Written Answers Nos. 68-88
68. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the appeal of the High Court judgement which recently struck down sectoral employment orders; and when the case will be concluded. [17145/20]
View answerMr. Justice Garrett Simons informed the parties on July 14th that he was agreeable to an extension of time to 24th July with regard to the matter of settling of the Orders that will give effect to his Ruling. It is expected that parties will appear before the judge on this matter soon thereafter.
The Government has 28 days from the date when the Orders giving effect to the High Court ruling are issued to lodge its Appeals. Appeals will be lodged with the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
As it is before the Courts, it is not possible at this time to estimate when the matter will be concluded. The State will be requesting an expedited hearing as the matter is of significant public interest.
69. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the date and time for a meeting between him, his officials and workers (details supplied) following his agreement to meet with them during Parliamentary Questions on 14 July 2020. [17146/20]
View answerI intend to meet with representatives of the workers concerned very shortly.
70. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether the interest rates under the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme are too high; his further views on the definition of fair interest rates for businesses under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17147/20]
View answerThe new €2 billion COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme announced by Government forms a major component of the Government’s strategy to aid SMEs in these difficult times by providing critical support to ensure businesses are facilitated in having access to credit facilities to assist a return to a more regular trading environment.
It is a further development of the existing Credit Guarantee Scheme and will initially be available through the current finance providers Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank Ireland.
The Scheme will provide an 80% guarantee on lending until the end of this year, for terms of up to 6 years and will offer a range of lending products between €10,000 and €1 million including overdrafts, working capital and term loan facilities.
The key feature of the Scheme is that it will ensure the provision of liquidity to businesses by leveraging the strong relationship between banks and their customers all over the country.
A distinction must be made between the current Credit Guarantee Scheme whereby banks offer loans at their normal market rates and the new COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme which, due to the increased size of the guarantee as a result of the removal of the portfolio cap, is expected to provide interest rates at below market rates.
I met the CEOs of the three participating banks last week and stressed the need for interest rates to reflect the level of the State-backed guarantee being provided, with an 80% guarantee on individual loans and the removal of the portfolio cap.
In addition, I also stressed the need for them to ensure that this Scheme is implemented in an efficient and effective manner to ensure that this badly needed finance is quickly made available to businesses.
Officials from my Department and from the Department of Finance and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine along with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland continue to engage with finance providers in relation to the specific terms and conditions of the Scheme.
The legislation in relation to the Scheme is expected to go through the Oireachtas this week, allowing for its swift enactment.
71. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether injections of liquidity through grants are an integral part of the recovery from Covid-19 for microbusinesses, SMEs and family businesses; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many such businesses are afraid to take on new debt through loans. [17148/20]
View answerAs stated in the Programme for Government, we are bringing forward a Jobs Stimulus shortly to boost our economy and help restore employment. This July Stimulus will extend, enhance and add to the existing measures for COVID-19 impacted businesses already announced.
The Restart Grant was launched on 22 May 2020 and is a critically important tool to support small businesses to reopen their doors and get back on their feet. Grant payments available range from a minimum of €2,000 up to €10,000 available. The scheme was devised in recognition of the fact that micro and small businesses were and are particularly vulnerable to the economic effects of COVID-19.
The Restart Grant is just one part of a wider assistance package for business and for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, the pandemic unemployment payment for the self-employed, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs.
The July Stimulus Package will help all firms with costs incurred during lockdown and in re-opening. All COVID-19 Business Schemes are under constant review in terms of the evolving situation and will be adapted as circumstances dictate, including adaptations to the phased opening of our economy.
I look forward to announcing the details of the July Stimulus Package with the Taoiseach shortly.
72. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 14 July 2020, the way in which migrant workers who do not hold valid permits can access the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, in view of a recent court case which found the definition of civil proceedings in one particular case excluded the findings of the WRC and Labour Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17234/20]
View answerEmployment rights are largely created by statute. The scope of such statutes extends to ‘workers’ who have valid contracts of employment with an employer.
The current legal situation is that non-EEA persons who do not have an entitlement to work in this jurisdiction, i.e. they do not hold a valid employment permit or a residency visa which allows for work in limited circumstances, must rely on the ordinary courts for contract enforcement matters. Section 2B of the Employment Permits Acts 2003-2014 provides for a common law remedy for situations whereby, legally speaking, there is no enforceable contract between the employer and the employee.
The WRC and the Labour Court are quasi-judicial bodies. They must act strictly within the statutory functions that have been prescribed to them by the Oireachtas. The jurisdiction in relation to employment rights relates to matters where there is a valid contract only. To extend this jurisdiction of such bodies without careful consideration could result in such bodies acting “in the administration of justice”, a function exclusively assigned to the ordinary courts.
73. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff to be appointed to the policy and programme implementation unit of his Department; if the staff will be redeployed from within the civil service; and if new hires, the number. [17266/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out a number of reforms to be implemented in order to ensure openness and constructive cooperation within government. These include the establishment of an Office of the Tánaiste and an Office of the Leader of the Green Party within the Department of the Taoiseach, located in Government Buildings. The Office of the Tánaiste will consist of a private office and a policy and programme implementation unit.
The purpose of these offices is to support both the Tánaiste and the Leader of the Green Party in the coordination and implementation of policy within Government. In particular, the policy and programme implementation unit will assist the Tánaiste in work relating to Cabinet, Cabinet Committees and oversight of the implementation of the Programme for Government. The details of the roles and staffing of these offices, has to date not been finalised. As of today, three Civil Servants have been redeployed from within the Department of Taoiseach to the Tánaiste Private Office. Appointments to these offices will be made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and will be published in due course.
74. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the special advisers he has appointed to his Department and his office established within the Department of An Taoiseach; and the public sector salary grade applied to each. [17268/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval.
It should be noted that the appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
75. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the aides-de-camp appointed to the Office of the Tánaiste from 2007 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form.. [17270/20]
View answerAs a constitutional appointment as Tánaiste I am required to act in place of the Taoiseach during his temporary absence.
Under the Partnership Government, there is a plan in place to facilitate a rotating Taoiseach. The current Taoiseach will become Tánaiste and vice versa. Furthermore, the Taoiseach and I as Tánaiste will both be conducting a number of public roles including State occasions.
Consequently I will retain an aide-de-camp in order to fulfil the greater level of representation at public functions and other duties. The aide-de-camp will be a serving officer of the Permanent Defence Force and will hold the rank of Captain. The appointment will be made from within the existing establishment for Officers of that rank and will incur no extra cost.
The proposed tenure of this position will be for the duration of this Government.
Having consulted with the Department of Defence I understand that aide-de-camp appointments have not been made by previous Tánaistí including during the period in question.
76. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received to date by county for the restart grant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17322/20]
View answer77. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding issued to individual businesses for the restart grant by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17325/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together.
The Restart Grant scheme is just one part of the wider €12bn suite of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs. This package is a significant step-up in assistance available for all businesses in all sectors at this very difficult time. The measures have been developed to meet the varying needs of Irish enterprise and they are very specifically targeted by size, sector and need and are targeted at vulnerable but viable companies.
As of 17 July 2020, the Restart Grant scheme has received a total of 42, 766 applications across 31 local authorities nationwide. A total sum of €115,271,677 has been disbursed to businesses, with a further €12,761,690 approved and pending payment.
The table below contains the specific breakdown as requested by the Deputy:
|
LOCAL AUTHORITY |
NUMBER APPLICATIONS PAID |
TOTAL NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS |
VALUE APPLICATIONS PAID € |
TOTAL VALUE APPLICATIONS € |
|
Carlow |
315 |
499 |
€1,247,279 |
€1,814,506 |
|
Cavan |
439 |
790 |
€1,429,119 |
€2,297,371 |
|
Clare |
869 |
1172 |
€3,182,960 |
€3,721,974 |
|
Cork City |
1137 |
2606 |
€5,446,712 |
€9,914,778 |
|
Cork County |
1740 |
3026 |
€5,983,527 |
€9,514,201 |
|
Donegal |
836 |
1560 |
€3,406,808 |
€4,729,208 |
|
Dublin City |
2671 |
5166 |
€14,261,525 |
€19,901,191 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
386 |
1237 |
€2,147,513 |
€6,053,954 |
|
Fingal |
1112 |
1661 |
€5,642,285 |
€7,158,913 |
|
Galway City |
937 |
1210 |
€4,802,949 |
€4,981,761 |
|
Galway County |
1109 |
1609 |
€3,803,567 |
€3,995,786 |
|
Kerry |
1223 |
1877 |
€4,935,190 |
€6,064,198 |
|
Kildare |
1013 |
1253 |
€4,372,570 |
€4,735,863 |
|
Kilkenny |
709 |
920 |
€2,566,843 |
€2,887,507 |
|
Laois |
369 |
497 |
€1,228,491 |
€1,463,468 |
|
Leitrim |
307 |
352 |
€874,850 |
€907,672 |
|
Limerick |
1400 |
1760 |
€5,913,865 |
€6,530,346 |
|
Longford |
383 |
467 |
€1,204,907 |
€1,390,999 |
|
Louth |
795 |
1454 |
€3,502,208 |
€4,594,068 |
|
Mayo |
1338 |
1589 |
€4,573,808 |
€4,937,232 |
|
Meath |
1130 |
1276 |
€4,345,982 |
€4,591,254 |
|
Monaghan |
670 |
750 |
€2,234,692 |
€2,376,277 |
|
Offaly |
455 |
631 |
€1,448,335 |
€1,802,006 |
|
Roscommon |
477 |
512 |
€1,524,171 |
€1,606,254 |
|
Sligo |
540 |
605 |
€1,896,425 |
€2,050,327 |
|
South Dublin |
821 |
1894 |
€4,688,759 |
€6,555,148 |
|
Tipperary |
1320 |
1674 |
€4,249,414 |
€5,107,078 |
|
Waterford |
820 |
1120 |
€3,398,421 |
€3,976,670 |
|
Westmeath |
767 |
876 |
€2,560,286 |
€2,773,094 |
|
Wexford |
1375 |
1600 |
€5,314,889 |
€5,712,292 |
|
Wicklow |
821 |
1123 |
€3,083,327 |
€3,832,959 |
|
GRAND TOTALS |
28,284 |
42,766 |
€115,271,677 |
€147,978,355 |
78. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funds received by a company (details supplied) from the enterprise agencies under his remit in 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17421/20]
View answerEnterprise Ireland is an agency of my Department with responsibility for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. It provides a particular suite of supports aimed at developing High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Companies with the potential to develop an innovative product or service for sale on international markets and the potential to create 10 jobs and €1m in sales within 3 years of starting up.
Xerotech is an Enterprise Ireland HPSU client company and is an exciting new electric vehicle battery technology company in Galway. The core technology underpinning Xerotech’s products is a thermal management system for batteries in electrical vehicles and other sectors utilising rechargeable Li-Ion battery packs, such as robotics.
Enterprise Ireland has paid €518,035 to Xerotech Ltd in 2019 and in 2020 to date.
79. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the eligibility terms and conditions applicable for businesses that apply from 7 April to 30 September 2020 in relation to the local enterprise office trading online voucher scheme. [17064/20]
View answerThe Trading Online Voucher Scheme is managed by my Department and delivered nationwide in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Enterprise Ireland, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices and Údarás na Gaeltachta. The Scheme offers advice and peer-to-peer support and a grant of up to €2,500 to help small and micro-businesses to develop their ecommerce capability.
The Scheme was launched nationally in mid-2014. By end 2019, some 6,400 small and micro businesses had completed, or were in the process of completing their trading online projects. In addition, 19,000 or so business owners-managers had benefitted from advice and peer-to-peer support through their participation in the information seminars delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices under the Scheme.
In response to Covid-19, funding for the Scheme in 2020 was increased from €2.3m to €19.8m, and new flexibilities were introduced including reducing the requirement for co-funding from 50% to 10% and allowing businesses to apply for a second voucher of up to €2,500 where they have successfully utilised their first one.
Small and micro-businesses with the following profile are eligible to apply for a voucher under the Scheme:
- Limited or no Online Trading presence;
- 10 or less employees;
- Turnover less than €2m;
- The applicant business has been trading for at least 6 months; and
- The applicant business is located in the area covered by the LEO to whom they make their application
The principal terms of the Scheme are as follows:
- Vouchers will be available to a maximum value of €2,500 or 90% of eligible costs, whichever is the lesser;
- Voucher approval must be gained prior to incurring any cost;
- Only third party costs will be considered;
- Claims can be made in either one or two instalments, and only made in respect of actual work completed;
- All applications must be accompanied by quotes from three suppliers for the project.
Vouchers can be used for:
- IT consultation;
- Development or upgrade of an e-commerce website;
- Implementing Online payments or booking systems;
- Purchase of Internet related software;
- Developing an app or multiplatform webpages;
- Development of a digital marketing strategy;
- Implementing a digital marketing strategy;
- Skills development specifically to establish and manage an online trading activity;
- Subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions, which would allow applicants to quickly establish a retailing presence online;
- Limited purchase of online advertising; and
- Limited purchase of professional photography.
Selection of successful applicants is based on the following criteria:
- Eligibility for scheme;
- Value added potential;
- Export potential;
- Job creation potential;
- How will the project aid the business during the COVID-19 Pandemic; and
- Financial sustainability.
The following are ineligible under the Scheme:
- Companies with charitable status, commercial semi-state companies, trade associations and company representation bodies;
- “Not for profit” and social entrepreneurship applicants unless they operate in a commercial domain;
- Professional services specialising in IT type services who are already capable of trading online using existing in-house systems;
- Conferences and Seminars;
- Projects which are contrary to public policy;
- Duplication of support for projects which would be eligible for assistance from other State Agencies or EU funded Operational Programmes;
- Projects deemed to be capable of proceeding in any event without Scheme assistance;
- Projects essentially comprising importation and distribution; and
- Development of brochure websites.
80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide figures as to the current eel population here; the number that are killed annually by county, in tabular form: if he will review the current outright ban on eel fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17170/20]
View answer81. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of eel fishing here; if he will provide details of the eel management plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17171/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together.
Following a comprehensive public consultation process, Ireland introduced its Eel Management Plan (EMP), which was approved by the European Commission under EU Regulation 1100/2007 in 2009. In setting out its EMP, Ireland followed the objective of the Regulation to ensure that escapement of eels to the sea should be at 40% relative to “pristine conditions” (those pertaining in the early 1980s).
The measures in the EMP include closure of the eel fishery and the internal market. In accordance with the EU Regulation, the plan and its measures have already been comprehensively reviewed in 2012, 2015 and 2018 when further public consultation was undertaken. All three reports are available on the website of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) www.fisheriesireland.ie. Further reviews will be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Regulation.
Taken cumulatively over the period 2009-2018, the reports indicate a relatively positive impact on stocks of both silver and yellow eels in the early part of the period but a continued decline by the time of the 2018 report. However, given the very long maturation period of each generation of eels in Irish waters, the impact of the very low annual recruitment of juvenile eels for more than 25 years means that recovery of the stock will only be sustained over the long term by commitment to consistent and equally long term management measures. The European eel is a panmithic stock - a single stock across the entire continent - which spawns in the Sargasso Sea before arriving into European rivers and lakes. Its distribution, including into Ireland, is naturally random.
The species is on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (ICUN) red list of endangered species. The very latest advice is that anthropogenic mortality should be kept at zero or as close to zero as possible. In line with international scientific advice the fishery in Ireland remains closed and there is a prohibition in legislation on issuing licences. No harvest of eels permitted and I have no plans to change this position.
82. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of advisers and special advisers appointed by him since becoming Minister; the starting annual salary of each person appointed by him; if an open interview process was conducted for each appointee; the duration and terms of each contract issued to each adviser and special adviser; and if an advisory role has been split to facilitate job sharing, in tabular form. [16558/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval.
It should be noted that the appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned John McDonald; Paul Kenny, and Margaret Ward to work with me as Special Advisers and that they will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
83. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost in 2021 if the budget for the electric vehicle home charger grant scheme is increased by 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16612/20]
View answerThe Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant scheme supports the cost of installing a home charger up to a maximum of €600 for buyers of both new and second-hand EVs. As part of Budget 2020, €4 million was allocated to the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant Scheme. If this allocation were to be increased by 20% in Budget 2021, the cost of the scheme would be €4.8 million. The issue of future funding will be considered as part of the Estimates 2021 process.
84. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the introduction of a deposit and return scheme to encourage persons to return plastic and glass bottles to shops or commercial companies in order to reduce waste, increase reuse of plastics and glass and promote the circular economy. [16628/20]
View answer87. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a refundable deposit scheme for purchases of plastic bottles to encourage recycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16737/20]
View answer94. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a deposit and return scheme for beverage containers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16939/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 87 and 94 together.
I am determined to reduce the excessive use of plastics in Ireland and to increase general recycling rates to ensure we meet or exceed all EU targets. I will shortly be bringing forward an ambitious new Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy which will include a range of specific measures to reform and strengthen how we manage our waste with particular emphasis on single use plastics and packaging. The Action Plan will set out a clear roadmap for the introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, in line with the commitment set out in the Programme for Government. As a first step in this process I will initiate a public consultation on design options for a Deposit and Return Scheme in the Autumn.
85. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is committed to an annual public service obligation for the post office network; if he will include same in Budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16675/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government recognises that a modernised post office network will provide a better range of financial services and e-commerce services for citizens and enterprise, as part of our commitment to a sustainable nationwide post office network.
Government remains fully committed to a sustainable post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure in both rural and urban areas. An Post's social value has been particularly evident during the current Covid crisis.
In response to the structural challenges facing the postal sector generally and An Post, the company put in place a Strategic Plan for the medium-long term future of the company. The Plan covers the period 2017 – 2021. In order to implement the Plan, the cost of which was estimated to be in the region of €150m, the Minister for Finance provided a loan of €30m to the company in December 2017 to support the renewal of the post office network (€15m) and the continued fulfilment of a 5 day per week mails delivery service (€15m). An Post is continuing to undergo vital transformation as part of the delivery of this plan.
The issue of introducing a Public Service Obligation (PSO) has been raised previously but it is longstanding Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by Government. Successive Governments have also held this view.
86. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of planned changes which he is preparing with regard to the SEAI scheme for those in receipt of a fuel allowance payment. [16719/20]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The Warmer Homes Scheme budget allocation for 2020 is €52.8 million - a record level of funding for this scheme.
The Climate Action Plan commits to reviewing ways to better target current energy poverty schemes, such as the Warmer Homes Scheme, to those most in need. Recommendations in relation to the implementation of changes to the scheme will be finalised shortly.
More generally the Programme for Government commits to assigning some of the increased carbon tax receipts over the next decade to the establishment of a €5 billion fund for a socially progressive national retrofitting programme targeting all homes but with a particular emphasis on the Midlands region and on social and low-income tenancies.
88. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 931 of 20 May 2020, if the total of €40,427,264, including VAT, referred to includes internal staff costs or just external costs. [16744/20]
View answerThe figure of €40,427,264 including VAT referred to in my reply to the Parliamentary Question relates to expenditure on specialist external adviser firms on the NBP over the past five years and the first payment to National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under the NBP contract.
The figure does not include the cost of Department staff working on the project. My Department publishes salary and other administration related costs for the Department, on a programme basis, in the annual Estimates and in the Appropriation Account.
