Written Answers Nos. 201-212
201. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects the final report of the anti-racism committee to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5445/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that I will receive a draft National Action Plan Against Racism from the independent Anti-Racism Committee in two months.
The National Anti-Racism Committee is an independent Committee established by Government in 2020 to develop a National Action Plan Against Racism. The work of the Committee will help to strengthen the Government’s approach to combatting individual and institutional racism and will build on the anti-racism actions included in the Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS) and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS). The Committee will also examine international best practice in combatting racism and will benchmark its actions against these standards.
On 21 April 2021, I was pleased to publish the Anti-Racism Committee’s Interim Report, which sets out the Committee’s initial ideas and plans for developing the National Action Plan Against Racism. The publication of this Action Plan will fulfil a key commitment within the Programme for Government.
On the same day as the publication of the Interim Report, the Committee launched the public consultation phase of its work, which ran for twelve weeks from 21 April until 14 July. During this phase, the Committee accepted written submissions, conducted an online survey, and held a series of consultation sessions with stakeholders in order better to understand the nature and different forms of racism that are present in Ireland today. There were 14 consultation sessions which took place between May and July, and these were attended by approximately 170 people in total. These sessions addressed different themes such as access to justice; media and new technologies; and others identified by the Committee as being of particular concern in the fight against racism. I was pleased to see that over 100 written submissions were also made.
Having completed its public consultation, the Anti-Racism Committee is now engaged in the preparation of the National Action Plan Against Racism. My Department is supporting the Committee in its drafting of the Plan, and the Committee aims to submit it to me shortly, within the next two months. I then intend to bring this Plan to Government and, subject to the agreement of the Government, publish it.
202. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has spoken or corresponded with a representative of Tusla regarding issues with copying and pasting errors resulting in factually incorrect statements being recorded on Tusla files (details supplied); the names or titles of the persons with whom he corresponded on the matter; and the dates on which such conversations or correspondences occurred. [5241/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter referred to by the Deputy has been the subject of correspondence between my Department and Tusla. I have personally not directly discussed the matter with Tulsa representatives at this juncture.
It was indeed concerning to read of such an occurrence. As I previously informed the Deputy, I was made aware of this case following media reports on the 16th March 2021. Various facets of the matter continue to be appropriately attended to in the normal course of correspondence by my Officials and, where necessary, referred to Tusla.
203. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider examining bereavement leave following a miscarriage in a wider context as part of the work his Department is currently undertaking to include bereavement leave for a parent who loses a child between zero and 18 years of age and in the case of a stillbirth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5408/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the enormous impact that the loss of a child has on parents, and I wish to extend my sympathies to all parents who have suffered such a loss.
As the Deputy may be aware, work to examine the needs of bereaved parents coping with pregnancy loss is being advanced at present. My Department is currently in the process of commissioning a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with pregnancy loss. The study will examine whether policy interventions are required at a national level better to support bereaved parents in the workplace following pregnancy loss. Recommendations arising out of this study will help to inform Government policy on this matter, including the development of legislation if required.
Officials are also considering the question of the provision of statutory bereavement leave following the loss of a child up to the age of 18. However, this work is still at an early stage. I would note that, in the case of a stillbirth, a parent is currently entitled to their full maternity or paternity leave.
205. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has received notification of potential redundancies at a company (details supplied); the plans of his Department and the enterprise agencies to support the company in order to see as many jobs as possible retained at the operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5588/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been notified of the potential redundancies at this company. Enterprise Ireland is in ongoing communication with the company and is closely monitoring developments. The company is in the early stages of establishing a workforce consultation process with employees whose jobs are potentially at risk.
Working with Enterprise Ireland, our objective is to help sustain both the company and employment in the area. In that regard, discussions have commenced in relation to the potential for relevant Enterprise Ireland assistance to address the current challenges being experienced by the company.
The employment services of the other State agencies, including Intreo, will be available to any impacted workers as they assess their options.
206. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current situation regarding legacy dumping of nuclear waste in the State’s south-western waters; the risk analysis that has been undertaken; the threat from military activity from other states in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5591/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisposal of nuclear waste into the sea from vessels is prohibited under the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, more commonly known as the London Convention. However, dumping of low-level radioactive waste in the Atlantic was carried out by a number of European countries between 1949 and 1982. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carries out an annual programme of radioactivity monitoring in the Irish marine environment. While the influence of radioactive releases from the Sellafield nuclear fuel reprocessing plant, atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in the 1950s and 1960s and the Chernobyl accident in 1986 can be seen, there is no evidence of releases from dumping sites having a measurable impact on Irish waters or the coast in the analysis of shore-line samples taken.
Questions relating to specific threats posed by military activity should be addressed to the Department of Defence.
207. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when planning guidelines on the development of battery storage units will be introduced given there are no guidelines at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5638/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2021 recognises the important role of energy storage in facilitating the transition to higher levels of renewable energy on the system. The Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications has committed to developing a storage policy that supports the 2030 CAP targets with a decision to be published early next year. In combination, the CRU will be reviewing the regulatory treatment of storage, including licensing, charging and market incentives which is to be completed by the end of 2023.
EirGrid has reported that a number of battery projects have been contracted via two mechanisms: SEM Capacity Auctions and DS3 Systems Services. These routes offer different but essential services to the power system on the island of Ireland. Planning policy and related guidelines are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) in the first instance and not one in which I have any direct function. As such, it would ultimately be a matter for the minister of that department to bring battery storage guidelines forward, in consultation with my Department, in the event they are required. To date, there have been no discussions between DECC and the DHLGH on this subject and any decision to engage in such dialogue would arise following a determination of the need for such guidelines.
208. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if insulation grants are available for listed buildings that are currently being renovated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5535/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan and the National Retrofit Plan identify the important contribution the retrofit of buildings needs to make in delivering on our national and international climate goals.My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners as well as public and commercial entities to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Grants for listed buildings are available in certain circumstances subject to the scheme eligibility criteria and terms and conditions being met. Detailed information on the grants is available at www.seai.ie. A substantial proportion of buildings in Ireland are classified as traditionally built buildings. These tend to be stone or brick buildings which were designed to be vapour permeable. Generally speaking such buildings would have been constructed before 1940. It is important that the materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of traditional buildings are suitable for the buildings in question including for use with vapor permeable construction where applicable. For example a stone wall with lime based mortar will need a lime based plaster render to remain vapour permeable. Listed buildings are generally a subset of traditional buildings.
Central policy responsibility for listed buildings would be a matter for the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH). To support the proper upgrade of traditional buildings a new Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” is being developed by DHLGH. My Department and the SEAI are participating in the steering group overseeing the project. The objective is to finalise the guidance having regard to submissions received in the pubic consultation process with a view to publishing it this year.
209. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the assistance that may be offered to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5538/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living close to a fibre network owned by a commercial operator, but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 21 January, almost 294,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway, with over 154,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that premises are connected in 11 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary and over 54,400 premises are available to order and pre-order across 21 counties. In County Limerick surveying is complete in the Deployment Area of Hospital, pre-works are under way in the Deployment Area of Adare and network build is complete in the Deployment Area of Limerick, with over 12,000 premises surveyed, almost 5,000 premises under construction and over 2,500 premises now available to order or pre-order.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Limerick 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 www.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 addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond. This has resulted in some changes to timeframes for connection for end users.
Given the scale and complexity of delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the NBP, I am advised that any dates provided by NBI on its website are based on the best available information at the time and may be subject to change. NBI has recently published details of its full deployment schedule on its website, www.nbi.ie, which enables all premises within the intervention area to have an anticipated service activation date range.
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 21 January, 454 BCP 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. The BCP located at Kildimo GAA Club is approximately 3.2km from the premises referred to and is connected with high speed broadband in advance of the deployment of fibre in the area. BCP’s are also installed at Askeaton Community Centre, Caherline Community Centre, Glenmore Community Centre, Coolcappa Community Centre, Cappamore Community Centre, Galbally GAA Club, Glenroe GAA Club, Hospital Herbertstown GAA Club, Patrickswell GAA Club, Shanagolden Education Resource Centre (LCETB), Rathkeale Riverside Training Workshop (LCETB) and Halla Íde Naofa. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Limerick East Educate Together National School, Gerald Griffin National School, Tinnatarriff National School, Knocknadea National School, Coolcappa National School, Anglesboro National School, Mountcollins National School, Killinure National School, Donoughmore National School, Caherline National School and Scoil Naomh Muire have been installed by NBI 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/.
210. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to grant a mining licence for the purpose of mining for gold, silver and other minerals in the hinterland of Thurles, County Tipperary; if so, the permissions that the licence will grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5596/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 37 [5378/22] of 2nd February, 2022. The position is unchanged.
211. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the urgent actions currently being taken by Government to address the energy costs which have risen sharply recently; and his views on whether there will be a normalisation of household energy bills in the short-term. [5611/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with long standing policy on deregulating price setting, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) ended its regulation of prices in the retail electricity market in 2011 and in 2014 for gas. Given that prices are no longer regulated, they are set by all suppliers on a competitive basis as entirely commercial and operational matters for them. Each such company has its own different approach to pricing decisions over time, in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base. The most immediate factor affecting electricity prices in Ireland is the continuing upward trend in international gas prices where we are a price-taker. In Europe, wholesale natural gas prices have been on an upward curve since the second half of 2020. This feeds directly through to retail electricity prices as the wholesale price of electricity correlates strongly with the price of gas. In Ireland CRU has indicated that the wholesale cost of generating electricity makes up approximately 40% of the final retail price. Various commentators, including the International Energy Agency (IEA), have stated that several demand and supply factors have contributed to a tightening of the European gas market, including most recently geopolitical tensions. While some of these conditions, for example weather related, can be expected to improve others are more unpredictable. The IEA states that international forward prices as of the beginning of January indicate that the high gas price environment is expected to last into 2022. Prices are expected to decline somewhat in the second half of 2022 on improving supply availability, although remaining well-above historical averages.The best long-term approach for Ireland to insulate consumers from volatility on international wholesale energy markets is to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy where Government supports are considerable. Cutting our dependence on fossil fuels and generating power from our own renewable sources will ensure a cleaner, cheaper energy future in the long term. In the nearer term, Government has further responded to the current price crunch by bringing in a suite of measures in Budget 2022 utilising the social welfare system to assist households, including the most vulnerable, with projected funding of €146 million. My own Department has allocated €109 million to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to provide energy efficiency upgrades to people in, or at risk of, energy poverty in 2022. In addition, a €215m Scheme has been approved by Government to credit all domestic electricity account holders with €100 in 2022.
212. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications that were made by qualifying homeowners for the SEAI free energy upgrade scheme in County Meath in each of the years from 2019 to date; the waiting times for applications to be processed and works to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5617/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the beginning of the roll-out of energy poverty schemes, over 146,000 homes have received free upgrades. The average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household in 2021 in the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme was €17,100. For all works completed in 2021, the average waiting time from application date to works completed was approximately 26 months. The SEAI has advised that wait times may vary, based on a number of issues. For instance, once the survey is completed and works are allocated to a contractor, the time to complete works is dependent on a number of factors including the scale of works to be completed, access to the property, availability of materials, weather and in recent years COVID-19 restrictions. Waiting times have significantly increased as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions where Contractors were unable to carry out works for approximately 12 months.
There are currently just over 7,000 homes awaiting works on the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. This includes homes that are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting the initial survey of their home. The SEAI aims to significantly reduce the waiting list in 2022, on the basis of working first on homes that are longest on the waiting list.
Budget 2022 has allocated €202 million for residential and community retrofit this year. Over half of this (€109 million) will be used to provide free energy efficiency upgrades to households in the Warmer Homes Scheme. In addition, delivery capacity in the supply chain has increased due to a new, broader contractor panel that commenced at the end of 2020. I have secured additional resources in Budget 2022 to further expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme.
The following table sets out the number of applications that were made by qualifying homeowners for the SEAI free energy upgrade scheme in County Meath in each of the years from 2019 to date:
|
Year |
No. of qualifying applications from Co. Meath |
|
2019 |
195 |
|
2020 |
107 |
|
2021 |
114 |
|
2022 |
10 |
|
Grand Total |
426 |
There are currently 247 applications awaiting works in Co. Meath, 114 of which are with Contractors.
