Wednesday, 13 Jan 2021

Job Losses

Questions (33)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

33. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of jobs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45179/20]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The announcement last July by Borg Warner that it will close its facility in Tralee was very disappointing. This facility has been a substantial employer in Tralee and a major contributor to the economy of the locality and wider region over the past 30 years. The news was deeply distressing in particular for the workers and families who were directly impacted by the decision.

IDA Ireland has engaged extensively with the company, both in Tralee and its Corporate Headquarters, since the announcement, to explore options for the marketing of the facility and its skilled workforce and to highlight the range of supports available to impacted employees. IDA Ireland and others are also actively exploring opportunities to identify other businesses who may have skills requirements and employment opportunities for the impacted employees, locally and across the region.

Local stakeholders, including the local offices of the Department of Social Protection (Intreo), Munster Technological University, Tralee and Kerry Education and Training Board have been in contact with the company offering their services to provide assistance to the impacted employees in areas of retraining, education, starting your own business and income supports. Borg Warner is also committed to providing supports to their employees.

Borg Warner have indicated that they are not hiring replacement labour in place of existing jobs.

In December 2020, 80 people working at the facility departed and prior to this a small number of contractors were temporarily employed by the company to meet production volumes to year-end. As planned and previously communicated by Borg Warner, they will close the facility on 31 March 2021.

Despite this disappointing development, I am confident that we will be able to attract replacement investment for Tralee. There are currently 17 IDA Ireland client companies in Kerry employing 2,153 staff. IDA Ireland will continue and redouble its efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment to Kerry, notwithstanding the serious global economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on global FDI flows. IDA Ireland has just launched its new four-year strategy and as part of its property development programme, is committed to developing a new Advance Building Solution in Tralee to support the winning of additional FDI. The focus is, and will continue to be, on supporting existing companies and attracting new investment to Kerry and to all parts of Ireland.

Work Permits

Questions (34)

Niall Collins

Question:

34. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if dairy farmers can avail of work permits for persons from India to work on dairy farms; if so, the process for application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1000/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The State's employment permit system is designed to supplement Ireland's skills and labour supply over the short to medium term by allowing enterprises to recruit nationals from outside the EEA, where such skills or expertise cannot be sourced from within the EEA at that time.

The system is not orientated towards any particular country or region. The system is, by design, vacancy led and managed through the operation of the occupation lists: the critical skills list in respect of skills that are in critical shortage in the labour market and the ineligible occupations lists for which a ready source of labour is available from within Ireland and the EEA.

In May 2018, my Department introduced a pilot quota-based scheme to remove the occupations of horticulture worker, meat processing operative and dairy farm assistant from the ineligible occupations list. This pilot scheme allowed workers from non-EEA countries to access employment opportunities.

The application of a quota-based system is to ensure that in the longer-term, strategies are put in place to source labour supply from both the domestic and European labour markets and to invest in innovative technologies.

This pilot scheme has proved very successful for a range of employers in the sector. The quota of 150 employment permits for Dairy Farm Assistant is now exhausted and has not been extended.

Changes to the employment permit occupation lists are made where there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available: development opportunities are not undermined: genuine skills shortage exists rather than a recruitment or retention problem: and Government education, training and economic development policies are supported.

The occupations lists are subject to twice yearly evidence-based review. The public consultation phase of the most recent review closed on 11 December, and consideration of the submissions received is currently ongoing. A submission has been received from the sector requesting the quota for dairy farm assistants be extended. The submissions will be considered in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as well as the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by this Department. These reviews take account of research undertaken by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SOLAS) and the Expert Group of Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) and of other issues such as Brexit and Covid 19.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (35)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

35. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available for arts, entertainment and events companies, particularly for those dependent on weddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1070/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I am keenly aware that businesses are making a continued massive sacrifice to protect their communities and I am committed to ensuring that the Government will offer as much assistance and support as possible.

My Department has worked to ensure that appropriate supports are in place for businesses as they develop their response to impacts arising from COVID-19. Details of the wide range of supports available are noted on my Department’s website at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/

Budget 2021 provided 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. We are providing for an extension of the tax warehousing scheme to include repayments of Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme funds owed by employers and preliminary tax obligations for adversely affected businesses.

These measures are in addition to the €7billion July Stimulus, which includes the Wage Subsidy Scheme extended through 2021, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst self-employed.

In Budget 2021, the Government announced the provision of support of €50m for the live entertainment sector. 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.

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 these supports for the entertainment sector, for which she has lead responsibility.

Industrial Development

Questions (36)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

36. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of prospective company visits organised by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to counties Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan, respectively in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1075/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Louth, Cavan and Monaghan make up the IDA's North East Region and the 2019 Employment survey data showed 44 IDA client companies collectively employed 5,899 people. The main clusters are in International Business Services, mainly Financial Services and Consumer Goods and Manufacturing. Meath is included in the Mid East region and had 19 client companies employing 1,904.

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. When it comes to foreign direct investment, site visits represent a valuable tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas. However, site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as a significant percentage of all new FDI comes from existing IDA client companies. 2020 has presented undeniable challenges to our ongoing efforts to sustain and grow foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ireland. The introduction of travel restrictions around the world disrupted the usual way 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.

In response to COVID-19, IDA Ireland migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities onto digital platforms and has established a suite of digital content which can be accessed by potential investors. The use of digital platforms by IDA staff has contributed to an enhanced digital engagement with existing clients and in hosting E-Site visits with potential new investors.

The number of site visits arranged by IDA, including E-visits, to end Q3 2020 was: Cavan 1; Louth 11; Meath 2 and Monaghan 1. The figures for end Q4 are expected before the end of the month. It should also be noted that potential clients visiting Ireland may visit more than one county and may return to a location more than once. These figures represent individual visits and are therefore not indicative of the number of companies that have visited. Enterprise Ireland did not have any site visits from overseas investors to Cavan, Louth, Meath or Monaghan in 2020.

Regional development is at the centre of IDA’s new strategy, Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024. IDA is committed to the pursuit of more balanced, compact regional development which can deliver complementary efficiency and equity gains, with the overall impact of helping to advance national development. IDA will target half of all investments (400) from 2021- 2024 to regional locations and maintain the same high level of investment as targeted in IDA’s previous strategy for each region of the country.

Brexit Issues

Questions (37)

Neale Richmond

Question:

37. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts being undertaken to encourage Irish exporters to avoid using the land bridge through the UK and to ship directly to continental Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1108/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Government has highlighted for some considerable period, the additional hurdles that businesses would have to overcome if using the UK Landbridge to move goods to or from European markets. With the UK as a third country since 1 January, businesses could be faced with new delays at UK ports when seeking to travel to the Continent.

For this reason, Government has strongly encouraged businesses to trial the use of direct ferry services to Europe to avoid all of the administrative overheads and attendant delays that using the UK Landbridge could involve.

The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) published an updated report in November 2020 pointing to sufficient capacity on existing direct sailings to Europe for freight traffic to/from Ireland. However, in discussions with ferry operators, Government also established that in the event of additional demand emerging, ferry operators would respond and increase direct services to continental Europe in line with demand.

A communications campaign run by the IMDO in late 2020 asked businesses to assess their post-Brexit shipping needs and communicate their new requirements to the shipping companies. Full details of the IMDO campaign ACT (Assess, Communicate, Trial) and, and information on new routes, is available from the IMDO on the Gov.ie/Brexit website.

The responsiveness of ferry operators is evident given additional capacity on direct ferry services that has now been put in place, as well as new services introduced between Ireland and continental Europe since early January. Direct services include:

- A daily Roll on Roll off service from Ireland to Cherbourg available - with Irish Ferries and Stena Line having changed their schedules to minimise overlapping;

- Stena Line put an additional ship on the Rosslare to Cherbourg route from 4 January 2021;

- DFDS’s new service from Rosslare to Dunkirk commenced on 2 January 2021 and involves six weekly departures from each port with a crossing time of 24 hours; and

- CLdN added a second weekly service from Cork to Zeebrugge to cope with the increasing demand on this route.

These new sailings are in addition to a number of other new services and increased sailings that came on stream last year including new Roll on Roll off services from Ireland to Zeebrugge, Santander and Portugal by CLdN.

The new direct services that have been introduced to northern France, have a weekly capacity of roughly 2,500 units (standard shipping containers) when unaccompanied trailers are included. The new additional service from Cork to Zeebrugge adds approximately 300 units per week once unaccompanied trailers are included.

Take up of these new services has been very strong with Rosslare Europort reporting a significant increase on freight on the direct routes to Continental Europe routes during the first week of January. Conversely, traffic on Irish Sea routes decreased.

These new range of options will help businesses assess what routes are right for them and so avoid potential congestion and delays they would have experienced by using the UK Landbridge.

Brexit Supports

Questions (38)

Neale Richmond

Question:

38. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of calls have been made to his Department’s Brexit helpline for business supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1109/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

The Business Supports Call Centre was first established in my Department in March 2020 to provide information to business owners seeking assistance following the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic.

The Centre has a dedicated phone number and email address. It was decided to maintain this resource for the business community as an Enterprise Information Centre providing a central point of contact within my Department for businesses to be provided with information about, and signposted to, the range of services and assistance available, not limited to but including, Brexit related supports, from my Department, its Offices and Agencies.

Since its establishment in March the Call Centre has dealt with almost 11,500 queries from business owners. The Enterprise Information Centre is open and operational from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, in addition to this, the Enterprise Information Centre was operative over the period 1 to 3 January by both phone and email and continues to direct businesses to relevant Brexit related enterprise supports and to the regulatory services that fall within the remit of my Department and its Agencies.

Since its launch on the 11th November the Information Centre has handled 50 Brexit related queries covering issues such as customs procedures, phytosanitary and sanitary checks and, in the case of my own Department and agencies, advice ranging from enterprise supports for businesses for Brexit to regulatory issues such as product certification/product standards and obligations for importers of chemicals. This low number was expected given the substantial advice and resources on a range of Brexit issues across Government Departments/agencies, including extensive webinar content, that was made available on the Government Brexit portal at www.Gov.ie/Brexit prior to 1 January 2021.

The Enterprise Information Centre can be contacted by telephone at 353 1 631 2002 and by email at infobusinesssupport@enterprise.gov.ie

Offices and Agencies under my remit, have also put in place relevant arrangements, including key contact details, to respond to Brexit related queries from 1 January 2021 both by phone and email.

Remote Working

Questions (39)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

39. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the findings of his Department’s public consultation on guidance for remote working and subsequent report will be published. [1168/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

As our country continues to navigate Covid-19, remote working has become more important than ever before.

To date, my Department has had a strong focus on the topic of remote work. Last year as a response to COVID-19, my Department launched a new webpage dedicated to providing guidance for remote working for both employers and employees.

In July 2020, my Department launched a Public Consultation on Remote Work Guidance. We received 522 submissions from employers, employees, representative bodies and special interest groups. The results of the consultation are outlined on my Department’s website.

Based on the insights garnered from the consultation, my Department updated its guidance webpage to include new information. The guidance webpage now includes a checklist for employers considering adopting remote working arrangements in the longer term. The guidance webpage will continue to be updated regularly to act as a live resource for employers and employees.

Building on this work, my Department formed an Interdepartmental Group (IDG) to steer the delivery of a national Remote Work Strategy. This Group included broad representation across government departments and state agencies. The Strategy considers what changes are needed to create an environment that is more conducive to remote work. It is expected that the Strategy will be published very shortly.

Health and Safety Authority

Questions (40)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

40. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacancies by job title in the Health and Safety Authority as of 4 January 2021; the length of time each post has been vacant; and the estimated full year cost of filling each of the vacant posts in tabular form. [1200/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The staff of the Health and Safety Authority comprises both administration and inspector grades as well as professional and technical specialists. At the 31st of December 2020, the Health and Safety Authority employed 190 staff, which equates to 184.7 whole time equivalent staff. At the same date, 25 current vacancies existed within the Authority, as shown in the table attached. Of those 5 positions which are vacant for more than 12 months, the Authority has run several unsuccessful competitions over the last year to fill these specialist positions, the length of time to fill such posts would be consistent with previous experience over many years in filling such positions. It is also worth noting that during 2020, staff from my Department were redeployed to the Health and Safety Authority to assist in the management and operation of the its Workplace Contact Unit, in response to the increased number of COVID-19 enquiries made to the Authority.

Grade	Current Vacancies	Salary*	Total Salary Cost	Note
Inspector Grade II	4	€70,077	€280,308	3 positions vacant less than 3 months1 more than 12 months
Inspector Grade III	12	€35,796	€429,552	2 positions vacant less than 3 months 4 positions vacant between 3 and 6 months 3 positions vacant between 6 and 12 months3 positions vacant more than 12 months
Higher Executive Officer	2	€55,203	€110,406	1 position vacant less than 6 months 1 position vacant more than 12 months
Executive Officer	2	€34,204	€68,408	2 positions vacant less than 6 months
Clerical Officer	4	€27,229	€108,916	2 positions vacant less than 3 months 1 position vacant between 3 and 6 months 1 position vacant between 6 and 12 months
Temporary Clerical Officer	1	€27,229	€27,229	1 position vacant less than 3 months
				*Salary costs based on annual salary at Point 1 plus PRSI

The Authority is currently engaged in ongoing recruitment campaigns and a significant number of the vacancies listed are likely to be filled in Q1 2021.

An additional pay allocation of €4.2m for the Authority in 2021, primarily to increase the staff available to it, including the recruitment of additional inspectors, will enable it deliver further on its mandate.

Ministerial Correspondence

Questions (41)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

41. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to correspondence sent to him by a person (details supplied); if he has reviewed the documents contained; and if he has consulted with colleagues in the Department of Justice and An Taoiseach in respect of same. [1221/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

In the time available, it has not been possible to respond to the Deputy. A reply will be sent to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Trade Promotion

Questions (42)

Pa Daly

Question:

42. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the reopening of a trade office in Taipei. [1233/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Enterprise Ireland is the Government agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. Marketplace services for Irish companies targeting Taiwan are provided through Enterprise Ireland's office in Hong Kong and locally in Taipei via a consultancy arrangement, which is managed by the agency's Hong Kong office.

IDA Ireland, the agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland, actively manages the Taiwanese market from its Singapore office as an integral element of its market development plan for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Taiwan. In response to continuing trends identifying Singapore as the primary source of outbound FDI destined for Europe, IDA Ireland considers it prudent to maintain its market presence in Singapore. In this context, IDA Ireland does not have any immediate plans to reopen an office in Taipei and will continue to service the Taiwanese market from its Singapore office.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (43)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

43. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 25 of 25 November 2020 and 143 of 3 December 2020, if further clarification will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1245/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

As I have intimated in my two previous replies the decision to award this support on the basis of vouched expenditure is an obligation under public financial rules when disbursing public monies so as to ensure that Departmental and Agency funds are applied for the purposes for which they are intended which includes building in risk mitigation measures such as evidence of actual and proper expenditure. In that regard, it is important that the Agency in question can satisfy themselves evidentially that the work has been undertaken.

I refer the Deputy to Department of Public Expenditure circular 13/2014 entitled "Management of and accountability for grants from Exchequer funds". In this context, the circular states "all grants should be paid on the basis of vouched expenditure".

The scheme in question was, accordingly, sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure on the basis of vouched expenditure in accordance with Circular 13/2014 referenced above.

Trade Agreements

Questions (44)

Neale Richmond

Question:

44. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on Ireland’s position on the reform of rules of origin in future EU trade agreements, for example, Australia and in future reviews of existing agreements with respect to the important need to reinstate preferential treatment to exports which were produced including inputs from Northern Ireland or processing in Northern Ireland in order to support future cross-Border supply chain and protect the shared all-island economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1302/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Rules of origin determine where goods "originate" for customs/tariffs purposes. As such, the ‘origin’ is the economic nationality of goods traded under a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the product classification, value and origin of a good determines the customs tariff treatment to be applied on entering the EU or any other "Third Country". The European Commission has competence under the EU Treaties for international trade, and on the operation of EU rules of origin.

I understand that in correspondence with industry stakeholders the European Commission has confirmed that it does not intend to review any existing trade agreement for reasons relating to the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. While there are FTA negotiations with Australia which are first time negotiations (and not an upgrade of an earlier agreement), existing rules of origin proposals and bilateral cumulation are what the EU is proposing.

Given that Northern Ireland goods have UK origin, in accordance with the provisions of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, the rules of origin requirements that form part of the EU’s set of Free Trade Agreements may present challenges for some traders in Northern Irish or mixed-all island goods. Each supply chain is unique and must be evaluated alongside the rules of origin associated with each FTA. No unilateral action on Ireland’s, or the EU’s, part can resolve these issues, as any preferential treatment must be conceded by a third party.

The Government remains committed to providing every possible support to cross-Border supply chains and to protecting the shared all-island economy. Moreover, my Department, directly and through the ongoing work of InterTrade Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Local Employment Offices has been engaging with representative groups and with companies to assist them in preparing for the significant changes flowing from the UK’s decision to leave the Single Market. The Government will continue to engage all relevant stakeholders on these issues.

While solutions on Rules of Origin may not be immediately to hand, it is worth recalling that, with the support of our fellow Member States, we successfully negotiated a border-free outcome for goods on the island of Ireland, facilitating the free flow of goods from Northern Ireland within the European Union’s Single Market of almost half a billion people.

Work Permits

Questions (45, 46)

Neale Richmond

Question:

45. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits issued in 2020; the sectors these were in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1303/21]

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Neale Richmond

Question:

46. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of the nationalities of recipients of work permits that were issued in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1304/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.

The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that a total of 16,419 Employment Permits issued in 2020.

As requested by the Deputy, a breakdown of these permits by (i) Economic Sector and (ii) nationality of permit holder, is attached.

Employment Permits

Health and Safety Inspections

Questions (47)

David Cullinane

Question:

47. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of HSA inspections at bookmakers each month since February 2020; the number found to be non-compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1449/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

In determining their programme of work in relation to workplace inspections the Health and Safety Authority carries out an assessment exercise based on various criteria before identifying what sectors and workplaces are prioritised for inspection. A similar assessment is done regarding compliance with COVID-19 public health measures inspections.

I have been informed by the Health and Safety Authority that since 1 March 2020 it undertook 8 inspections in bookmakers which addressed COVID-19. The Health and Safety Authority found that the level of compliance found within the bookmaking sector has been very good and this is in line with the generally high level of compliance with the Work Safely Protocol found across all sectors.

The findings from the inspections addressing COVID-19 are as follows:

- 100% of workplaces had COVID-19 measures in place.

- 88% of workplaces had COVID-19 Response plans in place.

- 75% of workplaces had a Lead Worker Rep.

In addition to inspections, the Health and Safety Authority continues to provide advice and support to employers and employees on how best to implement COVID-19 measures in the workplace through its helpline and website. It has also developed checklists and templates for use by employers, workers and worker representatives, and further material is being developed.

Any employee who has concerns about compliance with COVID-19 issues, or any other workplace health and safety issue, can contact the Health and Safety Authority Workplace Contact Unit (WCU) on a confidential basis at 1890 289 389 or by sending an email to wcu@hsa.ie. If following such a complaint, there are serious concerns about a particular workplace, the Health and Safety Authority, or another agency or tasked with inspecting workplace compliance with the Protocol, will follow-up as appropriate.

I would add that under the current Level 5 restrictions, bookmakers are considered “Non-essential Retail” and are therefore closed.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (48)

Pauline Tully

Question:

48. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his understanding of what constitutes click and collect shopping; his view on whether customers using click and collect should be able to pay for their purchase while in the shop or if this should be done remotely prior to collecting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1460/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19, only essential retail outlets will remain open. Further information can be found on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/

S.I. No. 701 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 and S.I. No. 4 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/) clearly sets out the temporary restrictions under Level 5. 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/

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 making unnecessary journeys, congregating and browsing for non-essential goods, to limit the spread of the virus.

Under the current temporary restrictions click and collect from non-essential retail outlets is no longer permitted. Click or phone and deliver will continue. The regulations do not provide guidance on the manner of payment as this is a transactional matter between the retailer and consumer.

We are asking retailers to fully get behind the spirit of the regulations. In particular, we are asking retailers with mixed retail offering which have discrete spaces for essential and non-essential retail to make arrangements for the separation of relevant areas. We are also asking retailers to operate staggered opening and closing hours, as well as facilitating starting and finishing hours, in order to minimise the impact on public transport.

My colleague Minister English has met regularly with Retail Forum members and representatives from the retail grocery and distribution sector to continuously assess adherence to the public health restrictions.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) ‘The Work Safely Protocol’ incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces. The Protocol is available on www.gov.ie. The HSA is the lead agency in overseeing compliance with the Protocol in the workplace. If employers or employees need further guidance on the Protocol, the HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie

In addition, the National Standards Authority of Ireland have also produced two guidance documents, one for the retail Sector and one for Shopping Centres. Both documents can be found on nsai.ie.

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.

Brexit Supports

Questions (49)

Matt Carthy

Question:

49. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to publish the recipients of the €100 million capital investment scheme for the processing and marketing of agricultural products Brexit fund along with the amount received by each recipient; the conditions to be applied to this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1538/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

It is intended that the first call for submission of applications to this new Capital Investment Scheme for the Processing and Marketing of Agricultural Products which is jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will open at the end of January. The scheme will be managed by Enterprise Ireland.

The detailed terms and conditions will be published when the scheme is opened to applications.

Publication of beneficiary details in respect of State aid of more than €500,000 is required under EU State aid transparency rules within six months of receipt of such aid.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (50)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

50. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it is permissible for shoe stores to offer appointments for sizing children’s feet under public health restrictions. [1557/21]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19, only essential retail outlets will remain open. Further information can be found on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/

S.I. No. 701 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 and S.I. No. 4 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/) clearly sets out the temporary restrictions under Level 5. 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/

Level 5 does not restrict people from purchasing any product, it does however restrict people from physically going into non-essential stores, including shoe stores. This is to stop people making unnecessary journeys, congregating and browsing for non-essential goods, to limit the spread of the virus.

Under the current temporary restrictions click and collect from non-essential retail outlets is no longer permitted. Click or phone and deliver will continue.

We are asking retailers to fully get behind the spirit of the regulations. In particular, we are asking retailers with mixed retail offering which have discrete spaces for essential and non-essential retail to make arrangements for the separation of relevant areas. We are also asking retailers to operate staggered opening and closing hours, as well as facilitating starting and finishing hours, in order to minimise the impact on public transport.

My colleague Minister English has met regularly with Retail Forum members and representatives from the retail grocery and distribution sector to continuously assess adherence to the public health restrictions.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) ‘The Work Safely Protocol’ incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces. The Protocol is available on www.gov.ie. The HSA is the lead agency in overseeing compliance with the Protocol in the workplace. If employers or employees need further guidance on the Protocol, the HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie

In addition, the National Standards Authority of Ireland have also produced two guidance documents, one for the retail Sector and one for Shopping Centres. Both documents can be found on www.nsai.ie

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (51)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

51. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if retail shops selling towels, pillows and other bedding only can continue to open as an essential service under level 5 restrictions; and if they fall under outlets selling products necessary for the essential upkeep and functioning of places of residence and businesses whether on a retail or wholesale basis. [1602/21]