Written Answers Nos. 112-129
112. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work his Department has undertaken as part of the energy poverty steering group; the number of times this group as met since its establishment in August 2022; the actions to date from these engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29786/24]
View answerThe Energy Poverty Steering Group was established in August 2022 and has met 8 times formally as a group but has also held a number of bilateral meetings. The Steering Group has overseen implementation of the Energy Poverty Action Plan.
An Annual Report outlining progress under the various actions in the Energy Poverty Action Plan was published in May 2024 and is available on gov.ie.
Headline achievements since December 2022 have included the implementation of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes II and III, through which 2.2 million households received €1,050 between November 2022 and April 2024 at an approximate total cost of €2 billion, the completion of 2,445 retrofits through the Local Authority Retrofit Programme, and delivery of approximately 5,900 free upgrades for energy poor homes under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, with final expenditure in 2023 amounting to €158 million.
As part of the work of the Steering Group, the inaugural Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum was held on 7 July 2023. The Steering Group launched a consultation to inform the development of a revised Energy Poverty Action Plan in March 2024. The second Energy Poverty Forum was held on Monday 24 June and provided another opportunity for stakeholders to discuss proposed actions for inclusion in the revised Plan, due for publication in the coming months.
These measures, along with others in the Plan, have helped to ensure that despite the unprecedented rise in Energy costs experienced arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, households in Ireland have been supported by this Government to meet their energy costs, and that homes have been warmer and more comfortable.
114. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent of plans due to climate change issues, in particular, flooding preventions and land drainage/management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29789/24]
View answerThe 2024 National Adaptation Framework (NAF), which was approved and published by Government on 5 June 2024, sets out Ireland's climate adaptation policy. The new NAF was completed following my Department's 2022 review of the previous NAF and a statutory public consultation undertaken earlier this year.
The new NAF, developed with input from key sectors, the Climate Change Advisory Council and the Environmental Protection Agency, integrates new policy developments since 2018, including work at Local Authority level; through existing Sectoral Adaptation Plans (SAPs); and new climate research. It outlines a whole-of-Government and society approach to climate adaptation in Ireland. Through sectors in relevant Departments, it aims to improve the enabling environment for mainstreaming adaptation action.
Under the new NAF, 13 key sectors, including Flood Risk Management and Agriculture which have particular relevance to flood risk and land drainage/management, will develop new SAPs by Q3 2025. In addition, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will undertake a scoping exercise examining the potential for a Built Environment and Planning SAP.
According to the CCAC’s 2023 Climate Change Adaptation Scorecard report, the Agriculture, Forestry and Seafood sector was rated as moderate overall, with good progress observed in mainstreaming adaptation into new policies, planning and financing frameworks. The Flood Risk Management sector was rated as good overall, with the Office of Public Works found to have strong internal structures in place to coordinate the planning, implementation and monitoring of its SAP.
115. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the provision of funding to local authorities to install CCTV cameras in the vicinity of bottle banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29790/24]
View answerWhile the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to illegal dumping, including any decision to deploy CCTV or other technologies for waste enforcement purposes, lies with local authorities, my Department continues to provide extensive financial, policy and legislative support to the local authority sector to support their efforts.
Almost €18 million has been provided to local authorities under the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) since it was first introduced in 2017, including over €2.8 million in 2023, to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. Funding provided under the ADI can be utilised by local authorities to purchase CCTV and other Audio-Visual Recording (AVR) Equipment and to put in place enforcement measures involving the use of such equipment. €3 million has been allocated to local authorities under the ADI in 2024. It is a matter for the local authorities to apply for this funding through the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs), who administer the scheme on behalf of my Department.
My Department also continues to invest heavily in the local authority waste enforcement network through the Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme, with the intention of maintaining a visible presence of waste enforcement personnel on the ground across the State. €7.7 million has been allocated to local authorities under this scheme in 2024.
A further €3.8 million has been allocated in 2024 to support the enhancement of the role, responsibilities and staffing complement of the three WERLAs and to support the ongoing development of the new Local Authority Waste Programme Coordination Office. My Department has agreed to support these measures in order to position the local authority sector to better respond to emerging and priority enforcement challenges, including tackling the scourge of illegal dumping.
116. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on making the deposit return scheme available at civic amenity sites in Cork county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29791/24]
View answerThe Deposit Return Scheme allows for non-retail operators, such as local authorities, to provide take-back facilities, complementing the collection infrastructure provided by retailers. Five local authorities have approached me about installing reverse vending machines at civic amenity sites as part of the next phase of roll-out. I would welcome Cork County Council also getting involved.
117. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the SEAI is giving timelines of completion of all works of 26 months under the free energy upgrades, warmer homes scheme for Cork county; the measures being taken to reduce these timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29792/24]
View answerIn recent years, the Warmer Homes Scheme has delivered a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have seen an almost tenfold increase from €2,600 in 2015 to just over €25,800 in 2024.
These deeper upgrades mean that more lower income homeowners are benefitting significantly from warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and reduced emissions. However, it is important to acknowledge that deeper retrofits take longer to complete. This improvement in the upgrades provided under the scheme in tandem with increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit are driving significantly increased levels of demand.
For homes completed in 2023, the average waiting time from application to completion was 20 months. This is a reduction from 26 months for homes completed in 2022. In February 2022 the Government announced a change to the scheme, which means that home with the worst energy ratings (E, F, G) are now prioritised for works.
A range of measures introduced by my Department and SEAI contributed to the reduction in waiting times, including:
• significantly increased budgets and budget certainty with a record spend of €158 million in 2023 and an allocation of almost €210 million in place for 2024;
• increased staffing resources in SEAI; and
• actions to address supply chain challenges.
SEAI also established a new contractor panel in September 2023, which increased the number of contractors operating under the scheme.
It should however be noted that there are very high levels of demand for the scheme. Approximately 30,000 applications from homeowners have been received since February 2022. SEAI therefore advise that for homes applying today the time to completion of works could be up to 26 months. However, my officials will continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme to keep wait times to a minimum.
118. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if State funding towards radon testing and remediation works in individual homes is being considered for the next phase of the national radon control strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29815/24]
View answer119. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ringfence funding to meet the costs for the provision of radon testing kits for householders; if he will provide a grant for radon extraction fans in high-risk areas (estimated costs per unit of €1,000-€2,000); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29816/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together.
In response to the public health risks posed by Radon gas, the Government has established a National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS). The Strategy is now in its second phase covering the period 2019 to 2024. Implementation of the Strategy is overseen by an interdepartmental and agency group chaired by my Department. The strategy includes a number of actions for implementation by Departments, agencies and local authorities and further supports are under consideration. Further information in relation to radon can be found at www.radon.ie.
120. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current levels of staffing in the Commission for Communications Regulation; the current number of vacant positions; and the total target workforce. [29868/24]
View answerThe Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may determine the number, grading, remuneration and other conditions of service of staff – subject to the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Minister for Public Expenditure and National Development Plan, and Reform, as per Section 20(3) of the Communications Regulation Act, 2002. ComReg currently has sanctioned numbers of 232 and is actively recruiting. Current headcount at the end of June 2024 was 157.55 FTE. ComReg currently have 74.45 vacancies for which they are recruiting.ComReg is statutorily accountable to the Oireachtas and has a dedicated email address oireachtas@comreg.ie.
121. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current levels of staffing in the Commission for Regulation of Utilities; the current number of vacant positions; and the total target workforce. [29869/24]
View answerThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector, following enactment if the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and subsequent legislation.
While CRU is financed by means of a levy on regulated entities, it must receive approval from the Minister of Environment, Climate & Communications and the Minister of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform, in consultation with the Department of Housing Local Government & Heritage, for staffing levels.
Please find below the staffing levels and vacancies along with total targeted workforce as of 30 June 2024:
|
Current Headcount |
Vacancies |
Total Target Workforce |
|
162 |
34 |
196 |
The CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members at oireachtas@cru.ie, which enables them to raise more specific operational and resourcing matters directly to the CRU.
122. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide the number and detail of the public helplines operated by his Department; whether calls are recorded on each helpline; and if not, whether he would consider recording calls for transparency and training purposes. [29992/24]
View answerMy Department does not operate a public helpline.
123. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his office has ever received correspondence from the Defence Forces seeking powers to suspend members pending a criminal trial; and if so, the date and details of the correspondence. [29135/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the formulation of a policy position on any such matter, including an assessment of the necessary legislative underpinning, is informed by military advice or a formal request from the Chief of Staff.
A formal request on this particular matter, that being the power of suspension, was submitted to the Tánaiste on 25 June 2024.
This will now be actively considered within this policy formulation framework.
In the meantime, the Deputy will be aware that I have issued an instruction for the placement on local leave, with immediate effect, of serving personnel in the Defence Forces who have been convicted of sexual assault or rape and awaiting discharge, or who have been charged and awaiting trial, on local leave, on a without prejudice basis.
The ability to take this measure is already allowable in current Defence Force Regulations and I have been absolutely clear that it must now be applied uniformly in all such cases.
124. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has ever used artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, in drafting Dáil speeches or responses to Parliamentary Questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29274/24]
View answerI can confirm that my Department does not use artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, in drafting Dáil speeches or responses to Parliamentary Questions.
In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review.
125. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of laptops or mobile phones owned by his Department that have been lost or stolen in each of the past ten years. [29292/24]
View answerI have been advised that 1 encrypted laptop and 3 mobile phones were reported as lost or stolen in my Department over the last 10 years.
The devices listed were up-to-date with all security measures required for devices in the Department and so posed no risk to data subjects.
All Department of Defence official devices are issued in accordance with OGCIO policies and guidance.
These policies define acceptable, safe, and secure standards for the use and management of official devices issued to staff in the Department.
126. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on risk assessments carried out on the safety impact to Irish peacekeeping troops serving in Lebanon on their monitoring of the blue line between Lebanon and Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29793/24]
View answerAt the outset, I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to this Government. As Tánaiste and Minister of Defence, I remain in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff and both I and the Department of Defence are kept apprised of developments in those areas in which Defence Forces’ personnel are deployed.
As recently as May, I visited the Irish deployment in UNIFIL to gain a further appreciation of the situation on the ground facing our troops, as well as to express my own and the Government’s appreciation for the valuable role they carry out in South Lebanon and the challenging environment in which they operate.
It is important to note that Defence Forces’ peacekeepers are well trained prior to deployment and capable of operating within the environment. In each of the missions in the Middle East including UNIFIL, personnel comply fully with all UN security precautions, including taking shelter in protected positions (termed a GROUNDHOG) as and when appropriate.
Ongoing threat assessments are carried out in the mission area and personal equipment and force assets are continually reviewed to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfil their role. Unfortunately, no mission is without danger, but I am satisfied that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure that safety of all Defence Forces personnel serving overseas.
Finally, in terms of contingency planning, I can assure the Deputy that this is part and parcel of the planning in operational deployments should the need for evacuation ever arise. It should be underlined however that the Government remains committed to UNIFIL. We will continue to monitor the situation closely along with our partners in the UN and the wider international community.
127. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on measures being taken to protect any threat of damage to vital subterranean and submarine infrastructure, with Ireland being a major international junction of such infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29794/24]
View answerAs you are aware Ireland has experienced a significant shift in our security landscape over the past year, similar to several other European countries. There's now heightened attention on maritime security and safeguarding subsea cables. Ensuring the security of Ireland's subsea infrastructure remains a top priority for the government. Ireland is also currently observing on the PESCO project on Critical Seabed Infrastructure Protection, which aims to increase the EU’s operational efficiency in the protection of critical maritime infrastructure protection. Participation in this project is one means of allowing Ireland to address and mitigate risks posed to subsea architecture somewhat, as the Project will facilitate strengthening capabilities with regard to protecting critical undersea infrastructure, thereby increasing the security and resilience of this infrastructure. Government and Dáil approval has recently been granted for Ireland to join this PESCO Project. The process of requesting participant status has now commenced.
My Department has also worked with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and energy operators to stress test critical infrastructure in the energy sector in Ireland against man-made threats. The results of these tests have been shared with the European Commission, as part of a cross-EU process.
128. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Naval Service monitors the presence of naval vessels from other countries in Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29795/24]
View answerThe Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks including drug interdiction, search and rescue, and maritime defence and security operations (MDSO). As such any Naval Service patrol should be viewed as a multifaceted activity.
The Naval Operations Command Centre located at Naval Base Haulbowline is staffed twenty four hours a day seven days a week by qualified Naval Service personnel who carry out monitoring and surveillance of all vessels equipped with a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) that are operating in and adjacent to the Irish EEZ.
Naval Service surveillance is augmented by aerial monitoring of the Irish EEZ which is carried out by the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron. Two new C295 maritime patrol aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment were delivered to the Air Corps in 2023 to replace the existing CASA CN235 aircraft. Following an intensive period of training and verification, the new aircraft have commenced operations.
129. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures that are being taken to increase the number of females applying under any future Defence Forces recruitment campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29796/24]
View answerSpecial consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework and the High Level Action Plan agreed by Government on the Commission on the Defence Forces contains a range of recommendations designed to assist in increasing female participation in the Defence Forces.
The military authorities have advised that a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force recruitment process. Examples of such initiatives include:
• A recently established female specific recruitment team which co-ordinates attendance of tri-service female specific recruiting teams at national and regional level events.
• A series of videos being created, highlighting the roles on offer in the Defence Forces with focus on females, are being filmed using female members.
• Fitness test requirements are tailored specifically for females. A fitness test preparation video is available on the military website to demonstrate the modified push-up for females.
• The Defence Forces Recruitment Office are actively reaching out to female applicants in the recruitment pipeline in order to support them throughout the application process, where appropriate.
• A Direct Entry competition for a Senior Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Gender Adviser recently concluded.
The Government remains committed to increasing female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve.
