Written Answers Nos. 190-209
190. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered classifying children’s clothing and shoes as essential goods that can be purchased in-store during level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16906/21]
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/
Level 5 does not restrict people from purchasing any product, it does however restrict people from physically going into non-essential stores. This is to stop people making unnecessary journeys, congregating and browsing for non-essential goods, to limit the spread of the virus.
Under the current temporary restrictions while click and collect of non-essential retail items is no longer permitted, click or phone and delivery can continue.
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 understand there is a particular concern in regard to children’s shoes and how the issue might impact children’s growth and development. We are finalising specific guidance to deal with the matter and will be able to make an announcement very shortly.
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 strictly separate 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.
Minister English has met regularly with Retail Forum members and representatives from the retail grocery and distribution sector to continuously discuss and assess adherence to the public health restrictions.
It is important to monitor gov.ie for the latest information, public health advice and guidelines from Government in relation to COVID-19.
191. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on making St. Brigid’s Day a public holiday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16944/21]
View answerThe legislation which provides for public holidays is the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. This Act provides that certain days may be prescribed as public holidays. At present, there are nine public holidays.
An extra holiday has implications of a broad nature in terms of costs and productivity and has cross-government issues to be explored.
Any proposal for the provision of an additional public holiday would require careful consideration and wide-ranging consultations with relevant stakeholders.
192. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role of his Department, if any, in ensuring that the State meets its commitments under the UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families; if so, if he will provide details of same for the years 2019 and 2020 and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16945/21]
View answerI understand Ireland is not a signatory to the UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. I suggest the Deputy takes up the matter with my colleague the Minister for Justice.
In respect of employment rights and protections, Ireland’s employment rights legislation protects all employees, including all migrant workers, who are legally employed on a contract of service basis. We have a comprehensive body of employment rights law, ranging from Payment of Wages and Minimum Wage to Working Time and Unfair Dismissals legislation. The Workplace Relations Commission (‘the WRC’) is a statutorily independent office of my Department. Among the core functions of the WRC include the enforcement of employment rights and employment permits legislation, the provision of employment rights and industrial relations information, and promoting compliance with employment rights and equality legislation
193. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review the turnover criteria in relation to funding for small business through the small business assistance scheme for Covid, given that applicants are required to have a minimum turnover of €50,000 for each rateable premises; his views on whether many small businesses that are looking to avail of these supports from the scheme will not be able to fulfil this minimum turnover criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17026/21]
View answerAs you are aware, 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.
You will also know that 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.
In relation to the most recent scheme I announced, the Small Business Assistance Scheme (SBASC), the aim of which 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.
In relation to the eligibility requirement of €50,000 turnover, it is important to remember that this scheme has been introduced to meet the unavoidable costs that businesses operating from a fixed premises incur whether they are open or not. Analysis carried out for similar schemes has shown that where annual turnover is less than €50,000, then it is likely that most costs will be payroll based. As you know, Government already provides subsidies or other income supports in the form of the EWSS and the PUP.
While there will undoubtedly be exceptions, it is probable that at these lower levels of turnover, the ongoing costs will generally not impact on the business’s potential to re-open as and when restrictions ease.
I would urge business owners to seek the supports available. 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.
It is important to note that I along with my Government colleagues are continuing to keep government business schemes under review.
194. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the companies in Galway city that have benefited from grants from Enterprise Ireland in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [17032/21]
View answerEnterprise Ireland supports companies in every county of Ireland to start, scale, innovate, and remain competitive in international markets, now and into the future. In 2020, Enterprise Ireland companies in Galway employed 8,369 people across 287 plants.
In 2020 and to date in 2021, Enterprise Ireland has paid €14,844,466 to 154 companies located in County Galway. Details of payments for 2020 by company will be available in Q2 2021 when Enterprise Ireland’s audited Annual Report for 2020 is published.
195. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to provide the supports available under the Covid-19 business aid scheme for those without commercial rates contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17038/21]
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.
As you are aware, 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.
You will also know that 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.
Some schemes do have an eligibility requirement of a business operating from a premises on which rates are payable. The reason for 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 hearing proposals as to how we can help further. Government schemes to support businesses are generally designed to help meet fixed costs that cannot be avoided, and it is not possible to provide compensation for loss of personal income or profits.
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/.
196. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available for new businesses starting up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17101/21]
View answerThe 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide are a ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. The LEOs also offer an extensive suite of training programmes, workshops and networking meetups, which have been moved to online platforms in response to the current health crisis. The LEOs act as a ‘signposting’ service for all relevant government supports available to the SME sector and can provide information/referrals to other bodies under agreed protocols such as Revenue, Micro Finance Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, LEADER, and Enterprise Ireland.
The LEOs offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (up to 10 employees) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector. Start-up businesses that have not begun trading may avail of LEO feasibility grant, priming grant and all ancillary support including training, management development and mentoring subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
Feasibility grants link to the pre-start-up phase and their purpose is to help start-up companies or individual entrepreneurs with the cost of researching their proposed business or new business idea to determine whether it could be viable and sustainable.
Priming grants for businesses trading less than 18 months aim to help them get the business with the associated costs of start-up. The maximum priming grant payable is 50% of the investment or €150,000 – whichever is less. Only enterprises that clearly demonstrate a potential to graduate to Enterprise Ireland can be awarded grants of this size. In all other cases, the maximum grant is 50% of the investment or €80,000 – whichever is the lesser.
However, the Local Enterprise Offices do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services or construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses.
Businesses which have been trading for at least 6 months may also be applicable for the Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVs), which offers a 50% co-funded voucher of up to €2,500 (maximum value of €5,000 when 50% co- funded by the applicant) to help businesses develop their online trading capability and includes training sessions that cover various topics, such as developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation. Funding can also be used towards adding payment facilities or booking systems to a business's website or developing new apps for customers. The voucher can also be used towards subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions to help companies quickly establish a retailing presence online.
The Local Enterprise Offices can also assist clients with applications to Microfinance Ireland for small business loans of between €2,000 and €25,000 (unsecured). Loans for commercially viable proposals can be used to help fund start-up costs, working capital or business expansion and by applying through their Local Enterprise Office, clients can avail of a 1% reduction in the interest rate charged.
197. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will seek a review of the regulations surrounding the sale of children's clothes, in particular children's shoes, which require correct measurements and regular changes to reflect their essential nature; the timeline for the reopening of shoe shops and retail outlets that sell shoes and clothes for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17282/21]
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.
Decisions on reopening are made by Government based on health advice. I know that adequate notice is important for the sector and I will provide as much notice as possible based on the timing and nature of the decision by Government.
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/
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 understand there is a particular concern in regard to children’s shoes and how the issue might impact children’s growth and development. We are finalising specific guidance to deal with the matter and will be able to make an announcement very shortly
We are 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.
COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead which can be found on https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/ sets out the approach to the next phase, which is subject to ongoing review and taking into account the evolving epidemiological situation.
Minister English has met regularly with Retail Forum members and representatives from the retail grocery and distribution sector to continuously discuss and assess adherence to the public health restrictions.
The Government has introduced a wide range of supports to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and they can be found on the Department’s website https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
It is important to monitor gov.ie for the latest information, public health advice and guidelines from Government in relation to COVID-19.
198. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide clarification regarding applications to the small business assistance scheme for Covid; and the way in which a business demonstrates its ineligibility for the Covid restrictions support scheme; if a formal rejection is required from the scheme; if a business can self-declare itself ineligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17373/21]
View answerAs you are aware I recently announced that applications are now open for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid (SBASC). Closing date for receipt of applications by Local Authorities is 21st April, 2021.
The scheme is designed to support those who are ineligible for CRSS and other sectoral schemes. The scheme will provide a grant of €4,000 to businesses to assist with their fixed costs e.g rent, utilities, security etc.
A business owner who has been deemed ineligible for CRSS by the Revenue Commissions can provide that information to the Local Authorities. They can, however, also self declare that they are not in receipt of CRSS and the other schemes listed in the application form. It should be noted that as part of the application process that business owners will be agreeing to have their information shared between the Local Authorities, my Department and Revenue Commissioners and this will be used for audit purposes.
All Government COVID supports are being kept under review.
199. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17424/21]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to ensuring that customers and members of the Deaf community who wish to conduct their business with my Department using Irish Sign Language can do so.
My Department has engaged with the National Sign Language Interpreting Service for Ireland to provide access to our services through Irish Remote Interpreting Services. This is a free service for all Deaf customers. The provision of this service is in line with our commitment to making our services accessible to all our customers.
Currently customers can avail of a live video-link to an Irish Sign Language interpreter which will ensure that our customers in the Deaf community can fully access our services. Details of how to access the service are available on the Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie
Officials from my Department has contacted all agencies under its remit to make them aware of their obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 and ensure they make Irish Sign Language interpreting services available to their customers.
My Department is committed to monitoring on an ongoing basis the level of demand for services to be provided in Irish Sign Language and responding to those demands in a planned, coherent, and accessible way.
200. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the Acts falling under his Department that have been signed into law but have not been commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17442/21]
View answerThere are no Acts under the remit of my Department that have been signed into law but not commenced.
201. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 170 of 24 March 2021, the number of breaches to be relayed in relation to the NACE sector in which the breach took place by year in tabular form. [17466/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not stored in the format requested and therefore is currently being compiled and will be supplied to the Deputy over the next number of days.
202. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are grants available for businesses with a turnover of less than €50,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17471/21]
View answerI am keenly aware that businesses are continuing to make massive sacrifices to protect their communities.
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. The measures in the Budget are in addition to those announced in the July Stimulus and include 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.
These are in addition to financial assistance and other schemes provided to businesses via Enterprise Ireland, InterTrade Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website: Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)
As part of Budget 2021, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), operational through Revenue, 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.
Changes have been made to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the EWSS. The new payment structure for the PUP includes the increase in the top rate to €350 for those who were earning in excess of €400 per week. This change to payment rates will apply in respect of all existing and new applicants. The EWSS is also being amended to align with the amendment to PUP, with the top payment increasing to €350 for those earning over €400.
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.
The level of support now being provided to businesses across all sectors is unprecedented and ahead of that available in other jurisdictions. Our focus is to ensure the safety of our people and guide our economy towards recovery by ensuring that we have an appropriate mix of supports in place to support workers and businesses in moving between the levels of the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021- The Path Ahead.
203. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the IDA and Enterprise Ireland can claw back grant aid to companies in instances in which the company has reneged and-or breached its agreed targets; and if he will provide a schedule including amount and company name of grants clawed back in the past 10 years. [17528/21]
View answerI am advised that in all instances where financial assistance is approved by IDA Ireland for a company, the Agency and the client enter into a legal and binding contract (grant agreement). The contract which is confidential, between IDA Ireland and the client company, includes conditions and milestones that are required to be achieved before any financial assistance is paid.
A company signs the grant agreement in full knowledge that the penalty for non-performance is the pro-rata repayment of the grant. IDA Ireland follows up the claw-back (revocation of grants) where the agreed performance targets have not been met or, if appropriate, in the event of a company closure. These cases are reported in the Agency’s Annual Financial Statements.
The table below outlines the number of companies and the total grants repaid to IDA Ireland each year for the past 10 years. IDA have advised the 2020 figure is not yet available for publication.
IDA Ireland are of the view that information such as company names is confidential and commercially sensitive as they are in ongoing relationships with many of the companies on existing and potentially new investments, and the companies continue to provide significant employment in Ireland.
|
Year |
No of Companies |
Amount € |
|
2010 |
16 |
12,881,000 |
|
2011 |
11 |
18,798,000 |
|
2012 |
12 |
3,132,000 |
|
2013 |
8 |
2,444,000 |
|
2014 |
5 |
2,226,000 |
|
2015 |
7 |
2,536,000 |
|
2016 |
1 |
346,000 |
|
2017 |
4 |
5,031,000 |
|
2018 |
3 |
5,734,000 |
|
2019 |
5 |
1,682,00 |
Similarly, I am informed that the terms and conditions underpinning Enterprise Ireland grant approval to a company are detailed in the company’s Letter of Offer. In this document, it is stated that if the terms and conditions are not met, Enterprise Ireland reserves the right to claim back the approved grant aid. This reclaiming of grants can occur, for example, where an undertaking: has ceased to carry out the project; is the subject of an order or effective resolution for the winding up of the business; is the subject of a Receivership and/or Examinership; and is otherwise in breach of a Grant Agreement.
The table below outlines the number of Enterprise Ireland client companies each year for the last ten years that had approved grant reclaimed and the total amount of grant funding reclaimed. I am advised that Enterprise Ireland is not in a position to release the name of each company and the associated amount of grant reclaimed. The release of this information could potentially negatively impact these companies, causing financial or reputational damage to the company.
|
Year |
No. Companies |
Amount € |
|
2011 |
7 |
572,016 |
|
2012 |
6 |
353,478 |
|
2013 |
20 |
1,744,588 |
|
2014 |
23 |
3,114,659 |
|
2015 |
14 |
612,538 |
|
2016 |
18 |
1,396,874 |
|
2017 |
15 |
179,789 |
|
2018 |
10 |
109,579 |
|
2019 |
11 |
275,311 |
|
2020 |
10 |
914,675 |
204. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a return to click and collect for retail will be explored as opposed to click and deliver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17547/21]
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/.
COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead which can be found on https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/, sets out the approach to the next phase, which is subject to ongoing review and taking into account the evolving epidemiological situation.
All decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions are informed by the public health advice at the time.
Minister English has met regularly with Retail Forum members and representatives from the retail grocery and distribution sector to continuously discuss and assess adherence to the public health restrictions.
The Government has introduced a wide range of supports to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and they can be found on the Department’s website https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
It is important to monitor gov.ie for the latest information, public health advice and guidelines from Government in relation to COVID-19.
205. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many SMEs and microenterprises are excluded from the support provided by the small business assistance scheme for Covid, given that they are not listed as ratepayers; if recourse will be provided for those that cannot access the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17597/21]
View answerI am aware of the difficulties that business owners continue to face and with that 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), Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), 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 and they can signpost and advise of supports that maybe available.
The SBASC scheme you refer to does have a payment of rates eligibility requirement for the premises. 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 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, rather than providing compensation for loss of personal income above this level or compensation for loss of profits for any sector.
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.
206. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to the current pressure on retailers will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17603/21]
View answerI am keenly aware of the critical role that the retail sector plays, as the largest private sector employer in Ireland, in contributing to the Irish economy.
The past year has been a difficult year for all businesses, including retailers. The impact of both the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit have posed significant challenges for businesses and it is vital that businesses continue to develop their resilience in the face of these and future challenges.
I would like to thank retailers for their continued support of the national effort through this unprecedented public health crisis.
Decisions on lifting the current temporary restrictions are made by Government based on health advice. I know that adequate notice is important for the sector and I will provide as much notice as possible based on the timing and nature of the decision by Government.
I also fully understand how critical it is to return to click and collect for non-essential retail and an easing of restrictions as soon as possible.
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/
The decision to move to full scale Level 5 was not taken lightly and all factors were considered.
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/
Level 5 does not restrict people from purchasing any product, it does however restrict people from physically going into non-essential stores. This is to stop people making unnecessary journeys, congregating and browsing for non-essential goods, to limit the spread of the virus.
Under the current temporary restrictions while click and collect of non-essential retail items is no longer permitted, click or phone and delivery can continue.
We are asking retailers to fully get behind the spirit of the regulations. In particular, we are asking retailers with mixed retail offering which have discrete spaces for essential and non-essential retail to ensure the strict separation of relevant areas.
An Garda Síochána are engaging with retailers and enforcing the regulations where necessary.
Minister English has met regularly with Retail Forum members and representatives from the retail grocery and distribution sector to continuously discuss and assess adherence to the public health restrictions.
The Government is aware that some businesses are concerned that some landlords are continuing to insist on the payment of rents and leases as normal despite their premises being closed. At the same time, we must remember that landlords have their own financial obligations, like debt repayments, insurance, or security costs, that still need to be paid. One person’s rent might be another person’s income or pension.
The issue of commercial rents is primarily a contractual matter for the parties involved. The Government has urged landlords and tenants to talk to one another and come to some arrangement, as it is in everybody’s interest that terms are amicably agreed.
With this in mind, on 1st October 2020, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment published the Code of Conduct between landlords and tenants for commercial rents, which was developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders and based on examples from other jurisdictions. The aim of the voluntary Code is to facilitate discussions between landlords and tenants impacted by COVID-19. It sets out a structured approach for engagement between both commercial landlords and tenants, based on their mutual interest in continuing to work together. The Code can be found on the Department’s website.
The three main schemes, the CRSS, EWSS and PUP compare favourably with any other packages on offer in other countries.
I recently announced the €60m Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID and applications are now being taken by the Local Authorities. The closing date for this scheme is 21st April, 2021. It is a scheme designed to support those who are ineligible for CRSS and other sectoral schemes. The scheme will provide a grant of €4,000 to businesses to assist with their fixed costs eg rent, utilities, security etc. Your business may be eligible for this grant.
Further details of this scheme are also available on https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
207. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the spend for his Department on public procurement disaggregated by spend on goods, services and capital works in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. [17958/21]
View answerBearing in mind the scope of the request from the Deputy it will not be possible to provide a breakdown of expenditure of the goods and services procured by my Department and its Offices over the past three years in the time available.
I will arrange for the information being sought to be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as available over the coming days.
208. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the discussions he had with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with respect to the position being adopted by Ireland in negotiations concerning the reduction of emissions and biodiversity matters arising from the proposals for a reformed Common Agricultural Policy and the Green New Deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16437/21]
View answerThe European Green Deal is the European Commission’s overarching plan to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, while boosting the competitiveness of European industry and ensuring a just transition for the regions and workers affected. It includes a number of legislative proposals, new strategies and action plans, financing instruments and non-legislative initiatives, which span all sectors. The Government has welcomed the European Green Deal and officials across Departments have been engaging with and supporting the European Commission in delivering on the European Green Deal Programme.
Ireland has significantly increased its climate ambition in the Programme for Government, including an average of 7% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions per annum from 2021 to 2030 and the goal of achieving net zero emissions no later than 2050.
As Minister for Climate Action, I am leading on delivering this shared commitment as set out in the Programme for Government. With the increased scale and depth of this ambition, new strategies will be needed to sustain an emissions reductions trajectory, which increases over time. I am working with colleagues across Government to develop a 2021 Climate Action Plan, which will include additional initiatives in every sector, including biodiversity and nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation.
The Programme for Government recognises the need for coherence between our climate reform and biodiversity responsibilities. This is particularly the case in the agriculture sector, where the Programme for Government contains a dedicated section covering both climate action and biodiversity. It is important that reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy reward farmers for sequestering carbon, restoring biodiversity, improving water and air quality, producing clean energy, and developing schemes that support results-based outcomes. I am working with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine along with the Minister of State with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity, to maximise the clear synergies between climate and biodiversity policy.
209. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the discussions he had at EU level regarding an EU trading system for agricultural emissions as referenced in the Climate Action Plan 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16438/21]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2019 commits to work with other Member States and the European Commission to consider the creation of an alternative regulatory regime (such as an ETS-type system) for agricultural emissions. The aim of such a system would be to help address the challenge of meeting increasing food demand internationally, while at the same time, contributing to climate commitments, including avoiding the off-shoring of agricultural activity to less carbon-efficient production systems. Such an initiative will require close collaboration and buy-in from other Member States and the European Commission.
Ireland has significantly increased its climate ambition, with the implementation of the Climate Action Plan 2019 and the step change in climate objectives set out in the Programme for Government, including an average of 7% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions per annum form 2021 to 2030. This increase in ambition will be reflected in the next iteration of the Climate Action Plan.
The Environmental Protection Agency's recent publication “Ireland’s Environment: An Integrated Assessment 2020”, demonstrates that the overall quality of Ireland’s environment is on a downward trend, requiring us to accelerate addressing these challenges across all sectors of the economy and wider society. In drafting the Climate Action Plan 2021, far reaching policy changes will be developed across every sector, including agriculture, that set us on the path of systemic change that is required for Ireland to become a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society and economy by 2050 at the latest.
With the 2030 Climate Target Plan and EU Climate Law, the EU will raise its ambition on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. This is a substantial increase compared to the existing 40% emissions reduction target. The Commission is preparing to present, by June 2021, an overhaul of all relevant climate legislation as part of a “Fit for 55 Package” to align with the newly proposed target. As part of preparing this legislation, the Commission will consider how emissions are accounted for between the agriculture and land-use sectors.
