Thursday, 20 Apr 2023

Written Answers Nos. 142-159

Citizenship Applications

Questions (142)

Robert Troy

Question:

142. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite an application for citizenship through the foreign births register of a person (details supplied). [18632/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.

Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.

FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.

Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was registered on 26 March 2021 and approved on 3 December 2022. An FBR certificate was issued to the applicant on 14 December 2022. A member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant in relation to this.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (143)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

143. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; the purpose and value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18732/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department commissions consultancy services where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular, where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is necessary.

External expertise has informed, and continues to inform, my Department's strategies and policies and the effective delivery of our services to our citizens in a transparent and accountable manner representing value for money.

Such external expertise may involve the provision of specialised reports, expert analysis or expert technical services to the Department.

A small number of consultancies are engaged directly by our Missions abroad from time to time and in some instances they prepare technical reports relating to Ireland’s overseas development aid programme.

My Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant procurement guidelines. Procurement takes place in compliance with Directive 2014/24/EU and supported by Procurement Guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP).

Provided is a table of consultants engaged by the Department in 2022:

Year	Consultant	Purpose of Consultancy	Cost
2022	Clare Duignan	Strategic Review of Crosscare	€9,600
2022-2023	Zero G	Creative services in relation to Global Reputation and Communications Strategy for Ireland and related ancillary communications strategies & activities	€112,000
2022	Richard Collins	Consultancy services to support an assessment of the Antarctic Treaty System	€11,250
2022 - 2023	DemocraShe	Midterm Review of Ireland’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security	€10,000
2022	Conan McKenna	Review of Domestic Implementation of Restrictive Measures (Sanctions).	€2,914
2022	The Institute for Development Strategy GmbH	International benchmarking study.	€28,062
2022	Tony Tyrrell	External QA	€5,843
2022	Jim Fitzpatrick	Evaluation services and QA – framework agreement	€ 3,358
2022	Bernard McLoughlin	Review the Performance and Effectiveness of Management Arrangements in place for the Zimbabwe Programme	€ 5,904
2022	Dr Amdissa Teshome	Review of 2016-2020 Ireland’s Mission Strategy for Uganda in Karamoja	€ 3,075
2022	IOD Parc	Review to examine the implementation of Ireland’s Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) 2019-2025	€17, 528
2022	IOD Parc	The Provision of Services in Relation to: Review of The Embassy of Ireland, Uganda’s Programme in Karamoja 2016-2020	€39,701
2022	Trade Advisors	Evaluation of Ireland’s EXPO 2020	€51, 574
2022	Change by Degrees Ltd	Consultancy Services to support the development of a Department of Foreign Affairs Climate Strategy	€51,600
2022	Journey Partners	Consultancy Services to provide Evaluation and Management Support Services for the Irish Aid Enterprise Climate Action Fund.	€11,070
2022	Public Good	Consultancy Services to undertake a mapping of initiatives funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Disability Inclusive Development and Humanitarian Action	€15,000
2022	Public Good	Technical Consultant Food Systems	€74,000
2022	Brian Casey	Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund	€6,500
2022	Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd	Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund	€12,915
2022	Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd	Review of the Civil Society Fund	€1,722
2022	Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd	Misean Cara Systems Review	€23,228
2022	Hornbill Consultants Ltd	Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund	€1,000
2022	IOD Parc	Management Review of the International Development Assistance Programme	€113,000
2022	Bernard McLoughlin	External Quality Assurance Review of the internal appraisal of ICSP	€4,920
2022	Lynne Elliot	External Quality Assurance Review of the Internal appraisal of ICSP	€3,750
2022	Institute for Social and Environmental Transitions (ISET) International	Demining review	€21,758
2022	Gumfoot Consultancy	Support for strengthening Risk and Compliance Systems, Zambia	€20,540
2022	Accompany Ltd	Planning and Development of strategy implementation plan of Embassy Lusaka, Zambia	€14,495
2022	Graham Carr	Systems Assessment for Social Cash Transfer Programme (Ireland's contribution towards the cost of consultancy on multi donor programme), Embassy Lilongwe, Malawi	€12,925
2022	Nobel Research	Crop Research Study, Embassy Lilongwe, Malawi	€24,203
2022	Nutriworks	Evaluation of National Scaling up Nutrition Programme, Malawi	€10,840
2021 - 2022	Tsitsi Maradze	Strategy review and development, Embassy Pretoria, South Africa	€20,493
2022-2024	Tracy Konstant	Monitoring and Evaluation of development programme, Embassy Pretoria, South Africa	€18,200
2021-2024	Canon Collins	Assessment of Fellowship applications and Administration, Embassy Pretoria, South Africa	€64,214
2021-2022	Impact Amplifier	South Africa Tech Challenge - Management	€98,200
2022-2024	Zuva Advisory Inc	Internal Audit Consultancy, Embassy Pretoria, South Africa	€54,787
2022	Policy and Market Options Ltd	Ireland Kenya Agri-Food Strategy(IKAFS) Evaluation	€34,140
2022	Rachel Twinem	Mission Strategy Development, Embassy Nairobi, Kenya	€6,750
2022	Rachel Twinem	Support for Mission Strategy 2020 – 2025 Review process, Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia	€16,499
2022	Sarah Vaughan, Rasselas Projects Limited	Country Strategy 2020-2025 Political Economy Analysis, Ethiopia	€18,000
Dec 2020-June 2022	Oxford Policy Management Ltd	Support Ministry of Health of Ethiopia to prepare a Financial Management Manual for Channel Two Grants	€30,650
2022	Mary Ann Brocklesby	Developing Addis Abab’s Gender Theory of Change, Ethiopia	€6,825
2022	Rachel Twinem	HoMF / Emerging Opportunities Review 2022, (i) Describe and assess the benefits, opportunities and likely impact of Ireland’s Innovation Funds to (ii) Identify lessons and make recommendations to inform the Embassy on how to further strengthen the Innovation Funds from 2022 onwards, Embassy Maputo, Mozambique	€16,094
2022	Golam Asshfac	Technical Support to the development of a Covid-19 resource tracker, Embassy Maputo, Mozambique	€3,910
2022	James Sheehan	Programme Support Development, Embassy Maputo, Mozambique	€3,911
2022	Mvuvi Holdings	Aquaculture Scoping Study, Embassy Maputo, Mozambique	€11,865
2022	Anne Nolan	Specialist Support - Global health & HIV/AIDS, Embassy Maputo, Mozambique	€6,820
2022	Dr Yahya Ipuge	Scoping of Future Directions for Ireland’s support to health in Tanzania	€10,000
2022	Cikay Richards	Support for trade promotion, Embassy Dar es Salaam, Tanzania	€5,000
2022	John Walsh	Analysis and report on Education programme, Embassy Kampala, Uganda	€4,800
2022	KPMG Certified Public Accountant	Audit of support to the Skilling Uganda Programme, Karamoja, Uganda	€19,000
2022	Adroit Consult International	Independent external review of the WFP Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) programme in Karamoja, Uganda	€23,063
2022	Rachel Twinem	Technical support to the design of 2023-2027 Vietnam Mission Strategy	€24,500
2022	Arab World for Research and Development(AWARD)	Gender Equality Review of the Development Framework for Palestine	€4,300
2022	Adrienne Boyle	Global Citizenship Education annual grants consultancy multi-annual framework 2021-2024	€8,147
2022	Adrienne Boyle	Global Citizenship Education strategic partner evaluation - Saolta	€7,875
2022	Barbara Wilson	Global Citizenship Education strategic partner evaluation - Saolta	€6,750
2022	Barbara Wilson	Global Citizenship Education annual grants consultancy multi-annual framework 2021-2024	€6,975
2022	Martin Rose	Global Citizenship Education strategic partner evaluation – WorldWise Global Schools	€29,060
2022	Deirdre Farrell	Global Citizenship Education annual grants consultancy multi-annual framework 2021-2024	€6,750
2022	Deirdre Farrell	Global Citizenship Education strategic partner evaluation – DICE	€7,500
2022	Vanessa Sheridan	Global Citizenship Education annual grants consultancy multi-annual framework 2021-2024	€5,750
2022	Vanessa Sheridan	Global Citizenship Education strategic partner evaluation – One World Irish Aid Awards/DICE	€10,500
2022	Vanessa Sheridan	Evaluation of Irish Aid support to One World Irish Aid Awards	€4,500
2022	Mella Cussack	Global Citizenship Education annual grants consultancy multi-annual framework 2021-2024	€6,325
2022	Gartner Ireland Ltd	ICT Research and Advisory Services to support the Department’s Digital Transformation Strategy and related activities.	€76,506
2022	Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants Ltd.	Final Business Case Ireland House Tokyo	€27,675
2022	Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants Ltd.	Bus Case services for London/Washington	€47,560

Departmental Contracts

Questions (144)

Michael Creed

Question:

144. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the arrangements being made for the tendering for a new contract to develop, implement, maintain and promote the national postcode system, Eircode which is necessary as the current contract expires in December 2023; the progress that he has made in consultation with the stakeholders to expedite the issue of Eircodes; the contractual obligations which the new tendering process stipulate for the new contract in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18643/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded the contract to develop, implement, maintain and promote the National Postcode System "Eircode" on an initial ten-year period which is extendable at the discretion of the Minister for a further five years, in December 2013. My Department is currently assessing a number of options for the future of Eircodes, post 2023.

Since the launch, Eircode use, as part of an address, continues to grow strongly among the public and businesses and this, in part, can be seen by use of the free-to-use Eircode Finder app with 2.5m average monthly lookups. So, in recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes for new builds is desirable I requested An Post, Tailte Éireann, An Post GeoDirectory and Capita, supported by my officials, to increase the frequency of Eircode assignment for new builds from quarterly to a monthly basis.

Capita have released the first monthly assignment of Eircodes in March and each new Eircode is published on the Eircode Finder app. In addition, a notification letter will be issued to the property occupant containing the new Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database file is provided to licensed business organisations for their use.

Ukraine War

Questions (145)

Denis Naughten

Question:

145. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide assistance with obtaining Eircode for properties (details supplied) so the properties can be used by Westmeath County Council Ukrainian response, as they have clients that they wish to place in the properties but they must first have an Eircode; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18660/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, assigns Eircodes to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on all new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Tailte Éireann (formerly Ordnance Survey Ireland) provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory (APG), a subsidiary company of An Post and Tailte Éireann, issue a new release of database files monthly to Capita in accordance with their revised licence agreement.

Capita have advised my officials that they have been in direct contact with the individual in question and will continue to monitor the case, reverting to them with updates as soon as further information is available.

My officials are liaising with An Post, Tailte Éireann and Capita in relation to the assignment of verified postal addresses and mapping the geo-locations for each of the properties. The updated information will then be supplied to Capita from APG. In recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes for new builds is desirable, Capita have now reduced the timeframe to assign Eircodes from quarterly to a monthly basis. All new Eircodes will be published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter will be issued to the property occupant containing the new Eircode and an updated Eircode Database files will be provided to licensed businesses for their use.

Energy Conservation

Questions (146)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

146. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current wait times from application to completion of works under the free energy upgrade scheme under the SEAI by county in each of the years 2019 to 2022, and to-date in 2023; the measures that are being taken to address long waiting times under this SEAI scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18682/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide upgrades to those living in, or at risk of, energy poverty.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and as quickly as possible is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI.

Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme are driving demand for the scheme. This can be seen in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and 4,407 applications received in the first three months of 2023 alone.

The table below sets out the average waiting times from application to completion for the scheme since 2019. It should be noted that the scheme has been delivering a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades in recent years. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which has increased in from €2,600 in 2015 to €12,670 in 2019 and €22,000 in quarter 4 of last year. The increase in depth of retrofit is also reflected in the waiting times as more significant works take a longer time per home to complete. It is important to note that the scheme was also impacted significantly by construction sector closures and restrictions on home visits associated with COVID-19. Waiting times are not collated on a per county basis, annual Scheme waiting times are outlined below.

Year	Average waiting time application to completion
2019	Between 8 and 12 months
2020	18 months
2021	27 months
2022	26 months
2023 year to date	21 months

The significant reduction in the average waiting time since the peak in 2021 has been achieved in part through the following actions taken over the past year to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:

• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;

• An increased budget allocation;

• SEAI work to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management;

• Actions to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures.

An unprecedented budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme this year which will deliver 6,000 home upgrades. Additional funding of €248 million has been secured for the scheme from the European Regional Development Fund over the period from now until 2027.

I have asked my officials to continue to work with the SEAI to identify approaches that can further increase the number of free energy upgrades delivered. Importantly, this will include a new contractor panel for the scheme to be established later this year. It is intended that the panel will be in place for 4 years, with an estimated contract budget of €700 million for that period.

Energy Conservation

Questions (147)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

147. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason not-for-profit community centres, sports clubs and small businesses can only get a grant of 20% for solar PV through SEAI, yet farmers can avail of grants of 60% through TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18701/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

My Department has a range of supports for solar PV installations by homeowners and businesses of all sizes. The various Schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

The SEAI Community Energy Grant Scheme provides funding for a range of improvements to existing buildings – to drive energy efficiency and facilitate the installation of renewable technologies. These include the installation of insulation, heat pump systems, replacement windows/doors, solar PV (Photo-Voltaic) technology, energy-efficient lighting, and energy monitors, as well as other energy upgrades. Capital funding of €68 million has been provided for the Community Energy Grant scheme in 2023, which is the largest ever budget for the Scheme.

The Community Energy Grant Scheme guidelines for 2023 have been updated to reflect the changing environment and ensure that the programme continues to target and support our communities by delivering significant energy savings as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.

Non-domestic Solar PV projects will continue to be supported in 2023 through grant funding up to a maximum of 200kWp installed. As in 2022, larger systems can continue to be installed but with grant support limited to the maximum size. A grant support rate of 20% will be available to the commercial, agriculture, industry, warehouse, community entities. The criteria for non-domestic solar PV projects in 2023 has been informed by SEAI economic analysis which shows that while the viability gap after the clean export guarantee for solar PV systems varies across the size of system and sector, overall an industrial 250kWp system is considered already financially viable.

In addition, the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) provides grant funding up to a maximum of €2,400 towards the installation of solar PV (Photovoltaic) technology up to a maximum of 6kWp (Approx. 16 solar panels, 25m2). This includes small to medium-sized businesses, public organisations and community groups. Any excess energy can be exported to the grid with customers compensated for same by their electricity provider under the Clean Export Guarantee. The final phase of the MSS will involve the introduction of a Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff, to support non-domestic applicants for installation sizes greater than 6kWp up to 50kWp. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will consult on an implementation plan for the CEP tariff later in 2023.

The Climate Action Plan also commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generators (SSGS) – i.e. above 50kW but smaller than those supported by the auction-based, utility-scale, Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). My Department is progressing the SSGS this year and is expected to become available later in 2023. This scheme will enable larger businesses, farms and community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition.

Energy Conservation

Questions (148)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

148. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the SEAI application made by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18716/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI.

However, individual applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are an operational matter for SEAI and as the Minister I have no function in relation to individual applications. Applications are assessed on the basis of when they first apply to SEAI. Homes with the worst Building Energy Ratings (E, F or G) are then prioritised for works.

The applicant can contact SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to [e-mail] or by phone to 1800 250 204. Oireachtas members can make queries on behalf of applicants by contacting the dedicated email address [e-mail].

Departmental Consultations

Questions (149)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

149. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; the purpose and value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18730/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Contract	Purpose	Contract Value (EX VAT)
Contract 1	Provision of Air Quality and Climate Modelling Services	€3,913,000.00
Contract 2	Legal advice re Maritime Area Consent Regime	€200,000.00
Contract 3	Legal Services relating to the Security of Energy Supply	€200,000.00
Contract 4	The provision of professional Cyber Security consultancy services	€101,725
Contract 5	Consultancy services - Security of Supply	€35,000.00
Contract 6	Expert Report in Support of Legal Case	€11,000.00
Contract 7	Provision of a pilot study and report to support the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS)	€35,000.00
Contract 8	The provision of a study and report analysing the impacts of increased electricity interconnection on achievement of Ireland's 2030 and post 2030 climate and energy objectives.	€165,000.00
Contract 9	SEA AA Screening Report for the next iteration of the Climate Action Plan	€4,800.00
Contract 10	Provision of Business and Management and ICT Consultancy Services (Joint contract with Minister for Transport)	€1,570,189
Contract 11	Project Management Support to deliver essential security of supply actions in support of CRU’s Programme of Action	€250,000.00
Contract 12	Financial services to support offshore renewable energy Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications, and associated activities	€112,770.00
Contract 13	Development of Guidance Material	€13,710.65
Contract 14	Creating a National Research and Engagement Programme to support the annual Climate Conversations for the National Dialogue on Climate Action	€198,565.00
Contract 15	Business Consultancy services to support the GeoEnergy Europe 2 (GEE2) project	€24,000.00
Contract 16	Advise and assistance on a business process redesign for the Geoscience Regulatory Office	€149,950
Contract 17	The provision of Financial services related to Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications, and associated activities	€24,200.00
Contract 18	Legal consultancy in respect of the National Postcode System	€116,800.00
Contract 19	Legal advisory services re the design and implementation of the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS)	€306,300.00
Contract 20	Legal and Tax Compliance services	Depends on usage
Contract 21	Tax Advice on the Deposit Return Scheme	No fixed value - depends on usage.
Contract 22	Drafting VAT memo on operation of DRS	No fixed value - depends on usage.
Contract 23	Provision of technical support services to (i) inform, and assist, in the preparation and delivery of Ireland’s sectoral emissions ceilings and (ii) identify the plans, policies and measures required to achieve these ceilings	€1,150,000.00
Contract 24	Advice re electricity Security of Supply	€24,750.00
Contract 25	Planning Consultancy Services for Electricity Security of Supply Programme	€93,474.00
Contract 26	Review under Inland Fisheries Act 2010.	€18,000
Contract 27	Technical Economic Consultancy Support Services re subsea telecommunications cable sector.	€24,900
Contract 28	Provide support with the design, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of Emergency Planning exercise	€14,000
Contract 29	Oil Emergency Exercise and Report	€8,000.00
Contract 30	Environmental Screening Assessment services	€12,035.43
Contract 31	Petroleum Engineering Consultancy Services to Geoscience Regulation Office	€360,000.00
Contract 32	Environmental Screening Assessment services	€738,000.00
Contract 33	AV Consultancy Services	€4,725.00
Contract 34	Climate and Energy modelling services	€4,014,763
Contract 35	Consultancy Contract	€1,596,600.73
Contract 36	legal advice in respect of the Ireland’s Energy Efficiency Investment (Sub Fund)	€1,975.00

The information sought by the Deputy regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (150)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the National Broadband Plan rollout for County Meath up to the end of Q1 2023, including overall target, number of properties currently passed and connected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18760/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention is being delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract, signed in November 2019 and which came into effect in January 2020, 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 over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.

I am advised by NBI that, as of 31 March 2023, 119,231 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 33,354 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. As of 31 March, 1,518 premises in County Meath are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and are available for immediate connection with 202 connections pending and 11 connections completed. NBI further advise that by 31 May they expect 2,900 premises to be passed in County Meath.

Further details are available on specific areas within County Meath can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. A county update can be selected to provide the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed and connected to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. NBI has a dedicated email address, [e-mail], which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) 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 31st March 2023, 882 SCP sites (282 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 589 schools) have been installed 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 Meath 15 BCPs have been installed. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.

In County Meath 23 schools have been installed 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/.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (151)

Carol Nolan

Question:

151. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the amendments to the An Post Superannuation Scheme which his predecessor approved in March 2014 apply to ex-civil servants who were transferred to An Post from the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs on 1 January 1984 and are covered by the guarantee on their pension entitlements contained in Section 46(4) of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983; if the pensions of those ex-civil servants are linked to civil service grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18766/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes. I have asked An Post to correspond directly with the Deputy on this matter.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (152)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

152. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; the purpose and value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18727/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The table below provides details of each time my Department awarded contracts for the services of consultants in 2022, the purpose of each consultancy and the value of each contract.

Watercraft Safety Consultancy in relation to Passenger Boat Licences in Civil Defence Units in various Local Authorities across the country.	€12,240
ICT Consultancy Services for Development of the Digital Strategy	€77,094
Preparation of a Preliminary Business Case to assist the Ministerial Air Transport Services Review Group in its deliberations	€65,000

The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 to provide for the payment of pensions, allowances and gratuities in certain circumstances to members of the Defence Forces. The Army Pensions Board did not award any consultancy contracts in 2022.

Citizens' Assembly

Questions (153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

153. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the rationale for electing to hold a national forum on neutrality over a citizens' assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18767/23]

Catherine Connolly

Question:

154. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence who will be invited to attend, as participants, the national forum on neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18768/23]

Catherine Connolly

Question:

155. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when invitations to participate in the national forum on neutrality will be issued; the way in which they will be issued; the selection criteria to be applied in relation to participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18769/23]

Catherine Connolly

Question:

156. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence who will speak at the national forum events; the selection criteria to be applied in relation to speakers; when the programme of speakers will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18770/23]

Catherine Connolly

Question:

157. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what outcome is envisaged following the national forum on neutrality, that is, a Dáil Éireann debate, Dáil Éireann motion, referendum or other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18771/23]

Catherine Connolly

Question:

158. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what has prompted the decision to hold public debates on neutrality, that is, new polling, or some other indication of a shift in public opinion regarding neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18772/23]

Catherine Connolly

Question:

159. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence who was consulted prior to the decision to hold public debates on neutrality, for example, security experts, think tanks, the European Commission, the Defence Forces, Defence Forces representative organisations, or any other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18773/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 to 159, inclusive, together.

Against the background of the changed geopolitical context and wider threat environment in Europe, which calls for consideration of the State’s approach international security issues, a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy will be convened with a view to initiating an open and evidence-based discussion on the State’s foreign and security policy.

The Consultative Forum will take place in three different locations across four days in June 2023 - on 22 June at University College Cork, on 23 June at the University of Galway, and on 26-27 June at Dublin Castle and will be chaired by Louise Richardson DBE (formerly Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews).

Attendance at the Forum will consist of invited guests, from Ireland and internationally, with expertise and practical experience in the areas to be discussed. There will also be space reserved for attendance by the general public. Discussions will be live-streamed and there will be an option for online submissions. Anyone interested in engaging in the process will be able to do so.

Full details of the arrangements for registration, live-streaming and the making of submissions will be published by the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Defence in the coming weeks.

The Forum will be a broad discussion, looking at such issues as Ireland’s work to protect the rules-based international order, through our engagement in peacekeeping, conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and arms control and disarmament. It will look at new and emerging threats, including cyber, hybrid, disinformation and threats to critical infrastructure. The Forum will also examine our current and future engagement in EU CSDP, as well as our existing relationship with NATO through the Partnership for Peace.

There are no predetermined or preconceived outcomes from discussions at the Forum and participants will be free to raise any relevant issues during deliberations. The Tánaiste will consider the report of the Chair once it has been produced and will decide whether to take recommendations to government.

Question No. 154 answered with Question No. 153.

Question No. 155 answered with Question No. 153.

Question No. 156 answered with Question No. 153.

Question No. 157 answered with Question No. 153.

Question No. 158 answered with Question No. 153.

Question No. 159 answered with Question No. 153.