Written Answers Nos. 151-169
151. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount paid out to all consultancy firms for any services rendered; and the cost per contract for the year-to-date 2023, in tabular form [31689/23]
View answerMy 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.
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 listing the payments made to date in 2023 to consultant firms engaged by my Department:
|
Consultancy Firm |
Service |
Cost per contract paid for the year 2023 – to date |
|
Adrienne Boyle |
Global Citizenship Education annual grants consultancy multi-annual framework 2021-2024 |
€5,512 |
|
Anne Nolan |
Specialist Consultancy support in Global Health HIV/AIDS |
€23,062.50 |
|
Appian Point |
Audit support – New Audit Committee Members Interviews |
€3,198 |
|
Arcline |
Advising on a File Repository Premises Move |
€3,876 |
|
Barbara Wilson Consultant |
Global Citizenship Education annual grants consultancy multi-annual framework 2021-2024 |
€5,625 |
|
Brian Casey |
Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund |
€3,500 |
|
Deirdre Farrell Consultant |
Global Citizenship Education annual grants consultancy multi-annual framework 2021-2024 |
€4,750 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
Consultancy – Preliminary Business case London and Washington |
€47,560 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants Ltd. |
Evaluation and Quality Assurance services - International Benchmarking Study |
€2,153 |
|
Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd. |
Technical support to the Civil Society Fund |
€6,027 |
|
Hornbill Consultants Ltd. |
Technical support to the Civil Society Fund |
€1,000 |
|
Institute for Development Strategy GmbH |
Evaluation support - International Benchmarking Study |
€28,062 |
|
Institute for Social and Environmental Transitions (ISET) International |
Demining review |
€21,758.69 |
|
Integrity Communications t/a Integrity 360 |
Audit support – Cyber Security Baseline Audit |
€83,025 |
|
IOD Parc |
Management Review of the International Development Assistance Programme |
€33,964.38 |
|
Mary Ann Brocklesby |
External Quality Assurance of Uganda Mission Strategy 2023-2027 |
€1,625 |
|
Mazars |
Audit support – Cyber Security Baseline Audit |
€15,990 |
|
Mazars |
Audit support – Embassy Lisbon Audit |
€10,629 |
|
Mokoro Ltd. |
Financial Risk Management consultancy |
€3,852.98 |
|
Public Good Ltd. |
Food Systems consultancy services |
€25,712.58 |
|
Southern Cross Consulting |
Technical Support to Application Appraisal |
€1,854 |
|
Southern Cross Consulting |
Technical support to the Civil Society Fund |
€3,813 |
|
Trade Advisers Consulting Limited |
Evaluation of Ireland’s Expo 2020 |
€22,674 |
|
Vanessa Sheridan Consultant |
Global Citizenship Education annual grants consultancy multi-annual framework 2021-2024 |
€4,750 |
|
Young Advertising Limited t/a Havas Dublin |
Evaluation support – Social Media Study |
€2,755 |
152. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the renewal of a passport for a child (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31720/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
153. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for a breakdown, in tabular form, of the training and development and incidental expenses incurred by his Department in the year ending 31 December 2019, 31 December 2020, 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31773/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs, in common with other Government Departments, is allocated administrative funding each year for “training and development and incidental expenses”.
Funding for training and development includes foreign language support, course fees, professional memberships, conference and seminar fees and associated training costs. A variety of other administrative expenses are also covered from this allocation in the Revised Estimates, such as translation services, vehicle costs and bank charges. The table below provides details in respect of Votes 27 and 28 for the years 2019-2022.
|
Description of Expenditure |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Advertising |
115,643 |
77,896 |
64,143 |
103,009 |
|
Bank Charges |
438,401 |
451,981 |
598,639 |
798,955 |
|
BIC Secretariat |
33,592 |
41,789 |
34,963 |
34,870 |
|
Books, Subscriptions and Publications |
711,897 |
592,065 |
732,466 |
667,488 |
|
Currency Exchange Gain/Loss |
56,608 |
1,383,539 |
-235,799 |
-501,984 |
|
Documents on Irish Foreign Policy |
244,104 |
219,401 |
221,139 |
243,975 |
|
Honorary Consuls |
497,215 |
522,372 |
484,584 |
255,573 |
|
Legal and Settlement costs |
402,527 |
169,405 |
109,985 |
216,203 |
|
Official Entertainment at HQ |
867,351 |
147,563 |
172,027 |
418,817 |
|
Professional Fees and Outsourcing |
572,026 |
425,380 |
410,688 |
448,803 |
|
Prompt Payment Interest |
11,649 |
13,323 |
13,680 |
13,836 |
|
Security |
291,364 |
267,476 |
290,593 |
308,486 |
|
Training and Development |
1,051,535 |
1,023,143 |
1,004,761 |
1,266,066 |
|
Translation Services |
285,731 |
-51,618 |
27,500 |
2,323,497 |
|
VAT Paid and Recoupable |
129,055 |
94,951 |
106,007 |
144,741 |
|
Vehicle Costs |
1,415,108 |
960,317 |
1,114,655 |
1,807,110 |
|
Wellbeing At Work Programme |
18,147 |
16,172 |
17,626 |
50,194 |
|
Other costs |
265,887 |
181,520 |
215,580 |
172,186 |
154. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31791/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
155. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the status of a passport application (details supplied) as the applicant's travel date is imminent and all requested supporting documentation has been provided to the Passport Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31794/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
156. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department purchased or produced any memorabilia such as pens, stationery, pins, badges, mugs or other types of souvenirs to mark or celebrate Pride 2023; if so, the costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31810/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where colleagues feel respected, valued and included. Celebrating Pride 2023 shows support for our LGBT+ colleagues working in the Department, while also demonstrating to the public that the civil and public sector is a diverse and inclusive place to work.
I can confirm that this Department did not purchase anything that could be deemed a souvenir or memorabilia item. Rather, we obtained items to support this Department's participation with the wider Civil and Public Service group in the Dublin Pride march.
The items purchased were:
• Handheld flags €270.60
• Placards/Banners (x4) €393.60
• T-Shirts €1,014.87
157. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied). [31845/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
158. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31862/23]
View answerOver the past three years, my Department has achieved much progress in a number of policy areas, framed by our commitments under the Programme for Government, and the Departmental Statement of Strategy.
Peace and reconciliation on our island has been a central priority for my Department throughout this period, not least in light of the complex outworkings of Brexit. In this context, agreement of the Windsor Framework in February was a key milestone, and as a committed Member State of the European Union, Ireland is fully engaged with our EU partners as we work to make sure that the Framework is implemented fully and in good faith.
My Department is also working to restore the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. We remain focussed on protecting and sustaining the vital relationship between Ireland, the UK and the devolved administrations, which is central to sustaining prosperity and peace across these islands.
For the period in question, my Department played a central role in advancing the Whole of Government preparations for Brexit, including publishing the Government’s final Brexit Readiness Action Plan in September 2020 and overseeing the passage of the Brexit Omnibus Act 2020 through the Oireachtas. More recently, our focus has been on managing the outworking of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and the agreement and implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. We remain committed to securing Ireland’s vital interests, including the hard-won peace and stability on our island, against the backdrop of significant political challenges.
Deepening our EU relationships and our influence at EU level has also been a central focus of all of my Department’s activity during this period including in respect of communicating and promoting Europe to citizens. The Programme for Government made a particular commitment to marking 50 years of Irish membership of the EU and I was delighted through 2022 and 2023 to lead on a “EU50” programme of national and international engagement marking this historic anniversary. The Government also launched the “A Career for EU” Strategy in May 2021 aimed at increasing the presence of Irish people in the senior ranks of the EU institutions. Work continues on implementing this strategy including through targeting an increase in the number of young Irish people aware of and applying for EU careers.
Following our election in June 2020, Ireland’s two-year term on the UN Security Council began in January 2021 and ended in December 2022. We were active across the whole Council agenda, including on issues of great significance to Ireland’s foreign policy priorities, such as the JCPoA, the Middle East Peace Process, Libya, Myanmar, and Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Together with Norway, Ireland served as co-penholders on the Syria humanitarian file, and we successfully led on negotiations twice to extend the mandate of the lifesaving UN cross border humanitarian operation into Syria. During our tenure, we also led negotiations to successfully renew Operation Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina in October 2022; championed human rights in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls, and been to the fore of efforts to hold the Taliban to account; and led efforts to bring the conflict and dire humanitarian situation in Ethiopia to the attention of the Council. Ireland successfully negotiated a landmark Resolution on peacekeeping transitions, which was adopted unanimously last September; and played a leading role on the Conflict, Hunger, and Women, Peace and Security files. Ireland was also a co-penholder for a resolution carving out a broad Humanitarian exemption for UN Sanctions in December 2022.
Over the last 15 months, much of the Department’s work has been dominated by our response to Russia’s unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. At international level, we used our voice at the UN Security Council and all relevant multilateral fora to condemn Russia’s actions and to call on Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and unconditionally withdraw their troops from within Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders
In the immediate aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion, we provided consular assistance to a number of Irish citizens wishing to leave Ukraine. Since that time, we have also provided substantial support to Ukraine, and neighbouring countries, as we worked to address the global impacts of the conflict. To date, we have provided over €185 million in humanitarian and stabilisation support to Ukraine, we have consistently supported the strongest sanctions against Russia, and have continually engaged with international partners to ensure accountability for any crimes committed in Ukraine.
This year, the Government is providing a total of over €1.23 billion for Official Development Assistance. This is the largest ever allocation, and an increase of 17% on the 2022 allocation. The overall increase of €188 million includes €111.5 million for the international development programme operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs. €75 million of this will focus on the direct and indirect impact of the war in Ukraine, and €25 million is towards meeting our international climate finance commitments. In the latest available figures from 2021, Ireland’s Climate Finance was at its highest ever level at €99.6 million.
Between May and November 2022, Ireland held the Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. Through a critical period for the organisation, our Presidency delivered many significant achievements, notably securing agreement across the 46 Member States to convene just the fourth Summit in the Council’s 74 year history. Held in Reykjavik on 16-17 May 2023, the Summit saw leaders commit to revitalizing the Council across a wide range of human rights and democracy issues, as well as the establishment of the Register of Damages caused by Russia in Ukraine, which Ireland and 41 other countries have joined. Other notable achievements across our Presidency term included the negotiation of a Dublin Declaration on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence; the establishment of an innovative new Contact Group to formalise the Council’s cooperation with democratic opposition in Belarus; and a range of measures to support Ukraine, including fast tracking its membership of the Council’s Development Bank.
Elsewhere throughout this period, my Department has led on the formation of a number of international negotiations. Ireland has continued to prioritise international climate action, and at COP27, our delegation played an instrumental role within the EU and together with other Parties to make progress on Loss and Damage. This culminated in an agreement to establish new funding arrangements, as well as a dedicated fund, to assist developing countries in responding to Loss and Damage. In November 2022, this Department hosted a high-level international conference for the “Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA)”. This Irish-led Declaration has been endorsed by 83 states to date and will enhance the protection of civilians from explosive weapons in urban warfare. My Department participated in the negotiations of two landmark international treaties over this time period. In May 2023 Ireland was one of more than 80 countries which adopted the text of the Convention on Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and Other International Crimes. In June 2023 the text of the UN Agreement on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions was agreed, providing much needed protection the marine environment in tow thirds of the oceans. My Department also led on several other high level conferences over the period, such as the Global Diaspora Summit in April 2022, the European Congress on Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in November 2022, and this year, the Global Irish Civic Forum in April, and the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy earlier this month.
Delivery of services to Irish citizens remains central to our work. For much of the first half of the period under review, the COVID pandemic was the foremost global challenge, and my Department handled the most extensive repatriation operation in the history of the State, helping well over 8,000 citizens to return from 129 countries across five continents. In addition my Department continued to make an important contribution to the Government response to the pandemic, particularly in strengthening information flows across Government on global developments and trends, which informed critical decision making. We continue efforts to support investment in public health internationally.
Following the pandemic our Consular function has been strengthened, including by the establishment of new units for Crisis Planning and International Travel. My Department undertook substantial work in evacuating over 100 Irish citizens and their dependents from Afghanistan in the months following the fall of Kabul in August 2021, responding to the consular assistance aspects of the crisis in Ukraine, and in assisting the evacuation of over 280 Irish citizens and dependents from Sudan earlier this year. Ireland has continued to supply humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan under a humanitarian carve out which we negotiated in the UN Taliban sanctions regime. I also announced earlier this month that Ireland will provide €8.5 million in humanitarian aid for Sudan this year.
Following disruptions to the service throughout the first year of the pandemic, the Passport Service began scaling up towards normal operations in May 2021. With unprecedented demand seen in 2022, the Passport Service issued its one millionth passport of the year in early November, for the first time in the history of the State. The Passport Service is successfully meeting the current high demand for passports, and has issued over 550,000 passports to date in 2023. All turnaround times are at their target level, and over half of all online adult renewals issue within 2 working days. The Customer Service Hub is responding efficiently to an average of 15,000 queries per week. Passport Online is an award-winning online platform and is the quickest, most convenient and least expensive channel for applicants. Passport Online is now used by over 90% of applicants worldwide.
Under Global Ireland 2025, key strategies were launched throughout the period, framing our aspirations for engagement with the US and Canada, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific, Nordic and Latin American and Caribbean regions, as well as our Diaspora. Our mission network expanded to 99, with plans to open in Munich, Milan and Islamabad in the period ahead. We had over 350,000 visitors to our pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which was launched in October 2021, and have advanced preparations for Expo 2025 in Osaka.
Finally, further to my appointment in December last year, I was pleased to launch a new Departmental Statement of Strategy earlier this month. This Statement provides an essential framework to guide the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs in the period ahead. It recognises the changed and challenging global context in which we are now operating, and makes clear that strong coordination across Government at home, and with our key allies abroad, remains key to developing sustainable and lasting responses to the many and complex challenges that Ireland is facing. In tandem, the commitment to improve capacity and capability within my Department continues. To that end, we have developed a range of policies during the period under review to support our staff, including a new Learning and Development Framework, a Gender, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion Action Plan, and a Blended Working Policy for HQ and Abroad.
159. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total advertising budget allocated by his Department and agencies in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2023, respectively; the funding provided directly to RTÉ in each year; if he has sought and secured an assurance that none of this funding was rebated via the RTÉ advertising barter account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32008/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs uses advertising and public awareness campaigns primarily to promote essential services to citizens at home and abroad, including passport and consular services. In recent years, public awareness campaigns in relation to COVID-19 travel restrictions and Brexit have also formed a significant part of campaigns. The Department also uses advertising to communicate to international audiences with the aim of projecting Ireland’s visibility and values abroad. This has included the promotion of public diplomacy initiatives and campaigns such as St Patrick’s Day, Global Ireland, 50 years in the EU, and Bloomsday.
An overview of spending on advertising and public awareness campaigns over the past ten years is laid out in the table below.
The Department engages the services of PHD Media, a media agency retained under a cross-Government procurement process, for the purposes of advertisement placement and reaching audiences across a range of mediums including internet, print media, radio, outdoor and TV. A large majority of the Department’s spend on advertising and public awareness campaigns is therefore conducted through this agency without direct engagement or financial transactions with media organisations such as RTÉ.
The Department’s records indicate that advertising spend for the period in question with RTÉ by PHD Media on behalf of the Department amounts to €723,901 across internet, radio and television. The Department been assured that there is no use of a ‘advertising barter account’ to facilitate any of this advertising spend.
The Department has no record of further direct advertising spend with RTÉ during this period.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2013 |
43,699 |
|
2014 |
24,469 |
|
2015 |
43,121 |
|
2016 |
27,989 |
|
2017 |
213,182 |
|
2018 |
63,653 |
|
2019 |
2,511,718 |
|
2020 |
582,077 |
|
2021 |
1,464,673 |
|
2022 |
725,747 |
|
2023 (to date) |
317,516 |
|
Total |
6,017,844 |
160. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount paid out to all consultancy firms for any services rendered; and the cost per contract for the year-to-date 2023, in tabular form [31687/23]
View answerThe amount paid out to all consultancy firms by my Department for the year to date 2023 is €7,632,654, details of which are set out in the attached table.
|
Contract Description |
Cost of contract YTD 2023 |
|
Research programme communications policy |
100,000 |
|
Advisory Services for the Procurement of a Concessionaire for Telecommunications infrastructure |
29,336 |
|
Assistance in the application, enhancement and broadening of the Strategic Delivery Framework. |
460,587 |
|
Consultancy Service for redesign of Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme |
1,353 |
|
Health and Safety Framework Consultancy |
13,055 |
|
Provision of internal audit services |
7,995 |
|
Legal advise for Renewable Electricity Support Scheme 2 |
3,181 |
|
Technical assistance to support the development of a Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan |
9,533 |
|
Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment |
32,820 |
|
Project Management support to deliver essential security of supply actions |
112,344 |
|
Legal services relating to security of energy supply |
269,128 |
|
Technical analysis - review of security of energy supply |
67,404 |
|
Pilot study and report on updated levelised cost of electricity and auction bid estimates to support the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme |
43,050 |
|
Economic and Policy Advice for the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme |
113,168 |
|
Legal advisory services - design and implementation of the Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme |
39,866 |
|
Celtic Interconnector review |
23,985 |
|
Procurement support services to assist with the development and management of a multi-supplier framework of Renewable Energy experts. |
2,532 |
|
National cyber procurement guidelines report |
137,760 |
|
Provision of Accounting, Audit and Financial Advisory Services |
55,769 |
|
National Cyber Security Centre technology strategy consultancy |
1,529 |
|
Building security consultancy |
61,328 |
|
Facilitating of and Reporting on the National Stakeholder Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals |
21,033 |
|
Legal Services for Kinsale & Seven Heads Gasfields Decommissioning |
6,963 |
|
Environmental Consultancy Services in relation to the Kinsale and Corrib gas fields |
9,188 |
|
Petroleum Engineering Support |
25,041 |
|
Minerals Environmental Screening Assessments |
415,217 |
|
Financial consultancy |
1,230 |
|
Expert Services to Monitor Mining Activities |
20,208 |
|
Expert Advice on Statutory Environmental Assessment for Geophysical Surveys and drilling applications |
25,909 |
|
HR Legal Advice |
2,313 |
|
Protected Disclosures |
46,833 |
|
Technical criteria design and technical assessment of Phase One offshore energy projects |
66,049 |
|
Legal support in respect of the Maritime Area Consent regime for Phase One offshore energy projects. |
30,289 |
|
Process mapping services in respect of Ireland's Offshore Renewable Energy Regulatory Regime. |
35,055 |
|
Citizen engagement and creative communications services for the delivery of a national public consultation on Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan II |
169,740 |
|
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System |
28,858 |
|
Project Management Services in respect of the National Postcode System |
16,293 |
|
Technical Economic Consultancy Support Services to design and recommend options to inform seabed levy charging framework(s) for the subsea telecommunications cable sector. |
30,627 |
|
Legal Advice on Contracts |
65,347 |
|
Technical Advisory Services NBP |
1,926,822 |
|
Commercial Advisory Services NBP |
825,106 |
|
Legal Advisory Services NBP |
474,366 |
|
Analysis of Irelands security of supply for the coming years. |
42,066 |
|
Internal Tax Review |
33,867 |
|
Economic & Policy advice for Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme |
11,301 |
|
Drafting VAT memo on operation of Deposit Return Scheme |
14,022 |
|
Renewable Electricity Support Scheme 2 External Legal Advice Services |
16,847 |
|
Provision of Leglislative drafting/settling services |
7,749 |
|
Values and Behaviours |
26,076 |
|
Study on Ireland's Electricity Interconnector needs beyond 2030 |
88,560 |
|
Provision of Air Quality Modelling to the Climate Action Modelling |
343,785 |
|
Provision of Economic and Climate Modelling to the Climate Action Modelling |
170,000 |
|
Provision of Energy Systems Modelling to the Climate Action Modelling Group |
352,780 |
|
Provision of Electricity Systems Modelling to the Climate Action Modelling Group |
141,417 |
|
Provision of Agriculture and Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Modelling to the Climate Action Modelling Group |
446,166 |
|
Assistance in relation to Discovery |
41,220 |
|
Provision of legal services |
68,589 |
|
Total Consultancy Costs YTD 2023 |
7,632,654 |
161. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can detail the funding streams under the remit of his Department that can be used or are available to local authorities for the retrofitting of social housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31734/23]
View answer162. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail the funding from his Department for the retrofitting of local authority housing units in each of the years since 2016; and the number of units affected, in tabular form. [31735/23]
View answerI propose to answer Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) has the primary responsibility and provides the vast majority of support for the retrofitting of local authority homes. For 2023 that Department provided funding of €87 million for energy upgrades of Local Authority homes.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Since 2000, over 495,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light.
A record €356 million in funding has been allocated to SEAI for residential and community retrofit for 2023 to support the delivery of 37,000 energy upgrades this year.
The SEAI advises that Local Authority homes are not eligible for SEAI’s main home energy grant schemes - National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme; Better Energy Homes Scheme; Solar PV; or Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme.
Under the Community Energy Grant scheme, Local Authority houses may be considered as part of an inclusive community of mixed-ownership houses, where Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage provide approval to co-fund. Housing Associations and Local Authorities should contact SEAI directly to discuss options for participation in the Communities Energy Grant scheme in 2023 in relation to domestic works.
The specific sub programme data sought by the Deputy is not routinely supplied by the SEAI to my Department. I have directed SEAI to reply directly to the Deputy with the data requested, in so far as it is available, as soon as possible.
163. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the agreement reached by the WRC, CWU, An Post and Government in March to increase by 5%, backdated to 1 January 2022, by a further 2% from 1 January 2023, and by 1% from 1 July 2023, of the pensions for An Post pensioners; the timeline for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31772/23]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions Nos 105, 114, 116, 119, 125 and 146 of 27 June. The position is unchanged.
164. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department purchased or produced any memorabilia such as pens, stationery, pins, badges, mugs or other types of souvenirs to mark or celebrate Pride 2023; if so, the costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31808/23]
View answerMy Department's first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan will be launched shortly. This is a key deliverable under our corporate strategy aimed at developing our people, culture and organisation.
My Department's participation in Pride month celebrations is a visible demonstration of its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and in celebrating our LGBTQ+ colleagues, families and friends. As part of my Department's Pride celebrations, Pride pins with the Progress Pride Flag were purchased and made available to staff of the Department at a cost of €919.
165. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31860/23]
View answerThe Department's policy achievements in 2020, in line with the Statement of Strategy 2019-2021 were reported on in its Annual Report 2020, which is published here - gov.ie - Annual Report 2020 (www.gov.ie)
The Department's policy achievements in 2021, in line with Le Chéile 23, Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 were reported on in its Annual Report 2021, which is published here - gov.ie - Annual Report 2021 (www.gov.ie)
In accordance with the Public Service Management Act 1997, the Department will provide an Annual Report on progress on the implementation of its Statement of Strategy for 2022. This will be published on gov.ie in the coming weeks.
166. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average wait time from completion of application to commencement of works for the warmer homes grant; the staff complement available to process the applications and complete BER rating on eligible properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31915/23]
View answerThe 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, as quickly as possible, is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI. An unprecedented budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme this year which will deliver 6,000 home upgrades.
For homes completed in Quarter 1 of 2023, the average wait time from application to works being completed was 21 months.
167. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total advertising budget allocated by his Department and agencies in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2023, respectively; the funding provided directly to RTÉ in each year; if he has sought and secured an assurance that none of this funding was rebated via the RTÉ advertising barter account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32006/23]
View answerMy Department uses advertising to promote a range of services, supports and initiatives for people and communities across Ireland.
As the media landscape has evolved over the past number of years, advertising expenditure has grown to address the diverse needs of different audiences, including costs associated with achieving national reach for important public messages. For example, my Department has run a significant national campaign in 2022/23, Reduce Your Use, designed to support every household in Ireland dealing with rising energy costs. In recent months, advertising expenditure has also grown to ensure that we are meeting our Irish language advertising requirements under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021.
My Department does not provide direct funding to RTÉ in relation to advertising. Any advertising with RTÉ is procured via a media buying agency. This is as part of a package which would generally include advertising across a range of channels and platforms.
The table below sets out overall advertising/media buying expenditure in my Department over the last ten years. The table also identifies expenditure on advertising with RTÉ as the information has been made available to my Department by our media agencies.
My Department has sought information from its current, and previous, media agencies whether "barter" has ever been used for any business with RTÉ concerning my Department.
|
TOTAL |
Of which spent with RTÉ |
|
|
2023 (Provisional to 31 May) |
€2,794,436.00 |
€534,056.00 |
|
2022 |
€4,663,786.70 |
€630,269.00 |
|
2021 |
€516,668.44 |
€63,378.27 |
|
2020 |
€107,898.17 |
0 |
|
2019 |
€279,804.87 |
0 |
|
2018 |
€148,101.08 |
Information not available |
|
2017 |
€590,967.92 |
Information not available |
|
2016 |
€153,473.46 |
Information not available |
|
2015 |
€74,688.46 |
Information not available |
|
2014 |
€67,821.23 |
Information not available |
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. My Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested.
168. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount paid out to all consultancy firms for any services rendered; and the cost per contract for the year-to-date 2023, in tabular form [31684/23]
View answerThe table below provides details of the amount paid by my Department to all consultancy firms for any services rendered with the cost per contract in 2023 to date.
|
Name of Consultancy Firm |
Details |
Amount Paid (Incl VAT) |
|
ARUP consultancy |
Cathal Brugha CBA |
€52,271.31 |
|
ARUP consultancy |
Cathal Brugha CBA |
€31,015.68 |
|
ARUP consultancy |
Cathal Brugha CBA |
€65,119.89 |
|
ARUP consultancy |
Cathal Brugha CBA |
€84,935.19 |
|
Ernst & Young |
Development of detailed implementation plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces |
€85,485 |
|
Ernst & Young |
Development of detailed implementation plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces |
€90,503.40 |
|
ISAS |
Security Advisory Services |
€1356.08 |
|
Deloitte Ireland LLP |
Consulting Services to develop a Technology Strategy & Road map for the Department of Defence |
€92,235.86 |
|
Marman and Associates |
Provision of passenger boat licences for Civil Defence Units in Local Authorities across the country. P2 Visit & Survey Cork South CD Boats |
€720 |
|
Marman and Associates |
Provision of passenger boat licences for Civil Defence Units in Local Authorities across the country. P2 Survey Wickow CD Boat |
€720 |
|
Marman and Associates |
Provision of passenger boat licences for Civil Defence Units in Local Authorities across the country. P2 Survey Mallow CD Boat |
€720 |
|
Marman and Associates |
Provision of passenger boat licences for Civil Defence Units in Local Authorities across the country. P2 Visit & survey of Limerick Boats at Limerick Civil Defence on Friday 24th February 2023 |
€720 |
|
Marman and Associates |
Provision of passenger boat licences for Civil Defence Units in Local Authorities across the country. Fee Note P2 MSO Survey for Kilkenny Boat & 2 Boats Cork South |
€1,440 |
|
Magnum Opus |
Specialist IT Consultant |
€57,231.90 |
|
Carr Communications |
Media Training |
€7,500.00 |
|
Sinead Gaynor Training |
Management Training |
€6,650.00 |
|
Castlebridge |
Advisory Support |
€6,150.00 |
|
TIO Consultancy |
Literature Review |
€19,999.80 |
169. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 20 June 2023, the breakdown, in tabular form, of the miscellaneous expenses incurred by his Department in the year ending 31 December 2019, 31 December 2020, 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31774/23]
View answerSubhead A.22 (Miscellaneous Expenditure) on the Defence Vote provides for a range of expenditure on miscellaneous items and services.
Expenditure incurred under this subhead is varied and includes expenses related to, inter alia, advertising, the operation of the National Emergency Coordination Centre (N.E.C.C.), the Military Service Pensions Archive, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, and other general expenses that are not provided for elsewhere in the Vote.
A breakdown of expenditure over the specified timeframe is outlined in the table below.
Subhead A.22 (Miscellaneous Expenditure) 2019-2022;
|
Subhead |
Miscellaneous Expenditure |
2019 € |
2020 € |
2021 € |
2022 € |
|
A.22.1 |
Expenditure on International Meetings, Ceremonies |
240,457 |
51,461 |
58,775 |
234,961 |
|
A.22.2 |
Advertisements |
639,711 |
653,659 |
867,399 |
1,006,971 |
|
A.22.3 |
Subvention for Defence Forces Canteen Board |
0 |
0 |
84,000 |
30,000 |
|
A.22.4 |
Grants for Representative Associations. |
168,969 |
183,826 |
132,738 |
185,463 |
|
A.22.5 |
Books, periodicals, manuals, etc. |
379,319 |
480,514 |
733,014 |
418,253 |
|
A.22.6 |
Other General Expenses |
941,211 |
834,545 |
1,393,527 |
2,189,351 |
|
A.22.7 |
Military Service Pensions Archive |
490,558 |
566,455 |
619,438 |
549,266 |
|
A.22.8 |
Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces |
397,921 |
365,286 |
357,057 |
386,278 |
|
A.22.9 |
Grants to Veteran’s Associations |
111,000 |
111,000 |
384,773 |
275,365 |
|
A.22.10 |
National Emergency Co-Ordination Centre |
403,784 |
431,966 |
501,260 |
493,705 |
|
Totals* |
3,772,929 |
3,678,712 |
5,131,980 |
5,769,614 |
*subject to rounding
