Written Answers Nos. 216-234
216. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to develop remote working opportunities further and improve the facilities and conditions to encourage remote working, especially in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32709/20]
View answerAs our country continues to navigate Covid-19, remote working has become more important than ever before. This is reflected in the Programme for Government, which contains commitments aimed at facilitating remote work across Ireland in recognition that remote work can provide benefits in terms of regional development, climate action and work-life balance.
In July, my Department launched a public consultation on guidance for remote work. We received 522 submissions from employers, employees, representative bodies and special interest groups. Based on the analysis of the submissions, my Department is using the insights garnered to enhance and refine further current remote working guidance. The Department’s guidance webpage will be updated regularly to reflect any changes made in response to the consultation, with the first update before the end of this year.
A key commitment in the Programme for Government is the development of a Remote Work Strategy. My Department is committed to publish this before the end of the year. Work is currently taking place under the guidance of an Interdepartmental Group. The strategy will consider what changes are needed to develop an environment that encourages remote working solutions.
In terms of facilities, there are a broad range of digital hubs currently operating across Ireland. These hubs provide diversity in the capacity, scale of facilities and services they offer. The Western Development Commission (WDC) has mapped over 100 of these hubs within the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) region with the objective of developing these hubs into a cohesive network of facilities.
My Department is represented on an Interdepartmental Working Group on hubs, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD). This Group has been convened to investigate the feasibility of mapping and developing a national network of remote working facilities, based on the model of the AEC region.
An additional €5 million has been allocated to the Department of Rural and Community Development in Budget 2021 to support the development of this national hubs network as well as to upgrade the existing facilities throughout the country.
Through these initiatives, the Government is striving to develop a landscape in which employers and employees can reap the potential benefits remote work has to offer.
217. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is funding for chambers of commerce or tourism to avail of for website or App development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32732/20]
View answerThe Chambers of Commerce cooperate with various local and regional stakeholders, including the Local Enterprise Offices, with a view to developing and sustaining enterprises and business. As business representative organisations, they are funded by their membership through subscriptions and the running of various business events. In that context, my Department supports individual enterprises through funding available through its development agencies, including retailers through the on-line retail Scheme and microenterprises through the trading on-line voucher Scheme. It would not, however, be appropriate to directly fund business representative organisations such as Chambers of Commerce. My colleague, the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin TD, is best placed to provide the detail on the range of supports available to the tourism sector.
218. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports in place for sole traders and small businesses that closed due to the new restrictions yet have to pay rent and bills to ensure they have a business to reopen once restrictions are lifted. [32735/20]
View answerI am keenly aware that businesses are making a massive sacrifice to protect their communities and I am committed to ensuring that the Government will offer as much assistance and support as possible. My Department has worked to ensure that appropriate supports are in place for businesses that require finance as they develop their response to their exposure to impacts arising from COVID-19. The uptake of these supports has been robust and indicates that businesses are taking action in response to this period of disruption.
Budget 2021 provides a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors. The measures in the Budget are in addition to those announced in the July Stimulus, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Restart Grant Plus, cash for businesses, low cost loans, commercial rates waivers and deferred tax liabilities. Details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes are available on my Department’s website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
As part of Budget 2021, the new Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), is now operational through Revenue and offers a targeted, timely and temporary sector-specific support to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID of up to €5,000 per week.
As a result of the fact that businesses have to close, we are making changes to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the EWSS. The new payment structure for the PUP includes the increase in the top rate to €350 for those who were earning in excess of €400 per week. This change to payment rates will apply in respect of all existing and new applicants.
The EWSS is also being amended to align with the amendment to PUP, with the top payment increasing to €350 for those earning over €400.
Under the enhanced Restart Grant Plus Scheme, which was open for applications up to 31st October, business remaining closed and planning re-opening could receive a minimum of €5,600 and a maximum of €35,000, which could be used to help additional expense and adaptions associated with re-opening.
We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme. I announced the reopening of MFI lending on 31st August and I launched the €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme on 7th September.
We have also announced a six-month reduction in the VAT, going down from 23% to 21%, a reduction in the 13.5% VAT rate to 9% which will benefit the hospitality sector, together with a range of additional public capital investment measures to support the domestic economy.
These supports are supplementary to the wide range of existing loan and voucher schemes available to assist businesses affected by COVID-19 provided through the July Jobs Stimulus and other Government initiatives.
219. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a person who lives further than 5 km from his or her work is allowed to travel to his or her business for the purpose of packing orders for online sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32741/20]
View answerUnder Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19, only essential retail outlets will remain open.
S.I. No. 448 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020 clearly sets out the temporary restrictions under Level 5.
A list of essential retail outlets at Level 5 can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-5.
This includes "Any other retail outlet that operates an online or other remote system of ordering goods for purposes of collection at the retail outlet."
So yes a worker can attend work outside of the 5 km limit to pack orders for collection or delivery. You should note that taking orders and other administrative tasks in relation to this business should be undertaken from home.
It is important to check gov.ie for the latest information, public health advice and guidelines from Government in relation to COVID-19.
220. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason it was stated that travel agents qualify under the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, scheme when it was subsequently stated that they are not included. [32785/20]
View answerAs part of Budget 2021, the New Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), is now operational through Revenue and offers a targeted, timely and temporary sector-specific support to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID of up to €5,000 per week. My colleague the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe T.D. is best placed to provide further detail on the Scheme.
221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a business (details supplied) which is currently unable to operate as a restaurant due to Covid-19 restrictions, is able to function as a wedding venue and accommodate up to 25 persons as per current regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32811/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 is a cross-government approach to managing and living with the pandemic over the next 6 – 9 months. The Government decided that, from midnight on Wednesday 21st October, the entire country would be placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID with a small number of exceptions.
This action was based on current public health advice, the deteriorating situation with the disease across the country and the Government’s objectives to support families by keeping schools and childcare facilities open, maintaining non-Covid health services and protecting the vulnerable. Essential retail and essential services will remain open.
Wedding receptions are permitted in restaurants and wedding guidelines can be found here: https://covid19.failteireland.ie/industry-updates/government-update-on-wedding-guidelines-october-21-2020/.
Guidance published by the Department of the Taoiseach on what comprises Essential Services can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/.
Physical attendance at workplaces is only permitted for those providing essential services where such services can only be provided in person and cannot be delivered remotely.
Essential purposes for travel (permitted outside 5 km limit) includes travel to and from work, where work involves providing an essential service.
222. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of progress to introduce a right to disconnect in 2020; the level of engagement he has had with the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, regarding its role in drawing up a code on the right to disconnect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32928/20]
View answerThe Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of electronic communications to the success of many businesses and organisations. The use of mobile technology has enabled many workers to remain connected and in employment, and those who can work from home have been encouraged to do so.
However, a long-acknowledged, potential downside to the use of mobile and other electronic communication devices is the expectation that workers are always ‘switched on’.
Ireland already has a comprehensive body of employment legislation, including the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which sets out maximum working time and minimum rest periods for employees. Apart from a few limited exceptions, the terms of the Act apply to all employees, regardless of whether they are based in an office or working remotely. The Act places an obligation on employers to ensure that their employees take regular rest breaks and do not work excessive hours. Under Section 25 of the Act an employer is required to keep records of the working time of their employees. These records are subject to inspection by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
The Government wants remote working to become part of the new normal. If done right, the benefits will be huge, however it is vitally important that the existing rights and entitlements that employees enjoy are maintained and that an appropriate work-life balance is struck.
As a response to Covid-19, a new web page was launched, dedicated to providing a central access point for all guidance for working remotely. It allows employers and employees to navigate the existing guidance and legislation relevant to remote working and provides information for people working from home.
The insights garnered from the recent public consultation on remote working will be used to enhance and further refine the current remote working guidance and the Remote Work Strategy which will be published before the end of the year. An Interdepartmental Strategy Group on Remote Working was convened by my Department in September 2020 and its work is progressing.
To complement the work of the new interdepartmental Strategy Group, and in line with the Programme for Government commitment, I will be asking the WRC to consider what can be done through the development of a new Code of Practice or set of guidelines to ensure that both employers and employees are aware of their existing requirements and entitlements, and understand them, as they relate to a right to disconnect, including in a remote work scenario.
224. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the establishment of sectoral task forces as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32951/20]
View answerWork is well advanced on developing our National Economic Plan which will set out our priorities and policy objectives for sustainable recovery post COVID-19. A key pillar of the plan will be to build resilience across our enterprises and sectors. This work is also an important opportunity to progress Programme for Government commitments including the establishment of sectoral task forces to focus on the specific needs of sectors.
I am currently chairing an SME Growth Taskforce, comprising over 20 entrepreneurs and business leaders, from a broad range of sectors, which will deliver an ambitious long-term strategic National SME Growth Plan. The Taskforce is served by four sub-groups focused on Entrepreneurship; Productivity, Digitalisation and Competitiveness; Internationalisation; and Clustering and Networks. We will hold another meeting of the Taskforce in November to finalise the Plan in advance of its publication later this year.
My colleague, Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media announced the establishment of the Taskforce for the recovery of the Arts and Culture sector in September. The Taskforce is currently finalising a suite of proposed recommendations to ensure the long-term sustainability and health of the sector which will also feed into the National Economic Plan.
The Tourism Recovery Plan 2020 - 2023 produced by the Tourism Recovery Taskforce in early October makes a number of recommendations, both to help ensure the survival of tourism businesses and jobs and also to help the sector to stabilise and recover in the years to come.
Recommendations from these groups will be brought forward in the context of the National Economic Plan.
225. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the expanded new role of the local enterprise offices as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32953/20]
View answerAs committed to in the Programme for Government, the SME Growth Taskforce has been working towards recommendations to design a National SME Growth Plan that will map out an ambitious long-term strategic blueprint for SMEs and entrepreneurs. The Task Force is also examining the recommendations of the 2019 OECD Report on entrepreneurship and SME policy in Ireland including the strategic framework and current delivery system for SME supports and entrepreneurship policy.
The Taskforce is composed of a broad range of business people with expertise in a range of sectors, as well as SME representative groups and other individuals uniquely positioned to contribute to a long-term vision for the SME sector and how best it can be supported by Government. The Taskforce deliberations include discussions about any steps that may be necessary to enhance and expand the role of the Local Enterprise Offices.
Ultimately, the overarching institutional framework in place for developing micro businesses and SMEs should underpin a benign environment for SMEs to start up, scale up, to access international markets and enable SMEs to become more productive and ready for the transition to a digital and green economy.
226. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to instances of non-essential outlets in shopping centres opening and trading under level 5 which will result in staff being unable to access the Covid-19 payment if the shop does not close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32955/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 is a cross-government approach to managing and living with the pandemic over the next 6 – 9 months. The Government decided that, from midnight on Wednesday 21st October, the entire country would be placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID with a small number of exceptions.
This action was based on current public health advice, the deteriorating situation with the disease across the country and the Government’s objectives to support families by keeping schools and childcare facilities open, maintaining non-COVID health services and protecting the vulnerable.
The Regulations which underpin Level 5 restrictions clearly set out what is essential retail and essential services. Guidelines on what comprises essential retail is set out here https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/.
Where businesses remain open to the public and are not so permitted under the regulations, those businesses are in breach of the regulations.
I am working with my colleagues across Government to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19. My colleague Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys T.D. would be best placed to provide more specific information in relation to access to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
227. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a special helpline will be set up for businesses to contact for clarification regarding lockdown restrictions and check the way in which they apply to their business in view of the fact that most businesses are having confusion interpreting the list of essential services on the www.gov.ie website. [32997/20]
View answerFollowing the advice of NPHET, the Government made the decision to move the entire country to Level 5 of the Framework for Living with COVID-19 for a period of six weeks. While essential retail and services including schools, early learning and childcare will remain open, all non-essential services must close. A comprehensive list of essential services can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/.
Businesses should carefully review the essential services list and determine whether they can operate or not under the current restrictions. It is not necessary for businesses to seek official authorisation.
In March, as a response to COVID-19 my Department established a dedicated Business Support Call Centre to assist businesses in identifying the relevant business supports for which they are eligible and directing businesses on how and where to access grants, loans, mentoring, training and advice provisions.
Since its establishment, the Call Centre has responded to over 10,400 phone calls and emails from businesses. The week ending 23rd October saw an increase in enquiries with over 650 queries received following the announced move to Level 5 restrictions with almost 300 of these calls relating to whether businesses can remain open or not at Level 5. The Call Centre team advise callers on where to find the relevant information on the Gov.ie website and provide up-to-date information on the enhanced financial measures that Government have put in place to assist businesses during Level 5 restrictions.
A full list of those measures is available on my Department's website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
My colleagues and I across Government will continue to review the situation over the period to determine the most appropriate point for exit from this level of restriction.
228. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if painters, decorators, plumbers, electricians and associated trades persons can continue to work under level 5 restrictions; the guidelines for these trades persons when working in individual homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33034/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 is a cross-government approach to managing and living with the pandemic over the next 6 – 9 months.
The Government decided that, from midnight on Wednesday 21st October, the entire country would be placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID with a small number of exceptions.
This action was based on current public health advice, the deteriorating situation with the disease across the country and the Government’s objectives to support families by keeping schools and childcare facilities open, maintaining non-Covid health services and protecting the vulnerable.
The regulations governing the restrictions under Level 5 classify the following as an essential service:
(a) construction or development work and the provision of support services relating to construction and development work;
(b) the repair, maintenance and construction of road, rail and utility infrastructure:
(c) the supply and delivery of maintenance and repair services to businesses and places of residence (including electrical, gas, oil, plumbing, glazing and roofing services)
Physical attendance at workplaces is only permitted for those providing essential services where such services can only be provided in person and cannot be delivered remotely.
Essential purposes for travel (permitted outside 5 km limit) includes travel to and from work, where work involves providing an essential service. Further information on essential services can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/#construction-and-development
All essential service providers carrying out work activities permitted under Level 5 restrictions should comply with all the current public health advice and recommendations in place regarding the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 and with the due regard to the Return to Work Safely Protocol. https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Return-to-Work-Safely-Protocol.pdf
229. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide details of fines, including the amounts, his Department or agencies under his remit, have paid since 1 January 2019 to European Commission relating to cases for infringements of EU law in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/20]
View answerMy Department and the agencies under its remit have not paid any fines to the European Commission in respect of infringements of EU law since 1 January 2019.
230. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33269/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is attached in tabular form below. All contract values are inclusive of VAT. The 2020 details relate to the period to the end of October 2020.
|
Date of Contract |
Company Awarded Contract |
Details of Contract |
Value of Contract € |
|
2019 |
Oracle EMEA |
(i) Oracle ACS Support for E-Business Suite for 2020 required in anticipation of Financial Management Shared Service project. (ii) Various annual licence support contracts. Only Oracle can provide the above. Original licence purchases were by way of competitive tender. |
3 contracts totalling €429,965 |
|
2019 |
Microsoft Ireland |
Microsoft Unified Support December 2019 to December 2020. This service is not provided by any other service providers. |
€82,585 |
|
2019 |
SWORD GROUP |
Maintenance contract for the PTOLEMY IP administration system used by the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland. PTOLEMY is a proprietary software developed by SWORD and therefore cannot be maintained or developed by a third party. Original system purchase was by way of competitive tender. |
€111,129 |
|
2019 |
Paul Martin |
Artwork and booklets for Free Trade Agreements |
€4,762 |
|
2019 |
Wilson Creative |
Animation for small and medium enterprises campaign |
€1,568 |
|
2019 |
Wordperfect Translation Services Ltd* |
Provision of interpretations at Labour Court hearings |
€11,937 |
|
2020 |
Evros Technology Group |
Critical and urgent purchase of laptops and remote devices to enable staff to work from home during COVID-19 lockdown/restrictions. Department of Finance Circular 40/02 procedures apply and were complied with. |
3 contracts totalling €152,805 |
|
2020 |
Oracle EMEA |
(i) Oracle ACS Support for E-Business Suite and Database 11 for 2021.Required in anticipation of Financial Management Shared Service project. (ii) Various annual licence supports. Only Oracle can provide this support. Original licence purchases were by way of competitive tender. |
€536,589 |
|
2020 |
Arkphire (formerly Zinopy) |
Citrix Remote access contract extended for one additional year due to importance of remote access during COVID-19 restrictions. Department of Finance Circular 40/02 procedures apply and were complied with. |
€50,000 |
|
2020 |
McCann FitzGerald Note: The awarding of the contract without undertaking a competitive process was in compliance with the OGP information note on ‘ COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Public Procurement’ |
Provision of Legal Advice for the negotiation and finalisation of the Funding Agreement between the European Investment Fund and DBEI. |
€24,600 |
|
2020 |
McCann FitzgeraldNote: The awarding of the contract without undertaking a competitive process was in compliance with the OGP information note on ‘ COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Public Procurement’ |
Legal services in respect of the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme |
€133,270 |
|
2020 |
SWORD GROUP |
Maintenance contract for the PTOLEMY IP administration system used by the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland. PTOLEMY is a proprietary software developed by SWORD and therefore cannot be maintained or developed by a third party. Original system purchase was by way of competitive tender. |
€139,181 |
|
2020 |
Wilson Creative |
Animation for Free Trade Agreements |
€3,376 |
|
2020 |
Wordperfect Translation Services Ltd* |
Provision of interpretations at Labour Court hearings |
€6,476 |
|
2020 |
Conor Feeney |
Legal Settlement of Safety, Health and Welfare (Construction)(Amendment) Regs 2020 |
€350 |
|
2020 |
Helen-Claire O’Hanlon |
Legal scrutiny and advices in respect of draft Regulations: (i) Dangerous Substances (Flammable Liquids and Fuels Retail Stores) Regulations 2019 (ii) Dangerous Substances (Flammable Liquids and Fuels Distribution and Commercial Supply Stores) Regulations, 2019. This contract was a follow on from a tender award to Ms. O’Hanlon from 2019. |
€830 |
|
2020 |
Donncha Ó Cróinín, Ling Language Technology |
Translation into Irish of Data Protection Return to Work Protocol by Ling language technology. This contract was awarded to Ling Tech as they had previously translated the Return to Work Safely Protocol following a tendering process. |
€135 |
|
2020 |
ESRI |
Review of Remuneration Levels for Employment Permits** |
€17,500 |
* The Labour Court occasionally provides, when necessary, language interpretation services to parties involved in appeals and disputes before the Court. The Court, in early 2020, initiated a process to procure interpretation services through competitive tendering. That procurement process has been temporarily suspended due to the administrative challenges imposed upon Court operations by public health guidelines in the context of the current global pandemic. The Court is committed to resuming the competitive procurement process as soon as is practicably possible.
** A request for tender was published in Quarter 4, 2019. Having received no tenders, under the Department of Finance Public Procurement Guidelines (para 6.13 (iv) b) Economic Migration Policy Unit undertook a ‘negotiated procedure without prior notification’ with the ESRI to establish workable parameters for the study, on foot of which a contract was signed.
231. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is a form of funding that can be applied for by a person that works as a personal trainer and that wishes to establish a gym in their home; if funding can be made available for construction or equipment of such a facility in view of the fact that their job is now threatened due to Covid-19 restrictions and they wish to establish their own business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33575/20]
View answerThe Local Enterprise Offices in each County are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance on financial and other assistance on starting or growing a business. They offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors for business expansion or which have the potential to develop their export potential.
The Local Enterprise Offices are not, however, mandated to provide direct grant-aid in areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services, construction or local building services due to the risk of displacing other similar businesses. In such cases, the Local Enterprise Offices offer ‘soft’ support in the form of training such as the "Start Your Own Business" course, a mentor to work with the business proposer or targeted programmes such as "Lean for Micro" (to help boost business productivity and competitiveness).
Anyone with a viable business proposal can also use the Local Enterprise Office to make an application to MicroFinance Ireland, which offers support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 to start-ups with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks. Successful applicants can avail of a more favourable interest rate from MFI if they make their application through the Local Enterprise Office. The Local Enterprise Offices also offer extensive management training programs, workshops and networking meet-ups which can now be applied for and accessed online.
233. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the most recent estimate undertaken by his Department on the impact of Brexit post-January 2021 on employment by sector and region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33655/20]
View answer234. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the analysis undertaken by his Department to date on the impact of Brexit post-January 2021 on youth unemployment; the specific measures being implemented to mitigate this impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33656/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.
My Department undertook an independent trade analysis study that was published in 2018 entitled "Strategic Implications for Ireland arising from changing EU-UK trading relations". This study examined the implications of Brexit for the Irish economy and trade, quantifying the impact of possible new barriers to trade which might emerge as a result of Brexit.
The study found that regardless of the scenario modelled, the Irish economy was still expected to record strong, positive growth out to 2030. Brexit would have a dampening impact, however, resulting in a lower growth rate than would otherwise have occurred.
The study provided analysis of the likely impact of Brexit on key sectors of the Irish economy. Five sectors were identified that account for 90% of the impact and these are: Agri-food, Pharma-chemicals, Electrical Machinery, Wholesale & Retail, and Air Transport.
The study also provided analysis of the likely impact of Brexit on employment. Significantly, in the model used in the study, the long run impact of Brexit on the labour market indicated that this would be employment neutral. This was based on the premise that changes in labour demand across sectors arising from Brexit would lead over the 10 year horizon of the study to redistribution of workers across sectors, with wages in each skills group adjusting in these sectors accordingly.
This analysis, which was subsequently updated earlier this year, examined the trade implications arising from the adoption in 2019 of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Revised Political Declaration (RPD) between the EU and the UK.
By its nature the 2018 study, and the latest iteration of that study, presents a broad trade analysis that concentrates on the long run economic context and potential employment impacts of different Brexit scenarios. It does not examine at a more granular level the economic impacts at sub-sector or regional level, or the employment impacts affecting different skill levels of the labour force.
The type of analysis that the deputy refers to is more likely to be found in publications by the Central Bank. In its latest bulletin in early October, the Central Bank highlights the divergence between the continuing strength of the economy's exporting sector, dominated by pharmaceuticals, and the downturn due to Covid-19 restrictions brought upon the labour intensive domestic sector that has shed jobs.
At national and regional level COVID-19 has obviously had a detrimental impact on levels of employment generally and, in particular on youth employment. This is further compounded with the onset of Brexit on 1 January next and I agree with the Deputy that this is a serious and ongoing concern. It is one that my colleague the Minister for Social Protection is engaged with and is actively looking at ways to mitigate the worst effects of the pandemic and Brexit on the employment opportunities for our young people.
