Written Answers Nos. 17-34
17. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the totality of the funds requested and drawn down by his Department from EU sources in respect of covid-19 in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form (details supplied). [30223/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2021, the Department of Foreign Affairs recouped €435,883 from the EU in respect of the emergency repatriation of Irish citizens due to COVID-19.
The Department has not requested or drawn down any other funds from EU sources in respect of COVID-19. We are not aware of any other funds that would be available to the Department to claim.
18. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the documentation received to date and currently outstanding on two passport applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30300/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has been in contact with the applicant directly in relation to the documentation required. The applications cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received.
19. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the EU have relief funds available to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines following the impact of Hurricane Beryl; what other international aid is available for the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30446/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHurricane Beryl has caused widespread destruction across several Caribbean countries, leaving at least ten dead and thousands displaced from their homes. The damage has been particularly severe in Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica. Over 90% of buildings were damaged on some islands, along with the destruction of key infrastructure, crops and fishing boats.
The EU has approved €450,000 for affected communities in Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This is in addition to over €2 million already allocated this year for EU humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness in the Caribbean region. In addition, the EU's Copernicus Emergency Management Service provided satellite imagery to assist in damage assessment and logistical planning for the relief operations.
Ireland contributes to several global emergency funds, which can respond quickly to such disasters. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund allocated $4 million to support immediate relief efforts in Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies allocated 1.7 million Swiss Francs to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Jamaica and Grenada. This year, Ireland has contributed €14 million to the CERF and €1.4 million to the DREF.
While needs are still being assessed, it is expected that further international support will be required for long-term recovery and rebuilding. We will continue to follow the situation closely to determine how best we can support these efforts.
20. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to expedite an application (details supplied) for registration on the register of foreign births. [30449/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR or through naturalisation.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate. The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) application about which the Deputy has enquired, the applicant completed the online application form on 1 July 2022. However, none of the supporting documents required to progress the application have been received by the Passport Service. The turnaround time from receipt of all required supporting documents is 9 months. Applications that require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
21. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed across his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the years 2020 to 2023; the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed across his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department in the corresponding timeframe that had full-time contracts; and the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed in his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 that had part-time contracts, in tabular form. [30952/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for employees with disabilities, and to ensuring equality of opportunity in all its employment practices in line with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024. My Department’s approach is guided by the Disability Act 2005, Employment Equality Acts, and the Code of Practice for the Appointment of People with Disabilities to Positions in the Civil Service.
The Human Resources Strategy 2023-2027 for the Department, and the Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Action Plan 2022 -2025 include a number of actions aimed at supporting greater diversity and inclusion in the workforce. These include mainstreaming, and extending our programme of work, policies and practice in the areas of diversity and inclusivity with an emphasis on increasing employment of persons with disabilities.
My Department provides work experience opportunities for persons with disabilities via AHEAD’s (the Association for Higher Education Access & Disability) Willing Able and Mentoring programme, and the Oireachtas’ Work Learning (OWL) programme.
Percentage of people with disabilities employed in my Department
|
Year |
Number of people with disabilities employed |
Percentage of people with disabilities employed |
|
2023 |
171 |
8.00% |
|
2022 |
159 |
7.91% |
|
2021 |
123 |
6.65% |
|
2020 |
129 |
5.37% |
No record is kept on status of employment, i.e. full-time or part-time, for officers who have disclosed disabilities.
There are no bodies under the Aegis of my Department.
22. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he aware of the 2018 Competition and Consumer Protection Commission report on household waste collection; if he has any plans to establish an economic regulator in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29977/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recommendations of the 2018 Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) report on the Operation of the Household Waste Collection Market, which considered issues such as market structure, competition and charges to households, were fully considered during the process of drafting of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE), launched in September 2020.
While the WAPCE does not envisage a change to the current market structure, it does contain a range of measures to empower households through enhanced consumer protection requirements. In terms of further improving waste performance, the focus for my Department is to encourage greater waste minimisation, improved waste segregation and increase our recycling rates. The provisions of the Circular Economy & Miscellaneous Provisions Act have allowed for a number of significant measures to be introduced from the WAPCE, including:
• incentivised waste collection charging in the commercial sector from 01 July 2023,
• a recovery levy on municipal waste recovery operations at municipal landfills, waste to energy plants, co-incineration plants and to the export of waste from 01 September 2023,
• the expansion of household bio-waste collection services from 31 December 2023 and
• the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single use PET plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans which went live on February 1 2024.
These measures will assist in encouraging greater waste minimisation and improved source segregation of waste by customers across the state and will contribute to achieving our challenging EU targets for municipal waste.
23. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he considers it appropriate that waste collection companies pass on the cost of the deposit return scheme to households; if he has spoken to waste collection companies to discuss this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29978/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans is one of the most positive consumer behaviour initiatives to happen in this country for decades – similar to the plastic bags initiative, or the ban on harmful cigarette smoke in our workplaces.
Every day now, over 3 million plastic bottles and cans are being returned by consumers themselves, which is remarkable and testament to the success of the initiative.
In developing the DRS, the Department has engaged extensively with all stakeholders:
• The Department established a DRS sub-group of the national Waste Advisory Group with representatives from the producers, retailers, environmental NGOs and the waste sector. The minutes from those meetings are published on the Department’s gov.ie website.
• A public consultation was carried out in October 2020 on the potential models for a DRS. This consultation, along with copies of submissions received, has been published on the Department’s gov.ie website.
• A second public consultation was carried out in April 2021 on the proposed legislative framework and scope of the DRS. This consultation, along with copies of submissions received, has also been published on the Department’s gov.ie website.
Household waste collection in Ireland is mainly carried out by private companies – operating in a competitive market under a local authority permit system.
The Department is currently engaging with the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) and other stakeholders such as REPAK – to quantify what substantive impact, if any, the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will have on the waste collection system in Ireland over the longer term.
24. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of WTE geologists and principal geologists for his Department in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [30046/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of WTE geologists and principal geologists for my Department in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in set out in tabular form below:
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
|
Geologist |
25 |
20 |
20 |
|
Principal Geologist |
3 |
8 |
8 |
|
Total |
28 |
28 |
2 |
25. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when it is intended to publish the electricity storage policy framework which was due to be published in Q2 of this year. [30063/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra26. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when it is intended to provide the definition and recognition of electricity storage in legislation and regulation; and if he will also provide detail on storage needs and targets, fire safety and management responsibilities and requirements. [30064/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra27. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he plans on taking measures to improve public understanding of the need for battery energy storage system infrastructure, and information on the issues of concerns, as well as mitigation measures which will be in place; and if so to provide detail on these plans. [30066/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 25 to 27, inclusive, together.
I am delighted to announce that, in line with our Climate Action Plan commitment, the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland was approved by Government on 2 July and was subsequently published on my Departments website on 4 July.
The Policy Framework addresses the role of electricity storage on the grid network in the immediate and near term, outlining the present roles, technical processes, market positions and regulatory structures of electricity storage in Ireland. The Policy Framework contains ten actions that support the key stakeholders and industry to incorporate the optimum amount of electricity storage to meet our 2030 and 2040 needs and ensures continued engagement with all electricity storage stakeholders to meet Ireland's Net-Zero future. The Policy Framework includes a definition and recognition of electricity storage in line with the European Union Directive 2019/944.
Chapter 4 of the Policy Framework provides an overview of the existing safety and regulatory framework in place for electricity storage systems both Internationally and in the European and Irish contexts. The chapter also provides the roles and remits of various regulatory authorities and organisations in relation to standards, planning, construction, licensing, and safety in Ireland. Regarding fire safety and management of electricity storage systems, the responsibility in the first instance lies with the local fire authorities, alongside the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), who are under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland has been reviewed and approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and the System Operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, through the Storage and System Services working group which is part of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce. These stakeholders, alongside my Department, are the key stakeholders in the implementation of the policy frameworks ten actions. Engagement with the key stakeholders will continue through the Storage and System Services work group of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce to ensure all actions and other matters in relation to electricity storage systems, are completed in a timely and appropriate manner.
28. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a connection to fibre broadband will be established in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30075/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
The premises in question is currently located in the BLUE area on the broadband map, which can be accessed on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/.
The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
The AMBER area is to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
The customer previously contacted my Department through the dedicated mailbox for raising queries related to inclusion in the Intervention Area: broadband@decc.gov.ie.
My officials have recently reviewed the case and have decided to include the premises in question in the Intervention Area (AMBER). This decision was based on additional information provided directly by the end user, which resulted in my Department considering this premises to be at high risk of not receiving high-speed broadband services from commercial operators now or in the future.Once the reclassification process is complete, the latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to this premises will be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at Network Map - NBI. This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
29. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the totality of the funds requested and drawn down by his Department from EU sources in respect of covid-19 in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form (details). [30221/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not requested nor drawn down funds from EU sources in respect of Covid 19 for the years 2020 to date.
30. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total amount of pre-committed capital investment in retrofit to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30272/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan includes targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030. The National Retrofit Plan sets out how these targets will be achieved.
The National Development Plan and National Retrofit Plan have ring-fenced €8 billion in capital funding to the end of the decade to support the achievement of these objectives. This amount will be supplemented by and additional €264 million which has been secured from the European Regional Development fund for the period 2021-2027. This ERDF funding will be drawn down to support additional upgrades under the Warmer Homes Scheme in the coming years.
31. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the musical instruments purchased for the Defence Forces School of Music in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if those musical instruments are insured in the case of loss or damaged. [30050/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Defence Forces School of Music provides musical support to Irish State and Defence Forces ceremonial events. It also supports a wide range of local and national civilian and sporting events, in addition to the performance of a schools educational programme at primary and secondary level.
The Military Authorities have advised that the following instruments were purchased in the year 2023 and to date in 2024 and the instruments are not insured for loss or damage:
|
Musical Instrument Purchased 2023 |
|
|
Flutes |
2 |
|
Oboes |
2 |
|
Cornets |
2 |
|
Tuba |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
7 |
|
Musical Instrument Purchased 2024 |
|
|
TOTAL |
NIL |
32. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the flights flown by the Air Corps Pilatus PC-12 in May and June 2024; and the downtime or maintenance periods, if any, arising from such flights or otherwise. [30051/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Air Corps operate a fleet of four (4) Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, which entered service in 2020. Their primary function is Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), they also function in air ambulance and transport roles as required.
I am advised by the military authorities that the Air Corps operate a maintenance plan which endeavours to ensure that the maximum number of operational flying hours is available from the current aircraft fleet when most needed. The maintenance of the Air Corps fleet falls into three broad categories: scheduled, unscheduled and routine/daily.
At any given point in time, some aircraft in the fleet will be subject to repair and maintenance. All Air Corps aircraft and equipment are maintained in accordance with the Air Corps' maintenance regulations, the Air Regulation Manual Part E (ARM E).
As the Deputy will appreciate, for security and operational reasons it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specific details of flights flown in May and June 2024.
33. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the totality of the funds requested and drawn down by his Department from EU sources in respect of Covid-19 in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form (details supplied). [30218/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Defence did not request or draw down any funding from EU sources for Covid-19 purposes over the period specified.
34. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed across his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the years 2020 to 2023; the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed across his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department in the corresponding timeframe that had full-time contracts; and the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed in his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 that had part-time contracts, in tabular form. [30956/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, the Department of Defence has undertaken, where practicable, to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities. The Department continues to operate in a non-discriminatory environment in accordance with the Equality Acts and aims to ensure that the principles of employment equality are implemented in recruitment, promotion, training and work experience.
The only State body under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The only staff post is the secretary to the Board, which is provided from the staff of the Department.
In addition to Civil Servants, this Department also employs Civilian Staff at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum and include Craft Workers, General Service Operatives, Administrative staff, Healthcare Professionals and other specialist grades.
The following table outlines those who have self-declared a disability, however, it should be noted that there is no onus on employees to declare a disability. As disability returns are anonymous, my Department is unable to provide a breakdown between those working a full attendance pattern or those availing of reduced attendance pattern schemes such as Worksharing or Shorter Working Year.
|
Year |
Category of Employee |
Total No. of Staff who self-declared a disability under the Disability Act 2005 |
Percentage with Disability |
|
2023 |
Civil Servants |
22 |
5.4% |
|
2023 |
Civilian Employees |
28 |
6.4% |
|
2022 |
Civil Servants |
17 |
4.3% |
|
2022 |
Civilian Employees |
28 |
6.6% |
|
2021 |
Civil Servants |
18 |
4.7% |
|
2021 |
Civilian Employees |
28 |
6.2% |
|
2020 |
Civil Servants |
16 |
4.3% |
|
2020 |
Civilian Employees |
28 |
6.1% |
