defended by the Chief State Solicitor or Attorney General in which the Minister for Education is a named party for 2019, 2020, 2021 and year to date in 2022, in tabular form. [34496/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below shows the number of actions defended by the Chief State Solicitor in which the Minister for Education is a named party which commenced in 2019, 2020, 2021 and year to date in 2022.
|
Year |
Number of actions |
|
2019 |
45 |
|
2020 |
95 |
|
2021 |
52 |
|
2022 to date |
17 |
128. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that have been taken by his Department in line with European Union to ensure that the European Union-Morocco Association Agreement does not cover territory in occupied Western Sahara. [33560/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra129. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that have been taken by his Department in line with the Court of Justice of the European Union decisions to ensure that the European Union agreement with Morocco on additional liberalisation of trade in agricultural and fish products does not cover territory in occupied Western Sahara. [33561/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, trade policy is a competence of the European Commission under Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and referred to as the Common Commercial Policy.
The EU and Morocco established a Free Trade Area as part of the EU-Morocco Association Agreement, signed in 1996, which entered into force on 1 March 2000. The EU and Morocco also signed an Agreement on additional liberalisation of trade in agricultural products, processed agricultural products, and fish and fisheries products, which entered into force in October 2012.
Both parties agreed upon a protocol establishing a Dispute Settlement Mechanism, which entered into force in 2012. Negotiations for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) started in 2013. The last negotiating round was held in April 2014.
The EU-Morocco Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA), concluded in March 2019, allocates fishing opportunities for the EU in exchange for an overall financial contribution of €208 million. A substantial part of this contribution is used to promote the sustainable development of the fisheries economy in Morocco and the Western Sahara.
Under the FPA, Ireland is entitled to receive quotas as follows over the four-year period – Year 1 – 3,099 tonnes, Year 2 – 3,281 tonnes, Years 3 & 4 – 3,646 tonnes in the FPA’s industrial pelagic category. However, no Irish fishing vessels are currently operating in Morocco and no Irish fishing vessels have operated in Morocco since 2007. The allocation has, in the past, been swapped with other member states.
When the process of negotiation began on the current FPA agreement, Ireland sought that any agreement should be more transparent and should include clear and specific reporting on the benefits of the Agreement in the Western Sahara. Ireland supported the adoption of the FPA, issuing the following statement on its adoption:
'Ireland stress the importance of a strong political and economic partnership between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Ireland underlines the importance of complying with EU law, of which international law may be considered an integral part when entering into bilateral agreements. We have taken careful note of the ““Contribution of the Council Legal Service on the Draft amended Fisheries Agreement and draft new Fisheries Protocol with Morocco- compatibility with the case-law of the Court”.
Ireland has consistently emphasized that an agreement has to be consistent with the judgment of the Court of Justice handed down on 27 February 2018 in Case C-266/16. We take the content and form of the Contribution as evidence that the Council Legal Service considers that entering into the presented agreement is fully consistent with the judgment of the Court of Justice handed down on 27 February 2018 in Case C-266/16 and does not prejudice the status of Western Sahara. Ireland continues to support the United Nations process to find a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution for Western Sahara.
On the basis of the above, Ireland supports the adoption of the Council decision on the amendment of the Fisheries Agreement and the Fisheries Protocol'.
The question of the territorial applicability of certain EU-Morocco agreements is the subject of ongoing legal consideration at the European level. Ireland notes the October 2021 European Court of Justice ruling that annulled the EU’s previous approval of agriculture and fishing agreements that allowed Morocco to exports goods from Western Sahara. That decision is currently being appealed. Ireland will await the outcome of this process and, together with our EU partners, give careful consideration to the decision reached.
More broadly, Ireland’s long-held position is that Western Sahara is a non-self-governing territory. We support the United Nations Security Council Resolutions, which support the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Finally, in 2021, under the new EU Trade Policy Review, the EU has offered to discuss modernising trade and investment relations with Morocco, to better adapt them to today’s challenges, notably in respect of value chains and the greening and digitalisation of respective economies.
130. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the consultation process for the industrial relations provisions in respect of pension entitlements of retired workers Bill 2021 has concluded; if so, the measures that he proposes to take with the draft legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33685/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe consultation process on the Retired Workers Access to industrial relations mechanisms for pension related issues which was conducted by my Department concluded a number of weeks ago.
My Department officials have commenced the examination of submissions received. The outcome of the consultation will feed into the Government’s response to the proposals.
131. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the financial supports that are available for start-up food export businesses in terms of capital and other supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33754/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), assists new businesses including entrepreneurs, early-stage promoters and small businesses looking to expand. The LEOs comprise a wide range of experience, skill and services to offer advice, information, training and support in starting or growing a business, or reaching new markets. Funding includes a Priming Grant available to qualifying small businesses within the first 18 months of start-up. The maximum Priming Grant payable is 50% of the investment or €100,000 whichever is the lesser. A Priming Grant may be available for sole traders, partnerships, community groups or limited companies established within the last 18 months.
Eligible expenditure on Capital items includes fit out of workspace, office equipment, machinery, computer costs, hardware, and software, although acquisition of building and purchase of mobile assets are excluded from grant aid. The LEO’s are a first stop shop for business. New businesses starting up are advised to contact their local enterprise office for full details of available funding and assistance.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department’s Agency Enterprise Ireland (EI), is responsible for supporting High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Companies. HPSUs are start-up businesses with the potential to develop an innovative product or service for sale on international markets and the potential to create 10 jobs and €1m in sales within 3 years of starting up.
HPSU clients of Enterprise Ireland should contact their Enterprise Ireland Adviser to discuss available assistance.
Funding from Enterprise Ireland is closely aligned to a company’s stage of development with high potential start-up companies viewed as being at feasibility stage, investor ready stage or growth stage. There is a range of funding available to HPSU clients which can be viewed on the EI website, www.enterprise-ireland.com
132. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a trade and investment mission to Italy will happen in quarter 3 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland collaborate on a programme of ministerial led trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment.
In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led Trade Missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represented the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These Trade Missions focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and lifesciences.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, trade missions took place virtually throughout 2020 and during Quarters 1 to 3 of 2021. Physical trade missions resumed in Quarter 4 of 2021.
To date in 2022, there have been trade and investment promotional visits and missions to the Marseille region and Paris; Lisbon; US West Coast region; Georgia, South Carolina, Monterrey and Mexico; Spain; and Germany, France and the Netherlands. A trade visit to the UK is planned for mid July.
My Department is currently working closely with its agencies in relation to finalising a trade and investment mission schedule for the second half of 2022 which will maximise opportunities to help Irish companies to access new markets and to increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland.
133. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the State boards that are under his remit; the details of each State board; the details of all the persons who are currently on each board in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33829/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employments has 8 State Boards that come under his remit. Details of each Board and the persons currently serving on them are set out in the attached document.
134. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a work permit application can be approved in situations in which the job title is an ineligible job category but the job description and role are under eligible job categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33881/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one. The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations. These lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit and are subject to twice-yearly evidenced based review in order to maintain the relevance of the lists of occupations to the needs of the economy.
These reviews are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Solas Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) 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, impact on the labour market.
When considering if an occupation specified is eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, a General Employment Permit or if it is ineligible for an employment permit, consideration is given to both the job title and the description of the proposed employment provided in the application.
Occupations included on the Ineligible List are occupations where there is evidence that there are more than enough Irish/EEA workers available to fill such vacancies, and therefore an employment permit shall not be granted in Ireland. Every other job in the labour market, where an employer cannot find a worker, may be eligible for an employment permit.
The employment permits legislation sets out various criteria that must be met when considering an application for each of the permit types available, including establishing that there is evidence of a lack of suitable labour within the domestic labour market, that a contract of employment exists between the employer and the employee, and the minimum annual remuneration and duration of the proposed employment.
Each employment permit application is assessed on its own merits and is required to meet the legislative requirements for the permit type.
In accordance with the legislation, an application for a permit where the job title is in an ineligible category cannot be approved.
135. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of persons who are employed by his Department; the number who are currently working remotely; and the estimated number of persons in his Department who ordinarily worked from home prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. [33972/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 1011 (974.6 FTE) staff working in my Department. Since late February of this year, in general staff have been attending the office for two days per week.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were c.10 staff in a formal remote working arrangement. In addition, some staff would have had occasion to work remotely some of the time, based on the nature of their duties (labour inspectors, those attending meetings in Brussels, etc).
136. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost of increasing staffing by 10% in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement per annum. [34063/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Corporate Enforcement Agency will be formally established very shortly and will effectively subsume the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. The new Agency will have greater autonomy and flexibility in terms of the ability to recruit staff with the necessary skills mix and depth of experience to meet the reinforced mandate of the CEA.
In preparation for the establishment of the new Agency, the overall budget allocation for the ODCE was increased by almost 30% to €7.75 million in 2022. In terms of pay, the ODCE’s current pay allocation is €3.95 million. An increase of 10% in this allocation would cost €395,000.
137. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to IDA-backed companies that are asking job applicants questions in relation to their political views (details supplied); and if he will consider making it a condition of IDA funding that companies do not ask questions of this nature. [34080/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter of IDA client companies’ recruitment methodologies and policies is not one in which my Department or IDA Ireland is directly involved. Recruitment of staff by IDA Ireland clients is governed by the relevant Irish employment legislation and regulations.
Conditions contained in IDA’s Grant Agreement between the Client, and the Agency are generally related to milestones and performance aligned with the business and investment plan that is the subject of the grant approval. In order to draw down grants from the Agency, the client company in question must meet the performance targets that are stipulated in the underlying contract between the firm and the IDA.
While the IDA's grant agreements do not contain specific reference to employment legislation, the Agency's client companies are of course required to adhere to the relevant legislation as is the case with all employers operating in the State.
138. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the drafting of the co-operative societies Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34319/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a public consultation held in February 2022 to inform certain aspects of the proposed legislation, my Department is finalising a General Scheme of a Co-operative Societies Bill. The proposed legislation is part of the most far-reaching reform of the legislation regarding Co-operative Societies in almost 130 years. The proposals will consolidate, modernise and strengthen the legislative basis for the sector and enshrine the co-operative model in legislation for the first time. This will allow co-operatives to operate under a modern, fit for purpose legislative framework, and provide an attractive alternative to the company law model for those entities who subscribe to the co-operative ethos.
It is envisaged that the General Scheme will be submitted in the coming weeks to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I, with a view to seeking Government’s approval, as soon as possible thereafter, to draft the Co-operative Societies’ Bill.
139. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding departmental engagements at European Union working party level on the European Union corporate sustainability due diligence directive; the timeline for the launch of a public consultation on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34320/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence was published by the European Commission in February 2022. In the interim, there have been 5 meetings at Council working party level, under the French Presidency. Consideration of the proposal is ongoing with a variety of issues yet to be fully clarified. It is likely that this process will continue for some time with a general approach at Council unlikely to be agreed before mid-2023.
Both I and my officials continue to engage with key stakeholders, including representatives of business and civil society organisations. I look forward to hearing the views of all those with an interest in the proposal and I intend to have further engagement with stakeholders over the coming months. I also intend to launch a public consultation to help inform our position on the proposal. However, the nature and timing of this consultation will depend on further progress being made in clarifying issues at EU level.
140. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when payments for energy generated by domestic solar panels will be paid to persons who are selling electricity back into the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33755/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 15th February this year 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) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the arrangements for the implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. More information is available here: www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/CRU21131-Interim-Clean-Export-Guarantee-Decision-Paper.pdf Micro-Generators who wish to become eligible should register for an export grid connection from ESB Networks (Micro-Generators (esbnetworks.ie)) and have a smart meter installed, where applicable (Smart Meter Upgrade FAQs (esbnetworks.ie)). Over 30,000 micro- and small-scale generators have successfully registered for export and 22,500 of this cohort have smart meters which means they are already accruing the value of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff for their exported electricity, and payments will be backdated to the date of eligibility or the 15th February 2022, whichever is the latest. The CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. Once eligible, customers can expect an initial payment or credit from their suppliers from 1st July depending on billing cycle. The CRU has asked suppliers to communicate their decision to their customers on when initial Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) payments will be made at the earliest opportunity. The CRU encourages customers to contact their supplier to obtain information on their suppliers' CEG tariff arrangements.
141. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that all processes in relation to existing exploration licences are managed expeditiously in the context of RePowerEU; his plans for ensuring that Ireland meets the ambitions outlined in RePowerEU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33764/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications for petroleum authorisations submitted to my Department are considered under a robust assessment process. Applications are assessed against a number of criteria from a technical and financial perspective in accordance with Section 9A (1) of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960 and Section 3 of the 2007 Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production. It is important to note that this assessment process is informed only by financial, technical and environmental considerations and not by energy security or broader energy policy matters. In March 2022, the European Council directed the European Commission to develop a plan that will phase out EU dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports. RePowerEU plan was subsequently published by the Commission on 18 May 2022 in response to this. Careful consideration by Member States of the measures proposed by the Commission is now required, and in particular regarding the proposal to reopen several legislative files within the Fit for 55 Package.
As stated in the plan, “REPowerEU is about rapidly reducing our dependence on Russian fossil fuels by fast forwarding the clean transition and joining forces to achieve a more resilient energy system and a true Energy Union.” This is broadly in line with Ireland’s ambitions in renewable energy with a target of 5GW of offshore wind to be installed by 2030. The plan also calls for more investment in cross border energy infrastructure including electricity interconnection as this will help realise a more resilient energy union. Ireland currently has two interconnector projects in development, and we are in the process of strengthening the policy framework for interconnection with the National Policy Statement on electricity interconnection scheduled to be updated by the end of 2022.
142. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the State boards that are under his remit; the details of each State board; the details of all the persons who are currently on each board in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33830/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy is available at www.stateboards.ie Further information is also available on the Department’s website at gov.ie - State Board Membership (www.gov.ie).
143. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide support to a person (details supplied) who is having difficulty with electricity supply to their newly renovated property which has both commercial and private tenants waiting to move in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33884/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management of connections to the electricity grid is a matter for EirGrid and ESB Networks under rules determined by the Commission for Regulation Utilities (CRU), which is an independent statutory body. This is an operational matter for the Management of ESB Networks and is therefore not a matter in which the Minister has a statutory function.
144. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he plans to introduce in order to reduce the amount of single-use plastic that is used in packaging in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33963/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the proposals that he believes should be introduced to encourage supermarkets and manufacturers to reduce the amount of single-use plastic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33964/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.
The Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022 (the Bill) aims to support Ireland’s transition to a circular economy by providing the necessary legislative basis for several key measures including the Circular Economy Strategy, the Circular Economy Programme, the National Food Loss Prevention Roadmap and the Circular Economy Fund.
The Bill will provide the power to introduce environmental levies on certain single-use disposable items, including single-use disposable cups, containers and packaging, and to prohibit their placing on the market where a suitable re-usable alternative is, or could be made, readily available.
Amendments to the Bill at Committee Stage provide for the mandatory inclusion in the Circular Economy Strategy of sectoral targets in respect of, inter alia, the retail and packaging sectors. The targets to be set out in respect of a sector must include appropriate targets in respect of reductions in material resource consumption and the use of non-recyclable material; increases in the use of reusable products and materials; increased levels of repair and re-use; or improved maintenance and optimised use of goods, products and materials. The strategy must also set out the actions necessary to meet those targets. I have also agreed to publish a report on how the use of single use packaging used in the sale of fruit and vegetables can be reduced.
A number of measures aimed at significantly reducing the amount of plastic packaging placed on the Irish market are already in place. The Single Use Plastics Regulations 2021 includes outright bans on specific single-use items, labelling requirements for certain products and the introduction of a number of new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.
Also, the Waste Directive Regulations 2020 introduced a new requirement for collective EPR schemes to “eco” modulate the financial contributions paid by producers. The provision incentivises producers to design products that contribute to waste prevention and facilitate recycling by taking into account their durability, reparability, re-usability and their recyclability. Essentially, recyclable packaging incurs lower fees than non-recyclable packaging; penalising non-recyclable composites and over-packaging. Since July 2021, Repak, Ireland’s packaging EPR scheme, is implementing this approach for plastics and will extend to all packaging from next year.
