Neale Richmond
Question:157. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach the status of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing. [34583/20]
View answerCommission on the Future of Policing
Questions (157)
Written answers
In September 2018, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) published its Report outlining a clear vision and roadmap for strengthening An Garda Síochána and the broader national framework for policing, security and community safety.
In December 2018, the Government approved A Policing Service for our Future as the Plan to implement the CoFPI Report. The Plan was developed in cooperation with stakeholders from across the public service and, in particular, with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána.
An Implementation Group on Policing Reform – with a former member of CoFPI as its independent Chair – has been established and has collective responsibility for the delivery of the Plan.
To help guide the work of the Implementation Group on Policing Reform and act as a clearing house where particular blockages are being experienced, a High Level Steering Board on Policing Reform – chaired by the Secretary General to the Government – has also been established.
The Policing Reform Implementation Programme Office – which is based in the Department of the Taoiseach – monitors progress on the Plan, supports the work of the Implementation Group on Policing Reform, and keeps the High Level Steering Board on Policing Reform and Government apprised of the progress being made.
The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality provides requisite political oversight of implementation of the Plan.
A Policing Service for our Future is a living document which is reviewed and updated, as required, to maintain ambitious but realistic commitments, timeframes and milestones.
A Policing Service for our Future is broken down in to four stages of implementation, namely:
1. The Building Blocks Phase (6 months’ duration);
2. The Launching Phase (6 months’ duration);
3. The Scaling Phase (18 months’ duration); and
4. The Consolidation Phase (12 – 18 months’ duration currently envisaged).
The Building Blocks and Launching Phases have been completed and some of the highlights in terms of achievements include.
- The roll-out of a new Operating Model for An Garda Síochána, designed to streamline Garda administration and to provide a more visible, responsive and localised policing service to communities nationwide, has commenced;
- An Garda Síochána has established and strengthened resourcing of a Human Rights Unit and re-established the Strategic Human Rights Advisory Committee;
- The National Security Analysis Centre (NSAC) has been established and the Director of NSAC appointed; and
- The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2019 has been enacted which gives Gardaí access to the Workplace Relations Commission for the first time and provides for a modern industrial relations framework within An Garda Síochána.
There has also been progress on legislative reform, in particular, legislation is being drafted relating to:
- the use of recording devices (including body worn cameras);
-the codification of legislation defining police powers of arrest, search and detention; and
- a new coherent framework for the governance and oversight of An Garda Síochána.
Progress in 2020 has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I have been encouraged to see the responsiveness and flexibility shown by An Garda Síochána in dealing with the demands of this unprecedented situation. The Implementation Group on Policing Reform has been actively engaged with key stakeholders to ensure continued momentum on reform, in so far as possible, under the current circumstances.
The third phase of A Policing Service for our Future – the Scaling Phase – has now commenced. This is the critical phase of the programme of reform, during which the programme gains momentum. The delivery of the majority of the actions will be started or executed during the Scaling Phase.
Further information on progress and updates on the implementation of A Policing Service for our Future can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/065724-policing-reform/.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (158)
Mick Barry
Question:158. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with education will next meet. [35075/20]
View answerWritten answers
The first meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Education is scheduled to take place this month.
However there have been a number of meetings held between my Department and Department officials in the Department of Education since August.
Tribunals of Inquiry
Questions (159)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:159. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Taoiseach the status of the Moriarty tribunal; when it will deliver an updated report; and when it will conclude its work. [34516/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Moriarty Tribunal was established in 1997 and published its final report in March 2011. Following publication of that Report, the Tribunal’s team was substantially reduced and a small legal and administrative staff remains in place.
The determination by the Court of Appeal in relation to one of the last remaining sets of legal proceedings taken against the Tribunal took place in 2018. Following the judgement in those proceedings it has been necessary for the Tribunal to give further consideration to certain aspects of the very few remaining applications for costs which the Sole Member is undertaking at present.
The Tribunal continues with wind down and deconstruction, arrangements have been made for proper storage and archiving of files. This process is ongoing at present and a significant portion of this aspect has been concluded in recent months. It is expected that all matters concerning those remaining costs applications will be concluded by early next year.
Central Statistics Office
Questions (160)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:160. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if the Central Statistics Office field staff will be temporarily redeployed on a part-time basis to conduct contact tracing as they cannot undertake their contracted duties in full during the current public health restrictions. [34529/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Central Statistics Office employs 86 permanent and around 40 temporary backup interviewers. The main role of the field force is to collect survey data from households throughout the country to fulfil a range of national data needs and EU regulations. These surveys include the Labour Force Survey (LFS) which is used to compile a number of key economic indicators of employment, unemployment and other characteristics of the labour market, the Survey of Income and Living Conditions (SILC), which is the source of official statistics on household income, poverty and deprivation.
Prior to the introduction of Covid 19 restrictions in March 2020, the interviewers called to dwellings and invited the householders to participate in the CSO surveys. Now they issue an invitation to take part letter followed by a phone call. Face to face interviewing has been suspended since March and the CSO interviewers are now conducting the main household surveys using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) from their homes.
The data compiled from these surveys provide an essential input to government for policy and decision making especially during the Covid crisis. There is a continuous demand for timely data to assess the impact of the crisis on society and the economy. The CSO interviewers are responsible for the collection of the survey data.
The CSO has recently worked with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on a Retrospective Contact Tracing Project. In addition to providing the IT platform for the survey and specialist expertise the CSO has also offered to provide a number of backup interviewers to conduct the telephone inquiries.
In March the CSO provided around 60 office based staff who were trained by the HSE to assist with contact tracing. The HSE didn’t use this team of people at that time and they have subsequently returned to their normal duties.
Freedom of Information
Questions (161)
Neale Richmond
Question:161. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach the number of freedom of information requests received by Departments in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020. [34588/20]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Number of FOI Requests Received |
|
2015 |
290 |
|
2016 |
275 |
|
2017 |
344 |
|
2018 |
490 |
|
2019 |
489 |
|
2020 |
266 (to end October) |
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (162)
Richard Bruton
Question:162. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if self-employed persons aged 66 and over can qualify for the restart grant to ensure that there is no discrimination between such business operators on age grounds. [34639/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Restart Plus Grant scheme was launched on 10th August 2020 from the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus. The scheme was designed primarily to help businesses that have not reopened yet and those struggling to do so. The Government carefully assessed the immediate needs of businesses and responded with a package of scale and speed to meet their most crucial needs. The eligibility criteria were carefully devised to ensure that as many businesses as possible could access the scheme.
To qualify for the scheme, enterprises must have 250 employees or less; turnover of less than €100,000 per employee; and reduced turnover by 25% as a result of COVID-19. There is no age restriction associated with the eligibility criteria.
The Restart Grant Plus scheme closed as of 31st October 2020. The COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners is now in place.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (163)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:163. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he put in place the option of redundancy to be made available to all employees in circumstances in which no definitive time frame can be put in place for them to return to work on a permanent basis such as in the wet pub industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34650/20]
View answerWritten answers
In March 2020 the Government introduced an emergency amendment to the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 which effectively suspends an employee’s entitlement to claim redundancy from their employer following certain periods of lay-off or short-time work due to Covid-19. The Government was concerned that the financial impact of significant redundancy claims at this time would have a serious impact on the potential for businesses, and the economy as a whole, to recover which in turn could result in significant insolvency and bankruptcy situations, with further permanent job losses.
The decision to extend the emergency measure to 30th November was a difficult one. I know many employees are experiencing great uncertainty but the Government had to consider the need to ensure businesses survive, which in turn ensures further permanent job losses are avoided as much as possible.
The matter of a further extension is currently under consideration. In its deliberations the Government will have regard to the social partners’ views, the criteria and principles underpinning the emergency provision and the public health and labour market situations.
There is no provision to limit the application of the emergency measure to specific business sectors.
Enterprise Ireland
Questions (164)
Matt Shanahan
Question:164. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which he plans to increase investment and private risk capital access for domestic enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34668/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has a long-term involvement in the Seed and Venture Market in Ireland, bringing investment to Irish businesses and helping them start and scale. Enterprise Ireland (EI) is the agency tasked with delivering the State’s Seed and Venture investments, which involves public funding being matched with private investment. These investments involve funding at different stages, from early stage through to growth capital. For those Irish businesses seeking investment on a larger scale (€10 million plus), the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), which is controlled by the National Treasury Management Agency, provides investment options.
Since 1994, EI has invested in four Seed & Venture Capital Schemes to ensure that there is an available and effective overall funding ecosystem and to address market failures in this area. EI has made commitments to venture funds of €513m under the four Schemes. In 2018, my predecessor, Heather Humphreys TD, announced a new Seed & Venture Capital Scheme with a further allocation of €175m to be committed over the lifetime of the Seed & Venture Capital Scheme (2019-24). A further €10 million was announced in the July Stimulus.
In Budget 2020, the Government announced an initial €30 million in funding, through ISIF, to develop an early stage seed and growth capital investment scheme, targeted at domestic, high innovation enterprises.
My Department is working with the Department of Finance, representatives from EI, ISIF, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund to develop a proposal to leverage further European capital and establish an equity fund using this €30 million.
I want to assure the Deputy that I and my Department are continuing to examine any potential avenues to make funding available to Irish firms seeking investment.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (165)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:165. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the recognition being given to food suppliers of restaurants, cafés and bars such as meat, fish and vegetable suppliers that have little or no outlets for their produce now; the support package available for these food suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34658/20]
View answerWritten answers
There is no doubt that our struggle with COVID – 19 and our battle to suppress this virus is having severe effect on certain business sectors and the food distribution and supply sectors in particular. We know the move to Level 5 will have a significant impact on food service businesses and their suppliers. Bord Bia is continuing to work with food producers and suppliers to diversify and to develop alternative routes to market.
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 Package, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Restart Grant Plus, cash for businesses, low cost loans and commercial rates waivers.
As a result of the fact that businesses have to close, we are making changes to the 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.
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.
We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme.
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.
Domestic Violence Policy
Questions (166)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:166. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has initiated the review by his Department into the provision of a statutory entitlement to domestic violence paid leave, as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34684/20]
View answerWritten answers
My colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has policy responsibility for maternity leave, parental leave, carer’s leave and force majeure leave. The issue of paid leave for victims of domestic violence would fall within this category of compassionate leave.
I understand that officials in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are developing a new National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender based violence and that an entitlement to leave for victims of domestic violence will be examined in this context.
Trade Missions
Questions (167)
Catherine Murphy
Question:167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of trade or related missions to Japan since 2016 in which at least one official or Minister from his Department attended. [34846/20]
View answerWritten answers
There have been three Ministerial led trade missions to Japan since 2016 as follows:
On 14-18 October 2019, the then Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Ms Heather Humphreys, T.D. led a Trade and Investment Mission to Japan.
On 27-29 September 2017, the then Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Ms Frances Fitzgerald, T.D. led a Trade and Investment Mission to Japan.
On 16-18 November 2016, the then Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ms Mary Mitchell O’Connor, T.D. led a Trade and Investment Mission to Japan.
Enterprise Ireland
Questions (168)
Catherine Murphy
Question:168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Enterprise Ireland plans to open a new office in Perth, Australia. [34847/20]
View answerWritten answers
Enterprise Ireland’s primary remit is the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. Working in partnership with client companies through a national network of 10 offices and 40 overseas offices, the agency assists Irish enterprise to start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets.
Enterprise Ireland has two physical presences in Australia. The agency’s headquarters is located in Sydney, with a secondary office in Melbourne. The EI Melbourne office opened in March 2019. Collectively, the agency has eight staff located across these two offices. Enterprise Ireland’s Market Advisors in Sydney and Melbourne manage specific industry sectors for the entirety of Australia and New Zealand.
There are no current plans to open an office in Perth. Enterprise Ireland previously had an office in Perth from June 2014-March 2016. This office was closed due to a lack of client activity. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work with clients and network locally to adapt to customer demand.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (169, 170)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:169. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the decision made regarding the operation of massage therapy under level 5 restrictions; if he will engage with a representative body (details supplied) to discuss its concerns regarding these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34883/20]
View answerMary Lou McDonald
Question:170. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the detail of the advice provided by NPHET regarding the operation of massage therapy under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34884/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland is currently at Level 5 of Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021 - the Plan for Living with COVID-19. At Level 5, only essential retail outlets and essential services are allowed to open to the public.
The list of essential services that can remain open during Level 5 includes therapy services provided by a member of a designated profession within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005). There are seventeen professions designated under the 2005 Act, which are encompassed in the list of essential services. These are: Dietitians, Dispensing Opticians, Medical Scientists, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Physiotherapists (which includes Physical Therapists), Radiographers, Radiation Therapists, Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Biochemists, Counsellors, Orthoptists, Podiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists and Social Care Workers.
I fully recognise the challenges business are facing right now but would emphasise that the purpose of these restrictions are to ensure that we reduce the spread of the virus so that we can, in the future, open business back up. Safely.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (171)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:171. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the Christmas tree industry and the current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35189/20]
View answerWritten answers
Under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19, only essential retail outlets will remain open.
The Regulations clearly set out the temporary restrictions and lists the essential services and essential retail outlets under Level 5.
Level 5 does not restrict people from purchasing any product. It does however, restrict people from physically going into non-essential stores. This is to stop people travelling out of their homes unnecessarily and so to limit the spread of the virus.
Mixed retailers have been asked to separate their stock and only sell the items that are essential. While Christmas trees can not be purchased physically in stores, customers can continue to purchase them via online or phone ordering and collection and delivery.
The measures are intended to encourage all of us to stay at home and shop local and to ensure fairness to those non-essential retailers who have had to close. I encourage people not to try to find ways around the regulations but to find ways to do the right thing.
The Government has already helped thousands of businesses, through the Trading Online Voucher Scheme, with 9,919 companies supported in 2020 and through our Online Retail Scheme, with 185 additional retailers supported this year.
I would like to thank retailers and their customers for their efforts at this difficult time. By each of us following the spirit of these new rules and working together we can hopefully return to a lower level of the Living with Covid-19 framework.
IDA Ireland
Questions (172)
Patricia Ryan
Question:172. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of new investment arising from IDA-sponsored enterprises in County Kildare in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35199/20]
View answerWritten answers
County Kildare continues to be a consistent performer in terms of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). There are a total of 30 IDA client companies in Kildare which employ 8,872 people. County Kildare has a strong contingent of overseas firms in the Technology, Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors with companies such as Pfizer, SGS, International Fund Services and KDP that continue to perform well.
IDA Ireland will continue to draw the attention of investors looking to locate or expand in County Kildare. As the Deputy may be aware, the Agency is authorised by my Department to provide a range of particular financial supports in the form of employment, capital, research and development, environmental and training grants. These grants represent an important means of encouraging companies to invest in Ireland, particularly to regional locations. From 2017 to 2019, IDA Ireland paid almost €4.2m in grants to client companies based in Kildare with over €2m paid out in 2019 alone.
The table below outlines new announcements from IDA client companies in County Kildare from 2015 to 2020.
|
Company |
Number of Jobs announced |
Year |
|
Simple But Needed |
20 |
2020 |
|
Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) |
50 |
2020 |
|
Init |
20 |
2018 |
|
Endress & Hauser |
20 |
2016 |
Enterprise Ireland
Questions (173)
Patricia Ryan
Question:173. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of new investment arising from Enterprise Ireland grant-aided enterprises in County Kildare in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35201/20]
View answerWritten answers
Supporting balanced regional development is a core goal of Enterprise Ireland. In 2019, EI client companies reported a record high of 221,895 people in employment. 16,971 new jobs were created, presenting a net gain of 4,706 new jobs when losses are taken into account. 65 per cent of this employment is located outside of Dublin. In 2019, 9,301 people were employed in the 194 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Kildare. In January 2020, Sallins based company Odyssey VC announced that it is to create 100 jobs.
In the period 2015-2019, Enterprise Ireland paid €22.4 million to manufacturing and internationally traded services clients in Co. Kildare to build scale, innovate and expand reach. These are key attributes required to be resilient to economic shocks. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the agency’s overall engagement with client companies, the agency is working with companies in Co. Kildare to help them stabilise their business, thereby enabling them to undertake a development programme focused on recovery and growth. In addition, the agency is actively working with client companies to ensure they are prepared for a no deal Brexit.
The following two Tables illustrate the numbers employed in EI client companies in County Kildare and grant payments to EI client companies.
Numbers employed in Enterprise Ireland client companies based in Co. Kildare
|
Co. Kildare |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
No. of client companies |
174 |
182 |
192 |
194 |
194 |
|
Total Jobs (PFT & Other) |
8,308 |
8,632 |
9,134 |
8,931 |
9,301 |
Permanent Full Time (PFT)
Enterprise Ireland grant payments to client companies based in Co. Kildare
|
County |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Kildare |
€2,934,152 |
€5,618,547 |
€3,629,835 |
€4,215,790 |
€6,025,875.80 |
State Aid
Questions (174)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:174. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Government will make a submission to the EU Commission consultation on extending state aid exemptions currently in place, detailing the plans to make greater use of the flexibility that the exemptions allow. [30138/20]
View answerWritten answers
My officials participated in the consultation process on the proposed extension of the State aid Temporary Framework and made a submission supporting the extension and highlighting the importance of the flexibilities under the Framework to allow for existing schemes to be extended and new schemes to be developed.
I met with Executive Vice President Vestager, on 29th September and one of the items on our Agenda was the Temporary Framework. I again set out the importance of the extension and highlighted the twin challenges facing Ireland in the context of both COVID-19 and Brexit. I therefore strongly advised that the ongoing flexibility provided by the Temporary Framework is an absolute necessity to appropriately focus aid in a manner that it is most effective to support those enterprises impacted by the pandemic.
Subsequently, at a meeting with the Commission and Member States on 6th October, as part of the consultation process, my officials reiterated Ireland’s position.
I therefore very much welcomed the adoption of the extended Framework on 13th October 2020. The Framework will now run until 30th June 2020 and the Commission has agreed to review and examine the need to extend the Framework beyond that date before this extension runs out. The extended Framework also allows for additional flexibilities whereby schemes may now be put in place for uncovered fixed costs in the form of loans, grants and guarantees up to €3m per undertaking.
The prolongation of the Framework will allow Granting Authorities to extend existing schemes which will be facilitated by the Commission through a block extension of Irish schemes, thus making this process less onerous and more efficient.
The Framework will continue to operate alongside and in addition to existing State aid supports (i.e. De Minimis and GBER schemes). Work is ongoing across Government departments, including my own Department, to ensure that necessary schemes are in place to support enterprise through these uncertain times.
Ministerial Travel
Questions (175, 176)
Denis Naughten
Question:175. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will visit Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34521/20]
View answerDenis Naughten
Question:176. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to replace the job losses at a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34522/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
I was disappointed to learn of the decision by Aptar to close its facility in Ballinasloe. My primary concern, as I have said before, is for the workers and families who have been impacted by this decision. Many of these workers have been with the company for many years. The Government is doing everything it can to help them transition and find new employment opportunities.
Now that the decision has been taken to close the facility, the IDA is working closely with the company to market the plant to potential investors. The IDA has introduced a number of companies who are interested in the Ballinasloe facility to Aptar management team and has also arranged visits to the site. These discussions are ongoing. In the meantime, IDA Ireland continues to market the site to both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland clients.
The IDA is in regular contact with the company and I understand they spoke with management last Friday 6 November to discuss the winddown of the facility. I am told that there are currently 19 staff still employed at the site and that at least 60 former staff have already found similar employment in the region. The IDA Regional team has connected employees of Aptar with the local Intreo office as well as the Education and Training Board, Local Enterprise Office, Regional Skills Forum West and the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board.
While the announcement of job losses at Aptar is very disappointing, I want to assure you that the Government and its agencies are working to create employment opportunities in the West and across all of our regions. Just last week, I was happy to announce the creation of 200 new highly skilled jobs in Galway, which will be created by IDA client company, Diligent. However, I note the Deputy is keen to attract new investment to Ballinasloe in particular.
While the period ahead may prove challenging, securing new foreign direct investment for our regions is a priority for this Government.
Regional Enterprise Development Fund
Questions (177)
Catherine Connolly
Question:177. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 36 of 17 July 2020, the status of the promised review by Enterprise Ireland of the regional enterprise development fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35290/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), which is administered by Enterprise Ireland, was introduced to support the development and implementation of collaborative and innovative projects that can sustain and add to employment at county, regional and national level.
Over the last three years, Enterprise Ireland has approved funding to 68 projects across all regions under three calls of the REDF. The implementation of these project plans covers a three to five year period.
As previously advised, following the conclusion of the first two Calls under the REDF, in March 2019, my officials and officials from Enterprise Ireland reviewed the format and process of the Scheme and this informed some technical changes to the subsequent Third Call in June 2019.
Enterprise Ireland continues to work with each of the 68 projects approved under the REDF to assist them to achieve their ambitions of delivering regionally impactful projects for the benefit of enterprises/industry sectors in their regions. Each of the funded projects are subject to ongoing monitoring against agreed metrics and KPIs by Enterprise Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland formally reports to my Department on the progress of projects funded under the REDF through a National Oversight Group, comprising of officials from my Department and Enterprise Ireland. This Oversight Group meets on a quarterly basis and the next meeting is scheduled for later this month.
Enterprise Ireland has not yet undertaken a formal ex post review of the REDF, owing to the fact that as yet projects funded are currently in the various stages of implementation.
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement
Questions (178)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacant positions in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement as of 2 November 2020; the length of time each position has been vacant; the estimated cost of filling each of the posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35316/20]
View answerWritten answers
Since his appointment, the current Director has undertaken a significant restructuring of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) to better reflect the organisation’s needs in the context of both its strategic shift towards deploying resources towards more serious indications of wrongdoing and the increasingly complex environment within which the ODCE operates.
Establishing the ODCE as the Corporate Enforcement Agency will give the Director greater autonomy and flexibility in terms of the ability to recruit staff with the necessary skills mix and depth of experience and will provide the Director with greater flexibility to adapt if the workload expands.
Over recent years, a number of vacancies have arisen within the ODCE through a combination of retirement, promotion and transfer to other parts of the public service. In that context, the skill sets, competencies, roles and responsibilities associated with each vacant post have been reviewed and reconfigured by the Director to better reflect the organisation’s needs.
As of 2 November 2020 there are 37 serving staff (excluding Garda officers) in the ODCE and six vacancies.
- Two vacant positions at Clerical Officer level, one part time post, vacant since February 2020 just before the public health emergency occurred, for whom a comparative replacement is not yet available and one full time position, vacant since September 2020 which is due to be filled in November 2020. The salary scale in respect of a Clerical Officer is between €24,586 and €41,433.
- One vacant position at Higher Executive Officer level, vacant since January 2020 and for which replacement has been impacted by the currently public health emergency. The salary scale in respect of a Higher Executive Officer is between €49,845 and €64,818.
- Three vacancies at Forensic Accountant level, two of which are vacant since May 2019, and one since November 2019, all of which are due to be filled from the current recruitment process which is underway and led by the Public Appointments Service. The salary scale in respect of a Forensic Accountant is between €69,012 and €93,800.
The following revised reply was received on 20 November 2020.
Since his appointment, the current Director has undertaken a significant restructuring of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) to better reflect the organisation’s needs in the context of both its strategic shift towards deploying resources towards more serious indications of wrongdoing and the increasingly complex environment within which the ODCE operates.
Establishing the ODCE as the Corporate Enforcement Agency will give the Director greater autonomy and flexibility in terms of the ability to recruit staff with the necessary skills mix and depth of experience and will provide the Director with greater flexibility to adapt if the workload expands.
Over recent years, a number of vacancies have arisen within the ODCE through a combination of retirement, promotion and transfer to other parts of the public service. In that context, the skill sets, competencies, roles and responsibilities associated with each vacant post have been reviewed and reconfigured by the Director to better reflect the organisation’s needs.
As of 2 November 2020, there are 36 serving staff (excluding Garda officers) in the ODCE and six vacancies.
- Two vacant positions at Clerical Officer level, one part time post, vacant since February 2020 just before the public health emergency occurred, for whom a comparative replacement is not yet available and one full time position, vacant since September 2020 which is due to be filled in November 2020. The salary scale in respect of a Clerical Officer is between €24,586 and €41,433.
- One vacant position at Higher Executive Officer level, vacant since January 2020 and for which replacement has been impacted by the currently public health emergency. The salary scale in respect of a Higher Executive Officer is between €49,845 and €64,818.
- Three vacancies at Forensic Accountant level, two of which are vacant since May 2019, and one since November 2019, all of which are due to be filled from the current recruitment process which is underway and led by the Public Appointments Service. The salary scale in respect of a Forensic Accountant is between €69,012 and €93,800.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (179)
Neale Richmond
Question:179. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the regulations which will be in place for winter 2020-2021 for the harvesting and selling of real Christmas trees that can adhere to social distancing and hygiene regulations while operating outdoors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35345/20]
View answerWritten answers
Under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19, only essential retail outlets will remain open. I am not in a position yet to say what regulations will be in place for the winter 2020/2021 period.
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 of the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID. A list of essential services can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/ and the 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/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-4/.
Level 5 restricts people from physically going into non-essential stores in order to stop people congregating and browsing for non-essential goods, to limit the spread of the virus. All retailers – essential and non-essential, including those selling Christmas trees – can however continue to trade via ‘remote ordering’ and fulfil orders for all products including non-essential items, by online or by phone, for home delivery and for collection.
I and my colleague Minister of State English met with the Retail Forum members on 21 October to remind those in the retail sector, of the need for strict adherence to the public health guidelines during Level 5. Minister English met again with the Retail Forum members and major multiple grocery retailers on 28 October and retail Forum members and representatives of the retail grocery and distribution sector on 4 November to reinforce this message. Minister English is due to convene another meeting with representatives of the Retail Grocery and distribution sector this week.
I would like to thank retailers and their customers for their efforts at this difficult time. By each of us following the spirit of these new rules and working together we can hopefully return to a lower level of the Living with Covid-19 framework.
Foreign Direct Investment
Questions (180)
Bernard Durkan
Question:180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent of employment generating foreign direct investment in the past year; his expectations for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35398/20]
View answerWritten answers
IDA Ireland completed its five-year strategy in December 2019. Significant progress was made during this period in growing foreign direct investment jobs with total employment in multinationals standing at over 245,000 people, the highest in the history of IDA Ireland.
However, the arrival of COVID-19 in Ireland earlier this year has presented undeniable challenges to our ongoing efforts to sustain and grow FDI in Ireland. The introduction of travel restrictions around the world is already, for example, disrupting the typical way in which the IDA engages with investors, resulting in fewer numbers of site visits and client meetings. The pandemic has also impacted investor confidence and has likely caused some investment decisions to be delayed or postponed.
Notwithstanding these challenges, which are also faced by our competitor countries, IDA Ireland's results for the first six months of this year have demonstrated the resilience of our FDI base. The Agency has secured over 130 investments to date in 2020, which have the potential to create almost 10,000 jobs. Almost half of these new projects were secured for locations outside Dublin, with 53 investments from companies investing in Ireland for the first time.
I believe that these 2020 investments reflect our continuing attractiveness to overseas firms. Overseas companies continue, the evidence would suggest, to value our FDI strengths. These include our talented and flexible work-force, a track record as a successful home to global businesses and a hard-won reputation as a pro-enterprise jurisdiction. Our continued commitment to the European Union, the single market and Eurozone, as well as to free trade and multilateralism, are other key selling points that help us convince multinational companies to establish operations and create jobs here.
Looking to the future, we recognise that the global competition for FDI is intensifying and we are under no illusions that the time ahead will prove more challenging. We will have to fight, harder than ever before, for new investment projects and the jobs that go with them. This will include working with the IDA on the completion of a new strategy to guide the Agency's work in the time ahead.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (181)
Bernard Durkan
Question:181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of Covid-19-related supports to stabilise employment in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35399/20]
View answerWritten answers
The pandemic has caused untold damage to people's lives and livelihoods. I know that too many businesses have been severely impacted by the restrictions needed to ensure public health safety during the pandemic. Our response to COVID-19 will continue to assist those businesses affected.
Budget 2021 provides a significant additional package of tax and fiscal measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors.
These measures are in addition to the July Stimulus, which was a substantial financial package to stimulate our economy worth more than €5 billion, including €2 billion in loan guarantees for the new Credit Guarantee Scheme.
Budget 2021 is unprecedented in terms of its scale at almost €90 billion. Its purpose is to protect lives and livelihoods of everyone in the state.
In 2021, workers will see:1. No increases to income tax, USC or PRSI.2. A modest increase in the minimum wage.3. A reduction from 6 to 3 in waiting days for Illness Benefit (to be paid on day 4), which will help when it comes to introducing statutory sick pay next year.4. An extension of Parent’s Benefit by a further three weeks to 5 weeks, building on the work of the last government. 5. An increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit for the self-employed from €1,500 to €1,650. This will equalise it with the employee tax credit from this year. They will be able to warehouse their 2020 preliminary tax liability, which will help bring immediate relief.6. For the self-employed workers in receipt of PUP, they will now also be able earn up to €480 per month – or €120 a week - without losing access to the payment.
For Businesses, we have announced:1. A new COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). 2. The extension of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) well into 2021.3. The extension of the commercial rates holiday to the end of this year will help reduce the fixed cost of doing business.4. A reduced VAT rate from 13.5% to 9% for the hospitality and tourism sector to help hotels, pubs, restaurants and other businesses in the entertainment, tourism and hospitality sectors.5. A €3.4bn Recovery Fund to provide additional firepower and flexibility to respond to and invest in job creation opportunities, business grants, infrastructure, reskilling and upskilling.
Unlike the previous recession, the Government is in a position to borrow and to increase capital budgets spending on public infrastructures in the coming years under Project Ireland 2040. This did not happen by accident. Ireland is also now benefitting from low interest rates for borrowing and for central bank monetary policy.
We are also progressing the Government's significant capital investment programme of €10.1bn, which is the largest capital budget ever as part of our implementation of the National Development Plan. This investment will add further stimulus to the economy and help create and sustain jobs in the construction sector in particular.
I am working with my colleagues across Government to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19 and I will continue to monitor the measures in place for SMEs with the goal of setting our country towards economic recovery.
Services Sector
Questions (182)
Bernard Durkan
Question:182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created or lost in the services sector in the course of each of the past five years to date; the steps taken or in hand to ensure continued investment and job creation in the sector in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35400/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Services sector in Ireland is a broad sector spanning a number of subsectors including financial services, aircraft leasing, business services and business process outsourcing, and international education services, many of which are under the remit of other Ministers. However, my Department maintains an overview of important sectors of the economy to facilitate a cohesive strategic approach to investment and job creation.
The table below shows the gains, losses, net change and gross number of permanent full time jobs for agency client companies (i.e. clients of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and Údarás na Gaeltachta) in the services sector for the years 2015-2019.
Table 1: Agency Client Permanent Full Time Employment in Services Sector 2015-2019
|
Services Sector |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Permanent full time gains |
19,025 |
19,831 |
23,647 |
21,366 |
19,750 |
|
Permanent full time losses |
-8,254 |
-7,136 |
-10,279 |
-10,189 |
-7,638 |
|
Permanent full time net change |
10,771 |
12,695 |
13,368 |
11,177 |
12,112 |
|
Permanent full time jobs |
144,346 |
157,041 |
170,409 |
181,586 |
193,698 |
Enterprise 2025 Renewed, Ireland’s enterprise policy highlights the high relative contribution of services (56% in 2018 for agency clients), particularly ICT Services, to Ireland’s exports. It places a strategic focus on innovation and talent, and leveraging strengths in disruptive technologies to promote development of new products, services and solutions to compete effectively against international competition.
In 2017, IDA Ireland published ‘Global Business Services, A National Strategy, Vision 2017 and Beyond’ to support development of the global business services and business process outsourcing sectors.
Services sectors are supported by a range of sectoral strategies. One such example is the whole of Government strategy for internationally traded financial services, IFS2020, which was initiated in 2015 sought to achieve an additional 10,000 enterprise agency supported jobs in the sector by the end of 2019. This target was surpassed, and the latest available data show agency supported employment in the sector in excess of 46,000. A new strategy, Ireland For Finance seeks to build on the success of IFS2020 and sets out the basis for action across a range of key policy holders.
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport published a National Aviation Policy for Ireland in 2015 which seeks to maximise the contribution of the aviation sector to Ireland’s economic growth and development, and publishes progress reports on its implementation.
Other strategies include Irish Educated Globally Connected an International Education Strategy for Ireland, 2016-2020 is the Government’s international education strategy to attracting talent from around the world to our education institutions, equipping Irish learners with the skills and experience they need to compete internationally, engaging in world-class research and international collaborations, and addressing global challenges.
The National Economic Plan currently being developed will set out the Government’s guiding priorities and policy objectives for a sustainable recovery, restoring employment and supporting the longer-term capacity and reorientation of our economy with an integrated and multi-sectoral coordinated approach.