Written Answers Nos. 10-37
10. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding provided to community co-working space in each of the years 2017 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10967/21]
View answer11. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the groups that availed of community co-working space in each of the years 2017 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10968/21]
View answer12. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding streams available for co-working space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10969/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 11 and 12 together.
On 15th January last I published Ireland’s first National Remote Work Strategy to make remote working a permanent option for life after the pandemic. A key action within the National Remote Working Strategy is to extend the mapping and classifications of hubs - as completed by Western Development Commission on the Atlantic Economic Corridor - across the country to develop national data on hub infrastructure.
To date, my Department has funded seven schemes administered by Enterprise Ireland and approved €255 million to support the establishment of approximately 270 enterprise centres throughout Ireland. The rationale for this funding is to:
- Provide physical space for entrepreneurs, start-ups, scaling companies, SMEs and a balance of small scale FDI; and
- Deliver capability and capacity building supports through the delivery of enterprise relevant programmes.
Aligned to the above rationale, since 2017, Enterprise Ireland has administered funding to 91 projects totalling €16,434,595 under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund and the Community Enterprise Centres Schemes. An emerging feature of projects funded under these schemes is the provision of physical space to support remote working. The table below details funding by scheme per year.
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
|
No. of Projects Paid |
30 |
40 |
34 |
34 |
|
Payment Total |
€1,699,993 |
€1,478,721 |
€6,175,305 |
€7,080,577 |
13. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Company Registration Office has taken steps to streamline and speed up works to allow common tasks such as company incorporation, updating information and ordering documents to happen without delay and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11032/21]
View answerThe Registrar of Companies is a statutory role and the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of this function.
A major upgrade of the CRO IT system went live with effect from 16th December 2020. This is a significant modernisation project which greatly increases the range of documents that can be filed electronically, with resulting efficiency gains for both business and the CRO. The new CRO cloud-based IT platform is designed to provide improved and faster user experience for presenters and a fully paperless interaction with the CRO for certain transactions, including the most common ones carried out by companies such as the filing of annual returns and the changing of directors and their details. The introduction of a fully paperless system for these transactions provides certainty of delivery for companies. In addition, the new system allows for the "go live" of the new one-stage filing deadline of 56 days from a company's annual return date, over-hauling the previous two stage annual returns filing process.
I am aware that some issues have arisen as the system has bedded in, but have been assured that the majority of these are of a relatively minor nature and generally not impeding the filing of documents. I am also assured that any remaining issues continue to be addressed on a prioritised basis.
As for the issues referred to by the Deputy, applications to incorporate companies can be submitted under one of two schemes, operated by the CRO – Fé Phráinn (which is an expedited process) and the ordinary online process. The CRO target is to register applications under the former within 5 working days and the latter within 10 working days. Processing times have improved in the past week following further enhancement to the CRO ICT system. At present, registration is taking 8 and 9 working days respectively. In relation to registering changes to company details, such as changes to company director / secretary details, a backlog in this area has recently been cleared and progress is being closely monitored by the CRO with a view to taking further remedial action, if required. In situations where customers are seeking to order hard copy documents in the post, this can take a number of days due to lower levels of staff being present in the office due to COVID 19 level 5 restrictions. In general, online requests for electronic copies are being dealt with as they arise.
14. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Companies Registration Office has plans to accept recognised platforms such as a platform (details supplied) for electronically submitted documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11035/21]
View answerThe Registrar of Companies is a statutory role and the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of this function.
I understand that documents filed electronically with the CRO can be authenticated using ROS (Revenue Online Signature). I am informed that, at present, ROS is the only fully authenticated electronic signing solution that is acceptable to the Registrar.
Arising from a major upgrade of the CRO IT system that went live with effect from 16th December 2020, there is now greater scope for complete electronic filing by companies. This includes the most common activities such as the filing of annual returns and the changing of directors and their details. Following the bedding in of the new system, I understand that the Registrar expects to give further consideration to the possible use of additional electronic signature options.
15. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Enterprise Ireland is currently accepting new applications for the sustaining enterprise fund; the number of applications that are currently awaiting a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11041/21]
View answerEnterprise Ireland is not currently accepting new applications for the Sustaining Enterprise Fund at this time pending ongoing budgetary considerations in the context of future need by relevant enterprises. 594 applications have been received to date under the Sustaining Enterprise Fund. The Investment Committee of Enterprise Ireland has approved 430 of these applications to date with a value of €151,631,500 and 164 applications are awaiting approval.
The Government and my Department’s focus is on ensuring that our businesses and jobs remain viable for the future. The Sustaining Enterprise Fund administered through Enterprise Ireland provides support of between €100,000 - €800,000 to companies who have been impacted by COVID-19. The objectives of the fund are to ensure eligible companies can accelerate their recovery and to provide funding needed to stabilise cashflow, adapt operations and innovate for new customer needs.
16. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports his Department will arrange to be put in place to support those who will be made compulsorily redundant by a company (details supplied); the engagement his Department has had with the appropriate agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11055/21]
View answer17. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussion he has had regarding enhanced redundancy payment for the staff who are to be made redundant given that a company (details supplied) is a very viable and successful enterprise and the jobs are being outsourced to Malaysia rather than being dispensed with; the engagement he has had with the company on this aspect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11056/21]
View answer45. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts he has made in respect of the 150 job losses announced by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12026/21]
View answer49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he had discussions with a group (details supplied) in the context of the proposed layoff of 150 staff whose jobs it is alleged are being transferred to Malaysia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12145/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 17, 45 and 49 together.
The announcement of 150 redundancies is very regrettable. As a client of Enterprise Ireland, the Agency is in discussion with the senior management team of the Kerry Group on their proposals and will be working to maintain the maximum number of jobs in Ireland, in particular to sustain Kerry’s manufacturing operations across its dairy, meats and ready meals activities, as well as the Group’s R&D activity at its Naas centre. I have asked my officials to keep me updated on developments to see how we can help further.
Kerry Group plc has 26,000 employees globally of which 3,819 are in Ireland. Approximately 2,000 people are employed in manufacturing operations. This includes Dairy Operations employing 597 staff and Consumer Foods employing 1,182 full-time and 140 part-time staff. The remaining 1,819 jobs in Ireland are made up of R&D, administration, back office, agri-business, and headquarter staff based in locations in Tralee, Charleville, and Naas. I understand the manufacturing and production operations will not be impacted.
The employment services of the other State agencies including Intreo will be available to all impacted workers as they assess their options.
18. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the impact that the outsourcing of the functions of a company (details supplied) to Malaysia will have in terms of reporting to the Company Registration Office; if issues of oversight or compliance will transfer to Malaysia; the discussions there has been with the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11057/21]
View answerFirstly, my thoughts are with any employees losing their jobs at this time and I would encourage any companies which are restructuring their operations to do all they can to provide support and practical assistance to such employees. This is especially true for large businesses with the wherewithal to set an example of best practice in this regard. This can include preparing such employees to take on alternative roles within the business or to assist them in attaining new employment. The Government also has extensive services available to employees to help them in this regard.
In terms of the specific question concerning the impact on filing obligations with the Companies Registration Office, I can assure that every company registered in Ireland is obliged to comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2014. Obligations in relation to overseas operations will depend on the nature of any restructuring and the particular requirements applicable in the relevant jurisdiction. Companies have an obligation under company law to file certain documents with the CRO. These documents include details of changes of registered office, changes of company officers (director or secretary), or a number of other changes which affect the company. Companies are also required to file annual returns, and in most cases they must also file annual accounts.
19. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the monthly figures for employment permits provided in respect of persons from Brazil in the agri-food sector and overall for the period of March 2020 to January 2021; if he will provide monthly figures for the same period from March 2019 to January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11072/21]
View answerThe statistics requested by the Deputy concerning the monthly figures for employment permits (new and renewals) provided in respect of persons from Brazil in all sectors for the period of March 2020 to January 21 and from March 2019 to January 2020 are set out in the attached document. The Deputy may wish to note that the quota for new employment permits in respect of the agri-food pilot scheme exhausted during 2020.
20. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available for businesses with mobile premises, premises which are not permanently fixed in place and premises on which no commercial rates are payable which are ineligible for the Covid-19 business aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11153/21]
View answerI am keenly aware that businesses are continuing to make massive sacrifices to protect their communities. The Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. Full details are available here at: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
At an early stage of this crisis, it became apparent that the impacts on economic activity were going to remain with us for much longer than originally anticipated. It also became clear that many businesses were incurring costs such as rent, rates, insurances, maintenance, security and other utilities, on an ongoing basis without the ability to generate the revenues required to meet these costs. Most of these costs are associated with the running costs of a premises, while for businesses without a fixed premises, fixed costs will likely be lower as a proportion of their total expenses.
I acknowledge that many businesses who do not trade from a commercial premises have been severely impacted, and for those individuals and businesses, Government has already moved to provide income supports in the form of the PUP, TWSS and EWSS which are payable regardless of sector and are available to employees, sole traders and proprietary directors. Where gaps have been identified, Government has moved quickly to fill those gaps and to ensure that nobody is left behind. Self-employed individuals can now earn up to €960 over an 8-week period and still remain eligible for the PUP. The Enterprise Support Grant, introduced by my colleague the Minister for Social Protection was a one-off grant introduced to reimburse certain non-rate paying businesses who had closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for re-opening costs up to a maximum of €1,000.
In the 2021 Budget, the Government allocated significant additional resources to Departments to provide help to different sectors. I would highlight the €395m provided to the Department of Transport and the €222m allocated to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
These additional monies will go towards helping businesses, including self-employed and those that are not rate paying businesses, such as through the €30m for private bus operators, €55m for a focused business scheme for strategic tourism businesses along with a €50m scheme for the live entertainment sector.
These are in addition to financial assistance and other schemes provided to businesses via Enterprise Ireland, InterTrade Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices.
The three main schemes, the CRSS, EWSS and PUP compare favourably with any other packages on offer in other countries. The Government is very much open to proposals as to how we can help further but the Government schemes are generally designed to help meet fixed costs that cannot be avoided and it is not possible to provide compensation for loss of personal income or profits.
21. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the €160 million boost to firms under the Covid-19 fund as announced on 9 February 2021 extends to sports clubs; if not, the reason sports clubs that pay local authority commercial rates and that were covered by his Department's business scheme up to November 2020 when the Covid restrictions support scheme was created now find themselves without support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11198/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on communities right across the country. Sacrifices are being made right across the country by people in order to protect their communities.
With this in mind the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme, low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.
I recently announced a new €60m Scheme, called the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS), that is being developed to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes and is designed to help with fixed costs. The details of this scheme are currently being finalised and it is expected they will be announced shortly.
22. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider extending company grants for businesses not considered as a rated premises but which meet all other criteria and are losing out on much needed business supports as a result; the actions which can be taken in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11282/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on businesses right across the country. With this in mind the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.
I would urge business owners to seek the supports outlined above if they have not already done so. I would also suggest they contact their Local Enterprise Office who can signpost them and advise them of supports that may be available for their business.
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. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website.
I recently announced a new €60m Scheme, called the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS), that is being developed to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes and is designed to help with fixed costs.
Businesses, however, will be required to be in receipt of a rates bill from their local authority for their business in order to qualify. The intention behind this provision is to assist businesses operating from fixed premises to meet some of the ongoing fixed costs of maintaining those premises.
The Government is very much open to proposals as to how we can help businesses further. However, our schemes are there to help meet fixed costs that cannot be avoided and to provide basic weekly income support up to maximum of €350 per week. We are not providing compensation for loss of personal income above this level or compensation for loss of profits for any sector.
23. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if funding will be made available through Enterprise Ireland for the development of a golf training facility and golf pro academy for a golf club (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11316/21]
View answerEnterprise Ireland plays a key role in providing direct supports and services to the manufacturing sector and export oriented enterprises and to the internationally traded service sectors. Accordingly, a golf training facility and golf pro academy would not be eligible for support from Enterprise Ireland unless it was providing an internationally traded service.
As the Deputy will be aware, there are a range of loans and schemes in place to help companies to start-up or expand and details are available on my Department website or the local LEO website.
24. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of contracts of €25,000 or more that have been awarded by his Department or bodies under his aegis that were found to be non-compliant with procurement guidelines in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the value and nature of the contract work carried out in each case; the year of each contract in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11374/21]
View answerThe Department, through a dedicated Procurement Co-ordination Unit with responsibility at Principal Officer level, ensures that there is an appropriate focus on procurement best practice. There are a range of formal procedures and control mechanisms in place to try to ensure compliance with all relevant national and EU procurement guidelines. The Department, where possible, will try to avail of various centralised procurement frameworks put in place by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) as well as utilising the e-Tenders website and advertising in the EU Journal where applicable.
It is the case however, that a continuing small number of contracts will be awarded without entering into a competitive process each year. Reasons for this include instances where only one company can provide the necessary technical support required, the service is not provided by any other service providers or the contract was for a critical and urgent need such as the purchase of laptops to enable staff to work from home during COVID-19 restrictions.
Under Department of Finance Circular 40/2002 Departments are required to provide a Report annually to the Comptroller & Auditor General and to the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform indicating expenditure on contracts valued above €25,000 which have been awarded without holding a competitive process. Based on the information gathered as part of this process the table below sets out the position in respect of contracts awarded by my Department for the years 2018-20 inclusive. As the annual reporting process in respect of the Department’s 2021 40/02 return has not yet commenced, the requested information in respect of this year is not yet available.
|
Year |
Company Awarded Contract |
Details |
Value of Contract€(incl. VAT) |
|
2018 |
Oracle EMEA |
Oracle ACS Support for E-Business Suite for 2019. Required in anticipation of Financial Management Shared Service. Only Oracle can provide this support. |
€139,904 |
|
2018 |
Oracle EMEA |
Consolidated annual license support contract. Required to be paid direct to Oracle. Original license purchases were by way of competitive tender. |
€274,000 |
|
2018 |
Microsoft Ireland |
Microsoft Unified Support December 2019 to December 2020. This service is not provided by any other service providers |
€70,583 |
|
2018 |
Word Perfect |
Translation services for the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) – contract rolling over while a corresponding Office of Government Procurement framework was experiencing legal challenges |
€83,102 |
|
2018 |
EIR |
Provision of Reception Services to WRC and Labour Court |
€49,598 |
|
2018 |
SWORD GROUP |
Maintenance contract for the PTOLEMY IP administration system used by the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland. This is a proprietary software developed by Sword and therefore cannot be maintained or developed by a third party. |
€104,665 |
|
2019 |
Oracle EMEA |
Oracle ACS Support for E-Business Suite for 2020.Required in anticipation of Financial Management Shared Service. Only Oracle can provide this support. |
€139,853 |
|
2019 |
Oracle EMEA |
Consolidated annual licence support contract. Required to be paid direct to Oracle. Original licence purchases were by way of competitive tender. |
€282,220 |
|
2019 |
Microsoft Ireland |
Microsoft Unified Support December 2019 to December 2020. This service is not provided by any other service providers. |
€82,585 |
|
2019 |
SWORD GROUP |
Maintenance contract for the PTOLEMY IP administration system used by the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland. This is a proprietary software developed by Sword and therefore cannot be maintained or developed by a third party. |
€111,129 |
|
2020 |
Evros Technology Group |
Critical and urgent purchase of laptops to enable staff to work from home during COVID-19 restrictions. Circular 40/02 procedures apply and were complied with. |
€45,129 |
|
2020 |
Evros Technology Group |
Critical and urgent purchase of laptops to enable staff to work from home during COVID-19 restrictions. Circular 40/02 procedures apply and were complied with. |
€86,439 |
|
2020 |
Oracle EMEA |
Oracle ACS Support for E-Business Suite and Database 11 for 2021. Required in anticipation of Financial Management Shared Service. Only Oracle can provide this support. |
€260,150 |
|
2020 |
Oracle EMA |
Consolidated annual licence support contract. Required to be paid direct to Oracle. Original licence purchases were by way of competitive tender |
€268,311 |
|
2020 |
Microsoft Ireland |
Microsoft Unified Support December 2019 to December 2020. This service is not provided by any other service providers |
€82,102 |
|
2020 |
Arkphire (formerly Zinopy) |
Citrix Remote access contract (1st June 2017-31st May 2020) extended for one additional year due to importance of remote access during COVID-19 restrictions. Circular 40/02 procedures apply and were complied with. |
€50,000 |
|
2020 |
McCann Fitzgerald |
Legal services in respect of the Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme. The awarding of the contract without undertaking a competitive process was in compliance with the OGP information note on "COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Public Procurement" |
€133,270 |
|
2020 |
SWORD GROUP |
Maintenance contract for the PTOLEMY IP administration system used by the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland. This is a proprietary software developed by Sword and therefore cannot be maintained or developed by a third party. |
€139,181 |
25. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the meetings, correspondence and engagements he and his officials have had with a group (details supplied); if he will specifically address the concerns outlined by the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11406/21]
View answerTo date I have had no meetings with the Group concerned. Correspondence which I received from the Group was referred directly to the Minister for Health for his attention and direct reply as the matters raised came within his areas of responsibility.
26. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the post-Brexit reality of the application of a 10% customs duty on a used vehicle not of UK origin imported into Ireland; if he plans to assist car dealerships that specialise in used vehicles to combat this new tariff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11428/21]
View answerI understand that the matter of interest to the Deputy relates to the application of VAT (not customs duty) on second hand cars, not of UK origin, imported into Ireland from the UK. The application of VAT rules falls to be addressed by my colleague the Minister for Finance, Mr Paschal Donohoe, T.D.
In terms of assistance for businesses, the Government has put in place extensive financial supports over recent years to assist businesses prepare for and mitigate the impacts of Brexit. This includes a range of Government funded Brexit loan schemes to assist business with potential cashflow issues arising out of Brexit, including the Brexit Loan Scheme and the Brexit Business Loan from MicroFinance Ireland. The full range of supports are available at www.gov.ie/Brexit.
27. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding retirement age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11473/21]
View answerThere is no statutory retirement age in Ireland and the age at which employees retire is a matter for the contract of employment between them and their employer. While such a contract may have been entered into with a retirement age of 65 year in the context of previous state pension arrangements there is no legal impediment to the employer and employee agreeing to increase the duration of employment by one or more years if both parties agree.
My colleague the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, is responsible for the legislative policy and administration of the state pension scheme and recently announced the introduction of the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds. This is a payment for people aged between 65 and 66 years who are no longer engaged in employment or self-employment. Eligibility for the payment is determined by a person’s PRSI contributions. A person in receipt of this payment will not be required to be available for full-time work or genuinely seeking work and they will not be required to sign on the Live Register.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent statutory office under the aegis of my Department. The WRC has produced a code of practice on longer working hours which sets out guidance for employers, employees and their representatives, best principles and practices to follow during the engagement between employers and employees in the run up to retirement including responding to requests to work beyond the retirement age in the employment concerned. The Code outlines the matters to be considered by both the employer and employee in relation to a request by an individual to work longer than the contracted retirement age.
Where a decision is taken to refuse a request to work beyond the retirement age, the grounds for the decision should be set out and communicated in a meeting with the employee. This will help the employee to understand why the request has not been granted, give the employee confidence that his/her case has been given serious consideration and that there are good grounds for refusing the request. The applicant should have recourse to an appeals mechanism, for example through the normal established grievance procedures in the organisation. The WRC's code can be accessed at the following link: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/si/600/made/en/pdf
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has also published guidance material for employees and employers who use fixed-term contracts beyond what was the normal retirement age of 65 years, this information can be accessed at the following link: https://www.ihrec.ie/our-work/legal-activity/retirement-and-fixed-term-contracts-guidelines/
28. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of court prosecutions initiated by the Workplace Relations Commission in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. [11565/21]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The Commission’s primary statutory functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation and advisory services.
The Inspectorate Division of the WRC carries out inspections of employer records with a view to determining compliance with employment law. These inspections arise:
- In response to complaints received of alleged non-compliance with relevant employment rights legislation.
- As part of compliance campaigns which focus on compliance in specific sectors or specific pieces of legislation; or
- From routine inspections (announced and unannounced) which act as an overall control measure.
The aim of the WRC Inspectorate is to achieve voluntary compliance with employment law through the provision of education and awareness, inspection of employers’ employment records and enforcement where necessary. While every effort is made to secure compliance, some employers either refuse or fail to rectify the breaches identified and/or pay money due to their employees. These cases are referred for prosecution. The table attached sets out the number of prosecutions initiated by the WRC in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Table setting out the number of Prosecutions initiated by the WRC 2018-2020
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
|
TOTALS |
185 |
198 |
160 |
29. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to allow for social media and other online platforms that link or allow for sharing of content created by news websites to be charged by those news sites that create the shared content; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11652/21]
View answerThe use of press publisher content will be addressed in the context of EU Copyright Directive which all EU Member States are required to transpose into national law by 7 June 2021.
The Copyright Directive contains a number of varied provisions that constitute a significant updating of European Union Copyright Law, reducing the difference between national copyright regimes throughout the EU. The objective is to achieve a fair balance between the interests of all stakeholders.
Specifically, Article 15 of the Directive establishes a press publishers' right to seek remuneration by authorising the online use of their works by online news aggregators. Typically, the fee payable for use by a platform of a press publisher’s work would form part of a licensing agreement between both parties.
In Ireland, it remains the intention to transpose the Directive within the deadline of 7 June 2021.
30. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if travel agents are eligible for the new COVID-19 business aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11653/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties the travel industry has faced this past year and are continuing to face due to the necessary COVID-19 travel restrictions. The travel industry has been one of the worst effected by the current situation.
With business difficulties in mind, the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.
As you are aware recently, I announced a new €60m Scheme, called the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS), that is being developed to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes and is designed to help with fixed costs. Wholesalers, suppliers, caterers and events companies down 75% or more in turnover who are in receipts of a rates bill can benefit. It is anticipated that travel agents will be eligible to apply for this scheme. The details of this scheme are currently being finalised and I expect applications to be taken this month.
I am committed to helping businesses respond to the economic challenges arising from the pandemic with a particular focus on firms that do not qualify for the weekly CRSS grant from the Revenue Commissioners or existing sectoral schemes in areas such as the arts, transport and tourism.
While the grant is modest it will be of substantial assistance to smaller businesses with some of their fixed costs like rent, utilities and security.
As it is an ever changing situation, I want to assure you that I and my colleagues across Government will continue to keep the range of supports under review.
31. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the period of time an employee has been on the temporary wage subsidy scheme or the pandemic unemployment payment will be taken into consideration as part of their tenure for redundancy packages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11654/21]
View answerIn order to qualify for a statutory redundancy payment, an employee must have 104 weeks continuous employment, be an employed contributor in employment which was insurable for all benefits under the Social Welfare Acts and be over the age of 16. An eligible employee is entitled to two weeks statutory redundancy payment for every year of service, plus a bonus week. Compensation is based on the worker’s length of reckonable service and reckonable weekly remuneration, subject to a ceiling of €600 per week.
The current situation is that the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 provides that a period of layoff within the final 3 years of service before redundancy is not allowable as reckonable service and is not included as service for the purposes of the calculation of the redundancy lump sum payment. So, as it stands, an employee who is in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is on layoff from their employment and that period of layoff is not allowable as reckonable service. Time spent on the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme is not considered to be a lay-off period.
The Department has sought legal advice on the matter. It is legally complex for several reasons, and the Department is considering the full implications before any decision is made. The Department will continue to discuss with trade union and employer representatives.
32. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications that have been received for the restart fund by Cork City Council from businesses; the funding that has been allocated to the authority; the number of businesses that have received funding under the fund from Cork City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11655/21]
View answerThe Restart Grant and Restart Grant Plus schemes were designed to help small and medium sized businesses get back on their feet after what has been an exceptionally difficult time. The Restart Grant scheme was launched on 15 May with a budget of €250 million. The Restart Grant Plus scheme was launched on 10 August with an additional budget of €300m from the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus as a result of the increasing demand for the scheme.
The purpose of the schemes was to help with the cost of reopening or adapting business premises so that normal business could resume. Grant payments were administered by the Local Authorities via the commercial rates system as this was considered the most effective means to get urgent financial assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The Restart Grant Plus scheme closed to new applications on 31 October and the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners is now in place.
The Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. Details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes are available on my Department’s website at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
On 9th February last I announced a new €60m Scheme called the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS) that is being developed to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes such as CRSS and to help with fixed costs. Wholesalers, suppliers, caterers and events companies down 75% or more in turnover and who are in receipt of a rates bill from their local authority can benefit, including those that commenced at the end of 2019.
In response to the Deputy’s specific question and as of 26 February 2021, Cork City Council received a total of 3362 applications to the Restart Grant Scheme, 2636 of which were approved for payment. The total amount of funding allocated to the Council under the Restart Grant Scheme was €16,164,841.
In terms of the Restart Grant Plus Scheme, Cork City Council received 3096 applications, of which 2696 were approved for payment. The total amount of funding allocated to the Council under the Restart Grant Plus Scheme was €20,786,570.
33. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications that have been received for the restart fund by Cork County Council from businesses; the funding that has been allocated to the authority; the number of businesses that have received funding under the fund from Cork County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11656/21]
View answerThe Restart Grant and Restart Grant Plus schemes were designed to help small and medium sized businesses get back on their feet after what has been an exceptionally difficult time. The Restart Grant scheme was launched on 15 May with a budget of €250 million. The Restart Grant Plus scheme was launched on 10 August with an additional budget of €300m from the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus as a result of the increasing demand for the scheme.
The purpose of the schemes was to help with the cost of reopening or adapting business premises so that normal business could resume. Grant payments were administered by the Local Authorities via the commercial rates system as this was considered the most effective means to get urgent financial assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The Restart Grant Plus scheme closed to new applications on 31 October and the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners is now in place.
The Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. Details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes are available on my Department’s website at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
On 9th February last I announced a new €60m Scheme called the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS) that is being developed to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes such as CRSS and to help with fixed costs. Wholesalers, suppliers, caterers and events companies down 75% or more in turnover and who are in receipt of a rates bill from their local authority can benefit, including those that commenced at the end of 2019.
In response to the Deputy’s specific question and as of 26 February 2021, Cork County Council received a total of 3778 applications to the Restart Grant Scheme, 3252 of which were approved for payment. The total amount of funding allocated to the Council under the Restart Grant Scheme was €15,885,944.
In terms of the Restart Grant Plus Scheme, Cork County Council received 3918 applications, of which 3607 were approved for payment. The total amount of funding allocated to the Council under the Restart Grant Plus Scheme was €18,383,184.
34. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies that will enter the food works programme in 2021. [11695/21]
View answerThe Food Works programme is a Government supported business accelerator programme that aims to develop the next generation of scalable and export driven Irish food and drinks businesses. It was established in 2012 as a collaboration between Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland. In Food Works, successful participants are given a range of practical business aids required to develop an initial concept into a winning food product with international appeal. The available supports include consumer market research, business plan development, technical advice, and commercial viability testing. Access to incubation units, research and development (R&D) facilities and introduction to the investment community are also important aspects of Food Works. My Department, through Enterprise Ireland, grants feasibility funding of up to €35,000 to participants on this programme.
Since its inception in 2012, 93 companies in all have completed the Food Works programme and 8 companies will enter the programme in 2021.
35. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies that have participated in the food works programme since inception; and the number of the companies and alumni still trading and are solvent. [11696/21]
View answerThe Food Works programme is a Government supported business accelerator programme that aims to develop the next generation of scalable and export driven Irish food and drinks businesses. It was established in 2012 as a collaboration between Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland. In Food Works, successful participants are given a range of practical business aids required to develop an initial concept into a winning food product with international appeal. The available supports include consumer market research, business plan development, technical advice, and commercial viability testing. Access to incubation units, research and development (R&D) facilities and introduction to the investment community are also important aspects of Food Works. My Department, through Enterprise Ireland, grants feasibility funding of up to €35,000 to participants on this programme.
Since its inception in 2012, 93 companies in all have completed the Food Works programme and 8 companies will enter the programme in 2021.
Enterprise Ireland does not report on the trading status or solvency of programme participants.
36. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies and-or persons that have participated in business innovation centre, BIC, programmes across all regional centres for each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and the cost of the BIC programme to the Exchequer. [11697/21]
View answerThe Business Innovation Centres were established in 1988 as a European Union (EU) initiative and until the end of 1999 were funded by the EU. The BIC’s are independent companies, limited by guarantee, and led by boards whose members come mainly from the private sector. There are four Business Innovation Centres located throughout the country as follows – Dublin BIC, Cork BIC, South East BIC based in Waterford and West BIC based in Galway.
Since 2000, EU funding was replaced by Government exchequer funding, which is administered by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of my Department. The payments made to the BICs for each year is €2,199,988. The payments are made on a quarterly basis, and no payments have been paid to date in 2021.
The BICs aim to empower entrepreneurs to start and scale by providing a comprehensive range of programmes specifically designed to advance the ambitions of early-stage companies.
The number of companies and or persons that have participated in BIC programmes across all regional centres for each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021 are detailed in the table below:
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021(YTD) |
|
No. of Participants |
920 |
983 |
1041 |
1190 |
1498 |
362 |
37. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount provided in grants to a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [11698/21]
View answerThe amount of grant aid provided to the company referred to in the Deputy's question for each of the years 2011 to 2021 is detailed in the table below. There have been no payments made to this company to date in 2021.
|
Year of Payment |
Amount € |
|
2011 |
48,703 |
|
2012 |
6,331,584 |
|
2013 |
361,942 |
|
2014 |
2,279,937 |
|
2015 |
2,616,949 |
|
2016 |
2,289,463 |
|
2017 |
763,422 |
|
2018 |
578,835 |
|
2019 |
3,586,008 |
|
2020 |
2,442,198 |
|
2021 |
0 |
