Written Answers Nos. 57-80
57. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations for each programme under subhead A.10 matching funding for interreg of the revised Estimate for 2023, in tabular form. [5014/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe INTERREG VA Programme is one of 60 cross-border programmes operating across the EU, which are designed to overcome issues that arise due to the existence of a border. The programme area includes the six border counties of Ireland, Northern Ireland and part of Western Scotland.
INTERREG VA focusses on four areas that are seen as crucial for job creation and growth: supporting cross-border initiatives to strengthen research and innovation; preserving and protecting the shared environment; promoting sustainable mobility across the borders; and enhancing cross-border collaboration for the provision of quality health and social care services.
The current INTERREG VA programme is due to conclude in 2023.
My Department has responsibility for funding projects under the Research and Innovation (R&I) strand of the current INTERREG VA programme, together with its counterparts in Northern Ireland, the Department for the Economy. The funding ratio is split on a 30% (DETE) to 70% (DfE NI) basis.
There are two elements to the R&I strand:
- a specific objective aimed at increasing the number of SMEs engaged in cross-border research and innovation activity (€18 million). InterTradeIreland is the lead partner for this project;
- a specific objective aimed at increasing the level of cross-border business and industry-relevant research and innovation capacity within the Health and Life Sciences and Renewable Energy sectors (€53 million). There are seven projects funded under this objective. Third level institutions within the geographical area have a key role in delivering these projects, including the Institutes of Technology in Dundalk, Sligo and Letterkenny.
Total funding available for the R&I strand (funded by the EU and participating Member States) is just over €70 million up to the end of the programme. My Department's commitment is €21 million over the seven-year programme. Its budget allocation for its INTERREG VA projects in 2023 is €1.389 million, which is all capital funding.
The 2023 allocation for INTERREG is based on forecasting from the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The SEUPB has informed my Department that accurate forecasting for this programme can be difficult and forecasts provided can be subject to significant variation. The total funding required from the Department for the seven years of the programme has not changed and still stands at €21 million. This is the final year of the INTERREG VA programme and thus this final allocation will fulfil the Department's commitment to the programme.
58. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations for each programme under subhead A.8 local enterprise development of the revised Estimate for 2023, in tabular form. [5015/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe A.8 subhead which comprises the current (non-pay) and capital funding for the Local Enterprise Offices has an allocation of €47.78m for 2023. This represents the same core allocation as the 2022 budget but provides an additional €4m in capital funding to pilot both the extension of the LEOs mandate to grant-aid firms with over 10 employees in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors and the introduction of the Small Firms' Investment in Energy Efficiency Scheme (SFIEES). This additional allocation is broken down evenly across both supports with each measure receiving an allocation of €2m in 2023.
The overall capital allocation for LEO programmes in 2023 is €35.8m and it will fund: grant aid for small businesses with export potential; entrepreneurship programmes; and training, advisory and consultancy programmes. The allocation to individual programmes will be finalised shortly and is subject to approval of the Enterprise Ireland board.
The current (non-pay) allocation of €11.98m relates to the contribution to LEO staff salary costs.
59. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations for each programme under subhead A.14 SBCI loan schemes of the Revised Estimate for 2023, in tabular form. [5016/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2023 Revised Estimates Volume published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform provided for capital expenditure funding of €55,708,813 under Subhead A.14 SBCI Schemes for use by my Department in 2022. €1,000 has been provided under Subhead A.14 SBCI Schemes for 2023. The breakdown of the 2022 Capital allocation, is set out in the following Table:
|
Schemes |
Expenditure |
2022 |
|
Future Growth Loan Scheme |
Capital expenditure |
€708,813 |
|
Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme |
Capital expenditure |
€55,000,000 |
|
Total |
|
€55,708,813 |
These SME schemes provide low-cost loans with no collateral requirements for loans up to €500,000, making funding available to businesses that would otherwise not be able to access funding.
The payments made in 2022 to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and the European Investment Bank Group (EIBG) by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) are for delivery of the SME loan schemes. The schemes are also underpinned by funds allocated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). The DETE and DAFM payments must be paid before the loans are brought to the market in order for the European Investment Bank Group (EIBG) to allocate their resources for the risk share on the scheme.
For these loan schemes, the SBCI will provide an uncapped 80% guarantee to participating finance providers and the EIBG will provide a counter guarantee to SBCI such that the risk share for the scheme will be: 20% finance providers; 16% SBCI; 64% EIBG. This structure is extremely beneficial to the Exchequer in that it limits the loan default risk to the State to 16%. If losses on the schemes due to defaulting loans are less than modelled, then there may be a return of a potentially significant portion of the allocated funds to the Exchequer.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme (FGLS)
The Future Growth Loan Scheme (FGLS) was first launched in June 2019 to provide an option for SMEs and small mid-caps to access appropriate finance for investment purposes. The scheme initially provided for up to €300m in long-term lending, however in July of 2020 it was expanded by €500m to make a total of €800m available through participating financial providers. The scheme is operated by the SBCI and is funded by the DETE and DAFM. All the participating lenders are now closed to new applications under the FGLS indicating that they are of the view that they have received sufficient applications to use their full allocation under the scheme. Final use of allocations to participating finance providers may be impacted by decisions on loan approval and customer decisions to draw or not draw the approved loans. As of 30th January 2023, there have been 3,513 loans progressed to sanction under the scheme, to a total value of €773.9m.
The ‘Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme’ (GSLS)
The ‘Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme’ (GSLS) is a new long-term loan guarantee scheme that is being jointly developed by the DETE and DAFM in partnership with the SBCI and EIBG. It is the successor loan guarantee scheme to the Future Growth Loan Scheme, a scheme for which there was strong demand and for which there is already evidence of benefits for SMEs and the economy arising from the finance accessed. It is planned that the GSLS will be launched in the market in the first half of 2023.
When implemented, the GSLS will make up to €500 million in longer-term lending available to SMEs, including farmers and fishers and small mid-caps. Up to 70% of lending will be for strategic investments with a view to increasing productivity and competitiveness and thus underpinning future business sustainability and growth. The GSLS will also target a minimum of 30% of the lending volume towards Environmental Sustainability purposes.
60. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations for each programme under subhead A.15 humanitarian relief scheme of the revised Estimate for 2023 in tabular form. [5017/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDue to the unpredictability of weather conditions, it is difficult to estimate precise funding amounts for applications for flooding damage under the humanitarian relief Scheme on an annual basis. Accordingly, a nominal €1,000 in capital funding is allocated in the 2023 Estimates. Usually, the funding requirements for eligible claims costs incurred under this Scheme is met by way of annual supplementary estimate.
61. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for the temporary business energy support scheme; the capital, current and total 2022 budget allocation for temporary business energy support scheme; and the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation. [5018/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding to support the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) in my Departments Vote is by way of current expenditure and does not involve capital expenditure. The table below sets out the current funding for the TBESS scheme in 2022 as per the Supplementary Estimate approved by the Dáil and the funding provided for this year as per the Revised Estimates 2023 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
|
Subhead |
2023 Current Allocation |
2023 Total |
2022 Current Allocation |
2022 Total |
% Difference |
|
A.18 Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme - TBESS |
649,130 |
649,130 |
650,000 |
650,000 |
-1 |
62. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff at the National Standards Authority of Ireland with responsibility for approval of medical devices. [5062/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average length of time from application submission to final approval of medical devices at the National Standards Authority of Ireland. [5063/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he is taking to reduce approval times at the National Standards Authority of Ireland for medical devices. [5064/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 63 and 64 together.
The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is an independent agency, under the aegis of my Department. As part of its remit, NSAI carries out a range of operational functions, some of which are in areas which fall within the lead policy responsibility of other Departments. In this context, NSAI carries out activities in relation to Medical Devices, which is an area within the lead policy responsibility of the Department of Health.
I am aware from my colleague Minister Stephen Donnelly T.D. that while lack of capacity of notified bodies throughout the EU and lack of preparedness of manufacturers have posed challenges for existing notified bodies, plans are in train at European level to alleviate the current disruption in the supply of medical devices to patients.
NSAI medical devices division comprises a total of 70 personnel. Approval application times for medical devices can currently range from 3-6 months, for lower classification reviews, where no additional issues arise, up to 18–24 month timelines for certification in more detailed cases. However, significant reductions can be achieved depending on the level of complexity of the submissions, the classification of the devices, and the quality and comprehensiveness of the applications.
I welcome the recent Commission proposal to the Council and to the European Parliament for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2017/746 as regards the transitional provisions for certain medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices. This proposal, which is aimed at allowing manufacturers and notified bodies additional time to transition from the previous applicable rules to the requirements of the new Regulations, is a positive step to clear backlogs throughout the system.
NSAI actively contributes to discussions at European level on finding solutions to the current circumstances in the sector.
65. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he could address the concerns on internet and broadband in west Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5055/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra66. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that persons who live over their business premises where the same electricity connection covers the entire premises, both residential and business, will have their accounts credited through the electricity costs emergency benefit schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5140/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households and throughout 2022 introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 has introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This includes a second Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) is being credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT). The first payment was made in November/December with the second now in train in the January/February billing cycle and the final payment to be made in March/April. The estimated cost of this scheme for over 2 million domestic electricity accounts is €1.211 billion.
The payment is applied to domestic electricity accounts which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers Distribution Group (DG) 1 or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2). This includes?accounts with pre-pay meters. The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN)?to ensure it can be administered automatically and without an application.
With regard to non-domestic electricity accounts outside of the Distribution Groups set out above, Government is acutely aware of the importance of protecting jobs, in order to protect families, during this energy crisis. This has been key in the design of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS), which will provide up to €10,000 per business per month – to help meet rising energy costs. The scheme will support eligible companies, covering 40% of the increase in their energy bills.
I understand that due to increased expressions of interest on the TBESS claims portal and help line, Revenue has announced that claims under the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) for the September 2022 claim period can be made by eligible businesses after the 31 January 2023deadline.
I understand that over 18,700 businesses have registered for TBESS and over 11,200 claims have already been approved. These approved claims have a value of €22.7 million with €18.2 million already paid into business bank accounts. Businesses who have registered for TBESS and who are eligible, are encouraged to make a claim at the earliest opportunity.
Further information on this scheme can be found at Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) (revenue.ie) .
67. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that district energy schemes are regulated; the rationale for not doing so under the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities; and the reason that residential customers are then billed as commercial customers, given that part of the rationale for a just transition is energy and cost efficiency. [4838/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra68. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 19 of 28 September 2022, the progress that has been made to date on developing new wind energy guidelines; when the publication of these new guidelines can be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4844/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No 214 of 26 January 2023 provided by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The preparation and adoption of statutory planning guidelines are a function of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, pursuant to Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended). As such, the Minister has no statutory role in their preparation or adoption. The preparation of revised Wind Energy Guidelines is an action provided for in the Climate Action Plan 2023 (reference no. EL/23/4, table 12.7), and reflecting the relevant statutory provisions, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the designated lead department.
69. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount spent by his Department on online advertising in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form; if he will provide details in relation to this spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4850/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra70. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to any instances where the public relations unit and or press office of his Department undertook to create social media accounts under false names, which were operated in order to further the messaging or communications of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4868/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a limit in megawatts in relation to how large a private electricity power generation installation can be (details supplied). [5198/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently published Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out a plan to implement the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings along with a roadmap for taking decisive action to halve our emissions by 2030 and reach net zero no later than 2050, as was committed to in the Programme for Government. The plan sets out measures and actions to ensure electricity demand is managed in line with our climate objectives. Flexible and decarbonised demand from large energy users, such as data centres, is critical to protecting security of supply and ensuring consistency with the binding carbon budgets. This work will include a review into the current gas and electricity connection policies for new Large Energy Users.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published on 23 November 2021 the “CRU Direction to the System Operators related to Data Centre grid connection processing” (CRU/21/124). This decision requires data centre connections to have on-site generation (and/or battery storage) that is sufficient to meet their own demand and, to assist in full decarbonisation of the power system; this generation should also be capable of running on renewably sourced fuels (such as renewable gas or hydrogen) when supplies become more readily available.
In July of 2022, the Government published a new statement on the role of data centres in Ireland’s enterprise strategy. The statement addresses sustainable data centre development to align with Ireland’s renewable energy targets, security of supply, sectoral greenhouse gas emissions, and climate priorities. The goal of this policy is to ensure the positive benefits for sustainability are maximised and that digital technologies are used in a sustainable manner to ensure the energy and circular economy challenges from digitalisation are aligned with our climate objectives. My Department is working regularly across relevant agencies and government departments to support the effective implementation of this policy.
EirGrid has statutory and contractual obligations to protect confidentiality that would prohibit them from disclosing customer information to a third party so they cannot comment on the specifics of any connection to the transmission system. With regards to private power generation installation more generally, Grid Code requires that any unit greater than 10 MW or aggregated units greater than 10 MW are subject to Central Dispatch. Therefore, units greater than 10MW cannot be fully private or off grid currently.
There are also potentially a number of planning and environmental permitting limitations that could influence the maximum size of a generator on any particular site.
72. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport further Parliamentary Question Nos. 233 and 234 of 18 January 2023, if he will direct the Road Safety Authority to ensure that applicants for the driver theory test with special needs, including those who are functionally illiterate, can apply for a reader recorder service by means other than writing to the Driver Theory Test Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4829/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 233 and 234 of 18 January 2023, the locations of the driver theory test centres at which the reader recorder service is currently available to applicants; the number of applicants who used the service at each centre in each of the years 2018-2022, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4830/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra74. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport further Parliamentary Question Nos. 233 and 234 of 18 January 2023, if he will direct the Road Safety Authority to promote and advertise the reader recorder service in order that applicants for the driver theory test with special needs, including those who are functionally illiterate, can be made aware of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4831/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra75. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport further Parliamentary Question Nos. 233 and 234 of 18 January 2023, how the reader recorder service available to applicants for the driver theory test with special needs, including those who are functionally illiterate, operates in practice for the user; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4832/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 73, 74 and 75 together.
The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. 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.
I understand that the RSA operates a service that is accessible to the widest possible range of applicants, bearing in mind also that safety on our roads remains of paramount importance. The RSA has informed the Department of alternative channels to written requests for those in need of support.
76. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent by his Department on online advertising in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form; if he will provide details in relation to this spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4862/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table outlines the Department of Transport’s expenditure on online advertising from 2013 to date.
|
Year |
Amount |
Description of Expenditure |
|
2023 |
€20,000 |
Social media promotional campaign to support Shared Island EV Sports Club Scheme |
|
2022 |
€38,466
|
Social media promotional campaigns to support awareness/information campaigns; online advertising packages to support communications around safe manning of shipping vessels and fleet transport.
|
|
2021 |
0 |
|
|
2020 |
€17,182 |
Business Supplement & Irishtimes.com |
|
2019 |
0 |
|
|
2018 |
€1,340.70 |
Economist Website – Chair to Board of daa plc |
|
2017 |
0 |
|
|
2016 |
0 |
|
|
2015 |
0 |
|
|
2014 |
€1,230 |
Noticeboard Rotational Website Advert |
|
2013 |
0 |
|
77. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to any instances where the public relations unit and or press office of his Department undertook to create social media accounts under false names, which were operated in order to further the messaging or communications of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4880/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport is not aware of any social media accounts operating under false names on its behalf.
The Department has official accounts on the following social media platforms: LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. In addition, under Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, a new office within the Department of Transport, it operates separate channels on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
78. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4931/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 question in relation to bus transport from Knock Airport to Sligo, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
79. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the number of appointments booked and paid for more than 28 days in advance of a NCT test per test centre; and the amount of revenue this generated in 2021, 2022 and 2023 to date, in tabular form. [5049/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the Deputy's query 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.
80. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing issues with the 76-bus route (details supplied); the plans his Department has in place to fix these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5116/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
Further, as part of the NTA’s contractual performance monitoring system with the operators, issues of poor reliability and punctuality performance can result in financial penalties for those operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to Go-Ahead Ireland 76 bus route to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
