Written Answers Nos. 155-175
155. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount in grants and-or funding provided by Enterprise Ireland by year to a company (details supplied). [14629/21]
View answerSince 2012, Enterprise Ireland have given grant supports of €29m for various R&D Projects and HRD Programmes to the company queried by the Deputy. The breakdown of this amount is in the table below.
|
Year |
Activity |
Grant |
|
2012 2014 2016 |
6 R&D Projects |
€18m |
|
2012 2014 |
7 HRD programmes |
€6m |
|
2013 |
IMF - Phase 1 R&D and HRD grants |
€2m |
|
2014 |
IMF – Phase 2 Energy / Environmental |
€2m |
|
2018 |
Lean and R&D |
€0.52m |
|
2020 |
Lean |
€0.5m |
|
Total |
|
€29m |
156. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the development of the Covid business assistance scheme; if the scheme will include backdated payments which take into account the loss of income and the costs incurred over the past 12 months, since the start of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14655/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties that these necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on all businesses right across the country. Business owners are making sacrifices in order to protect their communities.
With that in mind, I recently announced the new Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID. This scheme is now open for applications through Local Authorities and will provide a €4,000 grant for businesses for the first quarter of this year. Closing date for Local Authorities to receive applications is 21st April, 2021. In light of the extensive business supports which the government made available to businesses over the course of 2020, such as the Restart Grant schemes and others, there is no intention to backdate the scheme to any quarter of 2020.
The Scheme is open to companies, self-employed, sole traders or partnerships, with a minimum turnover of €50,000 and are not owned and operated by a public body. The Scheme is open to firms that currently employ less than 250 and with current turnover of less than €25m.
Businesses down 75% or more in turnover among those expected to benefit the scheme. The scheme is available to businesses not eligible for CRSS, the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity Scheme, or the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Live Performance Support.
The business must operate from a building, or similar fixed physical structure on which business rates are payable (mobile premises, or premises which are not permanently fixed in place, do not meet the definition of business premises nor do premises on which no rates are payable).
The turnover of the business over the claim period is estimated to be no more than 25% of the average weekly turnover of the business in 2019; or the projected average weekly turnover of the business for 1 January to 31 March 2021, for businesses that commenced after 1 November 2020.
Full 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/.
157. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the targets set by IDA Ireland for foreign direct investment to each NUTS III region as required by the regional enterprise action plan; and the progress to date in meeting the respective targets. [14687/21]
View answerNine Regional Steering Committees established by my Department are implementing Regional Enterprise Plans. This ‘bottom-up’ collaborative mechanism, involves IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices, Local Authorities, higher and further education bodies, private sector and others, within each region, chaired by a senior figure from industry.
The Plans are focused on addressing region-specific enterprise development challenges and opportunities and the Regional Steering Committees provide a mechanism for joined up responses at a regional level. The current Plans concluded at the end of 2020 and my Department is currently overseeing the development of new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024. There are no specific targets for FDI in the Regional Enterprise Plans. Regional targets for FDI are set within the context of the IDA Corporate Strategy.
The Government and IDA Ireland work hard to promote the country abroad for foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in the face of international competition and current unprecedented challenges including Brexit and Covid-19. Retaining and strengthening Ireland’s reputation as a first-class destination for FDI remains fundamentally important to our economic model.
The Government, along with IDA Ireland recognises that global competition for FDI is intensifying. We will have to work harder than ever before for new foreign direct investment and to expand the operations of current investors here. Within this context, IDA Ireland published its new strategy Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024 in January 2021. It prioritises growing the regional enterprise base, driving productivity, building a sustainable enterprise base and increasing the spill-over effects from FDI to SMEs.
158. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the distribution on a NUTS III basis of the regional enterprise development funds to date; and the breakdown of the projects funded in each NUTS III region of the regional strengthening projects which seek to stimulate community-based and local enterprise initiatives. [14688/21]
View answerMy Department’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), first introduced in 2017 and administered by Enterprise Ireland, supports significant regional initiatives that build on sectoral strengths and/or to better leverage identified resources to improve enterprise capability, in order to help sustain and add to employment at county, regional and national level.
There have been three calls under the Fund to date and just under €100 million in funding has been approved across 68 projects, with projects approved in every region.
The total amount of funding for each of the NUTS III regions is as follows.
|
NUTS III region |
Total approved REDF funding |
|
Border |
€11,643,160 |
|
West |
€16,729,249 |
|
Mid-West |
€15,094,209 |
|
South-East |
€7,589,217 |
|
South-West |
€18,237,889 |
|
Dublin |
€11,544,458 |
|
Mid-East |
€12,578,218 |
|
Midlands |
€6,250,280 |
|
Total |
€99,666,680 |
The projects which have been approved funding in each of the NUTS III regions is set out below.
The NUTS III Border region is made up of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo and Monaghan.
|
NUTS III region |
Project |
Approved REDF funding |
|
Border |
Donegal Digital Innovation CLG |
€1,119,640 |
|
Leitrim County Enterprise Fund |
€1,284,000 |
|
|
Leitrim Food Enterprise Zone |
€953,640 |
|
|
The Leitrim Design House |
€371,600 |
|
|
Sligo County Enterprise Fund |
€1,906,640 |
|
|
Monaghan County Enterprise Fund (call 1) |
€202,800 |
|
|
Monaghan County Enterprise Fund (call 3) |
€577,960 |
|
|
Bioconnect Innovation Centre (Monaghan) |
€4,976,880 |
|
|
Focused Engineering Network DAC (Monaghan) |
€250,000 |
|
|
TOTAL |
€11,643,160 |
The NUTS III West region is made up of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
|
NUTS III region |
Project |
Approved REDF funding |
|
West |
BIA Innovator Campus CLG |
€2,446,148 |
|
|
Galway City Innovation District |
€2,487,400 |
|
|
Midc Páirc na Mara |
€2,000,000 |
|
|
The Burren Lowlands CLG |
€182,786 |
|
|
Comhoibriú CLG |
€2,694,833 |
|
|
Galway City Innovation District CLG |
€1,205,833 |
|
|
Galway Technology Centre |
€4,023,400 |
|
|
Grow Remote |
€449,442 |
|
|
SCCUL Enterprise CLG |
€1,239,408 |
|
|
TOTAL |
€16,729,249 |
The NUTS III Mid-West region is made up of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.
|
NUTS III region |
Project |
Approved REDF funding |
|
Mid-West |
Emerald Aerocluster CLG (call 1) |
€250,000 |
|
|
Emerald Aerocluster CLG (call 3) |
€350,560 |
|
|
Irish Bioeconomy Foundation CLG |
€4,628,753 |
|
|
BNest Social Initiative DAC |
€603,400 |
|
|
Clare Mez DAC |
€1,759,226 |
|
|
Hospital Food Unit DAC |
€2,279,073 |
|
|
Future Mobility Campus Ireland CLG |
€4,723,197 |
|
|
Tipperary Innovation Engine |
€500,000 |
|
|
TOTAL |
€15,094,209 |
The NUTS III South-East region is made up of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.
|
NUTS III region |
Project |
Approved REDF funding |
|
South-East |
Insurtech Network Centre DAC |
€1,439,832 |
|
|
ThreeD DAC |
€1,303,556 |
|
|
Crystal Valley Tech DAC |
€215,919 |
|
|
Incupharm DAC |
€799,212 |
|
|
National Design Innovation Hub DAC (call 2) |
€1,843,320 |
|
|
National Design Innovation Hub DAC (call 3) |
€396,800 |
|
|
South-East Economic Development Office |
€1,342,751 |
|
|
The Tradebridge Collaboration DAC |
€247,827 |
|
|
TOTAL |
€7,589,217 |
The NUTS III South-West region is made up of Cork and Kerry.
|
NUTS III region |
Project |
Approved REDF funding |
|
South-West |
Agritech Centre of Excellence |
€1,499,486 |
|
|
Cork Urban Enterprises |
€669,064 |
|
|
IT@Cork CLG |
€209,844 |
|
|
KerrySci Tech (call 1) |
€236,500 |
|
|
KerrySci Tech (call 3) |
€120,000 |
|
|
MOL TEIC CLG |
€189,144 |
|
|
RDI Hub CLG |
€3,614,669 |
|
|
Sneem Innovation and Tech Services |
€250,000 |
|
|
CIT Consortium Projects DAC |
€336,360 |
|
|
Ludgate Operations |
€1,990,392 |
|
|
Vista Agri 4.0 Hub CLG |
€1,865,214 |
|
|
Firies Business Hub DAC |
€1,151,960 |
|
|
Seirbhís Forbartha Gnó DAC |
€2,700,000 |
|
|
Synbio Hub |
€3,063,000 |
|
|
Benchspace Cork CLG |
€342,256 |
|
|
TOTAL |
€18,237,889 |
NUTS III Dublin Region
|
NUTS III region |
Project |
Approved REDF funding |
|
Dublin |
BPO Cluster Ireland CLG |
€155,064 |
|
|
Dublin Enterprise and Technology Centre |
€3,226,776 |
|
|
Ghala DAC |
€2,488,528 |
|
|
Social and Local Enterprise Alliance DAC |
€1,135,195 |
|
|
Innovate Dublin Communities |
€249,955 |
|
|
SPADE CLG (St. Paul’s Development Enterprise) |
€2,094,000 |
|
|
Linc Collaboratory DAC |
€2,194,940 |
|
|
TOTAL |
€11,544,458 |
The NUTS III Mid-East region is made up of Wicklow, Kildare, Meath and Louth.
|
NUTS III region |
Project |
Approved REDF funding |
|
Mid-East |
MERITS – County Kildare Community Network |
€1,917,200 |
|
|
Boyne Valley Food Innovation |
€1,580,640 |
|
|
Clermont Enterprise Hub Company |
€1,434,000 |
|
|
National Association of Community Enterprise Centres (NACEC) |
€369,600 |
|
|
UCD NOVA DAC |
€3,002,441 |
|
|
Creative Spark CLG |
€500,000 |
|
|
DKIT Connect DAC |
€3,774,337 |
|
|
TOTAL |
€12,578,218 |
The NUTS III Midlands region is made up of Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois.
|
NUTS III region |
Project |
Approved REDF funding |
|
Midlands |
Irish Manufacturing Research CLG |
€2,165,280 |
|
|
Offaly Innovation and Design |
€458,240 |
|
|
Mountmellick Development Association |
€218,200 |
|
|
Portlaoise Innovation Centre DAC |
€2,050,560 |
|
|
Premier Lakelands Food Hub |
€1,358,000 |
|
|
TOTAL |
€6,250,280 |
159. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an international transport business operating as a sole trader (details supplied) in County Donegal can apply for the Enterprise Ireland Ready for Customs grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14768/21]
View answerEnterprise Ireland’s Ready for Customs grant provides companies with financial assistance to cover the costs of taking on much needed additional customs clearance staff. This grant is open to enterprises that are currently engaged in the movement of goods to, from, or through the UK and which will require new or increased customs clearance capacity. These include enterprises that are providing freight, haulage, logistics services to, from or through the UK or are providing customs intermediary services or are directly engaged in the movement of goods with or through the UK.
Enterprises must be a limited company and have a CRO number (not a business name) and be incorporated in the Republic of Ireland at the time of application. The other conditions include evidence of an EORI number from the Revenue Commissioners and where the provision of customs intermediary services is less than 12 months since establishment, the submission of a supporting business plan.
As the eligibility criteria states that enterprises must be a limited company and have a CRO number, sole traders are not eligible for the Ready for Customs grant support.
160. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Enterprise Ireland Ready for Customs grant is open to sole traders and limited companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14769/21]
View answerEnterprise Ireland’s Ready for Customs grant provides companies with financial assistance to cover the costs of taking on much needed additional customs clearance staff. This grant is open to enterprises that are currently engaged in the movement of goods to, from, or through the UK and which will require new or increased customs clearance capacity. These include enterprises that are providing freight, haulage, logistics services to, from or through the UK or:
- Are providing customs intermediary services or
- Are directly engaged in the movement of goods with or through the UK.
In addition, enterprises:
- Must be a limited company and have a CRO number (not a business name) and be incorporated in the Republic of Ireland at the time of application.
- Must have an EORI number from Revenue.
- Enterprises providing customs intermediary services less than 12 months since establishment must also provide a supporting business plan.
As the eligibility criteria states that enterprises must be a limited company and have a CRO number, sole traders are not eligible for the Ready for Customs grant support.
161. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the financial supports for wedding photographers and videographers who have closed their businesses due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14770/21]
View answerI am keenly aware that businesses are continuing to make massive sacrifices to protect their communities and I am committed to ensuring that the Government will offer as much assistance and support as possible. The wedding sector has been one of the worst affected and I understand that the continued restrictions are a source of great concern. My Department has worked to ensure that appropriate supports are in place for businesses that require finance as they develop their response to their exposure to impacts arising from COVID-19. Details of all schemes can be found on my Departments website: Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)
The financial support the Government is providing businesses and workers affected by the pandemic is unprecedented. Almost a million people of working age are now in receipt of weekly payments including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), Employment Wage Subsidy (EWSS) and Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance. Support for business includes the weekly CRSS payment for businesses forced to close their doors to the public, the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), reduced VAT rates, a commercial rates holiday, the Sustaining Enterprise Fund, the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme as well as low-cost loans.
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.
These measures are in addition to the €7 billion July Stimulus of enterprise measures, which includes the Wage Subsidy Scheme extended through 2021, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst self-employed. We are providing for an extension of the tax warehousing scheme to include repayments of Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme funds owed by employers and preliminary tax obligations for adversely affected businesses.
As announced in the July Stimulus, the Enterprise Support Grant was extended to assist eligible self-employed, including sole traders, who exit the PUP or jobseekers schemes, to re-start their business. Further information is available at www.gov.ie.
On the 9th of December my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Social Protection, announced the doubling of the PUP threshold from the current €480 over four weeks to €960 over an eight-week period effective immediately. This measure is to assist those who are trying to restart their businesses and will allow self-employed people to take on intermittent jobs without losing their entitlement to the PUP. The Department of Social Protection is also providing the Enterprise Support Grant, a once-off payment worth up to €1,000 per person is aimed at sole traders who do not pay commercial rates.
The three main schemes, the CRSS, EWSS and PUP compare favourably with any other packages on offer in other countries. The new Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid I announced last month will provide funding of up to €8,000 for those businesses that are in receipt of a rates bill from their local authority or in a rateable premises. While the grant is modest, it will help smaller businesses in particular to cover fixed costs such as rent, insurance, utilities, security.
The 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. They are not created to provide compensation for loss of personal income above this level or compensation for loss of profits for any sector.
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.
I want to assure you, however, that I am in consultation with business sectors and am aware of their concerns and I and my colleagues across Government are continuing to keep the range of measures under review.
162. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which require his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. [14775/21]
View answerWhile a discrete element of capital expenditure under my Department’s Vote does involve investment in property mainly by the IDA Ireland as part of its efforts to attract FDI, the vast majority of our capital expenditure is targeted at supporting the enterprise promotion and job creation programmes of the Department and our Enterprise Agencies. These programmes include employment grants, competitive funds, regional enterprise grants, training grants, access to credit initiatives etc. and in the main are delivered by Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices.
The core capital programmes delivered by our Enterprise Agencies together with the myriad of new Brexit/Covid measures rolled out by them over the last 12 months have been key to sustaining business and employment in the ongoing battle to survive the impact of the pandemic and to readjust to the new trading environment post Brexit.
In short, the capital expenditure under my Department’s Vote is by its nature mainly programme rather than project orientated.
163. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the restart grant will be reintroduced once businesses can reopen to support them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14815/21]
View answerThe Restart Grant Plus scheme has closed to new applications since 31 October 2020. The Scheme has been superseded by a number of measures in Budget 2021, including the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners, which offers a targeted, timely and temporary sector-specific support to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID of up to €5,000 per week.
The new Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) gives grants to businesses which are not eligible for the Government’s COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity grant or other direct sectoral grant schemes. This scheme aims to help businesses with their fixed costs, for example, rent, utility bills, security. Applications for Phase 1 of the Scheme are now open via all Local Authorities and the closing date for receipt of applications is 21 April 2021. Further information and application forms are now available on the websites of all Local Authorities.
This new SBASC is in addition to the comprehensive package the Government has put in place to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID 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 supports are available on my Department’s website at:
Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)
164. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new HSA inspectors hired since June 2020 and January 2021, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14817/21]
View answerSince the 1st of January 2021, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has hired one Grade II Inspector and a further two Grade III Inspectors will take up employment in early April.
The HSA is actively recruiting Grade III inspectors at present and its current campaign had a closing date for receipt of applications of Friday, 19th of March last. It is anticipated that successful candidates from this competition will take up employment from May 2021 onwards.
As part of Budget 2021, an additional allocation of €4.2m was awarded to the HSA for 2021 to cover additional staffing resources in respect of COVID-19 and Brexit related activities.
The Health and Safety Authority is the lead agency in relation to the assessment of compliance with the Work Safely Protocol and, in that regard, its inspection resources have been supplemented during the period in question by inspectorates from other State Agencies/Government Departments, who are carrying out COVID-19 compliance checks as part of their normal duties.
During the period from June to the 31st of December 2020 the HSA has not hired additional staff at inspector grade. However, during this time, 12 additional posts were filled in its Workplace Contract Unit to assist the HSA in managing the increased number of calls from employers and employees around compliance with the Work Safely Protocol. In addition, staff from my Department were also seconded to the HSA to support the work of the Workplace Contact Unit.
165. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Covid-19-related compliance checks undertaken by the HSA since June 2020 and January 2021, respectively; the number of inspections undertaken at sites of known outbreaks since these dates; the number of enforcement actions taken and completed since these dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14818/21]
View answerBetween 1st June 2020 and the 31st December 2020, the HSA carried out a total 5,979 workplace inspections of which 4,455 involved a compliance assessment of measures taken relating to the Work Safely Protocol.
These inspections found:
- 93% of workplaces had COVID-19 measures in place;
- 79% of workplaces had COVID-19 Response plans in place; and
- 73% of workplaces had a Lead Worker Representative appointed.
Between 1st January 2021 and 12th March 2021, the HSA carried 1,621 workplace inspections of which 1,581 included an assessment of compliance with the preventative measures of the Work Safely Protocol.
This cohort of inspections found:
- 95% of workplaces had COVID-19 measures in place;
- 82% of workplaces had COVID-19 Response plans in place; and
- 78% of workplaces had a Lead Worker Representative appointed.
Under the Public Health Act (Infectious Diseases) Regulations, all infectious diseases are required to be reported to the Public Health Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting system (CIDR), which is managed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE, COVID-19 was included under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No.53 of 2020) on the 28 February 2020.
The management of outbreaks of COVID-19 is a matter of Public Health and comes under the relevant HSE Departments of Public Health and specifically the Medical Officer of Health. The role of the Medical Officer of Health includes convening an outbreak control team (OCT), which should comprise the necessary expertise to manage/control the outbreak.
The HSA has no statutory role in relation to outbreak management. However, the HSA has been asked to participate in Outbreak Control Teams by local Medical Officers of Health, when the HSA’s expertise of a workplace is deemed necessary. The HSA assist the public health experts in understanding the work processes that take place across the various sectors and work settings.
The HSA has participated in a total of 51 public health led local outbreak control teams in response to COVID-19 outbreaks across several business sectors.
It is not HSA policy to record, as part of their inspection, details on whether a COVID-19 outbreak is or has taken place in the workplace that they visit. The HPSC can provide a full list of workplaces where cases and outbreaks of COVID-19 have happened, and a breakdown of sectors and workplaces should therefore be made to them.
As part of its enforcement powers the HSA can issue Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices. Improvement Notices are legal directives requiring specific improvement to be made within a required timeframe while Prohibition Notices are a legal instruction directing that specified work activity be immediately stopped because of a high level of danger or the possibility of serious personal injury. No Improvement or Prohibition Notices issued due to failure to comply with the provisions of the Work Safely Protocol in the periods in question.
For the period 1st June to the 31st December 2020, 45% of the Work Safely Protocol inspections resulted in a report of inspection, i.e. a written direction was provided to the employer educating and advising where further efforts needed to be made, e.g. to formally document a COVID-19 response plan or improve physical distancing and hand hygiene practices. From 1st January to the 12th March 2021, 38% of the inspections assessing compliance with the Work Safely Protocol resulted in a report of inspection.
Based on the inspections it has carried out the HSA has found that the level of adherence with the Work Safely Protocols across all sectors, been very high. This should be looked upon as a positive indication that the vast majority of employers and employees throughout Ireland and in the many different sectors of employment are taking a responsible and proactive approach to meeting the requirements of the Work Safely Protocol.
166. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Covid-19 complaints received by the HSA since June 2020 and January 2021, respectively; the percentage of these complaints that have been processed; the number of inspections and enforcement orders that were taken, respectively, as a result of these complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14819/21]
View answerThe Workplace Contact Unit (WCU) is the Health and Safety Authority’s primary contact point for employers, employees, and members of the public to make complaints and seek information or guidance in relation to matters under its remit.
Between 1st June and 31st December 2020, the WCU received 2,078 COVID-19 related complaints;
- 2,049 or 98.5% have been brought a conclusion and have been closed off following direct intervention by either the WCU or the HSA’s inspectorate.
- 30 or 1.5% remain open,
- 11 are active within the WCU,
- 19 have been assigned to the HSA’s inspectorate for further intervention.
Between 1st January and 12th March 2021, the WCU received 802 COVOID-19 related complaints;
- 701 or 87.5% have been brought a conclusion and have been closed off following direct intervention by either the WCU or the HSA’s inspectorate.
- 101 or 12.5% remain open,
- 89 are open for a period greater than five days,
- 57 of which remain active with the WCU,
- 32 have been assigned to the HSA’s inspectorate for further intervention.
The HSA undertakes an annual programme of approximately 10,000 inspections/investigations. These inspections/investigations are selected on the basis of several factors including fatalities, serious incidents, reported injuries and complaints, or a blend of these factors. While inspections may be undertaken on a reactive basis, inspections are also carried out on a proactive basis. Investigations are a higher level of enforcement activity and are generally undertaken for more serious matters involving very serious injury or loss of life.
As many complaints received in relation to COVID-19 may have been multifaceted and overlapped with other workplace health and safety matters, it has not been possible for the HSA to provide aggregate data specifically as regards COVID-19 inspections arising from individual complaints received. However, the following summary data for the periods requested:
- From 1st June to 31st December 2020, 45% of inspections addressing the Work Safely Protocol resulted in a report of inspection on matters such as the need to formally document a COVID-19 response plan or improve physical distancing and hand hygiene practices.
- Between 1st January and 12th March 2021, 38% of inspections addressing the Work Safely Protocol resulted in a report of inspection.
The HSA has found that the level of adherence with the Work Safely Protocol across all sectors, been very high and considers this to be a positive indication that the vast majority of employers and employees nationwide and sector wide are taking a responsible and proactive approach to meeting the requirements of the Protocol.
167. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions he has taken to prevent employers obliging employees to attend the workplace in circumstances in which remote working is a possibility in spite of current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14820/21]
View answerWe are currently at Level 5 of the Government’s Plan for Living with Covid-19. The Plan clearly sets out that within this restriction level people should work from home unless it is absolutely necessary to attend in person for the delivery of an essential service as listed on www.gov.ie.
At the beginning of the year, I issued a statement underlining the seriousness of the issue and reminding employers to encourage and accommodate their employees to stay at home unless they are essential workers.
All employees should work from home where possible unless essential for them to attend their place of work, due to it being an essential health, social care or other essential service which cannot be done from home.
The responsibility for determining what work can be done remotely remains with the employer, but employers and workers should seek to resolve any matters relating to remote working at a local level through mutual dialogue and engagement. Where this is not possible and an employee is dissatisfied, a compliant may be made to the State's workplace relations services. Advice can be obtained from the Information & Customer Service of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) at Lo-call: 1890 80 80 90 or 059 9178990 or from its website www.wrc.ie.
It must be stressed, that at this particular critical juncture, given the seriousness of the overall situation with COVID-19 cases across the Community and the resulting pressure on our hospital systems, it is vital that employers make provision for employees to work from home unless they are delivering an essential service as listed on www.gov.ie and cannot work for home.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has produced a detailed guidance for both employers and employees in relation to home-working on a temporary basis during COVID-19 restrictions. This guidance will help employers to understand the requirements, and steps to take, when setting up working-from-home arrangements for employees from a health and safety perspective. The guidance is available on-line at www.hsa.ie.
While the HSA has no role in determining which employees can work from home or not, it carries out, along with a number of other State Agencies, compliance inspections with the precautionary measures of the Work Safely Protocol. Where non-compliance with the Protocol is discovered the HSA can use various enforcement mechanisms at its disposal to ensure that the necessary measures are put in place.
Any worker with concerns about health and safety standards at their place of work can contact the Health and Safety Authority’s Workplace Contact Unit (WCU) for detailed advice including advice on compliance with the Work Safely Protocol. The WCU can be contacted by phone at Lo-call 1890289389 (landline) or (01) 6147000 or by email at wcu@hsa.ie.
I would also like to highlight the fact that there is a wide range of Government supports available to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Full details on financial supports, training and guidance are available on my Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie.
168. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a period spent on the pandemic unemployment payment can be included when reckoning continuous service to be eligible for a redundancy payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14869/21]
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.
In relation to reckonable service for the purpose of the calculation of the redundancy lump sum, 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.
These matters are 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.
169. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if shoe fitting for young children will be considered an essential retail service under level 5 restrictions (details supplied). [14926/21]
View answerI understand this is an incredibly difficult time for families and businesses across the country and I would like to thank them for their efforts at this difficult time. By each of us following the spirit of the rules and working together we can hopefully ease some restrictions soon.
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/. Non Essential items can be ordered remotely for delivery and are also available on compassionate grounds as circumstances arise.
Retailers can and have made arrangements, on compassionate grounds, for individual customers to urgently purchase a non-essential item in store. This is only in exceptional circumstances where it is not possible to plan ahead and avail of remote ordering services such as in emergencies, e.g., admission to hospital.
We are asking retailers to fully get behind the spirit of the regulations. In particular, we are asking retailers with mixed retail offering which have discrete spaces for essential and non-essential retail to make arrangements for the separation of relevant areas.
We are also asking retailers to exercise their best judgement and common sense on a case by case basis, to ensure those requiring urgent access to a non-essential item are accommodated.
It is important to monitor gov.ie for the latest information, public health advice and guidelines from Government in relation to COVID-19.
170. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections carried out by the Workplace Relations Commission in each of the years 2015 to 2020 by NACE sector; the number of breaches detected; and the type of breaches detected in tabular form. [14981/21]
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 WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services.
Inspections carried out by WRC Inspectors operate on a compliance model. This means that an inspector will work with the employer to ensure that the employer fulfils all their statutory obligations and that any outstanding wages or entitlements are given to workers.
Table 1 sets out by NACE sector the number of inspections carried out by the WRC in each of the years 2015 to 2020. Table 2 sets out the number and the type of breaches detected in the period 2015 to 2020.
Table 1: Inspection cases concluded 2015-2020 by Sector
|
Sector |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Agriculture |
78 |
47 |
48 |
106 |
71 |
41 |
|
Construction |
94 |
69 |
75 |
81 |
219 |
150 |
|
Contract Cleaning |
29 |
24 |
18 |
22 |
41 |
48 |
|
Domestic Work |
48 |
22 |
20 |
5 |
8 |
6 |
|
Electrical |
8 |
5 |
6 |
11 |
12 |
18 |
|
Equine |
54 |
45 |
19 |
13 |
||
|
Fisheries |
9 |
95 |
40 |
47 |
64 |
|
|
Food & Drink |
838 |
717 |
645 |
656 |
1,856 |
1,641 |
|
Hair & Beauty |
100 |
89 |
79 |
121 |
375 |
466 |
|
Health |
83 |
73 |
78 |
69 |
85 |
132 |
|
Hotels & Accommodation |
75 |
89 |
55 |
64 |
188 |
144 |
|
Security |
21 |
17 |
20 |
18 |
17 |
31 |
|
Transport |
58 |
43 |
61 |
71 |
67 |
87 |
|
Education |
30 |
29 |
||||
|
Wholesale & Retail |
416 |
295 |
258 |
363 |
1,049 |
3,941 |
|
Sports & Recreation |
31 |
|||||
|
Manufacturing |
79 |
45 |
38 |
48 |
53 |
222 |
|
Professional Services |
124 |
126 |
124 |
218 |
85 |
|
|
Other Sectors |
323 |
283 |
332 |
236 |
215 |
564 |
|
Not specified |
2,811 |
2,877 |
2,741 |
3,579 |
421 |
4 |
|
TOTAL |
5,185 |
4,830 |
4,747 |
5,753 |
4,804 |
7,686 |
Note: From January 2019, the WRC has utilised a new inspection case management system which provides richer data in term of sectoral reporting based on NACE sector. Since 2019, the figure for “not specified” NACE sector has decreased greatly, going from 2,811 in 2015 to 421 in 2019 and 4 in 2020.
Table 2: Number of Contraventions detected 2015-2020 by Type
|
Type |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
National Minimum Wage |
269 |
292 |
409 |
503 |
143 |
88 |
|
Employment Permits |
531 |
404 |
509 |
448 |
362 |
115 |
|
Protection of Young Persons (Employment) |
5 |
11 |
12 |
15 |
157 |
68 |
|
Unauthorised deductions |
102 |
65 |
||||
|
Records |
1,938 |
1,502 |
1,553 |
1,961 |
1,153 |
876 |
|
Sunday Compensation |
76 |
199 |
274 |
248 |
142 |
|
|
Annual Leave & Public Holidays |
98 |
321 |
450 |
927 |
520 |
|
|
Employment Agency |
10 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
Terms of Employment |
1 |
5 |
26 |
57 |
674 |
521 |
|
Payslips |
149 |
113 |
||||
|
Others |
267 |
172 |
||||
|
TOTAL |
2,744 |
2,398 |
3,039 |
3,710 |
4,184 |
2,681 |
Where an employer fails to comply, the inspector can use a range of statutory enforcement measures. These are:
- Fixed Penalty Notice: An employer may be required to pay a fixed amount in respect of breaches of employment law (e.g., €1,500 in relation to failure to provide payslips)
Compliance Notice: These require employers to take specific action to remedy contraventions over a range of employment law and failure to comply with the notice could result in a prosecution
- Prosecution: Employers can be prosecuted in relation to a range of contraventions, including failure to pay statutory national minimum wage rate, employment of foreign nationals without permission to work and failure to keep employment records as prescribed in law.
171. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of data centres in the State; and the location and size of each centre in tabular form. [14982/21]
View answerThe Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment does not collect or store the type of detailed information requested on data centre location and size. While not all data centres are operated by multi-national firms, IDA Ireland has further advised me that it does not maintain a register of data centres.
There may be some scope for different definitions of what types of server data storage locations could be considered a data centre, or how multiple data 'halls' on particular sites might be counted. Nonetheless, my understanding is that there are between 60 and 70 larger data centres nationally. It is clear that the vast majority of large 'hyperscale' or 'co-location'-type data centre developments are located in the greater Dublin area, with a small number operational or planned across Cork, Limerick, Meath and elsewhere.
An analysis of the data centre sector in Ireland, including existing and planned data centres, is produced quarterly by industry groups BitPower and 'Host in Ireland'. The Deputy may find this a useful resource: https://bitpower.ie/index.php/dashboard
172. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if research has been carried out similar to research by Bord Bia on the UK export footprint in key European manufacturing markets; and the actions State agencies are taking to link with Irish manufacturing companies to help secure trade that may arise due to the new trading relationship between the UK and the EU. [14983/21]
View answerAs our enterprises face the dual challenges of COVID-19 and the new trading relationship with the UK, my Department’s strategic priorities for 2021 are focused on building a resilient enterprise base. The UK remains a strategic market of importance for our companies and Enterprise Ireland is working to assist them sustain and grow their business in the UK through a comprehensive programme of funding, advice and in-market supports.
A recent survey of Enterprise Ireland clients on the UK market reported that 89% of companies see future opportunities in the UK and 83% report that their strategy is to grow exports to the UK.
My Department assisted Enterprise Ireland in launching the Evolve UK programme in 2021 focused on delivering critical insights to Irish companies on the evolving UK market.
The Ready for Customs grant was developed to provide companies with financial assistance to cover the costs of taking on much needed additional customs clearance staff.
To support Irish companies to diversify markets beyond the UK, my Department also assists in the development of EI’s Eurozone Strategy. The Eurozone is the second largest market by value for Enterprise Ireland clients and the strategic ambition is to increase exports by 50% to the Eurozone in priority sectors. This strategy is supported through programmes such as the Market Discovery Fund and Enter the Eurozone Programme.
Enterprise Ireland’s diversification strategy has helped its clients to reduce their UK’s market share of total exports from 42% in 2009 to 31% in 2019. Exports to the Eurozone grew by 15% in 2019 and since 2009 have grown by €3 billion in value.
In addition, as a key Brexit response measure to deepen trade opportunities for Irish companies in the Eurozone, there are now six EI offices in the Eurozone supported by my Department including two new offices in Munich and Lyon established in 2019.
173. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide ongoing fixed costs supports for SMEs after all levels of public health restrictions have ceased in order for businesses to scale up activities. [14992/21]
View answerI am keenly aware that businesses are continuing to make massive sacrifices to protect their communities and I am committed to ensuring that the Government will offer as much assistance and support as possible. My Department has worked to ensure that appropriate supports are in place for businesses that require finance as they develop their response to their exposure to impacts arising from COVID-19. Details of all schemes can be found on my Departments website: Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)
The financial support the Government is providing businesses and workers affected by the pandemic is unprecedented. Almost a million people of working age are now in receipt of weekly payments including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), Employment Wage Subsidy (EWSS) and Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance. Support for business includes the weekly CRSS payment for businesses forced to close their doors to the public, the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), reduced VAT rates, a commercial rates holiday, the Sustaining Enterprise Fund, the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme as well as low-cost loans.
The Government has repeatedly stated that there will be no cliff-edge scenario for businesses regarding the supports in place.
My Department, its Agencies and the Local Enterprise Offices are actively listening to the needs of businesses and are working vigorously to ensure adequate and flexible measures are being put in place to help SMEs survive and re-open when it is safe to do so.
On 9th February last I announced a new €60m Scheme called the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes such as the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity grant or other direct sectoral grant schemes. This scheme aims to help businesses with their fixed costs, for example, rent, utility bills, security.
Applications for Phase 1 of the SBASC are now open and should be made to the relevant Local Authority. The closing date for receipt of applications is 21 April 2021.
The Local Enterprise Offices have undertaken significant work in supporting business across a range of sectors develop contingency plans to diversify and pivot their business ensuring that they are resilient and can continue to trade. Resources will be utilised to increase one to one engagement with clients to identify innovation and technology challenges delivering appropriate solutions.
Located nationwide LEOs offer direct grant aid to microenterprises up to 10 employees in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector. A core focus of the LEO’s is supporting owner manager capability and development. Developing the confidence and driving the ambition of local firms to scale and compete will continue to be a priority in the coming years.
Scaling and growing the export and start-up base continues to be a priority of this Government. Through Enterprise Ireland, my Department provides assistance to entrepreneurs and start-up companies to help with business planning, mentoring and development advice, feasibility funding and finance. Programmes and initiatives include:
- Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Development Programme, the national entrepreneur development programme for early stage start-ups.
- A Competitive Start Fund to support start-up companies to reach key technical and commercial milestones.
- Support for High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) companies with the potential to develop an innovative product or service for sale in international markets.
While addressing the current needs of business, I am keenly aware that we as a Government need to look towards safeguarding the future of small businesses so that we can facilitate greater growth, productivity and sustainability within Irish SMEs.
That is why in the latter half of 2020, I established an SME Growth Taskforce of entrepreneurs, business leaders and other stakeholders to fulfil the commitment made in the recent “Programme for Government – Our Shared Future”, to draw up an ambitious long-term strategic blueprint for SMEs and entrepreneurs beyond COVID-19.
The resulting ‘Report of the SME Taskforce: SME and Entrepreneurship Growth Plan’, which was published last month by my Department, sets out a wide range of recommendations with long-term strategic relevance for SMEs and entrepreneurs.
Importantly, the recommendations in the Report include measures to help SMEs and entrepreneurs to start up, scale up and access foreign markets, as well as recommendations aimed at helping SMEs to become more productive and ready for the transition to a digital, green economy.
These proposals, while not yet Government policy, will be considered by a Ministerial-led SME & Entrepreneurship Implementation Group, in conjunction with appropriate Government Departments, Agencies and other stakeholders, during the course of 2021.
Finally, while it is too early to judge what financial remedies will be required or appropriate when all public health restrictions have been lifted, my Department will continue to monitor the effectiveness and appropriates of all financial remedies as the position regarding the level of restrictions develops.
174. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged with a company (details supplied) in respect of proposed redundancies; if he has made enquiries as to whether the redundancies are mandatory or voluntary; and if he has engaged with the company and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on plans to retain jobs. [15088/21]
View answerThe announcement of 150 redundancies in this company is very regrettable and I extend my sympathies to the workers who have lost their jobs and to the families affected. I understand that the manufacturing and production operations will not be impacted. As a client of Enterprise Ireland, the Agency has had discussions with the senior management team of the company on their proposals and will be working to maintain the maximum number of jobs in Ireland. I have asked my officials to keep me updated on developments and to see how we can be of assistance.
Negotiations on redundancy terms are a voluntary matter between a company and its employees. Our Agencies will continue to work in a coordinated way to support those who have lost their jobs with welfare entitlements, job-search assistance and upskilling opportunities available to all impacted workers as they assess their options.
175. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of Enterprise Ireland grants for the 22 regulatory roles affected by the redundancies at a company (details supplied) in 2021 and future years. [15089/21]
View answerI am informed that the proposed redundancies referred to in the question relate to back office functions. Enterprise Ireland has not directly supported these functions. Some of the staff now being made redundant may have availed of general training programmes which Enterprise Ireland supported. There is no recourse on the grants paid out already for these training programmes as the training has already been carried out and the employees have been upskilled. In that regard, the new skills are transferrable and will be of ongoing benefit to the staff concerned. However, no grants will be paid out on future claims related to these roles which may be made redundant.
