Written answers

Tuesday, 30 May 2023

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

State Bodies

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the parliamentary oversight processes for the collection and allocation of revenue from dividends from commercial State bodies such as NewERA designated bodies. [25569/23]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In relation to An Post, while there is a statutory basis for the payment of dividends to the Exchequer by the company, there has been no dividend paid. Were any dividend to be paid it would be a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, to determine how the revenue from any such dividend would be allocated.

It would be a matter for the Board to determine at their discretion in any year whether a dividend should be declared when, in their opinion, the profits of the company justify such payment.

Any decision by the Board of the Commercial Semi State Bodies regarding declaration of a dividend is agreed jointly between the Body, my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR). This is because dividends are not voted expenditure and so do not fall within the Estimates or Revised Estimates process.

Additional detail may be found in the relevant Annual Report and Accounts as published by the Companies.

My Department does not have a role in the allocation of the dividend. The dividend is paid by the State Body directly to the exchequer, and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has responsibility for its allocation.

Body
Dividend Policy
Dividend Paid Directly to Exchequer (Y/N)
Bord na Móna Dividends are paid out based on State shareholding. The dividend target is based on 30% of adjusted profits after tax. Y
Eirgrid Current dividend policy is for a fixed €4m annual dividend payment. Y
ESB Dividends are paid out based on State shareholding.

The dividend target is based on 40% of adjusted profits after tax.
Y

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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129. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the staffing levels of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, by job title; the estimated full-year cost of filling each position, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26409/23]

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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169. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the staffing levels in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and their salaries, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26333/23]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 169 together.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) was established under the Sustainable Energy Act of 2002. The Authority is a body corporate with functions and responsibilities as set out under Section 6 of the Act, which include inter alia promoting and assisting;

  • environmentally and economically sustainable production, supply and use of energy,
  • energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy,
  • the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,
  • minimising of the impact on the environment of the production, supply and use of energy,
  • research, development, and demonstration of relevant technologies.
The SEAI also has a role to provide advice, information and guidance to the Minister, Government Departments and agencies, energy suppliers, and energy users.

SEAI is funded by the Government of Ireland, through the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Transport. In 2023 the Agency’s total budget allocation is just under €600 million.

SEAI is key to informing, supporting, implementing, and delivering Government energy policy and the Climate Action Plan. The programmes administered by SEAI have a major impact on the Irish economy through home and community energy upgrades, business supports, research and innovation funding, and Electric Vehicle (EV) grants. SEAI has also been designated as the National Retrofit Delivery Body. In this role, the SEAI act as the lead agency in driving the delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit targets.

While a cohort of staff within SEAI are involved in a range of administrative functions that support schemes, the agency is also assisted by a service provider that provides the front-end customer service.

SEAI are continuing to enhance their staffing levels consistent with the scaling up of capacity to support the significant policy developments announced in recent years under the Climate Acton Plan and National Retrofit Plan. It is anticipated that the funding provided to the Authority will bring staff levels close to 235 by the end of 2023.

Information provided by SEAI on staffing and salary levels can be found detailed in the below table.

SEAI Staffing at 30.04.2023
Salary Band HC FTE Salary Band HC FTE
1 - 25,000 0 0 115,001 - 120,000 2 2
25,001 - 30,000 3 3 120,001 - 125,000 1 1
30,001 - 35,000 1 1 125,001 - 130,000 1 1
35,001 - 40,000 1 1 130,001 - 135,000 2 2
40,001 - 45,000 0 0 135,001 - 140,000 0 0
45,001 - 50,000 42 41.5 140,001 - 145,000 1 1
50,001 - 55,000 28 27.4 145,001 - 150,000 0 0
55,001 - 60,000 9 8.6 150,001 - 155,000 0 0
60,001 - 65,000 9 9 155,001 - 160,000 0 0
65,001 - 70,000 15 14.8 160,001 - 165,000 0 0
70,001 - 75,000 20 19.5 165,001 - 170,000 0 0
75,001 - 80,000 10 10 170,001 - 175,000 0 0
80,001 - 85,000 11 11 175,001 - 180,000 1 1
85,001 - 90,000 1 1 180,001 - 185,000 0 0
90,001 - 95,000 11 10.2 185,001 - 190,000 0 0
95,001 - 100,000 11 11 190,001 - 195,000 0 0
100,001 - 105,000 0 0 195,001 - 200,000 0 0
105,001 - 110,000 5 5 Over 200,000 0 0
110,001 - 115,000 2 2 Total at 30.04.2023 187 184

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