Written Answers Nos. 161-182
161. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance the location of the data centre or centres used by his Department; the reason it was chosen; the distance it is from his Department’s offices; if he will identify the centres used by each agency under his Department’s aegis; and the distance these data centres are to their offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9386/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to my Department, I wish to advise that ICT services are provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform.
OGCIO’s Managed Desktop and Managed Hosting services uses a number of data centres which are ISO 27001 certified and are located across Dublin City and the greater Dublin area. These data centres are Government owned facilities. To ensure the continued integrity and security of the services provided by the Department and across the public service, the exact location of these data centres cannot be supplied.
The bodies under the aegis of my Department that use data centres have advised as follows:
The Central Bank of Ireland uses two data centres within the Greater Dublin area. Both data centres were selected via a public procurement competition in 2012 and are within 20 kilometres of the Bank’s North Wall Quay campus, as per industry guidelines.
The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO), for operational and security reasons, does not disclose details of security systems and processes, including the use of data centres, which could in any way compromise security efforts.
For operational and security reasons, the Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL) cannot identify the data centres used, as to do so may compromise those efforts. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to identify potential vulnerabilities in operational arrangements. Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to data centres used other than to indicate that where data centres are used by the ICCL, they are located in the greater Dublin area and are within a 30km radius of its head office.
In respect of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC), information technology (IT) infrastructure is contained within two data centres located in the Dublin region. The recommended distance between data centre locations is within the standard guidelines, and IBRC has implemented a fully remote access solution to both sites. Disclosing any further information on the exact location of the Data Centres would be deemed a security risk.
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council uses an IT system provider which has its own data centres. The Council cannot choose the data centre locations but choose the area where their data resides, which in this case is Europe. The Fiscal Council’s data is primarily hosted in an Irish data centre which is located in Leinster. It is considered inappropriate to disclose any further information in relation to the location of data centres used by the Fiscal Council as this may pose potential operational and security risks.
The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) provides business, support services and systems to the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA), the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI). Information and communications technology (ICT) services are one such service provided to these bodies and managed internally by the NTMA. The NTMA has two data centre locations within the Leinster region. Disclosing further information in relation to the location of NTMA data centres is not appropriate and may pose potential operational and security risks.
The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General does not use data centres directly. The Office only uses data centres indirectly through the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, as its IT service provider.
The Office of the Revenue Commissioners operates two data centres in the Dublin city and greater Dublin area. The primary data centre was established during the 1970s and has been consistently updated since then. These upgrades have enabled Revenue to provide hosting services for over 50 other Government bodies in this data centre. Revenue established a secondary data centre in 1990 which was originally used as a business continuity data centre. In the mid 2000’s, the secondary data centre was upgraded to primary status to better support high availability 24/7, 365 days per year operation in a combined active/active configuration with Revenue’s other data centre. Revenue’s data centres are accredited to ISO 27001 (Data Security) and ISO 22301 (Business Continuity) standards. The distance between the data centres and Revenue offices is not an issue and both centres provide computing services to all Revenue offices, staff and taxpayers countrywide over high-speed data links. Revenue’s data centres are operated by Revenue’s IT staff on a 24/7 basis.
The ICT infrastructure of the Tax Appeals Commission is managed by the OGCIO. Data in respect of the Commission is hosted in data centres across the greater Dublin area. For security reasons, the exact location of these data centres cannot be supplied.
162. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of the State data centre project; how will it proceed with being connected to the grid, given its location within a constrained section of the grid; and whether the project might be delayed as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9401/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe construction of the Data Centre is underway and is on time and within budget. The construction of the building is expected to be completed by Q2 2025. The application for the electrical supply was issued and accepted by ESB networks before any moratoriums were introduced. No delays are expected.
163. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the engagement his Department has had with Government colleagues regarding the Climate Action and Biodiversity (Mandates of Certain Organisations) Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8731/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is in regular contact with other Departments as part of its expenditure management function. This includes the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Environment, Climate and Communications.
In relation to the Climate Action and Biodiversity (Mandates of Certain Organisations) Bill 2023, I understand that my officials have had some limited engagement with their colleagues in both Departments on this legislation.
The Government's response to the Bill is being led by my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. As such, questions regarding the Government's response to the Bill should be directed to that Minister.
164. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update in relation to a scheme (details supplied); when a reasoned conclusion on the environmental impacts of the proposed works will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8790/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the previous updates on this matter I have given to the House regarding the consent process for the Crossmolina (River Deel) Flood Relief scheme, the most recent on the 8th of February.
In accordance with the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019, the Office of Public Works has sought consent for the Crossmolina (River Deel) Flood Relief scheme. My Department has retained independent environmental consultants to review the submissions received during consultation and to carry out any necessary environmental assessments as required by EU Directives 2011/92 and 2014/52.
Following the initial period of public consultation held between December 2020 and January 2021, my Department sought supplementary information from the Office of Public Works in line with Section 7E(4) of the Regulations. This additional information was supplied by the Office of Public Works in July 2021.
The supplementary information received contained ‘significant additional" information in relation to the effects on the environment of the proposed scheme. A second period of public consultation was then held, in accordance with Section 7C(3) of the Regulations, finishing in July 2022.
In July 2023, on the foot of expert advice from the environmental consultants retained by the Department, additional supplementary information was requested from the OPW in order to reach a full, reasoned conclusion of the environmental impacts of the scheme as required by the Regulations.
This supplementary information was submitted by the OPW in November 2023 and is currently being examined by the environmental consultants retained by my Department. The supplementary information is being examined by the retained consultants in order to determine whether the information supplied is considered to be 'significant' in line with Section 7C(3) of the Regulations. The information is also being examined to ensure that it is sufficient to allow a full, reasoned conclusion on the environmental impacts of the proposed scheme.
With regard to timelines, it would not be appropriate to prescribe a timeline for a reasoned conclusion on the environmental impacts of the scheme to be made, as to do so would be to pre-empt the outcome of the assessments and examinations being conducted by my Department’s consultants. Next steps in this process will be determined following completion of this examination.
165. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of males and females who applied for the post of chef at the most recent recruitment campaign for the OPW. [8852/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Chef Applications (open competition closed 21/02/2024) |
Male |
Female |
|
|
8 |
2 |
166. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when the funding necessary to put measures in place that would prevent future devastation from flooding in an area (details supplied) will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9000/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of and have seen at first hand the devastating impact flooding has had to home owners, businesses and communities during Storm Babet, last year.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme - Ireland’s largest study of flood risk, was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities. The delivery of these Plans is supported by €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan to 2030. To date, 55 schemes have been completed, which are providing protection to over 13,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion.
It is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans simultaneously. This is due to the limited availability of the professional and specialised engineering skills required to design and construct flood relief schemes. This prioritised approach to delivering flood risk schemes means that work is complete, or underway to protect some 80% of all at-risk properties nationally.
Following Storm Babet, an assessment of the proposed flood relief scheme for Midleton is now underway, so we can be confident that we have designed a scheme that can meet the standard of protection required by the insurance industry. The Midleton flood relief scheme is in the first tranche of projects being progressed as a part of the national programme. The next major step is to seek planning consent and work has already begun on the environmental surveys to allow us to start the planning process early in 2024.
Identification and implementation of interim flood defence measures for Midleton has also been progressed, including the jetting of the towns drainage system, removal of trees in the channel at Moore’s Bridge, and installation of water level gauges.
The flood relief scheme intended for Castlemartyr is not in the first tranche of projects being progressed as a part of the national programme. However, the Government is committed to funding this scheme, as a part of the €1.3bn made available for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan. The Office of Public Works is currently trialling an alternative delivery model to inform the delivery mechanism for all 50 flood relief schemes in the second tranche of schemes.
Once consultants are appointed to progress the Castlemartyr scheme, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the general public, will take place at appropriate stages in the project. This is to ensure that all stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide their input into the development of the proposed scheme.
In July 2018, Cork County Council submitted an application under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for river cleaning works upstream and downstream of Castlemartyr Bridge. This application did not meet the criteria for the scheme. Following the recent devastating flooding caused by Storm Babet, Cork County Council confirmed that it would review its original application and has recently submitted an updated application to the OPW for Castlemartyr. This application is being considered by the OPW and will be discussed with Cork County Council, especially in relation to the linkages of any proposed minor works with the flood relief scheme for the town and any linkages with managing the flood risk in Mogeely. To date the OPW has not received an application from Cork County Council for Mogeely, under the Minor Works Scheme.
167. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the Garda stations within the Dublin region that are scheduled to be refurbished by the OPW in the next six months where the costs are in excess of €150,000; the nature of works that will be carried out per station; and the estimated timeframe for completion, per project, in tabular form. [9246/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the Office of Public Works has scheduled refurbishment works to Garda Stations within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) to be carried out in the next six months.
The Garda Stations and the nature of the works is outlined in the table below and include only works valued in excess of €150,000. The works outlined relate to works funded by both OPW and An Garda Síochána.
The commencement/completion dates for the scheduled works are subject to the final sign off of operational and design requirements by An Garda Síochána and where necessary, successful tendering process.
|
Garda Station |
Nature of the works |
|
Ballymun GS |
Resurfacing of underground car park |
|
Cabra GS |
Resurfacing of staff car park |
|
Cabra GS |
Refurbishment of WCs |
|
Finglas GS |
Replacement of lead work at roof level |
|
Lusk GS |
Retrofit/ Conversion of married quarters |
|
Malahide GS |
Maintenance and upgrade works to slate roof and attics |
|
Malahide GS |
Works to external façade – painting, maintenance and repair of windows, and maintenance and refurbishment of cast iron railings |
|
Raheny GS |
Structural repairs |
|
Swords GS |
Boundary wall to car park/ fencing and gates- includes new wall, electronic gates, resurfacing to carpark, CCTV |
|
Crumlin GS |
Prisoner Processing Area |
|
Donnybrook GS |
Carpark resurfacing |
|
Pearse St GS |
Kitchen Refurb |
|
Tallaght GS |
Incident Room Replacement |
168. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the length of time it takes for requests for pension payments information to be finalised by the resignations and retirements team HR services in the National Shared Services Office; if more staff are required in this office; if a particular application (details supplied) can be finalised without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9295/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been in contact with the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) regarding the Deputy’s query on pension payments. The NSSO have informed me that pension related queries can be quite complex which can often necessitate requesting and reviewing an individual’s hard copy personnel file. It may also require engaging with their current local HR unit (or previous where applicable). As a result the turnaround time for responding to queries such as these can vary from a number of days to up to three weeks. As part of the Budget 2024, the NSSO received resources for an additional 16 Full Time Equivalents in the area of HR Services to accommodate demand pressures related to an increased in retirements.
In relation to the individual case raised, the NSSO have informed me that, in respect of the current information request as provided to the NSSO on 14 February 2024, and which relates to a future dated payment, it is currently being investigated with a view to a response being issued directly to the individual over the coming days. The NSSO have assured me that they are doing everything possible to assist the individual with his enquiry and resolve it in a timely manner as possible.
169. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the location of the data centre or centres used by his Department; the reason it was chosen; the distance it is from his Department’s offices; if he will identify the centres used by each agency under his Department’s aegis; and the distance these data centres are to their offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9390/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department uses a number of data centres which are ISO 27001 certified and are located across Dublin City, the greater Dublin area, Kildare and Cork. These data centres are a combination of private and Government owned facilities. To ensure the continued integrity and security of the services provided by my Department and across the Public Service, the exact locations of these data centres cannot be supplied.
The position in respect of the bodies under the aegis of the Department is set out in the table below.
|
Public Body |
Position regarding data centres |
|
Office of Public Works |
The OPW uses a number of data centres which are ISO 27001 certified and are located across Dublin City, the greater Dublin area, Kildare and Cork. These data centres are a combination of private and Government owned facilities. To ensure the continued integrity and security of the services provided by the OPW, the exact locations cannot be supplied. |
|
National Shared Services Office |
The NSSO uses a number of data centres which are ISO 27001 certified and are located across Dublin City, the greater Dublin area, Kildare and Westmeath. These data centres are a combination of private and Government owned facilities. To ensure the continued integrity and security of the services provided by the NSSO, the exact locations cannot be supplied. |
|
Public Appointments Service |
The PAS uses a data centre which is located in Dublin City. This data centre is a Government owned facility. To ensure the continued integrity and security of the services provided by PAS, the exact location cannot be supplied. |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
The Office uses a data centre which is owned and managed by the Revenue Commissioners. It is a purpose built data centre and it is used for the server infrastructure of the Office, serviced with connectivity, power, cooling and Business Continuity. Revenue ICT have the specialist resources and ICT Skills to maintain a data centre of this size and it is more economical than providing the Office’s own environment. The data centre is located in Dublin City but to ensure the continued integrity and security of the services provided by the Office, the exact location cannot be supplied. |
|
State Laboratory |
The State Laboratory uses two data centres, one of which is off-site, which is ISO 27001 certified and is located in Dublin City. The other is its own facility in its own building which is not certified. The off-site data centre is a Government owned facility. To ensure the continued integrity and security of the services provided by this organisation, the exact location cannot be supplied. |
|
Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery |
The ORNL uses a Multi-Geo Data Residency service that was recommended by its expert ICT consultant for meeting its security requirements and public sector procurement obligations and best practice. |
170. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the deductions payable by employers when they make a statutory sick payment to an employee; the reason these differ from those payable by the State under illness benefit; if he will amend statutory sick pay criteria to align them with illness benefit in relation to PRSI, USC and employer’s PRSI deductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8621/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sick Leave Act 2022 provides for employer-paid sick leave, for medically certified absences, at the rate of 70% of an employee’s regular earnings, capped at €110 per day, for up to 5 days in 2024.
As payment is considered a form of wages from the employer to the employee, it is subject to the same tax and PRSI treatment as all wages. Any proposed amendment to the tax treatment of statutory sick leave payments is a matter for the Minister for Finance. Any change to treatment of such payments for the purposes of PRSI is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.
171. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the use of dynamic pricing models by primary ticket sellers for tickets for cultural, entertainment and recreational events (details supplied); if he will consider amending the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021 to prohibit primary ticket sellers from using dynamic pricing models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8638/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsumer rights are protected for purchasing tickets for concerts or sporting events under the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021. The Act regulates the secondary ticket market where tickets are resold after their original purchase from the primary ticket market and where tickets are more likely to be sold above their original sale price, by prohibiting the sale or advertising for sale, of tickets for price exceeding the original sale price for designated events or events taking place in designated venues.
Primary ticket sellers do not fall within the remit of the Sale of Tickets Act 2021. Primary tickets are allocated for sale to primary online platforms by event partners, which includes among others, event organisers, promoters, venues, artists/performers and agents. Event partners determine the conditions around the sale, availability and release of the tickets.
Generally, traders in Ireland, including ticket sellers, are free to set and change their prices for goods and services, based on demand, once they do so independently and in line with consumer protection law. Consumer law requires traders to provide certain information to consumers prior to purchase. This includes the total price, inclusive of taxes, allowing consumers to make the informed choice whether to purchase or not. Consumer law also prohibits businesses from engaging in a misleading commercial practice. Under the Consumer Protection Act 2007, a commercial practice is regarded as misleading if the trader does not act in good faith and misleads the average consumer into taking an action that she/he may otherwise not undertake.
When offering an item for sale or advertising a product or service, misleading practises could include claims regarding:
• the nature of the product/service
• the main characteristics, including its availability at a particular time, place, or at a particular price
• the price of the product/service, the manner in which the price was calculated or the existence and nature of a specific price advantage, and the legal rights of a consumer.
The 2007 Act also prohibits traders from making a false representation that a product is available only for a limited time, or on particular terms for a limited time, in order to elicit an immediate decision from a consumer, depriving the consumer of sufficient opportunity or time to make an informed choice in relation to the trader’s product.
In addition, under the Consumer Information (Advertisements For Concert Or Theatre Performances) Order, 1997, every advertisement for a ticket must show the ticket price and any extra charges payable.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the independent statutory body that enforces competition and consumer law under the remit of my Department, continues to promote and monitor compliance with competition and consumer protection laws across all sectors of the market, including ticket sales, and to investigate potential breaches, prohibited practices and offences. I understand that the CCPC closely monitors the issue of dynamic pricing and indicate that the number of concerts in a year that employ such a model are few.
172. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will introduce a financial support package for small businesses and rural pubs to offset the recent increase in the minimum wage, VAT and energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8734/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am cognisant of the difficulties faced by small businesses across the country, including rural pubs, due to rising costs and changes in the cost of doing business.
My Department, in collaboration with the Department of Social Protection, is assessing the cumulative impact of recent and forthcoming changes to working conditions. These measures include the move to a Living Wage, in addition to other measures such as the Auto-Enrolment Retirement Savings Scheme, Parent’s Leave and Benefit, Statutory Sick Pay, the Additional Public Holiday, and Remote Working. This follows a recommendation by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council that a cumulative impact assessment be undertaken.
In preparing this report, officials from my Department met with representatives from a cross-section of enterprises who are among the most impacted by forthcoming changes to working conditions. My Department also hosted workshops with both employer representatives and trade union officials, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to articulate their views on forthcoming changes. As part of this engagement, my Department sought both quantitative and qualitative information, which provided valuable evidence of the impact that these measures are expected to have across a range of sectors.
This report is currently being finalised and will inform public policy in this area. While I am acutely aware of the cost pressures associated with these recent and forthcoming changes, they are necessary in ensuring that workers in Ireland can avail of the same conditions as in many of our main trading partners.
It is important to recognise that the Government has been proactive in providing necessary support to business in recent years, faced with the challenges caused by the COVID Pandemic and invasion of Ukraine. The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS), the Business Users Support Scheme for Kerosene (BUSSK) and the Ukraine Enterprise Support Scheme have provided significant benefit to business throughout this period of rising input costs and prices. In addition, many rateable premises will have benefited from the commercial rates waiver scheme that was in place from 2020 to the first quarter of 2022.
A wide range of supports were also made available to struggling SMEs in Budget 2024. These include:
• the extension of the 9% VAT rate on gas and electricity to the end of October 2024.
• the extension of the temporary excise rate reductions applying to auto diesel, petrol and marked gas oil until 31st March 2024;
• an increase to the VAT registration thresholds since 1 January 2024, from €37,500 for services and €75,000 for goods to €40,000 for services and €80,000 for goods.
Furthermore, the Increased Cost of Business Grant will provide support to many small and medium enterprises operating from rateable premises, with €257m allocated for the scheme. While the ICOB is not intended to directly compensate for all increases in wages, or other costs, for every business, it is expected the once-off relief will provide a welcome cash injection of up to €5,000 for many small businesses across the country.
The administration of the ICOB grant will be carried out by Local Authorities and it is intended that eligible ratepayers will begin to receive payment in the first quarter of this year. It is not intended that there be a formal application process, rather it is intended that qualifying businesses will be contacted directly by the Local Authorities. The grant scheme has been set up in this way so as to ensure that the scheme is accessible to smaller businesses, who may have had difficulties availing of previous schemes. Local Authorities are in the process of setting up a system in order to pay out this grant and will write to each eligible businesses in the coming weeks. It is important to note that the ICOB grant does not constitute a commercial rates waiver and all firms should continue to pay their commercial rates as normal.
I am not planning any schemes specifically linked to increases in the minimum wage, changes to the VAT rate or energy costs at present. Nonetheless, it is important to recognise that many small businesses with a rateable premises, including rural pubs, are likely to benefit from the grant payment provided through the ICOB.
173. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged with management at a company (details supplied) since it was announced that the firm would be making a portion of its workforce redundant; and if he will make a statement on job losses in the technology sector more generally. [8756/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, TikTok is a social media platform that enables the creation, sharing and discovering of short videos. Owned by Chinese company, ByteDance, TikTok is the world’s fastest growing social media app with more than 2billion downloads since its founding in 2016. In Ireland, TikTok established in 2020 and currently employs over 3,000 staff across a range of business functions including Trust and Safety; Data Protection and Privacy; and SMB (Small and Medium Business) Europe.
Following a period of extremely rapid growth over the last 3-4 years, TikTok has confirmed that it is implementing a redesign of its global Training and Quality function to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of its quality assurance processes. Involving a re-build of the Training and Quality team from the ground up, global job losses of up to 600-700 across EMEA, Americas & APAC are anticipated. The exact impact on Dublin is not known but it could be in the region of 200-300 jobs. This higher Dublin-number is reflective of the high level of Training and Quality roles based here.
My, and Government's immediate concerns are for the workers impacted and their families. To that end, all the appropriate supports across Government are at the disposal of those who may be made redundant. Once the consultation period is completed, IDA's immediate priority will be to develop an understanding of the impacted roles, and to make its global teams aware of available skills that may be in demand elsewhere to help facilitate impacted workers secure new employment opportunities. IDA will also ensure that for all roles that are retained, where strategic training is required, IDA support is made available to the company. In this regard, TikTok is fully briefed on IDA’s suite of transformation/ training supports.
I might add that the company has indicated that this decision is not driven by cost, or any issue specific to Ireland’s operating environment, rather a business decision by the company to optimise and re-design a critical part of its business. The decision has no impact on TikTok’s other business units, and the company is continuing to hire in Dublin where it has 180 open roles currently – thus the net impact on the overall employee numbers could transpire to be significantly less than first announced. Furthermore, TikTok has grown rapidly since inception and a reorganisation of this nature is not an unexpected business development as the company seeks to optimise its structure.
IDA will continue to keep in close contact with TikTok's leadership teams, and the protocol with all redundancy situations involving IDA client companies includes the IDA working with the company concerned to define skills profiles of impacted employees and to match those with existing and target client company skills requirements. My officials will remain engaged with IDA on the situation as the restructuring is implemented.
Finally, as regards the Tech Sector generally, there is still high demand for tech, marketing and other skills across all sectors. In recent months we have continued to witness a number of significant redundancy announcements from FDI tech clients based in Ireland, but these are not unexpected as the sector adjusts to evolving global market dynamics. They certainly reflect job losses across a number of key employers in the tech sector, as companies have had to recalibrate after periods of sustained hiring and growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is important to note that the technology base in Ireland, which has been building for over 40 years, will continue to grow, especially as technology is pervasive across all sectors, and there are many growth opportunities in emerging sectors, particularly in AI, robotics and cybersecurity. In addition, and while never complacent, despite recent redundancy announcements, job creation in IDA supported companies, as well as those supported by EI and the LEOs, remains strong.
174. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of trade between Kuwait and Ireland in 2023. [8869/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) compiles statistical data in relation to Goods Exports and Imports. According to the CSO data, the value of our goods imports from Kuwait was €270 million in 2023. The value of our goods exports to Kuwait was €116 million in 2023.
Our top goods exports to Kuwait in 2023 were essential oils, perfume materials; toilet & cleansing preps, medical & pharmaceutical products and miscellaneous edible products & preparations.
Our top goods imports from Kuwait in 2023 were petroleum, petroleum products & related materials, miscellaneous manufactured articles and office machines & automatic data processing machines.
The CSO does not yet have data for our services imports from, and services exports to, Kuwait for 2023.
|
2023 |
Imports |
Exports |
|
Goods |
€270 million |
€116 million |
|
Services |
Not yet available |
Not yet available |
|
2022 |
Imports |
Exports |
|
Goods |
€219 million |
€106 million |
|
Services |
€17 million |
€488 million |
175. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of trade between Qatar and Ireland in 2023. [8870/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office compiles statistical data in relation to Goods Exports and Imports. According to the CSO data, the value of our goods imports from Qatar was €4 million in 2023. The value of our goods exports to Qatar was €132 million in 2023.
The top goods exports to Qatar from Ireland in 2023 were power generating machines & equipment, essential oils, perfume materials, toilet & cleansing preparations and miscellaneous manufactured articles. The top goods imports from Qatar in 2023 were plastics in primary form, miscellaneous. manufactured articles and organic chemicals.
The CSO does not yet have data for our services imports from, and services exports to, Qatar for 2023.
|
2023 |
Imports |
Exports |
|
Goods |
€4 million |
€132 million |
|
Services |
Not yet available |
Not yet available |
|
2022 |
Imports |
Exports |
|
Goods |
€5 million |
€117 million |
|
Services |
€82 million |
€1,343 million |
176. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a list of companies in Ireland that currently have dual-use export licences, in tabular form; the export value of each company for 2022 and 2023; the details of the products they are producing; and if he can guarantee that none of these components and weapons are being used for the purpose of the taking of human life, either directly or enabling that process. [8923/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for Export Controls, including Controls on defence-related exports and exports of Dual-Use goods.
Controls on the export of Dual-use items are administered by my Department, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items. The Regulation provides for a harmonised export controls system throughout the EU and sets out the criteria for the examination of applications.
The Regulation sets out a list of over 1800 controlled items under 10 categories. Year on year the most common exports from Ireland are ICT software and hardware, followed by smaller numbers of exports of electronics, aviation components, navigation components and chemicals.
In line with the Regulation my officials assess all applications against the eight assessment criteria set out in Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP – criterion two of which is “Respect for human rights in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country of international humanitarian law” and criterion three of which is "Internal situation in the country of final destination, as a function of the existence of tensions or armed conflicts".
In conducting assessments of applications for export licences, my officials carry out a series of checks to ensure, as far as possible, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end-user for the stated end-use and will not be used for illicit purposes. In addition, my officials seek the geopolitical views of the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of all applications for export licences ensuring access to the most up to date information available on each destination.
It is the longstanding policy of the Department not to publish details of individual transactions or the traders involved in these transactions in order to protect commercially sensitive information. Therefore, all export data is published in aggregated format.
The Report under the Control of Exports Act 2008 covering the period 1 January to 31 December 2022 is available on my Department's website and shows that in 2022 my Department issued 691 individual dual-use licences for exports of controlled goods with a value of €513.4 million to 76 countries. Figures for 2023 are currently being compiled and will be published later this year.
177. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in cases in which a worker is not under the provisions of the new statutory sick scheme for workers because they are deemed to be in an employer scheme which is more beneficial, if such workers now effectively have six waiting days before they can access social protection payments; if employers that operate such sick schemes have any legal obligation to pay a worker for days four, five and six under current legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9179/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sick Leave Act 2022 came into effect on 1 of January 2023 providing up to 3 days of employer-paid sick leave in that year, paid at 70% of gross salary up to a cap of €110 per day. The minimum number of days provided for under the Act increased to 5 days on 1 January 2024.
Section 9(1) provides that the obligations under the Act do not apply to employers who offer, on the whole, benefits which are more favourable to the employee than the statutory sick leave scheme. The factors to be considered when deciding if an employers scheme is more favourable are laid out in section 9(2) of the Act and include: the period of service required to access the employer scheme, any waiting days applied before sick leave is payable, the period for which sick leave is payable, the amount of sick leave that is payable and the reference period for the employer scheme.
Employers that do offer their own sick leave schemes are strongly encouraged to examine the terms of their scheme carefully, considering the factors laid out in section 9(2) of the Act. If an employee believes that their employer scheme is not equal to or more beneficial than the statutory sick leave scheme, then I would encourage them to make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission for adjudication or mediation. The operation of the Act is kept under review.
Illness Benefit is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection. Amendments to the Illness Benefit and Injury Benefit provisions in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, which came into effect on 1 January 2024, provide that these benefits are not payable for any day where there is an entitlement to statutory sick leave. The Department of Social Protection treats employees eligible for statutory sick leave and employees covered by the more favourable company arrangements the same in terms of the effect on their Illness Benefit and Injury Benefit entitlements. In 2024 Illness Benefit and Injury Benefit is generally paid from day 6 of the claim.
Days 1-3 are covered by both Illness Benefit/Injury Benefit ‘waiting days’ and the first 3 statutory sick leave days (or equivalent recognition of the more favourable employer scheme). Days 4 and 5 are covered by the remainder of the 5 days statutory sick leave (or equivalent recognition of the more favourable employer scheme). However, should a person exhaust their allocation of 5 days' sick leave in a calendar year and apply again for Illness Benefit or Injury Benefit within the same year they will be paid Illness Benefit or Injury Benefit from day 4 (having served the 3 waiting days).
178. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given some recent media highlighting of various issues, if he can make a statement in relation to a company website (details supplied) which acts as an agent for processing tax returns on behalf of individuals, and particularly the costs or charges that this company imposes; and whether consumer rights are protected in this regard. [9233/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGenerally, traders in Ireland, are free to set and change their prices for goods and services, once they do so independently and in line with consumer protection law. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, traders are required to provide certain information to consumers prior to purchase. This includes the total price, inclusive of taxes, or the manner in which the price is to be calculated, allowing consumers to make an informed choice whether to purchase or not.
Consumer law also prohibits businesses from engaging in a misleading commercial practice. Under the Consumer Protection Act 2007, a commercial practice is regarded as misleading if the trader does not act in good faith and misleads the average consumer into taking an action that she/he may otherwise not undertake.
In the context of offering or advertising a service, misleading practices could include claims made about the price of the service or how that price is calculated. It is also a misleading practice to omit information about the price of the service or how the price is calculated, or to provide that information in a way that is unclear or untimely.
The 2007 Act also prohibits traders from making a false representation that a product is available only for a limited time, or on particular terms for a limited time, in order to elicit an immediate decision from a consumer, depriving the consumer of sufficient opportunity or time to make an informed choice in relation to the trader’s product.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the independent statutory body that enforces competition and consumer law under the remit of my Department, continues to promote and monitor compliance with competition and consumer protection laws across all sectors of the market and to investigate potential breaches, prohibited practices and offences.
179. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the budget allocation in 2023 and 2024 for the innovation voucher scheme, in tabular form. [9249/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Innovation Voucher Programme is funded by my Department under the Science and Technology Programme, through Enterprise Ireland.
The Innovation Voucher Programme is designed to build links between Ireland's public knowledge providers (higher education institutions and research performing bodies) and small businesses and help to create a cultural shift in the small business community's approach to innovation. The vouchers encourage companies and public knowledge providers to work together on specific innovation questions and projects related to a company’s needs and is available to the broadest number of companies. The nature of these projects will be such that they transfer knowledge that is new, thereby enabling a company to use this newly acquired knowledge to innovate a product, production process or service.
As part of the Budget 2024 allocation to my Department, my officials, have been working in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland to review the Innovation Voucher Programme, including increasing the value of the vouchers from €5,000 up to €10,000. It is anticipated that this increase in the value of the voucher will be implemented in Q2 of this year.
The budget allocation for the Innovation Voucher programme for 2023 and 2024 is outlined in the table below.
|
Year |
Value |
|
2024 |
€2,500,000 |
|
2023 |
€1,872,000 |
180. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his engagement with external stakeholders in respect of the provision of paid leave for persons who have experienced a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks' gestation, or to facilitate access to reproductive healthcare treatments; if he will list the stakeholders which have made representations to him on the matters; and the position of his Department in respect of the measure. [9311/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government fully understands the importance of progressing policy proposals on reproductive health leave. However, this is a complex policy area and one which requires detailed assessment and sufficient consideration in advance of introducing legislation.
A qualitative research study commissioned by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is currently being considered as part of the development of Government policy and legislative proposals on reproductive health leave.
Representations on this matter have been received in recent weeks including from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation and from T.D.'s on behalf of their constituents. As the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot disclose individuals' personal information and details from these representations. These stakeholders have been informed that this is a matter which Government is deliberating.
181. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will request the CCPC to investigate the practices and pricing within the infant formula market under his powers in section 10 (4) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9371/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 10 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 sets out the requirements for promotional and commercial practices for infant formula. This does not make provision for free or low-priced products, samples, special displays, discount coupons, premiums, special sales, loss-leaders, tie-in sales or any other promotional gifts, to promote the use of infant formula. These measures are designed so that the marketing and distribution of infant formula does not interfere with the protection and promotion of breastfeeding, which is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health.
I am aware that the CCCP recently initiated an important project looking at the State of Competition in Ireland, which it expects will provide high-level insights into relative competitive dynamics across sectors of the Irish economy. The CCPC advised my Officials that it anticipates that the results of this study will help guide it in terms of prioritisation of resources, addressing future, deeper dive studies with a particular emphasis on economic sectors with high and/or increasing concentration.
182. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 8 February 2024, if in light of concerns related to the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, he will provide additional information which would allay concerns that export licences may been issued for products or components used by military forces or for military applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9381/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for Export Controls, including Controls on defence-related exports and exports of Dual-Use goods.
Controls on the export of Dual-use items are administered by my Department, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items. The Regulation provides for a harmonised export controls system throughout the EU and sets out the criteria for the examination of applications.
In line with the Regulation my officials assess all applications against the eight assessment criteria set out in Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP – criterion two of which is “Respect for human rights in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country of international humanitarian law” and criterion three of which is "Internal situation in the country of final destination, as a function of the existence of tensions or armed conflicts".
In conducting assessments of applications for export licences, my officials carry out a series of checks to ensure, as far as possible, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end-user for the stated end-use and will not be used for illicit purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, obtaining an end user undertaking from the end user; an assessment of the proposed end-user and identified end-use; information from other EU member states; as well as seeking up to date geopolitical views from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
These checks ensure that all applications are assessed thoroughly and uniformly in line with the Regulation and with other EU Member States.
