Written Answers Nos. 115-133
115. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the gross expenditure provided for in the budget for 2021; if this will be sufficient to cover the now projected voted expenditure for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18893/21]
View answerBudget 2021 provided for an overall expenditure ceiling of €87.8 billion this year. As set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services (REV) 2021, nearly €82.4 billion of this has been allocated at a departmental level. €75¾ billion of this has been allocated to core expenditure programmes with €6½ billion allocated to Departments for measures related to Covid-19.
Outside of the allocation provided for in the REV 2021, €5.4 billion has been set aside in reserve to ensure Government has the flexibility to respond to the evolving situation with the virus during the year. This reserve will partially be utilised to fund the extension of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) to the end of June. In addition, taking into account that expenditure on the PUP to the end of March is already €1.2 billion ahead of the amount allocated in REV 2021, the additional expenditure on the PUP and EWSS to the end of June will place a significant demand on the €5.4 billion of Contingency Funds set aside as part of Budget 2021.
Consequently, in the context of the Government's commitment that there would be no cliff-edge to these supports at the end of June, policy decisions in relation to the period after June would most likely require an increase in the overall expenditure amount for 2021.
117. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated number of civil servants currently working remotely as a result of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20407/21]
View answerThere is no central information on numbers of Civil and Public Servants currently working from home.
My Department proactively supports employers across the Civil and Public Service in managing workplace attendance through the Guidance and FAQs for Public Service Employers during COVID-19. This document is regularly updated to reflect any changes in public health guidance and government policy, most recently on the 8th March. See gov.ie for the most up to date guidance.
FAQ 1.1 of this document, provides guidance for employers in relation to who should attend the work premises during the pandemic.
The guidance to the Civil Service and Public Sector bodies is based on public health advice and the Resilience and Recovery Plan 2021 which was published by the Government on 23rd February.
Within the plan, and the DPER Guidance and FAQs, there is a Framework for Restrictive Measures for work, with five different levels - these are set out below. The Framework provides for home working to continue where possible. Currently at Level 5 the advice to all employers is “Work from home unless it is for work which is in essential health, social care or other essential service and cannot be done from home.”
Home working must be balanced with the requirement to continue to provide essential services to the public, in line with the provisions of the framework.
To further support employers and employees at this time my Department developed guidance for civil service organisations - Working from Home during COVID-19 Guidance for Civil Service Organisations - in response to the requirement by Government for employees to work from home where possible during COVID.
The purpose of this guidance, which issued to Civil Service employers in June, was to support the health and wellbeing of employees; to ensure good practice has been followed by employees when working from home during COVID; and to support the regular and effective delivery of service.
Framework of Restrictive Measures for Work:
Level 1: Work from home if possible. Attend work for specific business requirements and on a staggered attendance basis.
Level 2: Work from home if possible. Attendance at work for essential onsite meetings, inductions and training.
Level 3: Work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend in person.
Level 4: Only essential or other designated workers should go to work.
Level 5: Work from home unless it is for work which is in essential health, social care or other essential service and cannot be done from home.
118. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the CFRAM schemes for County Louth and east County Meath; the key dates and so on in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20482/21]
View answer554. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the CFRAM schemes for County Louth and east County Meath to include key dates and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19197/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 554 together.
Through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, detailed engineering analysis, assessment and extensive public consultation was undertaken for 300 communities throughout Ireland, including 90 coastal areas, which in 2012 were identified as being most likely to be impacted by future coastal and fluvial flooding.
One key output of the CFRAM Programme were the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP’s) that contain proposed flood relief measures - informed by costs, benefits and environmental factors - to address the flood risk in each community and nationwide.
The evidence provided by the CFRAM Programme, launched in May 2018, supports the Government’s €1bn planned investment in flood relief through the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as part of Project Ireland 2040.
As part of this, Louth County Council, working with the Office of Public Works, has agreed to be the Lead Authority in the delivery of flood relief schemes at Dundalk / Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford / Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, all of which are in the first tranche of projects being progressed.
- The proposed flood relief scheme at Dundalk / Blackrock South, includes the Ardee Flood Relief Scheme and will protect some 1,880 properties when completed.
- The proposed flood relief scheme at Drogheda and Baltray, will protect some 450 properties when completed.
- The proposed flood relief scheme at Carlingford and Greenore will protect some 409 properties when completed.
While the CFRAM process investigated possible structural flood relief measures for both Annagassan and Termonfeckin, economically viable schemes for these communities were not identified, and so a review of the risk in these communities and the likely costs and benefits is to be undertaken. The Office of Public Works has put in place a process for undertaking such reviews, and it is envisaged that these reviews, including those for Annagassan and Termonfeckin, will be complete within the next 12 months.
The tender for Engineering Consultancy Services was awarded in 2020 to Binnies (formerly Black and Veatch) and Nicholas O ‘Dwyer (Joint Venture) for the Dundalk/Blackrock South and Ardee projects that are being progressed simultaneously. The preliminary cost estimate for these projects is €80.9 million.
The Engineering Consultancy Services tender brief for Drogheda and Baltray, was advertised in December last, and tenders were received by the closing date on 31 March 2021. Tender evaluation of these is now commencing.
The Engineering Consultancy Services tender brief for the Carlingford and Greenore scheme is currently being developed and is due to be published in the coming months.
Once consultants are appointed to progress each scheme, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the general public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the proposals within the Scheme.
In County Meath the Ashbourne Flood Alleviation Scheme is currently at the Construction Stage, having commenced in 2019 with a completion timeframe near to the end 2021. The Scheme comprises of the construction of an overflow weir to divert flow to the Broadmeadow River and the improvement of the channel and culvert capacity along the Broadmeadow and Ward Scheme. It will provide protection against a 100-Year flood event for a total of 69 properties.
In 2012, the OPW completed €4.5m investment in a flood relief scheme in Mornington that is protecting some 160 properties. The CFRAM Programme has proposed that an extension to this existing scheme may be required to address some additional flood risk. As the scale of investment is small, estimated to be approximately €500,000 Meath County Council has agreed to lead on the development of a further scheme for this area. Funding for this is being provided by the OPW.
119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which reform throughout the public service is likely to be a feature of public policy in the current year and thereafter with particular reference to the delivery of cost reductions and efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2785/21]
View answerI would like to thank Deputy for the question. The Deputy will be aware that a large programme of reform has been under way since the establishment of this Department in 2011.
Reform of public services will continue to play an integral role in this Department's function as we recover our economy and society from the colossal and pervasive impacts of the Covid19 pandemic. In fact, this Department is currently preparing the next phases of Public Service Reform (to succeed Our Public Service 2020) and a refreshed programme of Civil Service Renewal which will incorporate priorities that were articulated in the recently published Public Service Innovation Strategy, Making Innovation Real. Furthermore, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer in my Department is also preparing a new Public Service Digital Strategy, which will be published in the coming months.
These new plans and strategies will reinvigorate the reform agenda and make certain that we capitalise on the positive changes that we have witnessed since the onset of the pandemic. These plans and strategies will also incorporate a number of Programme for Government commitments that will enable the Public Service to be more responsive to the future needs of our citizens and to be resilient to any similar economic shocks of this nature.
As regards the drive for greater efficiencies and the realisation of more cost-effective public services, all public organisations are required to treat public funds with care, and to ensure that the best possible value for money is obtained whenever public money is being spent or invested. Indeed, as part of Our Public Service 2020 (Action 5) there has been a continued emphasis on ensuring value-for-money principles are adhered to across the Public Service.
As part of this broader approach to ensuring value for money, the introduction of shared services and centralised procurement in earlier phases of reform have been further integrated in public service operations and expanded into new areas. These expansions will continue apace and this Department is actively exploring new areas and mechanisms to further embed reforms that will enhance the cost-effectiveness of public services; for example, through greater use of opportunities presented through digitalisation, innovation and the implementation of new ways of working and service design.
Finally, in respect of contracting arrangements and the reform agenda generally, Action 6 of Our Public Service 2020 specifically outlines that Public Service Bodies should maximise the use of contracting arrangements such as innovation clauses, gainsharing pacts and the proper use of penalty sanctions to get the best value for the public. Not only is this in keeping with reform objectives, but this is central to the ongoing drive of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure sound management of public expenditure generally through mechanisms such as the Public Spending Code. I expect that any future reform agenda will equally require the maximisation of the key priorities like innovation, digitisation and service design in future contracted arrangements.
120. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public servants recruited before 1 April 2004 currently availing of the increase in the compulsory retirement age from 65 to 70 years of age for public servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20392/21]
View answerI and my Department are responsible for the civil service pension schemes, which cover personnel in established and unestablished civil service and State Industrial posts.
It would be a matter for those sectoral authorities, including relevant Ministers, to supply such information as may be available in respect of the wider public service.
The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 was enacted on 26 December 2018 and came into effect immediately from that date.
The Act provides that any public servant covered by the legislation, who had not reached their compulsory retirement age before 26 December 2018 now has a compulsory retirement age of 70. This gives them the choice to work beyond the age of 65 to age 70, on existing terms and conditions, subject to the normal standards of health and performance etc.
Based on the information provided by the National Shared Services Office (NSSO), the numbers of civil service pensioners who have retired aged over 65 for both 2019 and 2020 are 43 and 111 respectively.
122. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the assessment he is making or he has made as to whether capacity across public service bodies is keeping pace with increased investment levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20401/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to public capital investment as both a stabiliser and stimulus in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Investment is set to increase significantly over the coming years as part of the National Development Plan, and so it is opportune to assess whether capacity across public service bodies is keeping pace with these increased investment levels.
My Department recently published the Supporting Excellence: Capital Project and Programme Delivery Review report, conducted by EY on behalf on my Department, which was the culmination of an assessment of government departments and agencies and their capacity, as well as international good practice. It highlights that there are many examples of best practice throughout the public service but there are also some areas where enhancements are required.
The Report is a key interim output of the Review of the National Development Plan and one that my Department has and will keep to the forefront throughout the NDP Review to ensure that the capacity of public service bodies aligns with the investment levels proposed. The review commenced in October 2020 and considers five fundamental elements: what the appropriate level of public investment should be over the next ten years; what the share of the budget should be across Departments; ensuring alignment with the policy priorities of the Programme for Government; ensuring regional development through alignment of investment with the National Planning Framework; and finally, assessing whether the structures and rules for the management, governance and oversight of projects can be improved in order to deliver on the ambitions of the new NDP.
A key output arising from Supporting Excellence is the setting up of an Action Team to implement the recommendations of the Report. The Action Team will set out a roadmap for progress in this crucial area, which is planned for publication alongside the revised National Development Plan this summer and looks to align investment with capacity. It is important to note that one size does not fit all and my Department is looking at a range of measures tailored to the needs of each department or agency. More centralised guidance and support shall also be developed to help ensure that departments and agencies avail of their organisational potential. It is anticipated that the work of the Action Team will be completed by Summer 2021.
123. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount provided across 2020 and to date in 2021 for Covid-19-related spending programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20489/21]
View answer127. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there will be no cliff-edge termination of Covid-19 spending programmes at the end of June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20490/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 127 together.
Budget 2021 provided for an overall expenditure ceiling of €87.8 billion. Of this funding, €75¾ billion was allocated to core expenditure programmes with €6½ billion allocated to Departments for measures related to Covid-19. In addition to this, €5.4 billion was set aside in reserve to ensure Government has the flexibility to respond to the evolving situation with the virus during the year with specific, targeted measures. These reserve funds bring the provision for measures to respond to Covid-19 this year to almost €12 billion. This allocation is in addition to the €16.8 billion allocated to counter the impacts of the virus in 2020.
All told, across 2020 and 2021, we will have provided over €28 billion for various Covid related spending programmes. This substantial additional funding is required as a result of the exceptional circumstances arising from the pandemic, with a focus on implementing measures to support our people and businesses experiencing extreme difficulties and on ensuring that our health service has the resources to respond to the crisis.
The fiscal forecasts contained in the recently published Stability Programme Update were compiled on a technical no-policy-change basis, with no additional funding allocated for the extension beyond this June of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme. However, the Government has committed to ensure that there will be no cliff edge end to these supports at the end of June. The extent of the demand for further funding in respect of Covid-19 measures will depend on the public health situation, the level of restrictions in place and further policy decisions regarding provision of supports reflecting the Government’s commitment to support society and the economy to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
126. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the decision to increase the pay for the Secretary General of the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20331/21]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have statutory responsibility for the remuneration of civil servants, as set out in Section 17 of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 (as amended):
Miscellaneous powers of the Minister in relation to the Civil Service:
17. — (1) The Minister shall be responsible for the following matters—
(a) the regulation and control of the Civil Service,
(b) the classification, re-classification, numbers and remuneration of civil servants,
(c) the fixing of—
(i) the terms and conditions of service of civil servants, and
(ii) the conditions governing the promotion of civil servants.
(2) The Minister may, for the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, make such arrangements as he thinks fit and may cancel or vary those arrangements.
With regard to the terms to apply for recruitment to the post of Secretary General in the Department of Health, I engaged with the Taoiseach, the Minister for Health and the Secretary General to the Government. The factors taken into account in determining the salary, as outlined in previous correspondence to the Committee, included:
- That in recent years increased terms have been agreed for recruitment to certain senior roles of strategic importance in the public service, including the post of Garda Commissioner (€269,068), and in the Health Sector, the post of CEO of the HSE (€363,248). These revised terms were agreed in recognition of increased responsibilities and challenges associated with the roles and the need to attract candidates of a necessary calibre to deliver on Government priorities.
- That the post of Secretary General in the Department of Health is a highly complex one with a very challenging brief, particularly so in the midst of a global pandemic.
- The role will require an individual with the ability, ambition and experience to take on this large portfolio with a Department of almost 600 staff and 19 non-commercial state bodies under its aegis, including the HSE and a sector employing over 125,000 people.
- The very significant responsibilities attached to this role including: the ongoing management of the response to the COVID public health emergency; the COVID vaccine rollout programme in the immediate term; implementing the Government’s ambition for the rollout of Sláintecare; and the management of the greatly increased budget of €22 billion for Health in 2021.
- That a salary of €292,000 is commensurate with the scale of these responsibilities and the unique challenges attached to this role, not least at the current time.
As the Deputy may be aware, I have previously provided information relating to my responsibilities regarding the post of the Secretary General in the Department of Health in the context of my statement and appearance before the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach on 2nd February last.
Documents related to the matter have also been published by my Department, and are available at the links below:
https://www.gov.ie/en/speech/9aafb-opening-statement-of-the-minister-for-public-expenditure-and-reform-michael-mcgrath-td-to-the-joint-committee-on-finance-public-expenditure-and-reform-and-taoiseach/
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/493ca-correspondence-sent-to-the-joint-committee-on-finance-public-expenditure-and-reform-and-taoiseach-on-the- 2nd-february/
128. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the role of his Department during Ireland’s membership of the UN Security Council. [20508/21]
View answerIreland took its seat on the UN Security Council on 1 January 2021. It is a great honour for Ireland to have been elected to serve on the Council. We believe it has a vital role to play in preventing and resolving conflict throughout the world, and that Ireland can make a real contribution to that work. We will use our term to work with partners to strengthen conflict prevention, support peacebuilding efforts and to ensure accountability for breach of international law.
While the Minister for Foreign Affairs has responsibility for leading our contribution, Heads of State or Government contribute to periodic debates and at Summit-level events.
I plan to participate in a number of high-level debates in the Security Council during our term-in-office. I also intend to attend the regular UNGA high level week in September. Last year, events during the week moved online. It is hoped that it will be possible for them to take place in person this year, depending on developments relating to Covid19. This year’s meetings will coincide with Ireland’s Presidency of the Security Council during the month of September.
Officials in my department will work closely with their colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs, as necessary.
129. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a breakdown of the higher executive officers, administration officers, assistant principal officers, principal officers and assistant secretaries in his Department by gender in tabular form. [17918/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
Table 1: Department of the Taoiseach Staff by Grade and Gender - 21 April 2021
|
Grade |
Total |
Male |
Female |
|
Assistant Secretary |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
Principal Officer |
18 |
9 |
9 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
38 |
11 |
27 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
35 |
9 |
26 |
|
Administrative Officer |
23 |
7 |
16 |
130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the number of complaints his Department has received from members of the public under the heading of GDPR and data information requests since 2018 to date in 2021; the number of data information requests that have been refused and accepted, respectively; the number of GDPR requests refused; and the basis on which they were declined in tabular form. [17999/21]
View answerMy Department has received a total of 17 Data Subject Access requests from members of the public since the GDPR came into force in May, 2018.
All of the requests have been accepted and no related complaints have been received.
|
YEAR |
Number of GDPR Data Subject Access Requests Received |
Accepted/ Refused |
Status |
|
2021 |
6 |
All Accepted |
3 Completed 3 Ongoing |
|
2020 |
5 |
All Accepted |
All Completed |
|
2019 |
3 |
All Accepted |
All Completed |
|
2018 |
3 |
All Accepted |
All Completed |
|
TOTAL |
17 |
131. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the number of persons who are classified as self-employed by sector in each year since 2015; and the number of employees who are classified as employed in the same sectors, in tabular form. [18363/21]
View answerThe Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a household survey which provides quarterly statistics on employment and unemployment and is the official source of labour market estimates in the State. The primary classification used for the LFS results is the ILO (International Labour Organisation) labour force classification.
In line with EU requirements the LFS collects sector of employment data according to the standard EU classification (NACE Rev. 2).
The most recent annual figures available from the LFS are for 2020.
Table 1 below shows the number of self-employed persons aged 15 years and over classified by NACE Rev.2 sector for the years 2015 – 2020 - (Annual Average).
Table 2 below shows the number of employees aged 15 years and over classified by NACE Rev. 2 sector for the years 2015 – 2020 - (Annual Average).
Table 1 Self employed persons aged 15 years and over classified by Nace Rev.2 Economic Sector 2015 - 2020 (Annual Average)
|
- |
Nace Rev.2 Economic Sectors |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
'000 |
'000 |
'000 |
'000 |
'000 |
'000 |
||
|
A |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
76.6 |
76.6 |
75.5 |
73.9 |
70.3 |
69.1 |
|
B-F |
Total Industry |
59.1 |
60.9 |
62.9 |
66.1 |
63.7 |
58.8 |
|
B-E |
Industry |
20.3 |
21.9 |
20.4 |
18.7 |
18.0 |
18.1 |
|
F |
Construction |
38.8 |
39.0 |
42.5 |
47.4 |
45.7 |
40.7 |
|
G-U |
Total Services |
186.7 |
190.9 |
186.0 |
186.0 |
188.6 |
191.5 |
|
G |
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
35.4 |
32.6 |
31.0 |
30.7 |
32.0 |
29.8 |
|
H |
Transportation and storage |
21.5 |
21.5 |
20.3 |
19.6 |
19.0 |
18.6 |
|
I |
Accommodation and food service activities |
14.5 |
15.0 |
11.9 |
14.5 |
15.4 |
14.9 |
|
J |
Information and communication |
12.4 |
13.9 |
15.3 |
14.0 |
13.5 |
15.0 |
|
K-L |
Financial, insurance and real estate activities |
9.2 |
7.8 |
7.8 |
8.3 |
8.0 |
11.3 |
|
M |
Professional, scientific and technical activities |
34.9 |
34.1 |
33.7 |
33.9 |
32.8 |
34.0 |
|
N |
Administrative and support service activities |
9.0 |
12.0 |
12.6 |
12.7 |
14.3 |
14.2 |
|
O |
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security |
[1.0] |
1.6 |
[1.0] |
[1.0] |
[0.9] |
* |
|
P |
Education |
7.2 |
6.9 |
8.2 |
7.9 |
8.6 |
9.3 |
|
Q |
Human health and social work activities |
14.3 |
15.1 |
15.9 |
16.4 |
13.9 |
18.1 |
|
R-U |
Other NACE activities |
27.3 |
30.4 |
28.3 |
26.9 |
30.0 |
25.6 |
|
Not Stated |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
|
|
Total Persons |
323.1 |
329.0 |
325.1 |
326.7 |
322.9 |
319.6 |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
* Estimates for numbers of persons or averages where there are less than 30 persons in a cell are not produced as estimates are too small to be considered.
Parentheses [ ] indicate where there are 30-49 persons in a cell, estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Annual Average (January to December)
Table 2 Employees aged 15 years and over classified by Nace Rev.2 Economic Sector from 2015 - 2020 (Annual Average)
|
- |
Nace Rev.2 Economic Sectors |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
'000 |
'000 |
'000 |
'000 |
'000 |
'000 |
||
|
A |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
26.2 |
27.3 |
27.8 |
26.7 |
26.5 |
26.0 |
|
B-F |
Total Industry |
310.4 |
331.4 |
347.2 |
356.2 |
369.6 |
371.0 |
|
B-E |
Industry |
241.4 |
252.6 |
262.0 |
260.6 |
268.9 |
275.0 |
|
F |
Construction |
69.0 |
78.8 |
85.3 |
95.6 |
100.7 |
95.9 |
|
G-U |
Total Services |
1,376.0 |
1,421.2 |
1,473.3 |
1,528.3 |
1,585.9 |
1,560.1 |
|
G |
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
254.3 |
262.7 |
270.6 |
269.1 |
270.1 |
272.9 |
|
H |
Transportation and storage |
67.1 |
71.2 |
72.8 |
79.0 |
86.7 |
83.3 |
|
I |
Accommodation and food service activities |
132.5 |
140.2 |
150.8 |
160.5 |
162.1 |
129.5 |
|
J |
Information and communication |
89.2 |
94.2 |
100.1 |
103.3 |
110.0 |
117.8 |
|
K-L |
Financial, insurance and real estate activities |
96.3 |
100.4 |
99.2 |
97.6 |
105.2 |
113.4 |
|
M |
Professional, scientific and technical activities |
94.0 |
98.4 |
98.9 |
102.3 |
104.9 |
110.0 |
|
N |
Administrative and support service activities |
71.2 |
73.6 |
80.2 |
91.0 |
95.7 |
80.1 |
|
O |
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security |
91.5 |
92.2 |
96.4 |
104.2 |
112.5 |
118.3 |
|
P |
Education |
141.9 |
144.4 |
152.4 |
162.8 |
174.9 |
183.5 |
|
Q |
Human health and social work activities |
252.9 |
257.0 |
263.2 |
266.6 |
275.7 |
272.3 |
|
R-U |
Other NACE activities |
85.1 |
86.9 |
88.8 |
91.9 |
88.3 |
78.9 |
|
Not Stated |
5.7 |
6.1 |
6.9 |
7.2 |
6.0 |
3.9 |
|
|
Total Persons |
1,718.2 |
1,786.1 |
1,855.2 |
1,918.4 |
1,988.0 |
1,961.0 |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Annual Average (January - December).
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
132. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach the number of young persons from 18 to 24 years of age who are not in employment, education and training excluding those on the pandemic unemployment payment. [18475/21]
View answerThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
It is not possible to identify the number of young people from 18 to 24 years of age that are not in employment, education and training (NEET) and who are not on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). The data on persons classified as NEET are sourced from quarterly CSO survey data while the number of persons in receipt of the PUP are compiled from weekly administrative data sources from the Department of Social Protection. As a result, it is only possible to provide aggregate estimates of the number of persons classified as NEET for a particular quarter and overall levels of PUP recipients on a given week in the same quarter.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a household survey which provides quarterly statistics on employment and unemployment and is the official source of labour market estimates in the State. The primary classification used for the LFS results is the ILO (International Labour Organisation) labour force classification. The latest quarterly data for Ireland for persons who are not in education, employment and training (NEET) is for Quarter 4 (Q4) 2020 and is sourced from the LFS.
In Q4 2020, the number of persons between 18-24 years of age classified as NEET was 51,400.
At the end of December 2020 (Week 53) 83,308 persons aged between 18 and 24 years whose income from employment has been affected due to COVID-19 were being facilitated through the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). The PUP is administered by the Department of Social Protection. Information is not currently available to fully establish the status of those who are currently in receipt of the PUP based on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions for employment and unemployment. This information can also be extracted from CSO's online database PxStat.
See link: https://data.cso.ie/table/LRW03
133. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he has considered arranging further meetings with the vaccine providers that are currently supplying Covid-19 vaccines here to discuss supply. [18645/21]
View answerThe Government has regular and ongoing engagement with companies involved in supplying vaccines for Covid-19, as well as with the European Commission and others involved in the procurement and production of vaccines.
I myself have had a number of direct engagements with companies involved in the development and supply of vaccines. This has included meetings with AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer in recent months.
The Government will continue to make every effort to ensure that the vaccine roll out is successful, this includes engagement, as necessary, with the companies involved in supplying vaccines.
