Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:123. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the economic division of his Department. [43545/20]
View answerDepartmental Information
Questions (123)
Written answers
The economic division of my Department assists me and the Government in developing and implementing policy across relevant areas including economic growth and job creation, infrastructure and housing, climate action and social dialogue. This work is focused, in particular, on the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Government, for example the development of a new national economic plan, as well as co-ordination of issues which cut across multiple Departments. The economic division supports the work of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment, the Cabinet Committee on Housing, and the Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change. The division also leads Ireland's participation at the annual European semester process, liaises with the Central Statistics Office, prepares the National Risk Assessment, and provides me with briefing and speech material on economic and related policy issues. In addition, the division jointly leads work on preparedness for Brexit along with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other divisions of my Department.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (124)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:124. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the establishment of the high-level task force on Covid-19 vaccination. [43546/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Government established the High-Level Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccination to ensure the requisite oversight, agility and specialist input is available to support the HSE and the Department of Health in the effective, efficient and agile delivery of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
The Task Force, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, has met three times to date, most recently on Monday, 7 December.
The agreed terms of reference for the Task Force are as follows –
1. To support the Department of Health and Health Service Executive to deliver a COVID-19 immunisation programme, that meets best practice and provides good governance, as a critical public health intervention in the prevention and control of COVID-19.
2. Working with the Department of Health and Health Service Executive, to develop a national COVID-19 vaccination strategy and implementation plan for the safe, effective and efficient procurement, distribution, delivery and recording of COVID-19 vaccines when approved vaccines are ready to be distributed.
3. To provide a focal point for engagements with sectoral and specialist expertise as may be needed to support the development, implementation and agile iteration of the strategy/plan.
4. To monitor progress and report to Government, as may be required, on the development and implementation of the strategy/plan.
The Task Force includes senior representatives from across the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, the Health Products Regulatory Authority, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Office of Government Procurement, IDA Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of the Taoiseach, as well as expertise in the areas of public health, supply chain logistics, cold chain logistics, and programme management.
When the Task Force was established in mid-November, there was already significant ongoing work on planning for this vaccination programme and governance in place across both the HSE and the Department of Health. Under the coordination of the Task Force, this has all been brought together under a single integrated work programme utilising the wide range of relevant and high-level expertise and experience of Task Force members.
The HSE has ultimate responsibility for the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, through its National Immunisation Office (NIO), which designs and implements all vaccination programmes in Ireland.
The Taskforce has prepared drafts of Ireland’s National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Strategy and accompanying Implementation Plan. The Minister for Health brought these to Government this morning and both documents were approved by Government.
The Strategy document is designed to be a comprehensive framework establishing clear objectives and principles. It identifies the pathways for managing a programme of this scale.
The Implementation Plan is designed to be a ‘living document’ in that it needs to be agile, flexible and capable of evolving over time (for example to accommodate vaccines with differing characteristics or to respond to lessons learned in our local experience or internationally).
It describes the logistical, operational and human resource requirements for Ireland to begin vaccinations in line with Government guidance in early 2021 assuming the approval of one or more safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for use.
The Strategy and Implementation Plans are being published today on gov.ie
The Task Force is committed to the ongoing oversight and monitoring of the vaccination programme and will update and revise the implementation plan as required to serve the overall goals of the programme.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (125)
Bríd Smith
Question:125. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42709/20]
View answerWritten answers
Details of the fees paid by my Department on behalf of employees to professional organisations in 2020 are set out below.
|
2020 |
||
|
Organisation Name |
No. of Staff |
Cost |
|
Public Relations Institute of Ireland |
1 |
€320 |
|
Irish Taxation Institute |
1 |
€330 |
IDA Ireland
Questions (126)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:126. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current status of a skills audit by the IDA for County Laois; the results of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42948/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Midlands Regional Team of the IDA works closely with a variety of stakeholders to ensure that client companies from across the region have access to an appropriately skilled talent pool.
IDA Ireland also collaborates with the Midlands Regional Skills Manager, Education and Training Boards (ETB’s), Athlone Institute of Technology, Carlow Institute of Technology, Solas, Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), amongst other entities, to ensure that the appropriate courses are always available to staff in the region looking to re-train and/or up-skill. For example, IDA Ireland has worked closely with Laois Offaly ETB, Grow Remote and Solas to launch two courses aimed at improving the skillsets of remote workers across Ireland. These courses have proven to be very popular since their launch earlier this year.
Regional Cleanroom Project is a new training centre in Tullamore established in October 2019 by Laois and Offaly ETB (LOETB). Catering to biopharma and med-tech sectors, the fully functional clean room areas (class 8) will be used to provide up-skilling / training in a realistic GMP simulated manufacturing environment. The facility can build bespoke training solutions at Level 5 and 6, encouraging new entrants into the sector.
IDA Ireland has welcomed the recent application by Athlone IT and Limerick IT to form a Technological University. The new technological university aims to connect knowledge creation with industry partnerships to grow and support collaboration. AIT has also benefited from funding for a new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) building, announced as part of the Department of Education and Skills €200 million investment in Institutes of Technology. This building will create capacity for an additional 1,000 STEM students, enabling AIT to provide for increased student demand on programmes in pharma, biopharma, microbiology, sport and health science and design, innovation and technology.
In addition, the IDA Midlands Regional Manager has sat on the Midlands Region Transition Team (MRTT) since its inception following the announcement of Bord na Mona’s strategy to transition from ‘Brown to ‘Green’. Under a new framework adopted by the Just Transition Commissioner, Kieran Mulvey, four new Working Groups have now been established under the MRTT. IDA Ireland is represented on Working Group 2 – Employment Generation by the Regional Managers of both the Midlands and West Regions. One of the objectives under this WG is to progress Future Employment & Skills Development.
The IDA has collaborated on and supported several surveys for the Midlands Region, such as the Laois Town Profile, the Midlands Skills Survey and the Laois Commuter Survey.
The IDA Midlands Regional Manager sits on the Steering Committee of the Midlands REP Advanced Manufacturing Plan team, together with key stakeholders from industry across the Region. A draft plan is to be issued shortly that will set out a shared vision for developing advanced manufacturing across the Region over the coming years.
IDA Ireland also supports the Midlands Lean Network. This collaborative network facilitates peer companies to meet and discuss various challenges and opportunities that present themselves, including the re-training and up-skilling of staff to work with the latest technologies.
IDA Ireland
Questions (127, 128, 129)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:127. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of visits the IDA has carried out in each county in each of the past five years in counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42949/20]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:128. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs sponsored by the IDA in each county in each of the past five years in counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42950/20]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:129. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount the IDA has invested in job creation in each county in each of the past five years in counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42951/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 128 and 129 together.
The primary responsibility of the IDA is to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland and to retain, transform and expand the existing base of FDI companies that have already invested and located here. IDA Ireland’s strategy, Winning Foreign Direct Investment 2015 - 2019, set out challenging targets in respect of the FDI sector for the period. These targets included amongst others, the creation of 80,000 direct jobs in 900 investment projects over the period, bringing total FDI Employment to 209,000 by the end of the period. Under the program, IDA targeted a minimum increase in investment of 30% to 40% in each region outside Dublin. All targets from that strategy were achieved, with 1,209 investments creating 112,373 jobs achieved over the 5 years.
A new IDA strategy covering the period 2021 to 2024 will be launched shortly. Regional development will remain at the core of IDA’s strategy for the next 4 years. Maintaining competitiveness and improving the carrying capacity of the economy will be critical to delivering FDI over the next period .
The Midlands Region (Westmeath, Longford, Laois, and Offaly) has 43 multinational companies who collectively employ 6,209 people. The Region has been successful over several years in mobilising inward FDI, with employment levels in IDA client companies increasing every year since 2012. The Midlands offers an attractive cluster of LifeSciences and Global Business Services companies, excellent connectivity to major cities and Dublin airport and world class collaboration between academia and industry. The 2019 results show employment in the region at 245,096, an all-time high.
IDA clients account for 10.5% of national employment and growth in 2019 was 6% compared to 2.4% nationally. IDA client companies created 21,844 jobs across a range of sectors in 2019. Expenditure by IDA clients totalled €21.5 bn, an increase of 11%, and is made up of payroll (+12%) €13.3bn; materials (+9%) €2.6bn and services (+12%) €5.6bn.
|
County |
No. of companies |
Total Emp |
|
Westmeath |
22 |
3,686 |
|
Offaly |
11 |
1,192 |
|
Laois |
4 |
121 |
|
Total |
37 |
4,999 |
(Source: DBEI Employment Survey 2019)
While FDI cannot form the sole economic development strategy for a region, it can play a huge role in increasing economic activity and reducing unemployment. However, winning such investments is a challenge and will require a concerted and continuous effort by all national and regional stakeholders. This will require greater co-operation, collaboration and integration to develop and present the strongest possible proposition to existing and future potential investors.
In response to COVID, IDA migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms. IDA Ireland has developed a suite of digital content which can be accessed by potential investors. The Agency has developed this further and has put in place an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors. The use of digital platforms by IDA staff has contributed to an enhanced digital engagement with existing clients and also in hosting E-Site visits with potential new investors.
|
County |
Site visits end Q3 2020 |
E visits end Q3 2020 |
|
Westmeath |
6 |
5 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
0 |
|
Laois |
1 |
0 |
|
County |
Site Visits 2019 |
Grant Payments 2019 € |
|
Westmeath |
22 |
4,557,617 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
1,195,208 |
|
Laois |
5 |
0 |
|
County |
Site Visits 2018 |
Grant Payments 2018 € |
|
Westmeath |
22 |
3,146,661 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
201,335 |
|
Laois |
10 |
24,850 |
|
County |
Site Visits 2017 |
Grant Payments 2017 € |
|
Westmeath |
42 |
2,078,588 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
960,089 |
|
Laois |
4 |
24,500 |
|
County |
Site Visits 2016 |
Grant Payments 2016 € |
|
Westmeath |
36 |
1,768,687 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
355,540 |
|
Laois |
6 |
5,000 |
|
County |
Site Visits 2015 |
Grant Payments 2015 € |
|
Westmeath |
28 |
2,513,508 |
|
Offaly |
8 |
120,000 |
|
Laois |
4 |
75,000 |
County Laois Employment developments in IDA companies (Update from Employment Survey 2019)
|
Employment Data |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
No of Companies |
4 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
Total Jobs |
133 |
108 |
84 |
106 |
87 |
105 |
115 |
120 |
111 |
121 |
|
Gross Gain |
14 |
2 |
0 |
22 |
9 |
18 |
10 |
5 |
4 |
16 |
|
Gross Losses |
-1 |
-27 |
-24 |
0 |
-28 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-13 |
-6 |
|
Net Change |
13 |
-25 |
-24 |
22 |
-19 |
18 |
10 |
5 |
-9 |
10 |
Announcements made over the last two years include Greenfield Global Inc., Canada’s largest producer of alcohol and fuel ethanol, and one of the largest alcohols and solvents companies in North America, officially opened their new 3,800 sq. metre EU manufacturing headquarters located on IDA’s Business and Technology Park in Portlaoise in July this year. This is the company’s first manufacturing facility outside North America and will produce Pharmco branded products serving Life Science customers globally. This new facility will result in 75 new jobs over the next five years, while 170 construction jobs were created during the build and fit-out phase of the project. The Portlaoise facility is one of the first NZEB (near-zero energy buildings) to be completed under the new European standards.
Glanbia and its US partner Leprino Foods announced plans in July 2018 to build a new €130m mozzarella cheese manufacturing facility in Portlaoise, Co Laois. The new plant will create 250 jobs during construction and will employ 78 people when it is completed. A site for the new facility has been identified at the Togher Industrial Estate in Portlaoise. The new facility is expected to begin production in late 2020. The project is supported by Enterprise Ireland.
County Offaly Employment developments in IDA companies (Update from Employment Survey 2019)
|
Employment Data |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
No of Companies |
10 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
Total Jobs |
1,032 |
986 |
1,041 |
1,058 |
1,059 |
1,080 |
1,107 |
1,167 |
1,213 |
1,192 |
|
Gross Gain |
38 |
39 |
55 |
43 |
51 |
66 |
49 |
108 |
59 |
69 |
|
Gross Losses |
-344 |
-85 |
0 |
-26 |
-50 |
-45 |
-22 |
-48 |
-13 |
-90 |
|
Net Change |
-306 |
-46 |
55 |
17 |
1 |
21 |
27 |
60 |
46 |
-21 |
Steris AST held the official opening of their new facility, located within IDA’s Business & Technology Park, Tullamore in February 2020.
County WestmeathEmployment developments in IDA companies (Update from Employment Survey 2019)
|
Employment Data |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
No of Companies |
18 |
18 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
18 |
16 |
21 |
22 |
22 |
|
Total Jobs |
2,193 |
2,284 |
2,429 |
2,397 |
2,594 |
2,723 |
2,783 |
3,012 |
3,451 |
3,686 |
|
Gross Gain |
210 |
162 |
183 |
143 |
234 |
213 |
221 |
245 |
469 |
255 |
|
Gross Losses |
-25 |
-71 |
-38 |
-175 |
-37 |
-84 |
-161 |
-16 |
-30 |
-20 |
|
Net Change |
185 |
91 |
145 |
-32 |
197 |
129 |
60 |
229 |
439 |
235 |
Huawei announced in August last year that they are to invest €70m into its Irish R&D operations over 3years. Huawei made the announcement from their HQ in Shenzhen, China. They have 3 facilities in Ireland, including one in Athlone, where they currently employ c.10people. Their additional facilities are located in Dublin & Cork.
IDA Ireland
Questions (130)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:130. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of meetings the IDA has held with elected members of Dáil Éireann in each county in each of the past five years from counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath in tabular form. [42952/20]
View answerWritten answers
IDA Ireland meets with elected representatives from all parties on a frequent basis, on both a bilateral and multilateral basis. Although meetings are not generally tracked, the attached Table reflects the level of ongoing engagement that IDA Ireland has with elected representatives in counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath.
Work Permits
Questions (131)
David Stanton
Question:131. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of intra-company transfer employment permits issued in each of the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43122/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit facilitates the temporary transfer of key personnel or trainees who are non-EEA nationals from an overseas branch of a foreign employer to its Irish branch.
Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permits are strictly limited to; Senior management earning a minimum annual remuneration of €40,000; Key personnel earning a minimum annual remuneration of €40,000; or Personnel undergoing a training programme earning a minimum annual remuneration of €30,000.
The Irish branch of the organisation must be registered with the Company Registration Office and with the Revenue Commissioners. It must be trading and engaged in substantive business operations in Ireland. The foreign branch of the organisation must also be engaged in substantive business operations in the foreign country in question. The Irish branch must be linked with the foreign employer and documentary evidence of this link will be required.
The Intra-Company Transfer Permit is time bound. Permits may be granted for a maximum period of up to 24 months in the first instance and may be extended upon application to a maximum stay of five years. The employees remain on the foreign payroll and on an employment contract outside the State.
The statistics requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permits issued in the past three years up to and including 8th December 2020 are set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Number of Intra-company Transfer Employment Permits Issued |
|
2020 (to 08/12/2020) |
920 |
|
2019 |
1,241 |
|
2018 |
936 |
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (132)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:132. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if changes have been made to eligibility criteria for the Covid restrictions support scheme to ensure workers in the music and entertainment sectors and dance teachers can avail of the scaffolding funding they were promised before budget 2021 if they do not have a business premises; if not, the steps he will take to provide necessary support for workers and businesses in these sectors; and if he has spoken with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to funding supports. [43133/20]
View answerWritten answers
I am keenly aware that businesses are making a massive sacrifice to protect their communities. My Department has worked to ensure that appropriate supports are in place for businesses as they develop their response to impacts arising from COVID-19. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
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 include the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, cash for businesses, low cost loans, commercial rates waivers and deferred tax liabilities.
The Government also announced the provision of support of €50m for the live entertainment sector in Budget 2021. This will include measures for the commercial entertainment sector and will support live entertainment across the country. The 2021 supports for the live entertainment sector will be the subject of further consultation with stakeholders. It will also be informed by the pilot live performance scheme in 2020 which is being rolled out now.
As announced in the July Stimulus, the Enterprise Support Grant was extended to assist eligible self-employed, including sole traders, who exit the PUP or jobseekers schemes to re-start their business. A self-employed person who closes their PUP should send their grant application to their local Intreo Centre to be processed. Further information is available at www.gov.ie.
On the 9th of December, following engagement with the Arts sector and other self-employed sectors my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Social Protection, announced the doubling of the PUP threshold from the current €480 over four weeks to €960 over an eight-week period effective immediately. This measure is to assist those who are trying to restart their businesses and will allow self-employed people to take on intermittent jobs without losing their entitlement to the PUP.
My colleague, Minister Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, may be able to provide more specific details on a roadmap to recovery for the events and hospitality industry, for which she has lead responsibility.
I share the Deputy’s concern about businesses that might not be eligible for the CRSS or other measures announced in the budget, such as the €50 million fund for live entertainment. I have asked my officials to conduct work along with officials from the Department of Finance and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, regarding how many businesses might be in this position and to report back to me with proposals.
Work Permits
Questions (133)
Bernard Durkan
Question:133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the procedure to be followed to obtain an up to date work permit by a person (details supplied) who previously held the holder of a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43396/20]
View answerWritten answers
There does not appear to be a current employment permit application for the named person (details supplied).
An application for an employment permit by the named person will be considered should such an application be made, subject to the application fulfilling all relevant criteria.
A person who entered the State, initially on a valid employment permit but who has fallen out of the employment permit and immigration system through no fault of their own, may be eligible to apply for a Reactivation Employment Permit subject to certain qualifying criteria.
Details on how to apply for an employment permit are available on my Department's website at the following link - https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/
In order to assist with the application process, the Department has produced a suite of information including various checklist documents, a ‘User Guide' to our online application system and a comprehensive FAQ Document which answers the most common queries received regarding employment permits. All this information can be found in the Employment Permit section of my Department’s website at www.enterprise.gov.ie.
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
Questions (134)
Catherine Murphy
Question:134. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of data access requests the CCPC has made to telecommunications and social media companies in the past three years to date in 2020 under the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011; the number of access requests that were approved and declined by the companies that the data was requested from; and the reason the data was sought. [43436/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is an independent body in statute with regard to its operational matters. However the CCPC have confirmed to my Department they have not made any data access requests to telecommunications or social media companies in the past three years to date in 2020 under the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011.
It should be noted that ComReg is the statutory body responsible for regulation of the electronic communications sector (telecommunications, radio communications, broadcasting transmission and premium rate services) and the postal sector.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (135)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:135. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current financial supports available to a business (details supplied) that operates in this jurisdiction but whose headquarters are in Northern Ireland. [43451/20]
View answerWritten answers
I am keenly aware that businesses are making a massive sacrifice to protect their communities. My Department and its agencies have been focused on coming up with solutions to help businesses overcome the difficulties caused by COVID-19. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/ and businesses are encouraged to contact the relevant Scheme providers to discuss their individual business circumstances.
Budget 2021 provides a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help self-employed and vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors.
The measures in the Budget include the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, cash for businesses, low cost loans, commercial rates waivers and deferred tax liabilities. To ensure that all self-employed taxpayers can benefit from the losses provision introduced in the July Stimulus, we are also providing that debt warehousing provisions be extended to include the 2019 balance and 2020 preliminary tax to allow such taxpayers to defer payment for a period of a year with no interest applying.
The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme is available to businesses registered as an employer with Irish Revenue, that possess up to date tax clearance and continue to maintain tax clearance for the duration of the scheme and once the business meets the fall in turnover criteria.
The New COVID Restrictions Support Scheme, operated by Revenue, offers a targeted, timely and temporary sector-specific support to public-facing businesses required to prohibit or considerably restrict access to their premises as a result of public health restrictions. The CRSS is available to businesses that meet the relevant criteria and are registered in Ireland as a taxpayer for corporation tax or income tax in the case of a sole trader.
I continue to work with my colleagues across Government to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19 and we will continue to address suitable enterprise measures in the context of the evolving COVID-19 and Brexit challenges to our economy and our people.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (136)
Seán Haughey
Question:136. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will permit Santa grottos to operate in indoor shopping centres in cases in which they adhere to level 3 safety guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43461/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s overriding objective during COVID-19 is to ensure the public’s health and safety. The guidelines in relation to retail settings are in place to prevent large indoor gatherings of people while ensuring that as many shops as possible can open. This is to prevent the spread of the virus and protect lives.
Seasonal experiences and initiatives that lead to additional congregation are only permitted outdoors. This is set out in Section 17 of the Failte Ireland’s Guidelines for Re-opening Visitor Attractions which states that ‘...in line with Government Public Health Advice, seasonal experiences should take place outdoors.’
This guidance can be viewed at https://failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Visitor-Attractions.pdf
The guidelines also add that ‘Management must aim to follow the Government’s Public Health advice throughout Seasonal Visitor Experience areas such as Santa Experiences, Christmas markets etc.’
It is important to monitor gov.ie for the latest information, public health advice and guidelines from Government in relation to COVID-19.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (137)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:137. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the concerns such as those of a person (details supplied) regarding the lack of capital available to start-up companies due to additional restrictions in the banking sector linked to Covid-19; the measures he has taken to ensure a continuing pipeline of viable start-up companies necessary for economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43566/20]
View answerWritten answers
My attention has indeed been drawn to the concerns raised regarding difficulty in accessing capital by start-up businesses as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ireland and the subsequent public health restrictions.
Regarding the points raised about the ability of start-up businesses to access capital, I would emphasise that there are supports in place to help start-ups and microenterprises as they seek to access appropriate financing in the early stages of their businesses. Throughout the pandemic, the network of Local Enterprise Offices have continued to act as a point of contact for businesses around the country, and they can offer advice and support to small businesses, including start-ups, about how best to proceed and what supports are available to them.
The latest SME Credit Demand Survey, published 20 November, reported that 85% of credit applications were approved during March and October 2020. This rate is consistent with previous survey results. However, the survey reported the demand for credit by SMEs remained subdued at 18%.
However, for micro-businesses that have had difficulty accessing finance through banks or other commercial lending providers, there are also Start-Up Loans available through MicroFinance Ireland [MFI] to microenterprises. These loans range from €5,000 to €25,000 for terms of up to three years, with an interest-only initial payment period of three months.
Through Enterprise Ireland [EI], Government has also had long-term involvement in the seed and venture market, bringing investment to Irish businesses and helping them start and scale. To ensure continued support for start-up companies during the COVID-19 recovery, the Government is also investing in an additional fund to support highly innovative firms.
Since 1994, EI has managed five 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 €549m under the five Schemes. In 2018, the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, announced the most recent Seed & Venture Capital Scheme with a further allocation of €175m to be committed over the lifetime of the Seed & Venture Capital Scheme (2019-24), the first commitments under this scheme were made in 2019 and will continue to be made over the coming 12-24 months to fully deploy all the available capital. A further €10 million was announced in the 2020 July Stimulus and is currently being deployed, with an additional €11 million committed in Budget 2021.
EI continues to support and fund the Halo Business Angels Programme (HBAN). The Programme is a joint initiative with Intertrade Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland aimed at building a strong funding ecosystem at each stage of the funding journey for start-ups. The availability of Angel funding at the early stages of a company’s development provides both essential capital and hugely valuable industry experience to support companies through this early phase of growth. In 2019, HBAN announced that over €100M of angel investment has been mobilised across the island of Ireland since the programme commenced in 2007.
EI also operates the Competitive Start Fund, the purpose of which is to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capacity to succeed in global markets. The fund is designed to enable those companies to reach key technical and commercial milestones. In 2020 Enterprise Ireland approved 45 applicants for funding under three Competitive Start Fund calls.
In Budget 2021, the Government also announced €30 million in funding, through the Irish Strategic Investment Fund [ISIF], to develop an early stage seed and growth capital investment scheme, targeted at domestic, high innovation enterprises. The Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment 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.
Farm Waste Management
Questions (138)
Patricia Ryan
Question:138. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will establish a scheme for farm waste tyre disposal to alleviate the expense to farmers wishing to move away from pit silage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43347/20]
View answerWritten answers
At the introduction of the compliance scheme for tyres and waste tyres in 2017 funding of €1,000,000 was provided to support local authorities to deal with the clean-up of existing stockpiles of waste tyres across the country. In 2018 an additional €700,000 was made available to remove waste tyres from farms. The funding was allocated across numerous geographical locations and the budget was fully expended. There are no plans at present to run further collection events. The new Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy contains a commitment to extend the current tyres compliance scheme to cover all categories of tyres. This measure will be prioritised for implementation.
National Postcode System
Questions (139)
Brendan Griffin
Question:139. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an Eircode will be assigned to a house (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42848/20]
View answerWritten answers
Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the National Postcode System "Eircode".
Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory (APG), a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their licence agreement.
Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licenced businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that over 119,600 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.
An Post have informed my officials that they have updated the individual's address data on their systems and this information should then be issued from An Post GeoDirectory to Eircode. In addition, Eircode has advised my officials that they have raised a case with APG in relation to this address. My Department has requested Eircode to contact and liaise directly with the individual in question regarding the assignment of an Eircode for this property address
National Broadband Plan
Questions (140)
Robert Troy
Question:140. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of fibre broadband availability to a property (details supplied). [42885/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention, the contract for which was signed in November 2019 with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway. It will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.Further details are available on specific areas within County Westmeath through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding the level of information available on the deployment of the NBI network and I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans.I am advised by NBI that, as of 10 December 2020, over 145,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. Surveys have been completed in the areas of Mullingar, Sonna, Stonehall, Taghmon, Jamestown, Hopestown and Athlone. The next step is for NBI to develop network designs to deliver the new fibre to the home network to these premises, followed by pre build and build works. The first fibre to the home connections are expected shortly in Carrigaline and will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. I am advised that from early 2021 retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in these areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network.Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 3 December, 217 sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education for schools. 59 publicly accessible BCPs across the country are now live. BCPs locations installed in Westmeath include Streete Parish Park & Community Hall, Whitehall Community Centre, Milltown Emper Community Centre and Ballycomoyle GAA Club are due to be connected in the coming months. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. Scoil Náisiúnta Bhride in Co Westmeath is connected for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise other schools with no high speed broadband, within the intervention area for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan has just been announced which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (141)
Jackie Cahill
Question:141. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to provide access to high-speed fibre broadband to the area of Knockanamohilly, Newtown, Nenagh, County Tipperary in view of the fact that his Department has confirmed the area is in the AMBER zone of the high speed broadband map and therefore falls under the remit of the State for intervention (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42916/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Question refers to a premises which are located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention, the contract for which was signed in November 2019 with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway. It will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.Further details are available on specific areas within County Tipperary through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding the level of information available on the deployment of the NBI network and I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans.I am advised by NBI that, as of 10 December 2020, over 145,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. Surveys have been completed in the areas of Aherloe, Ballinalard and Bansha and surveys have recently commenced in Roscrea. The next step is for NBI to develop network designs to deliver the new fibre to the home network to these premises, followed by pre build and build works. I am advised that NBI intend to have completed surveys at the location referred to in the Question in latter part of 2021 and the indicative timeframe for commencement of network build will be finalised at that point. The first fibre to the home connections are expected shortly in Carrigaline and will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. I am advised that from early 2021 retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in these areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network.Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 3 December, 217 sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Affairs for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills for schools. 59 publicly accessible BCPs across the country are now live. BCPs locations connected in Tipperary include Moyglass Community Hall, Killurney Community Centre, Aglish Community Centre, with other locations at Drom Community Centre, Killoscully Community Centre and Killea GAA Club due to be connected in the coming months. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. Poulacapple National School and Killeen National School in Co Tipperary will be connected for educational access as part of this initiative by the end of the year. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education and Skills to prioritise other schools with no high speed broadband, within the intervention area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan has just been announced which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026.