Paul Kehoe
Question:126. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Taoiseach the amount spent by his Department on advertising in relation to Covid-19, by month and by media outlet (details supplied), from 1 March 2020 to 1 March 2021. [12323/21]
View answerDepartmental Advertising
Questions (126)
Written answers
The table details the figures requested by the Deputy.
|
Month of Payment |
Campaign name: |
National Newspapers |
Regional Newspapers |
National Radio |
Regional/Local Radio |
|
June 2020 |
Emergency Business Supports |
€229,784.05 |
n/a |
€158,403.39 |
€94,738.42 |
|
June 2020 |
Use of Outdoor/Public Spaces |
€140,178.93 |
n/a |
€111,335.78 |
€153,520.97 |
|
June 2020 |
14 Day Restrictions |
€135,291.73 |
n/a |
€114,230.08 |
€209,051.48 |
|
June 2020 |
Community Call |
€169,445.63 |
€409,296.64 |
€440,295.17 |
€621,149.69 |
|
July 2020 |
Business Supports - SMEs |
€190,532.26 |
€280,116.75 |
€214,603.33 |
€199,651.77 |
|
July 2020 |
Wellbeing |
€97,768.92 |
€170,597.92 |
€171,050.80 |
€224,945.73 |
|
July 2020 |
Reopening Roadmap |
€146,868.95 |
€156,743.26 |
€133,371.60 |
€306,608.61 |
|
Sept 2020 |
Business Reopening - Return to Work Safely Protocol |
€146,325.93 |
€165,607.55 |
€185,020.59 |
€229,620.06 |
|
Sept 2020 |
Leaving Certificate |
€47,457.94 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Sept 2020 |
Phase 1 Reopening |
€193,870.75 |
€333,465.39 |
€221,827.69 |
€264,575.47 |
|
Sept 2020 |
Business Reopening - RTW 2 |
€49,606.13 |
€170,282.97 |
€167,977.30 |
€173,256.56 |
|
Sept 2020 |
Phase 2 Reopening |
€143,412.46 |
€167,010.97 |
€196,914.51 |
€247,538.07 |
|
Sept 2020 |
Phase 3 Reopening |
€239,517.92 |
€344,367.04 |
€224,815.88 |
€237,340.55 |
|
Sept 2020 |
Personal Responsibility |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€146,225.51 |
€201,950.31 |
|
Sept 2020 |
Travel |
€143,412.46 |
€0.00 |
€68,141.56 |
€95,989.01 |
|
Oct 2020 |
Phase 4 Reopening - July Delay |
€143,412.46 |
€172,804.78 |
€164,525.87 |
€215,979.27 |
|
Oct 2020 |
July Jobs Stimulus |
€96,106.53 |
€178,314.44 |
€81,639.53 |
€126,740.32 |
|
Oct 2020 |
Travel Green List |
€47,307.00 |
€0.00 |
€52,471.57 |
€64,700.30 |
|
Oct 2020 |
Phase 4 Reopening - August Delay |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€59,194.91 |
€106,271.14 |
|
Oct 2020 |
3 Counties Restrictions Regional |
€0.00 |
€18,234.12 |
€0.00 |
€34,378.48 |
|
Oct 2020 |
3 Counties Restrictions National |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€53,560.25 |
€0.00 |
|
Oct 2020 |
Additional National Measures (August) |
€47,305.93 |
€189,289.96 |
€78,652.33 |
€113,625.90 |
|
Nov 2020 |
Dublin/Limerick High incidence awareness |
€123,780.89 |
€30,988.49 |
€114,492.36 |
€69,428.97 |
|
Nov 2020 |
Living with COVID Framework (incl. Dublin Level 3) |
€143,413.52 |
€189,495.09 |
€178,172.35 |
€179,228.98 |
|
Nov 2020 |
Donegal Level 3 (Sept) |
€123,781.96 |
€0.00 |
€27,485.25 |
€25,068.58 |
|
Nov 2020 |
Reinforcing Public Health Messaging Nationwide |
€76,474.96 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Nov 2020 |
Nationwide Level 3 (Oct) |
€47,307.00 |
€0.00 |
€89,519.94 |
€81,161.97 |
|
Nov 2020 |
3 Counties L4 / National L3 update |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€29,320.74 |
€1,975.44 |
|
Nov 2020 |
Nationwide Level 5 (Oct) |
€47,305.93 |
€0.00 |
€73,424.73 |
€64,930.00 |
|
Nov 2020 |
Keep Well - Community Wellbeing |
€76,474.96 |
€189,495.09 |
€154,804.64 |
€187,321.99 |
Since March of 2020, my Department has co-ordinated communications for the whole-of-government response to the pandemic. This necessitated expenditure on a broad range of targeted public messaging across a range of different information campaigns.
The overall communications strategy for Covid-19 is based on a coordinated response that ensures maximum clarity for citizens, businesses and our wider community. This aligns with both World Health Organisation (WHO) and European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) advice, both of which emphasise the importance of ensuring the general public is aware of the seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak, and further that a high degree of population understanding, community engagement and acceptance of the measures put in place are key in preventing further spread.
It is also recommended that communication strategies should target different audiences and provide the rationale behind the measures, also outlining the necessity to put a support system in place to provide essential services and supplies (e.g. food and medication), and to monitor vulnerable individuals.
Campaigns have included national and local radio, national and regional newspapers and social elements across different platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Last Spring a number of campaigns were run as restrictions were initially imposed at the onset of the pandemic in order to explain the measures and to reinforce public health messages. Other campaigns focussed on specific sectors and topics, including supports for business, the postponement of the Leaving Certificate, the Return to Work and Community Wellbeing campaigns.
In May of last year, the Government’s Roadmap to Reopen Society and Business was published and a communications campaign was run to explain the different phases of the Roadmap.
During Summer 2020, the Jobs Stimulus Plan was announced by the Government and a campaign was run which focussed on restoring confidence and investment in the recovery.
In Autumn, campaigns aimed at Community Wellbeing and Keeping Well and reinforcing public health messaging were run.
The AntiViral campaign, launched in December, aims to engage with those aged 18-24, recognising that they have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
This campaign is a way to demonstrate the positive role that our young people are playing in beating back this virus. It has had over 5.7 million interactions on the social platforms and reached over 300,000 people in that age demographic. The AntiViral hashtag had over 1.1 million views and the campaign’s positive sentiment was measured at over 60%.
Also in December, there were campaigns to inform citizens of the advice for having a safe Christmas with family and friends, and guidance on shopping safely, to reinforce public health messaging.
It is essential that citizens, business owners and communities are informed of the decisions being made by Government, and campaigns are developed and implemented to make the public aware of these decisions.
Data from 25 of the Campaigns advertised in national press show an average reach of 49%, with 17 of these reaching over 50%. The average readership for the 25 campaigns was 1.9 million (with 16 of the 25 campaigns having a readership of over 2 million). Readership figures for regional newspapers is over 1.5 million for each campaign. Radio advertising had an average audience reach of 79%, with 19 of the campaigns advertised on radio reaching over 80%.
Digital display advertising was used in 13 campaigns, with a combined audience reach of over 33 million. This is an average of 2.6 million impressions, with six of the campaigns reaching over 3 million citizens.
Of 19 campaigns analysed that used Social media advertising, an average of 4.9 million impressions were achieved, with a high of 16.1 million impressions for the Publication of the Roadmap campaign.
Invoices for the campaigns run during Winter 2020 and Spring 2021 are currently being processed for payment.
Departmental Consultations
Questions (127)
Alan Kelly
Question:127. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 9 to 11, inclusive, of 9 December 2020, if he will report on any other consultancy work that has been commissioned by his Department. [43178/20]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has not engaged any consultancy firms nor incurred any expenditure on consultancy in relation to COVID-19 or any other matters throughout 2020.
As stated in my previous reply, my Department is working with the HSE and their contractors EY, the CSO, and a number of other Departments, to draw together existing data outputs to maximise the insights that can be gained.
This builds on the existing strong work across Government Departments to better inform the cross-Government COVID-19 response.
The objective is to integrate data and insights across a variety of internal and external sources.
Departmental Internships
Questions (128)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:128. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach the number of students who undertook work experience or internships with State and semi-State agencies under his aegis in 2019; the cost in terms of wages and allowances; and the estimated numerical capacity of State and semi-State agencies to provide work experience and internships on an annual basis. [12963/21]
View answerWritten answers
The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, accommodated two third-level students on internships during 2019 on an unpaid basis.
NESDO has a capacity to provide work experience and internships on an unpaid basis to four third-level students on an annual basis.
EU Issues
Questions (129)
Seán Haughey
Question:129. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Ireland is supportive of the EU Commission's legislative initiative on mandatory and human rights due diligence for EU companies in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12522/21]
View answerWritten answers
I understand the Deputy may be referring to the EU Commission’s forthcoming proposal on sustainable corporate governance expected in Summer 2021. As outlined by the EU Commission this may include measures to require companies to take actions to address their adverse impacts on social and environmental matters including human rights by way of a due diligence duty.
Certainly, the matters signalled are of great importance and any EU legislative proposals will be examined carefully and subject to consultation with stakeholders to inform Ireland’s position. The proposals shall be considered from the perspective of Ireland’s support for human rights, their feasibility for companies and their directors having particular regard to SMEs, and the effectiveness of the proposals in meeting their objectives.
In parallel, there is already an obligation on certain large companies in the EU to publish annually non-financial information in respect of their social and environmental impact including on matters such as human rights and climate change or explain where they do not. The EU is reviewing the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (2014/95/EU) with the objective of improving the way this information is made publicly available including the question of developing an EU standard to enhance these non-financial disclosures. A legislative proposal is expected in April 2021.
I look forward to the receiving the EU Commission’s proposals and to Ireland taking an active part in progressing these important and positive developments.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (130)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:130. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review the classification of school clothing and school supplies under the level 5 plan following the start of the phased return of schools and the significant associated pressures on parents at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12943/21]
View answerWritten answers
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/
Under Level 5, only essential retail outlets will remain open and all measures in Level 5 will stay in place until at least April 5 2021. Further information can be found on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/ Clothing products can be ordered remotely for delivery and are also available on compassionate grounds as circumstances arise.
The decision on the categorisation of essential services and/or essential retail outlets is not primarily a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
It is important to monitor gov.ie for the latest information, public health advice and guidelines from Government in relation to COVID-19.
Redundancy Payments
Questions (131)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:131. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the board of a group (details supplied) communicated to him its intention to disregard an agreed severance package and proceed with a reduced package following the consultation period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13054/21]
View answerWritten answers
I extend my sympathies to the workers in the Rehab Group who are in danger of losing their jobs. I fully appreciate how difficult the situation is for those involved and for their families.
The Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes a number of obligations on employers who are proposing collective redundancies including an obligation under sections 9 and 10 to engage in an information and consultation process with employees’ representatives and to provide certain information relating to the proposed redundancies. Section 11A of the Act provides that, where an employee believes the employer to be in breach of sections 9 or 10, they may pursue a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission. It is also an offence under section 11 of the Act where an employer fails to comply with sections 9 or 10.
There is also an obligation under section 12 which makes it mandatory on employers proposing a collective redundancy to notify the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment of the proposed collective redundancy. My Department received notification of the proposed redundancies in the Rehab Group on 17th February 2021.
It is the employer’s responsibility by law to pay statutory redundancy to eligible employees. Negotiations on enhanced redundancy packages over and above the statutory entitlement are a voluntary matter between an employer and its employees and the Government has no role in this.
The Government will work in a coordinated way to assist any person who loses their job. My colleague Heather Humphreys T.D. the Minister for Social Protection would be best placed to advise further on supports for jobseekers with disabilities, including the EmployAbility service which is an employment and recruitment service that helps people who have a disability to secure and maintain employment.
Finally, the Workplace Relations Commission provides information on employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations, and can be contacted at Lo-call 1890 80 80 90 or via its website www.workplacerelations.ie.
Economic Data
Questions (132)
Bernard Durkan
Question:132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current ranking of Ireland on the Digital Economy and Society Index; the plans to improve Ireland’s position on the index, with particular reference to comparison with EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13230/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Digital Economy and Society Index Report (DESI) is a composite index that summarises five relevant indicators (Connectivity, Human Capital, Use of Internet Services, Integration of digital technology by businesses, Digital public services) on Europe’s digital performance and tracks the evolution of EU member states in digital competitiveness.
Ireland is now ranked in 6th place, an improved performance on the 2019 index. Over the last five years, Ireland has made continuous improvements in these rankings.
Ireland continues to rank first in the Integration of Digital Technology dimension and has maintained a leading position in the use of e-Commerce by SMEs. It entered the top 10 on the use of Internet by individuals and recorded a notable increase in the share of internet users. It maintained its top 10 position in Digital Public Services, where it excels in open data and the provision of digital public services for businesses. Digital transformation continues to be a core policy priority.
An area where Ireland shows scope for improvement is in the Connectivity dimension, we are currently 23rd on the index, with Denmark, Sweden and Luxembourg leading the pack with the highest scores. It is anticipated that the roll out of the National Broadband Plan will improve our position on this dimension going forward.
Work Permits
Questions (133, 140)
Niall Collins
Question:133. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a matter (details supplied) in relation to critical skills employment permits for immigrant non-consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13645/21]
View answer
Neale Richmond
Question:140. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered allowing non-consultant hospital doctors to access the critical skills employment permit which they cannot access given that they relocate regularly due to the nature of their employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13150/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 140 together.
The employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, however, this objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the critical skills and the ineligible occupations lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit.
Doctors, including non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs), are on the critical skills list and are eligible for the Critical Skills Employment Permit. The Critical Skills Employment Permit is Ireland's premium employment permit and is targeted at highly skilled people in eligible occupations deemed to be critically important to growing Ireland’s economy, are highly demanded and highly skilled, and in significant shortage of supply in our labour market. This permit provides for immediate family reunification, broad access to the labour market for dependents, spouses and partners as well as fast tracking to long term residency after two years. The criteria attached to this permit type includes the requirement for the non EEA national to have secured a job offer of two years.
The employment permits legislation applies a range of criteria when considering an application for an employment permit including the remuneration offered and the period of employment as set out in the contract of employment provided with the application. The duration of the employment offered to any non EEA national, for any employment, is a contractual arrangement between the employer and the employee and my Department has no role in this regard.
My Department has worked with the HSE to put in place a process that allows for up to two year, multi-site applications for Doctors, including NCHDs, for employment permits but any agreement on duration of individual employment contracts is a matter for the HSE and the doctor concerned.
The new Employment Permits (Consolidation and Amendment) Bill proposes to include provisions to streamline employment permit processes and improve agility by moving some of the operational detail from primary legislation to regulation including duration of an employment permit which would allow adjustment to be made more easily in response to changes in industry practices.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (134)
Niall Collins
Question:134. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the Covid-19 business aid scheme will be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12563/21]
View answerWritten answers
As you are aware, I recently announced a new €60m Covid Business Scheme. The aim of this scheme is to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes such as CRSS and is designed to help with fixed costs. Wholesalers, suppliers, caterers and events companies down 75% or more in turnover and in receipt of a rates bill may benefit, including those that commenced after the 1st November 2019 where their turnover is below projections.
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.
This new scheme will help some businesses that are not eligible for existing grants, largely due to the fact that the premises they operate from have not been closed to the public. We estimate that this will help approximately 7,500 businesses. 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.
The details of the Scheme are currently being finalised and I plan to launch it in the coming days.
Flexible Work Practices
Questions (135)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:135. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has carried out research into the profiling of workers' electronic equipment by employers, given reports internationally of the increasing use of monitoring software and privacy-busting software to track workers throughout the working day. [12646/21]
View answerWritten answers
Privacy and data protection concerns are a matter for the Data Protection Commissioner.
The ICT measures referred to by the Deputy to monitor employees are not matters which are provided for within the suite of employment rights law or in the context of the information required under the Terms of Employment (Information) Act, 1994.
Trade Missions
Questions (136)
Catherine Murphy
Question:136. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department is considering a virtual trade mission to Singapore during the second quarter of 2021. [12694/21]
View answerWritten answers
Each year, Enterprise Ireland offers a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment.
In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led Trade Missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represented the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These Trade Missions focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and lifesciences.
Trade missions will be taking place virtually and, where possible, physically during 2021. In relation to Singapore, Minister Robert Troy will be attending a virtual “Airports of the Future” event in the coming weeks at the request of Enterprise Ireland to support Irish firms.
My Department continues to work closely with its agencies to assess opportunities to help Irish companies to access new markets and to increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland, including in markets in the Asia-Pacific region such as Singapore.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (137)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:137. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider removing the eligibility criteria for the Covid-19 business aid scheme that states a business must be in a rateable premises (details supplied). [12869/21]
View answerWritten answers
I 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.
As you mention I recently announced a new €60m Covid Aid Scheme 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.
Business Regulation
Questions (138)
Carol Nolan
Question:138. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if concerns will be addressed in relation to increased customer and business costs following the requirement that all wooden packaging materials (details supplied) must meet ISPM15 standards by undergoing heat treatment and marking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12911/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has been working to prepare for Brexit for several years – with intensive effort across many Departments and Agencies, including legislation, supports for business and other sectors, stakeholder outreach and widespread public communications to promote readiness. Details of the business Brexit Supports available from my Department can be found at: Brexit Business Supports - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)
My Department and the Enterprise Agencies provide a significant number of Brexit supports including planning vouchers, consultancy and mentoring supports, the Enterprise Ireland Ready for Customs Grant of up to €9,000, as well as financial supports for adapting and restructuring business models and grants for research into new markets to assist companies respond to the new trading environment.
ISPM 15 “Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade” is a phytosanitary standard developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). It sets down standards for treatment and marking of Wood Packaging Material (WPM) which includes pallets, crates and dunnage used in the international trade of goods of all kinds. SPM15 is a requirement for WPM entering the EU from third countries. From 1 January 2021 all WPM moving between the UK and the EU must meet ISPM15 international standards by undergoing heat treatment and marking.
I fully appreciate that the introduction of new import and export regulatory requirements alongside new checks and controls on trade between the EU and UK, excluding Northern Ireland, adds additional burdens on companies. This will take time to readjust and was one of Government’s key messages to businesses in advance of Brexit i.e. to ensure that businesses and their UK suppliers use the international standard ISPM 15 standard wood pallets for imports and exports of goods. Our Departments and Agencies are continuing to engage with companies and haulage and logistics companies to help them work through the new trading environment.
Supporting businesses to adapt to these changes has been a priority of the Government’s Brexit Readiness preparations. Financial, advisory, consultancy and upskilling supports are available to assist businesses adjust to this new trading environment, details of which are available at www.gov.ie/brexit.
My colleague, Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has oversight for the administration of the treatment and manufacture of WPM to ISPM 15 standard and may be able to assist you further.
Departmental Internships
Questions (139)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:139. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of students who undertook work experience or internships with State and semi-State agencies under his aegis in 2019; the cost in terms of wages and allowances; and the estimated numerical capacity of State and semi-State agencies to provide work experience and internships on an annual basis. [12952/21]
View answerWritten answers
The number of students who undertook work experience or internships with State Agencies under the aegis of my Department in 2019, the cost of these placements, and the estimated numerical capacity of these Agencies to provide work experience and internships on an annual basis is outlined below in tabular form:
|
Agency |
No. of students on work experience/internship in 2019 |
Total pay-related cost for students on work experience/internship in 2019 |
Estimated average annual capacity for students on work experience/internship |
|
IAASA |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
CCPC |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
NSAI |
3 |
€34,291 |
5 |
|
IDA |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
25 (Jan – May 2019); 25 (June – Dec 2019) |
€464,564 (Salary & Employer’s PRSI)* |
25** |
|
PIAB |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
HSA |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
*Pay rate for student internships (3rd Level students) is at minimum wage.
**EI placements are for 11 months commencing in June each year and continuing until May the following year. In one calendar year (Jan – Dec) EI may have up to 50 individual students on placement for a period, however the maximum number of placements at any one time is typically no more than 25.
N/A means no internships/student opportunities available.
Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 133.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (141)
Róisín Shortall
Question:141. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address the issues raised in correspondence by a company (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13185/21]
View answerWritten answers
I am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on businesses right across the country. Businesses have had to make sacrifices in order to protect their community. 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 check if they are eligible and availing of 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 understand businesses' frustration in regards the rate paying criteria. 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.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (142)
Mattie McGrath
Question:142. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the outcome of his meeting with National Broadband Ireland to discuss the acceleration of the national broadband plan; and if the roll-out will be accelerated. [13341/21]
View answerWritten answers
I met with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) last week for an update on their progress with the National Broadband Plan. the National Broadband Plan is the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification. NBI informed me of their progress to date. Government will continue to engage with NBI over the coming months. If the plan can be speeded up, it will be speeded up.
Flexible Work Practices
Questions (143)
Emer Higgins
Question:143. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the development of a remote working hub in Adamstown, County Dublin. [13374/21]
View answerWritten answers
I am not aware of the development of a remote working hub in Adamstown, County Dublin.
However, currently there is an Enterprise Ireland open ‘Regional Development Feasibility Fund’ that promoters, looking to scope out and investigate the viability of larger full-scale projects such as remote working hubs, can apply for. A feasibility grant of €15,000 or 50% of eligible costs, whichever is lesser, is available to qualifying applicants meeting the required criteria.
In addition, on 20 November 2020, I announced €8.24m in grants for 95 Enterprise Centres around the country administered through Enterprise Ireland. The funding will ensure that the Enterprise Centres, many of which have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, can sustain their businesses, pivot and further develop their services to support the next wave of Irish start-up companies. Enterprise Centres provide important infrastructure for entrepreneurs and are an essential part of the start-up ecosystem across Ireland. The Centres, many of which are regionally based, provide space, mentoring and support to start-up founders and teams, helping them to scale internationally.
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. An important 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. Enterprise Ireland is actively working to support the implementation of this strategy through:
- mapping and classification of hubs;
- mapping regional and local need to inform future investment in enterprise centres/hubs; and
- investment in remote work hubs and infrastructure in underserved areas thus underpinning the development of the national hubs network.
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. This investment has enabled:
- Establishment of physical space for entrepreneurs, start-ups, scaling companies, SMEs and a balance of small scale FDI;
- Delivery of enterprise relevant programmes to companies; and
- Provision of physical space to support remote working.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (144)
John McGuinness
Question:144. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered the submissions made by an organisation and a company (details supplied) relative to the negative impact that the ongoing lockdown is having on the construction industry and the completion of large scale office and accommodation projects; if his attention has been drawn to unease in the foreign investor community arising from lockdown and the uncertainty of the immediate future; his views on damage to the reputation of Ireland from the prolonged lockdown and the effects on foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13469/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Government announced that additional public health restrictions would apply under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 on 6 January 2021. The introduction of the new restrictions followed advice from NPHET that the situation with the virus had deteriorated to the point where there was an absolute need to reduce the level of mobility and congregation in order to reduce all opportunities for transmission.
In accordance with the Public Health advice, the additional restrictions required construction activity to cease from Friday 8 January. The Government agreed a limited number of exemptions from these restrictions. These exemptions, which are set out in S.I. 4 of 2021, allow for the continuation of construction and development projects which are necessary for maintenance of supply chains in respect of certain manufacturing or information and communication services. The manufacturing and information and communication services include: chemicals, pharmaceutical products, medical devices, IT equipment, products necessary for national and international supply chains, personal hygiene products, broadband, data centres, etc. This has allowed certain key projects in the Exporting/FDI sector to continue.
While I am not aware of the submission referenced by the Deputy, I am, of course, acutely aware of the ongoing impact the pandemic is having on our economy, and the challenges faced by the construction industry. Our approach will continue to be guided by the public health advice and will be kept under review. The current restrictions will remain in place until 5 April, when the issue of any potential easing of restrictions relating to construction will be considered further.
Customs and Excise
Questions (145)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:145. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the developments that have been made in addressing the issues in relation to rules of origin for goods that pass through UK from the European Union that are unloaded and then reloaded and delivered to Ireland, resultantly losing their free trade and single market status. [13521/21]
View answerWritten answers
I am acutely aware that particular issues have emerged, and continue to emerge, for stakeholders as we all seek to implement the new EU-UK trade arrangements under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) consequent on Brexit. These are the inevitable outworkings of Brexit, a policy choice by the UK with which we did not agree, with the UK now a "Third Country" from a trade policy perspective having exited the EU's Single Market and Customs Union as of 1 January this year. One such issue is where the UK acts as a distribution hub for goods, including those sourced from the EU, as referenced by Deputy O'Reilly.
In that regard, "Rules of Origin" are the premise upon which any Free Trade Agreement (FTA) seeks to confer the preferential tariff rates - zero in the case of the TCA - on the members of the Free Trade Area encompassed by the FTA, namely the UK and EU-27 in this instance. The TCA outlines the conditions which have to be met for goods to avail of a preferential tariff when moving between the EU and the UK. The primary condition is that goods being exported to Ireland from the UK must be of UK origin to avail of the 0% tariff rate and goods being imported to the UK from Ireland must be of EU (including Irish) origin to avail of the 0% tariff rate on entering the UK.
As the Deputy points out, goods can potentially lose their Union origin if they at any point exit customs supervision or are released into free circulation after they leave the EU as they transit to Ireland. Having regard to the Union Customs Code, which sets out the rules applicable for goods brought into or taken out of the customs territory of the Union, on 27 January this year, the Revenue Commissioners issued eCustoms Notification 14/2021 which provides guidance and scenarios for the movement of goods from the EU to Ireland through the UK whereby the tariff may not be incurred.
For example, where the movement of the goods through the UK is a requirement, Revenue have advised that consideration could be given to using the “transit procedure” provisions of the Union Customs Code. Under this mechanism, where EU originating goods are brought into the UK from an EU Member State, the goods can be stored in a customs warehouse in the UK and not lose their EU preferential origin thereby not incurring a tariff. In this connection, there is a requirement to have a customs warehousing authorisation from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in the UK and HMRC provide advice on the rules and requirements relating to the Customs Warehouse procedure in the UK, including the conditions associated with the operations which can be carried out on the goods while they are in the warehouse.
This Revenue Commissioners' Guidance also addresses Inward Processing and Returned Goods options.
Alternatively, where there is no need for the goods to transit through the UK as part of the import, the direct movement of goods from the EU to Ireland should be considered as an option by Irish importers thereby avoiding the goods leaving the EU Customs Union or Single Market. Therefore, if goods travel directly from the EU to Ireland, for example from a port in France, Belgium or the Netherlands, the goods have not left the Single Market and the Customs Union and thereby remain in free circulation in the Union. In this regard, connectivity between Ireland and Continental Europe has been significantly enhanced through additional direct ferry sailings/capacity.
I should also add that my Department and the Enterprise Agencies are in constant contact with industry bodies including through our Enterprise Forum and the Retail Forum to identify where sectoral and regional impacts of the TCA are emerging at an operational level. We have a large number of Brexit supports including planning vouchers, consultancy and mentoring supports, the Enterprise Ireland Ready for Customs Grant of up to €9,000, as well as financial supports for adapting and restructuring business models and grants for research into new markets to assist companies respond to the new TCA dispensation.
Enterprise Ireland hosted a webinar last month on ‘Rules of Origin: How Rules of Origin affect your business to trade to, from or through the UK’. The webinar focused on the implications of rules of origin for Irish businesses, and some solutions that can help to resolve the current challenges that businesses face. While the webinar was aimed at Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Office clients, it was also open to all Irish companies that trade with the United Kingdom and my colleague, Minister Troy, participated in the webinar.
Finally, Budget 2021 provided contingency funding for COVID-19 and for all Brexit outcomes and the Government is committed to assisting firms on a dynamic basis in responding to Brexit, especially those firms that are in the most severely impacted sectors.
Trade Data
Questions (146)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:146. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will be appraising quarter two trading data between Ireland and the EU and Ireland and UK given that it will shed more light on the new trading reality compared with quarter one; if a paper will be published outlining the data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13522/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the European Union and the United Kingdom reached an agreement on their future relationship on 24 December 2020, which provisionally entered into force on 1 January 2021. The Agreement delivers on the EU’s and Ireland’s objectives with businesses having access to zero rate preferential tariffs and quotas on goods traded between the EU and UK once the usual rules of origin for the EU-UK Free Trade Area are met. This is vitally important for the agri-food sector, for example, which would otherwise have faced very significant additional costs and barriers when trading with the UK.
In 2018, my Department, in conjunction with Copenhagen Economics, undertook a comprehensive study to consider the impact of Brexit on Ireland’s trade and economy. Following agreement in October 2019 on the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration for the Future Relationship between the EU and the UK, my Department commissioned further economic modelling to reflect the benefits of the terms of the Agreement and Political Declaration/Protocol on Northern Ireland.
This Analysis forecast that growth levels over a decade would be 3.2 to 3.9 per cent below where it would otherwise be, depending on whether a "best-case" or "worst-case" scenario was modelled. This outcome showed a reduction by almost half in the adverse impacts on the Irish economy that had been forecast for a trading relationship with the UK based on WTO terms, and the study identified a lessening of the negative impacts envisaged for the more generic FTA modelled in the previous Copenhagen Economics analysis.
As regards undertaking a specific appraisal of trade data for the first two quarters of 2021, I believe it is too early to commence a meaningful impact assessment of the concluded EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) at this point as certain parts of the TCA and the Northern Ireland Protocol have grace periods or temporary derogations attached to them. Furthermore, a framework for regulatory cooperation in financial services between the EU and the UK is to be agreed by March 2021 and the EU is assessing the UK’s data privacy regime before deciding whether to grant a data adequacy decision in favour of the UK. In addition, further changes will be introduced by the UK on 1st April and 1st July in term of SPS certifications and inspections regimes. Therefore, we will not have sufficient statistical data available to assess the totality of the impact of the TCA until such temporary derogations and all elements of the Agreement are fully in force, including any further easements or derogations that may be agreed under the TCA structures. However, I am fully committed to such post-implementation evaluation at an appropriate point, as soon as sufficient statistical data are available. That assessment will have to take account of the impact which stockpiling ahead of 1st January and dampening in demand due to the pandemic, may have on such data, esp. as between the UK and Ireland.
In the meantime, in advance or a macro-economic assessment, I should note that my Department and the Enterprise Agencies are in constant contact with industry bodies including through the Enterprise Forum which I chair and the Retail Forum, chaired, by Minister Damien English, to identify where sectoral and regional impacts of the TCA are emerging at an operational level. In addition, Minister Robert Troy, in light of his responsibilities for trade promotion, has engaged in extensive outreach with business groups to address the many logistical challenges that the TCA has presented us with. We have a large number of Brexit supports including planning vouchers, consultancy and mentoring supports, the Enterprise Ireland Ready for Customs Grant of up to €9,000, as well as financial supports for adapting and restructuring business models and grants for research into new markets to assist companies respond to the new TCA dispensation. In addition, Budget 2021 provided contingency funding for COVID-19 and for all Brexit outcomes and the Government is committed to assisting firms on a dynamic basis in responding to Brexit, especially those firms that are in the most severely impacted sectors.
Equality Issues
Questions (147)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:147. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has read the research paper by a union (details supplied) which explores inequality and deprivation in Ireland. [13524/21]
View answerWritten answers
I have not received nor had the opportunity to read the report referenced by the Deputy. I am advised it relates to deprivation and inequality in Ireland. I assure the Deputy these are priority areas for the Government.
Departmental Advertising
Questions (148)
Paul Kehoe
Question:148. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount spent across his Department on advertising in relation to Covid-19, by month and by media outlet (details supplied), from 1 March 2020 to 1 March 2021. [13557/21]
View answerWritten answers
As part of the broader Government’s COVID-19 Communications campaign, my Department promoted COVID-19 supports for business, as well as raised awareness around the Return to Work Safely Protocol and safe reopening of the retail sector through a Shop Safely campaign.
The following table sets out the funding spent on such campaigns by month, between 1st March 2020 and 1st March 2021.
Natural Gas Imports
Questions (149)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:149. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to legislate for a ban on the importation of fracked gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45094/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government sets out that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and commits to developing a policy statement to establish that approach.
My Department is in the process of developing the policy statement, which includes the consideration of any necessary legislative and regulatory provisions. This includes detailed examination of the European energy and environmental frameworks, in which our national laws operate, to ensure the policy statement will be legally robust. Once finalised, I intend to bring the policy statement to Government for approval.
In addition, my Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review will include a detailed technical analysis and a public consultation.
The review will inform future policy in relation to natural gas supplies, gas storage, electricity interconnection, emergency reserves and other measures that would enhance our security of supply. This will be done in the context of the doubling of the electricity generated from renewable sources to 70% of Ireland’s final consumption and the achievement of net zero emissions by 2050. I expect that the review will be completed by the end of 2021.
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (150)
Robert Troy
Question:150. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a property (details supplied) will be able to avail of broadband. [12496/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website 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.
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.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 3 March 2021, nearly 187,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys are complete or underway in County Westmeath in the areas of Mullingar, Sonna, Stonehall, Taghmon, Jamestown, Hopestown, and Athlone. Pre-build works have commenced in the areas around Mullingar. I understand that surveying is underway in the deployment areas in which the premises referred to in the Question is located. 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 advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
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 March, 287 BCP 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 accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s are installed at Streete Parish Park and Community Hall, Whitehall Community Centre (5.48 km from the premises), Milltown Emper Community Centre and Ballycomoyle GAA Club. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Scoil Naomh Michael is installed by NBI for educational access as part of this initiative and Scoil Náisiúnta Bhride is connected. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise 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 was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.