Written Answers Nos. 146-160
146. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the dates in 2024 on which his Department has received each of the 2023 audited financial statements and 2023 annual reports from each State agency under the remit of his Department, in tabular form. [45180/24]
View answerFinancial Reporting obligations of the aegis bodies under the remit of my Department are informed, as appropriate, by the relevant legislation underpinning the aegis bodies and also by the requirements of the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
In relation to Financial Statements which have to be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), it is at the C&AG's discretion the order in which their Office audits the financial statements of State Bodies, including those under the remit of my Department.
There are currently 15 bodies under the aegis of my Department of which 14 are required to provide the Department with Annual Reports and Financial Statements - 4 commercial bodies, 8 non-commercial bodies and 2 regulatory bodies. The Mining Board is an appellate body which comes under the aegis of my Department but as such it is not obliged to submit an Annual Report and Financial Statements.
The information for 2023 as requested by the Deputy is summarised in tabular format below.
|
Commercial Bodies |
Date 2023 Annual Report received by the Department |
Date 2023 Audited Financial Statements received by the Department |
|
An Post |
2 April 2024 |
2 April 2024 |
|
Bord na Mona* |
19 July 2023 |
19 July 2023 |
|
Eirgrid** |
12 March 2024 |
12 March 2024 |
|
ESB |
28 February 2024 |
28 February 2024 |
|
Non-Commercial Bodies |
|
|
|
Digital Hub Development Authority |
22 August 2024 |
22 August 2024 |
|
Environment Protection Agency |
05 July 2024 |
05 July 2024 |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
30 April 2024 |
27 March 2024 |
|
Loughs Agency |
14 May 2024 |
14 May 2024 |
|
Maritime Area Regulatory Authority |
Annual Report is not required with 2023 Financial Statements as provided for by Section 68 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. The first Annual Report is to be submitted with the 2024 Financial Statements. |
21 August 2024 |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency |
20 June 2024 |
20 June 2024 |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation |
20 June 2024 |
20 June 2024 |
|
SEAI |
26 June 2024 |
26 June 2024 |
|
Regulators |
|
|
|
Comreg |
7 May 2024 |
7 May 2024 |
|
CRU |
6 June 2024 |
6 June 2024 |
*Bord na Mona Financial Year is 1 April to 31 March.
**Eirgrid Financial Year is 1 October to 30 September.
147. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the provisions made for those who are unable to avail of the electricity credit allowance due to the meter having been installed by the landlord (details supplied). [45247/24]
View answerBudget 2025 provided a €2.6 billion package of social protection measures to support households, individuals and businesses impacted by the increases in prices from recent high levels of inflation. It also introduced the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme IV through which over 2.2 million households will receive two payments of €125 (inclusive of VAT) in the November/December 2024 and January/February 2025 billing cycles, at a total cost of €520 million (excluding VAT). The payments apply to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay-As-You-Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2).
While the majority of residential tenants will hold their own domestic electricity accounts, and therefore receive the credit directly, others could have tenancy agreements where tenants pay their actual share of each bill and, in those cases, will benefit from the payment because the amount of the bill will be reduced by the amount of the payment. A small proportion could have other arrangements in place whereby electricity costs are part of the rental cost. Where tenants have a dispute relating to tenancies including any terms relating to electricity payments, these can be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for dispute resolution.
In addition, the Submeter Support Scheme II was established to provide equivalent support to households where electricity is supplied via a ‘supplier submeter’ installed by an electricity supplier. This situation occurs where an existing dwelling has been divided for the purposes of accommodating additional people and provides an independent meter for this accommodation. Examples of this situation would include a secondary suite, or house being modified to contain further distinct units than for which it was initially purposed.
148. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that Ireland has the fifth highest gas prices in the EU and the second highest electricity prices in the EU; his views on whether this is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45290/24]
View answerA recent Eurostat report on electricity prices for household consumers shows Ireland has the second highest household electricity prices in the EU after Germany. There are a number of historic reasons for this. We have a very dispersed population and a low level of interconnection with European markets. However, when adjusted for purchasing power parity, a more accurate reflection of costs as experienced by consumers across Europe, Ireland is far closer to the European average. In this accounting, Ireland has lower prices than several other member states including Czechia, Germany, Poland, Italy, Cyprus, Lithuania, Portugal and Belgium. In the same way, Irish household gas prices are lower than the European average.
Government is committed to assisting households with their electricity bills this winter and has introduced the Electricity Credit Emergency Benefit Scheme IV to this effect. This scheme will distribute €250 across two payments to each domestic electricity customer in Ireland. The impact of this payment will see Irish electricity prices drop effectively from 33c per kWh to 27c kWh. This pushes Ireland close to the EU average of 24c per kWh, and drops us below the EU average when adjusting for purchasing power parity.
In addition, Ireland has extended its reduced VAT rate for energy as part of Budget 25. This is traditionally 13.5% but has been 9% since 2022 in response to the energy price crisis. The average European energy taxation rate is significantly higher with the majority of member states taxing energy at 15-20%
The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the matters raised by your question, is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999. The CRU is held responsible by a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. CRU has a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members to contact them directly at: oireachtas@cru.ie.
149. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide the number of staff vacancies, by grade, in his Department at the end of August 2023 and August 2024; and the number of staff, by grade, on a career break of more than five years and more than six years, at the end of August 2023 and August 2024. [44121/24]
View answerThe table below shows the number of vacancies by grade at the end of August 2023 and at the end of August 2024.
|
Grade |
Number of Vacancies 2023 |
Number of Vacancies 2024 |
|
Principal Officer |
2 |
0 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
3 |
2 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
4 |
2 |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
0 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
2 |
I can confirm to the Deputy that a total of 4 civil servants availed of a career break in 2023, 2 Executive Officers and 2 Clerical Officers and one further Clerical Officer availed of a career break in 2024, none of which exceeded a period of 5 years or more.
150. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to examine a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44144/24]
View answerAs a critical component of the measures taken to ensure the security of Óglaigh na hÉireann, security vetting, for both Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) and Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) applicants, is conducted to ensure the suitability of candidates to occupy the role for which they have applied. This vetting is conducted with the assistance of An Garda Síochána (AGS).
The duration of the process can depend upon many factors, including the volume of applicants and the information provided by the candidate during the application process. In addition, should applicants provide information with an associated external/non-national component, this necessitates engagement with international vetting authorities. This process and the timelines associated with it, is completely outside the capacity and authority of Defence Forces control, and can invariably result in significant delays. Once security clearance has been confirmed however, applications proceed without delay to attestation stage.
It should be noted that for the RDF, regardless of clearance status, all applicants engaged in the induction process are included in Phase 1 training which has been specifically introduced in an effort to provide meaningful activity for prospective inductees at the earliest possible juncture, and to reduce the training time to be observed once the applicant is inducted.
151. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to examine a case (details supplied) and have it reviewed urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44256/24]
View answerIt has not been possible to provide a response in the time allocated for PQs. I will revert to the Deputy in due course.
152. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a schedule in respect of the number of instances in which the military intelligence branch has placed tracking devices on vehicles as part of investigations; whether these trackers left the jurisdiction, and on how many occasions per tracker, in the past ten years to date; the jurisdictions in which the tracker visited; whether it returned to the State; and the value of items intercepted and or seized as a result of these surveillance engagements, in tabular form. [44271/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, for security and operational reasons, given the sensitive nature of such matters it would not be appropriate for me to disclose details of surveillance operations undertaken by the Defence Forces.
However, I wish to advise the Deputy that in relation to the Defence Forces' military intelligence function, there are a number of statutory provisions on which they rely for the collection and processing of intelligence, for the purpose of maintaining the security of the State, viz.
Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunication Messages (Regulation) Act 1993;
Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009; and
Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011.
Judicial oversight of the use of these statutory provisions by the Defence Forces (and An Garda Síochána) is provided by a designated judge of the High Court, who reviews the operation of the Act, and reports to the Taoiseach at least once every 12 months concerning any matters relating to the operation of the Act that the designated judge considers should be reported.
In his most recent report Mr. Justice Michael Twomey, appointed as the Designated Judge pursuant to Section 12 of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009, reviewed the operation of this Act by the Defence Forces for the period 1st August 2022 to 31st July 2023. His report was submitted to An Taoiseach in November 2023.
In this report Mr. Justice Twomey advised that he had inspected the Military Intelligence files for court ordered surveillances for that period (11 in total). Mr. Justice Twomey stated that “In each case, the application for an authorisation was made by a “superior officer of the Defence Forces” and authorisations were issued by a District Court Judge.”. He added “In all of the files, a full report was contained on the file, setting out the necessity for the application and, where relevant, the results of the surveillance following authorisation by the District Court Judge.”.
Mr. Justice Twomey further stated in his report “I was impressed by the professionalism of the members of the Army involved in surveillance work which is of great benefit in the fight against activity which threatens the security of the State. It is not appreciated, because of its covert nature, the extensive and important role which the Army plays in protecting the State against attack in all its modern technological forms.”.
Finally, I want to make it clear, based on the reviews undertaken by the Designated Judge, that I am satisfied that the surveillance operations undertaken by the Defence Forces comply with the statutory provisions provided to them by the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009.
153. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of civil servants, by grade, in his Department who were on a career break in 2023 and 2024; the number of those who in 2023 and 2024 were on a career break of five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44298/24]
View answerThere are a number of civil servants in my Department who have availed of career break in accordance with the provisions of Circular 4/2013. I can confirm that a total of 4 civil servants availed of a career break in 2023, 2 Executive Officers and 2 Clerical Officers and one further Clerical Officer availed of a career break in 2024, none of which exceeded a period of 5 years or more.
154. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Circular 4/2013 are being properly implemented by his Department; if he is satisfied that civil servants whose career breaks are coming to an end are being notified of appropriate vacancies; if he is concerned by instances where civil servants are having their career breaks extended unnecessarily where the Department has appropriate vacancies to fill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44371/24]
View answerI confirm that the provisions of Circular 4/2013 are strictly complied with in all cases where civil servants avail of a career break in my Department. As per the Circular, the onus is on each individual to notify the Department of their intention to return to work at least two months in advance of the end of their career break. My Department facilitates a return to work as soon as a vacancy at the appropriate grade becomes available. There are no instances in my Department where career breaks have been extended unnecessarily where my Department has appropriate vacancies to fill.
155. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what help is offered to those returning from overseas service to cope with any trauma, mental health issues or unforeseen experiences that those serving may have had to serve through; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44402/24]
View answerl am advised that Defence Forces personnel on overseas tours of duty are debriefed before repatriation and informed of the supports available to them should they experience issues upon return home. Personnel are also examined by a military medical officer prior to repatriation and may raise any concerns at that examination.
In the event of further care being required, personnel have access to a range of mental health services which are provided to serving members of the Permanent Defence Force.
Medical mental health services available to personnel include access to clinical psychology and psychiatry services. The psychology service assesses, diagnoses, treats and advises on strategies to prevent mental health disorders, while psychiatry services specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. There are currently two Clinical Psychologists and one dedicated civilian consultant psychiatrist engaged by the Defence Forces.
In addition to these clinical supports, non-medical mental health services are provided by the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service (PSS). The PSS provides a welfare, information, psycho-social support and referral service to serving members of the Defence Forces and their families. This service sustains and enhances the individual well-being of personnel, and promotes a safe and positive work culture, in order to support the effectiveness of the Defence Forces.
The service is delivered through a network of military Barrack Personnel Support Service Officers and civilian Occupational Social Workers. This network of professionals is prepared to provide immediate help to service personnel and their families in a routine environment or at a time of crisis. This assistance can range from the simple provision of information to counselling or, if required, signposting and referral to specialist help and assistance.
I am advised that the PSS briefs Units and personnel going overseas on stress management and awareness. It trains overseas teams in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and conducts Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) when required. Furthermore, the assistance provided may include providing psychosocial support, counselling and information services on a variety of issues, including relationships, general finances, addiction, retirement (including pensions and gratuities), housing, taxation and PRSI, and much more.
In addition, my Department funds a confidential counselling, referral and support service for serving members of the Defence Forces, civilian employees and Civil Defence volunteers. The service provides confidential counselling on a wide range of personal and work related issues, including but not limited to health, relationships, addictions, financial, bereavement, stress, conflict, critical incident and trauma. A Freephone confidential helpline is available on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year. The helpline provides for referral to appointment-based telephone or face-to-face counselling.
156. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the plans he or his Department have for the Curragh military camp; what investment is being planned for the camp; the timelines for such investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44403/24]
View answerThe Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027.
The following capital works in the DFTC, (Curragh Camp, Kildare) are completed or nearing completion at a total investment of almost €35m:
• Upgrade of Accommodation at Plunkett Barracks- Completed 2020
• Ammunition storage – Completed 2020
• New Electric Target Range- Completed 2021
• Engineer Stores- Completed 2022
• Cadet School – Completed 2023
• Engineers Logistics Office - Completed 2023
• New Vehicle Garaging – Coolmoney Camp – Completed 2024
• New Transport Storage Facility x 2 - Estimated Completion early 2025
• CIS Corps Workshop and Stores- Estimated Completion 2026
The Deputy may also wish to know that an additional investment of capital projects estimated at a value of €44m are planned for the camp, which are outlined below:
• New Army Ranger Wing HQ Block – Expected completion 2027
• Refurbishment of 1 Accommodation Block Ceannt Barracks – Estimated completion 2027
• Military College Auditorium Suite – Estimated completion 2027
• LED External Street Lighting Conversion – Estimated completion 2025
• Military Medical Facility and Medical School Upgrade – Estimated completion 2027
• New Bonded Warehouse Building – Estimated completion 2027
• New Student Accommodation Facility – Estimated completion 2028
• West Side Locker Facility – Estimated completion 2028
In addition to the above works, my Department also allocates funding each year to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its building stock. This devolved budget is a regular feature of the Delegated functions assigned to the Defence Forces by my Department. The individual prioritisation of specific projects to be carried out is solely a matter for the Defence Forces in keeping with the delegated nature of this budget.
157. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 23 October 2024, with regard to the Curragh, County Kildare, and to the Curragh Rangers being tasked with litter removal on the Curragh plain, if he can clarify why there is a private firm engaged to clear litter from the Curragh plain; and the cost of same. [44560/24]
View answerThe Land Staff team, among other duties, carry out tidying of roadsides by regular litter picking along the verges which they convey to bins in their work yard. An external firm is contracted to remove waste stemming from illegal encampments and fly-tipping. To date in 2024 (as at 10th October) the total cost, including VAT, spent with the contracted service provider for the removal of illegally dumped waste is €185,945.
158. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 23 October 2024, to detail the enforcement measures for any breaches of the Curragh by-laws referenced, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44561/24]
View answer159. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many illegal encampments the Curragh Rangers have engaged with and reported for the years 2020 to 2024 inclusive, in tabular form. [44562/24]
View answer161. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to detail the enforcement measures for any breaches of the Curragh by-laws referenced in Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 23 October 2024, in tabular form. [44564/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 159 and 161 together.
The Curragh of Kildare bye-laws date from 1964 and detail the enforcement measures available in the event of a breach of same, to which I refer the Deputy for further details.
Given the range of matters covered in this legislation, it is not possible to provide general information on the total reported number of infringements. While some information is captured on specific issues, in this regard, the data requested by the Deputy is not collated in the manner requested. However, the data requested on illegal encampments can be provided and is presented below in the table.
The number of Illegal Encampments reported to the Department by Land Staff Team is set out in the table.
|
Year |
Earliest arrival / latest departure |
Number of Illegal Encampments by location |
Highest number of caravans in one location at the same time. |
|
2020 |
21 Jan / 17 Dec |
19 |
26 |
|
2021 |
Early Jan / 3 Sept |
13 |
32 |
|
2022 |
2 Feb / 10 Oct |
20 |
30 |
|
2023 |
7 Feb / 11 Sept |
15 |
28 |
|
2024 |
13 Mar / 11 Oct |
25 |
33 |
160. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many encroachments by horses from outside the Curragh area, that is, Curragh racecourse and other associated permitted areas, have been reported in the years 2020 to 2024 inclusive, in tabular form. [44563/24]
View answer162. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a detailed list of every animal type, whether livestock, equine-sporting or domestic, currently authorised to be exercised on the Curragh Plain, County Kildare. [44565/24]
View answer163. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to set out the process or method used to obtain authorisation to exercise animals, including horses, on the Curragh Plains; if the said authorisation is subject to renewal; and, if so, the timeline set out for renewal. [44566/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 162 and 163 together.
The grazing of sheep is permitted on the green and blue lands of the Curragh Plains subject to the owners of those sheep being able to prove they have an entitlement to use the grazing rights, either by virtue of their ownership of specific land parcels as specified in Schedule 1 of the original 1870 Curragh of Kildare Act, or that they have permission from one such land owner to make use of proven grazing rights for a current year. I am advised that the current available number of sheep claims is 5,997.
Other than those lands officially authorised, by agreement with the Minister for Defence, for the training and racing of thoroughbred horses (i.e. The Curragh Racecourse and Gallops), no other animals are permitted to be exercised, in accordance with the Curragh of Kildare Bye Laws, 1964. As such, the only animals permitted to exercise on Curragh lands are thoroughbred race horses. All of those horses must be registered with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). The Curragh Racecourse Limited (CRL) operates and manages the training grounds on the racecourse and other gallops around the Curragh green lands.
