Catherine Murphy
Question:141. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to invite the Governor of the State of Virginia in the US to Ireland before the end of year. [42377/23]
View answerOfficial Engagements
Questions (141)
Written answers
Building strategic political partnerships with the United States and Canada is at the heart of Ireland's Strategy for the US and Canada 2019 - 2025, with a view to maintaining and building strong transatlantic relations.Encouraging and securing high level US political visits to Ireland is important to delivery of this objective. A highlight this year was President Biden's visit to Ireland earlier this year, which was a demonstration of the close relations between Ireland and the United States. Several other US political leaders from both federal and state levels have also visited Ireland in recent months, notably during the week of the Notre Dame - Navy football game on 26 August.
I was delighted to welcome Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts to Ireland in June, and I anticipate several other high level visits from the United States later this year.
A visit by Governor Youngkin of Virginia to Ireland would be welcome, when that opportunity arises.
United Nations
Questions (142)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:142. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, during his recent visit to the United Nations, he sought a progress report on the work of the anti-corruption task force for Ukraine established this year to work with G7 nations and the UN to reduce the risk of corruption in Ukraine; if he will continue to monitor the progress of the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42638/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the establishment of an anti-corruption task force by G7 Justice Ministers in July of this year. I welcome this initiative, which will strengthen the rule of law and fight corruption in Ukraine. I look forward to hearing updates on its progress in due course.
Tackling corruption is an essential part of the reforms Ukraine needs to undertake in order to advance its EU candidacy, and is one of seven recommendations put forward by the Commission in its June 2022 Opinion on Ukraine’s application to join the EU. I welcome the recent steps Ukraine has taken to complete that recommendation, having made some progress so far, including the adoption of legislation reinstating the asset declaration system, and efforts to address reported instances of corruption within Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence.
Ireland continues to advocate strongly in favour of EU accession for Ukraine. Ukraine has clearly chosen its European path and demonstrated its desire to integrate into Euro-Atlantic structures and make its own democratic and sovereign choices. The OECD’s Ukraine Country Programme, to which Ireland has committed €0.5 million, was developed in close co-operation with, and reflects the priorities of, the Government of Ukraine, including stronger institutions and governance and continuing the fight against corruption. This programme will help bring Ukraine closer to OECD standards and good policy practices and ultimately also support Ukraine’s accession to the EU. The G7 Anti-Corruption task force will also play a role in helping Ukraine to address these issues, and in so doing will support it on its EU membership path.
At the UN General Assembly High Level Week, a key focus was on building support among international partners for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine. Ireland in coordination with other EU Member States used UNGA High Level Week as an opportunity for dialogue with the wider UN membership on the global consequences of Russia’s invasion that are impacting on all countries, but especially the most vulnerable.
Departmental Policies
Questions (143)
Matt Carthy
Question:143. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the competent agency for providing personal security clearance in the State; if provision for such clearance is provided exclusively for those employed by the State or if it can be attained by private citizens; if, in the case of the latter, the manner in which Irish citizens seeking employment requiring European Union personal security clearance may obtain such clearance; if they may not, if this precludes private citizens from applying for roles in organisations supported, such as the European Defence Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42644/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department issues Personal Security Clearance Certificates to applicants, civil servants and on occasion other individuals working with EU Institutions, where there is a clear requirement to do so. A Garda Vetting Form must be completed and submitted with a valid form of identification in respect of each applicant. Once an applicant has satisfied the necessary criteria, a personal Security Clearance Certificate can be issued to them.
Departmental Policies
Questions (144)
Matt Carthy
Question:144. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of requests received for personal security clearance received from those not employed by a Government Department or body under the aegis of a Government Department; the number of which were subsequently directed to An Garda Síochána via the Department of Justice in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form, by category (academic, enterprise); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42678/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently collating information relating to Personal Security Clearance Certificates and will provide this information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Foreign Policy
Questions (145)
Matt Carthy
Question:145. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagements that he has had with his European and international counterparts regarding ongoing political unrest in Niger; the number of Irish citizens who have registered their presence with his Department; if there is an Irish embassy outside of Niger accredited to that state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42679/23]
View answerWritten answers
The situation in Niger following the 26 July coup is a further worrying development in a region already experiencing instability and insecurity. I am particularly concerned by the humanitarian situation in Niger, which will be further exacerbated by the political unrest and uncertainty affecting the country.
I continue to engage closely with my EU colleagues on the situation in Niger, most recently at a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in New York on 18 September where we discussed the EU response to events in Niger as well as the wider Sahel region. A focus of EU discussions on Niger has been the impact on the population. The EU and its Member States’ are committed to continuing to respond to the humanitarian need in the country.
Ireland, along with our EU partners, is strongly supportive of the leadership role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in responding to the crisis in Niger. The EU maintains regular contact with ECOWAS on this issue. I reaffirmed this support to ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray when he joined the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Toledo on 31 August. A peaceful return to democratic government must continue to be the key objective and Ireland firmly supports ECOWAS’ efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Ireland maintains diplomatic relations with Niger through our Permanent Representation to the United Nations in New York. Our Embassy in Nigeria has consular responsibility for Niger, and has been following events in the country closely. At this time, there are no Irish citizens in Niger who have registered with the Embassy.
Departmental Policies
Questions (146)
Ivana Bacik
Question:146. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has a policy on the use of artificial intelligence; and if any Departmental functions are assisted by language model-based chatbots (details supplied). [42816/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs has developed an interim policy on the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence, in line with guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre. At this time, no Departmental functions are assisted by language model-based chatbots.
Environmental Policy
Questions (147)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:147. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42716/23]
View answerWritten answers
Each year, an estimated 1,410 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution and the majority, as a result of particulate matter from solid fuel burning. It is further estimated that there are over 16,200 life years lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short-term and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution. I remain committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge through a suite of measures as outlined in Ireland’s Clean Air Strategy and through the implementation of enhanced regulation of all solid fuels.
My Department has engaged extensively with the solid fuel industry, and with retailers, and retailer representative bodies, and is aware of their concerns, including the supply of non-approved and non-tax compliant fuel from outside this jurisdiction.
Local Authorities are the enforcement agents for the solid fuel regulations and my Department continues to engage extensively with the sector to support their enforcement efforts. Guidance and training have been provided and a number of workshops held to support the sharing of best practice. I have also provided grant funding of over €600,000 to support enforcement efforts on the ground including a solid fuels sampling programme and an online sales pilot project.
Tax evasion, with respect to both Carbon Tax and VAT can distort the market irrespective of the type of fuel type being sold as these taxes apply to both low smoke and smoky coal products. Any concerns or information regarding tax evasion should be reported directly to Revenue. Details on how to report such activity can be found at revenue.ie/en/corporate/assist-us/reporting-shadow-economy-activity/index.aspx.
Departmental Policies
Questions (148)
John Lahart
Question:148. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has any plans to assist those in receipt of the State pension with the annual cost of servicing their gas/oil boilers, which can cost an average of €170 per annum at present prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42131/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
SEAI grants for homeowners are focused towards those measures which will be most effective in reducing energy use and reducing our carbon emissions. In order to move away from the installation of gas or oil heating systems, grant supports are available for installing heat pumps in place of fossil fuel heating systems, rather than for replacement or repair of gas or oil boilers systems.
There are other grants and schemes available from Government that could be of assistance where there is an urgent need for home repairs. These include the Department of Social Protection Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices, and the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme which is administered by the Local Authorities.
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (149)
Duncan Smith
Question:149. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what provision can be made for a community in Dublin’s north inner city (details supplied) that does not have access to fibre-optic broadband to each home on the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42160/23]
View answerWritten answers
In December 2022, my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
- all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028
- all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
- digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023
These targets will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and through the State investment in National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
The premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High-Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. My officials have been advised that Virgin Media can provide high speed broadband to the premises in question.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by National Broadband Ireland as commercial operators are already providing high-speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. Under State aid rules, it is not permitted to intervene in areas where commercial investment exists or is planned, as to do so would be an infringement of these rules. The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
Open eir have already passed over 223,600 homes and businesses in Dublin with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c.358,000 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €216m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Dublin, with SIRO recently passing over 70,400 premises for full fibre, and Virgin Media passing over 488,700 premises
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2, 2023 saw a 7.4% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to the first 3 months of the year, and a 33.7% increase when compared to Quarter 2 of 2022. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing massively as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable. The same ComReg data also indicates that c.40% of homes and business throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure.
Environmental Policy
Questions (150)
Joe McHugh
Question:150. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views that €70 million is sufficient to drive zero carbon investment in industry through scaling up and expanding industry supports in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42161/23]
View answerWritten answers
Climate Action Plan 23 recognises that a range of supports, of both a financial and technical nature, are required to support the decarbonisation required for the Industry Sector to meet its sectoral emissions ceiling for the first and second carbon budgets. These supports are provided through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Industrial Development Authority (IDA).
In preparing Climate Action Plans, estimates are provided for additional economy-wide capital investment required to deliver the measures and actions. These capital cost estimates do not distinguish between Exchequer and private investment, as that will be determined by the policy pathways selected for implementation of the measures and actions. Climate Action Plan 2023 contained an estimated economy-wide capital cost figure of €119 billion for the period 2021-2023.
EI and IDA Ireland administer the Green Transition Fund (GTF) and other funding sources to support the decarbonisation of Irish industry. The GTF is part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and it commits to accelerating the decarbonisation of the industry sector by:
- providing supports for Irish small and medium enterprises and exporters to address their emissions
- investing in carbon measurement and abatement technologies for manufacturing companies
The SEAI offers a range of initiatives and supports to improve business energy efficiency. These include Government funded Excellence in Energy Efficiency Design (EXEED) and a Support Scheme for Renewable Heat. The SEAI supports businesses providing free training for energy audits and provides financial supports to those businesses that want to invest in energy efficiency.
Departmental Funding
Questions (151)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:151. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount he allocated in the 2023 climate action fund for the installation of solar panels on schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42168/23]
View answerWritten answers
€50 million was allocated from the Climate Action Fund for the installation of solar panels on schools. My Department is continuing to work with the Department of Education to develop the scheme.
Energy Conservation
Questions (152)
James Lawless
Question:152. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to examine a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42272/23]
View answerWritten answers
In February last year, the Government approved a package of supports aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions.
The supports included a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which offers increased grant levels of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump. Under the SEAI home energy upgrade schemes, the general principle applies whereby grant funding can only be issued once per measure per property.
However, under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, a homeowner may be permitted to avail of a second grant for a measure where it is recommended in the One Stop Shop (OSS) Home Energy Assessment to achieve the B2 and heat pump target. In cases where the OSS determines through the Home Energy Assessment and Heat Loss Indicator assessment that a second wall insulation is required to meet the heat pump requirement, then grant support for a second measure is permitted as follows:
- Internal Wall Insulation is eligible where cavity has previously been funded.
- External wall insulation is eligible where either cavity or internal wall insulation has been funded.
As part of the enhanced SEAI retrofit supports launched last year, the heat pump grant was significantly increased with grant support for an air to water heat pump increasing from €3,500 to up to €6,500. For homeowners undertaking a deep retrofit with a heat pump under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS) or the Community Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme, additional grant support is available towards required heating system upgrades, as well as a bonus payment of €2,000 to eligible homeowners. This equates to a potential grant support of up to €10,500 available to homeowners upgrading to a heat pump as part of a deep retrofit project. Grants for windows and doors are also available as part of a wider upgrade under the NHEUS and CEG schemes.
Further information on the grants available from SEAI under the One-Stop-Shop scheme can be found on their website: seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/one-stop-shop/
Applications under SEAI schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications. SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is: oireachtas@seai.ie
Energy Conservation
Questions (153)
Paul Kehoe
Question:153. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to re-introduce a grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42358/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department funded the SEAI Dairy Farm Grant Pilot Scheme for a three year period from 2017-2019, supporting variable speed drives in vacuum and milk pumps.
In total the scheme supported 228 farms to a total of €931,940, delivering savings of 288 tCO2 and 740MWh. The scheme was discontinued after the pilot period.
The SEAI still fund this technology via other schemes, such as the Community Energy Grant and as a result, there are no plans to develop a new dedicated scheme for this technology.
Data Protection
Questions (154)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:154. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of data breaches experienced by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [42364/23]
View answerWritten answers
It is assumed the Deputy is referring to personal data breaches under the General Data Protection Regulation (the "GDPR"). As the Deputy will be aware, the GDPR was introduced on 18th May 2018.
Information on personal data breaches for my Department is set out in the attached Table.
|
Year |
No. of recorded personal data breaches |
|
2023 |
17 |
|
2022 |
5 |
|
2021 |
6 |
|
2020 |
0 |
|
2019 |
1 |
|
2018 |
4 |
|
2013 to 2017 |
0 |
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (155)
Thomas Gould
Question:155. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether a distribution box could be installed to supply broadband to a house (details supplied). [42569/23]
View answerWritten answers
In December 2022, my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
- all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028
- all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
- digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023
These targets will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and through the State investment in National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website broadband.gov.ie The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
NBI will 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 22 September 2023, 182,250 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 54,474 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. Furthermore, as of 31 August 22,036 premises in County Cork are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 6,545 premises now connected.
NBI have advised that surveying for this area is pending. Surveys are needed to establish the condition of existing poles and ducts, to ascertain whether repairs are needed. NBI’s contractors walk the fibre route to inspect infrastructure and gather detailed information on local conditions and this work is on-going. Following survey work, NBI will carry out detailed designs and work on upgrading poles, ducts and rolling out the fibre cable will be carried out over the next twelve months. NBI’s current forecast date for delivery of the network to this premises is January 2025 – December 2026.
NBI have set out indicative dates as to when residents in this area will have full fibre broadband available to order. The detailed surveys and designs have not yet been completed and therefore it is not possible to give a definitive date for connection. As NBI are working across all counties and as the fibre deployment must start at the local exchange and work its way out towards more rural areas, it is not possible for NBI to accelerate the rollout to this Eircode to a date that is sooner than the estimated date.. However, every effort is being made to rollout the network as fast as possible.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 15 September some 950 sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. In County Cork all 24 BCP’s have been installed.
The closest Broadband Connection Point is located at Courtbrack Community Centre, Cork, T23 NH22, which is now connected to high speed broadband. This is located approximately 0.21 km from premises referred to in the Question and provides an option for local residents to access quality broadband for free. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
In County Cork all 31 schools have been installed by NBI to date for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2, 2023 saw a 7.4% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to the first 3 months of the year, and a 33.7% increase when compared to Quarter 2 of 2022. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing massively as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable. The same ComReg data also indicates that c.40% of homes and business throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure.