Written Answers Nos. 112-131
112. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Taoiseach if consideration has been given to the funding of a joint project between the CSO and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency to have a more standardised approach (details supplied). [22929/21]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) regularly cooperate on matters of shared interest regarding the compilation of official statistics, including population, social, economic, trade and business sector statistics.
This cooperation includes formal arrangements, such as the Memorandum of Understanding in place between the CSO and NISRA with regards the 2021 Census of Population to support collaboration and improve the comparability and quality of each agencies outputs.
The forthcoming new strategy of the National Statistics Board, which guides the broad strategic direction of the CSO, furthermore recommends the continued collaboration between the CSO and NISRA to support a shared-island approach to official statistics where appropriate.
As part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative, we are committed to deepening all aspects of North/South cooperation.
While the CSO is an independent agency, its continued cooperation with NISRA on official statistics is welcome, and my Department will continue to engage with the CSO on an ongoing basis.
113. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach when the next national census will be conducted; and when it is proposed to be concluded. [22956/21]
View answerOn the advice of the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the Government decided to postpone the 2021 Census to 3rd April 2022. Delivery of census forms to each household will begin on 28th February and collection of forms will finish on 6th May with the expiration of approx. 5,600 field staffs’ temporary employment contracts.
The Central Statistics Office expects to release the preliminary results from Census 2022 by the end of June 2022, with the publication of the official results to commence in the second quarter of 2023. It is expected that the publication schedule will be completed in the first half of 2024.
114. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social policy and public service reform division of his Department. [23259/21]
View answerThe role of the Social Policy and Public Service Reform Division is to assist me, as Taoiseach, and the Government in delivering programme for Government objectives and public policies and services which help create a socially inclusive and fair society.
Specifically, the Division assists the work of:
- the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality and the associated senior officials' group established to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy, equality and public services, including matters relating to arts and culture, children, justice, policing reform and community safety, disability, social inclusion, gender equality, direct provision, the Irish language and sport;
- the Cabinet Committee on Education and the associated senior officials' group established to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the area of education and further and higher education;
- the Cabinet Committee on health and the associated senior officials' group established to oversee programme for Government commitments in the area of health, including implementation of health reforms, including Sláintecare and the development of mental health services; and
- the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 and the associated senior officials' group established to assess the social and economic impacts of the potential spread of Covid-19 and to oversee the cross-government response.
A Policing Reform Implementation Programme Office forms part of the Division. This office drives the implementation of A Policing Service for our Future, the Government's plan to implement the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
The Division also assists the work of:
- the Civil Service Management Board which oversees Civil Service Renewal;
- has departmental oversight of the National Economic and Social Council;
- advances Dublin's North East Inner City Initiative, including through supporting the work of a programme office, programme implementation board and oversight group;
- assists the delivery of public service reform through membership of the public service leadership board and public service management group;
- provides me with briefing and speech material on social policy and public service reform issues; and
- participates in relevant interdepartmental committees and other groups.
115. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [23260/21]
View answer116. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [23262/21]
View answer118. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [23265/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 116 and 118 together.
The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) is an independent statutory agency operating under the aegis of my Department. It provides advice on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Ireland.
The Council's 2020 work programme comprised the following five themes – Transition Teams (as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland); Climate Change; Land Use; Land Value and Urban Development; Welfare and Employment; and COVID-19.
The NESC work programme for 2021 is currently focused on:
Shared Island – a programme of research on possible co-operation across a number of economic, social and environmental areas in Ireland, North and South;
Wellbeing Framework - development of a Well-being Framework for Ireland by consulting with stakeholders;
Climate and Biodiversity and Just Transition - research and advice in relation to a just transition to a low carbon economy and society;
Digital Inclusion – preparation of a report which will identify actions which will help better prepare individuals, the economy, society and the public service for a more digitalised future.
Welfare Reform - preparation and publication of a comprehensive report on the future of the Irish social welfare system.
The Council has so far published 2 reports in 2021:
- Council Report No. 152 - Grounding the Recovery in Sustainable Development: A Statement from the Council
- Council Report No. 153 – Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy Scoping Paper
As reports are finalised in the relevant areas they are brought to Government for approval in advance of publication.
117. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach the status of the Programme for Government. [23263/21]
View answerGovernment has been working hard to implement the commitments in the Programme for Government across a wide range of issues in all Departments.
The ten Cabinet Committees established by this Government reflect the full range of policy areas that it will work on during its lifetime as set out in the Programme for Government.
Cabinet Committees meet regularly, consistent with the provisions in the Programme for Government to continue this work.
My Department has been involved in progressing some key Programme for Government commitments in recent months, including:
- Ongoing monitoring and management of the impact of COVID-19 on the provision of both COVID and non-COVID healthcare.
- The establishment of a Shared Island Unit in my Department.
- The establishment of a unit in my Department to help co-ordinate future social dialogue.
- An ongoing major review of the National Development Plan.
- The development of a National Economic Recovery Plan.
- Ongoing development of a Well-being Framework for Ireland.
- The publication of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill.
- Bilateral engagement with EU leaders to advance a range of high level objectives in the Programme for Government, in particular in relation to Brexit, Covid, EU Budget and the EU Green Agenda.
- Implementation of Global Ireland 2025.
- Establishment of a Future of Media Commission.
- Completion of the work of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality.
119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee that deals with transport will next meet. [23266/21]
View answerThere is not a dedicated Cabinet Committee that deals with Transport, but rather transport related matters arise in a number of Cabinet Committees, most particularly the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment and the Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment last met on 12 April 2021, and is scheduled to meet again on 6 May 2021.
The Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change last met on 1 April 2021 and is scheduled to meet again on 10 May 2021.
120. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Climate Change will meet next. [23270/21]
View answerThe Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change last met on 1 April 2021 and is scheduled to meet again on 10 May 2021.
It is chaired by the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan.
This Cabinet Committee oversees the implementation of the ambitious Programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment and climate change.
These commitments are reflected in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 which is now progressing through the legislative process.
The Committee also oversees implementation of the current Climate Action Plan and the Interim Climate Actions for 2021, as well as the work which is now underway to develop an updated Climate Action Plan.
The Committee also considers other aspects of environmental policy, for example in relation to investment in water services and water quality.
121. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that have been taken to protect workers against being blackballed or blacklisted for joining trade unions, engaging in collective bargaining and agitating for workers’ rights in the film industry. [22723/21]
View answerThe right of workers to form associations and join a trade union is enshrined in Article 40 of the Irish Constitution. However, our Superior Courts have established that the Constitutional guarantee of the freedom of association does not guarantee workers the right to have their union recognised for the purpose of collective bargaining.
Notwithstanding this, it has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to promote collective bargaining through legislation and by the development of an institutional framework supportive of a voluntary system of industrial relations that is premised upon freedom of contract and freedom of association. There is an extensive range of statutory provisions designed to support collective bargaining within the concept of voluntarism.
122. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the waiving of intellectual property rights of Covid-19 vaccines in view of the current situation in many countries in the global south that are struggling with combating the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23202/21]
View answer123. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position of the Government in relation to the Covid-19 vaccine patent waiver proposal put forward by South Africa and India. [22588/21]
View answer127. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged at European Union level regarding the waiving of intellectual property rights on Covid-19 vaccines in order to speed up vaccination production and distribution across Europe and the wider world. [22791/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 123 and 127 together.
I think it is clear that universal and equitable access to safe, effective and affordable diagnostics, treatments and vaccines is very important in the global fight against COVID-19.
International Trade is a competence of the EU under the Treaties. In exercising that competence at the WTO, the European Commission engages with Member States, including Ireland through a variety of Committees and Working Parties/Groups, including on intellectual property.
The EU position is that the challenges raised by the proponents of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (the TRIPS Agreement) waiver can be addressed through the existing flexibilities within the WTO TRIPS Agreement which allows governments to grant compulsory licences without the permission of the patent holder. The EU Commission also points out that the IP system incentivises and enables the stakeholders to share their innovations, to exchange knowledge and data, and to license.
The EU position is that manufacturing capacity, access to raw materials and distribution networks are the main obstacles that need to be overcome in the supply of vaccines and that increasing manufacturing capacity may be better attained through voluntary licensing arrangements by disseminating the technology and know-how of those who developed the vaccines. The EU Commission has set up a Task Force for Industrial Scale-up of COVID-19 vaccine production which aims to support the ramp-up of production capacity and address supply chain bottlenecks.
The EU is committed and open to trying to reach agreement with all members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on how to achieve the shared goal of providing timely and secure access to safe and affordable vaccines and medicines for all through the multilateral rules-based trading system. Discussions are continuing at the WTO, including in relation to how the TRIPS Agreement can support fast and effective vaccine availability. Ireland is represented in those discussions by the EU Commission.
The EU Commission considers that the COVAX Facility, the international initiative to ensure global supply and access to COVID-19 vaccines, is the mechanism that is best placed to ensure that high-income countries finance the vaccines and support the developing countries to secure their share of global supply.
124. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a full report on the recent North-South Ministerial Council that focused on trade matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22605/21]
View answerOn 21 April I chaired the 21st North South Ministerial Council Trade and Business Development meeting. The Northern Ireland Minister for the Economy Diane Dodds, accompanied by the NI Minister of Finance Conor Murphy, represented the Northern Ireland Executive at this meeting.
The North South Ministerial Council was established under the Good Friday Agreement to develop consultation, cooperation and action within the island of Ireland and these sectoral meetings are an excellent opportunity to review and encourage North-South cooperation in the area of trade and business.
The meeting covered a wide range of matters, including the supports for businesses affected by COVID-19 in both jurisdictions, a discussion on collaborative research and development on the island of Ireland and an update on the work of InterTradeIreland, the North-South body responsible for the promotion of trade and business on an all-island and cross-border basis.
I am happy to report that the Council approved the appointment of Margaret Hearty as Chief Executive Officer of InterTradeIreland at the sectoral meeting. I am sure that Margaret will excel in this role and ensure that InterTradeIreland continues its valuable work on both sides of the border.
A joint communiqué was issued by the Joint Secretariat of the North South Ministerial Council following the conclusion of the meeting and is publicly available on their website.
125. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports being provided to businesses and workers in the funfair sector and if he will meet with representatives of the sector such as a group (details supplied) to discuss their needs under restrictions. [22708/21]
View answerThe Government has worked to support businesses through this difficult time with a comprehensive range of measures for firms of all sizes. The measures include the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) now extended until the 30th of June, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities, the waiver of commercial rates the Sustaining Enterprise Fund and a reduced VAT rate from 13.5% to 9% for the hospitality and tourism sector to help businesses in the entertainment, tourism and hospitality sectors.
Budget 2021 included a number of further substantial measures to support and strengthen the tourism sector, such as the provision of an additional €55m in Business Continuity funding to support strategic tourism businesses. This funding will be administered by Fáilte Ireland and focused on those strategic businesses. Fáilte Ireland are currently engaging with those tourism sectors in the design of funding schemes taking into account the effect of other horizontal funding measures.
The Deputy should also note that in the 2021 Budget, the Government allocated significant additional resources to Departments to provide help to different sectors, including €222m allocated to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
My colleague, Minister Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, would be most appropriate to approach in connection with a request to meet as she has lead responsibility for this sector.
126. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff in his Department that have had access to files and or email restricted and or revoked as part of a disciplinary process or preceding or following a disciplinary process from 1 January 2018 to date in 2021. [22772/21]
View answerI can confirm that no staff member of my Department has had access to files and/or email restricted and/or revoked as part of a disciplinary process or preceding, or following a disciplinary process, during the period in question.
128. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of plans to provide for remote working post-Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22950/21]
View answerLast year as a response to COVID-19, my Department launched a Public Consultation on Remote Work Guidance and created a new guidance webpage for employers and employees. This webpage brings together all State guidance on remote work into one place and includes an employer checklist outlining all the relevant considerations to be undertaken for remote working in the longer term - and can be accessed online at
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Remote-Working/Guidance-for-working-remotely.html
In January of this year my Department published Ireland’s first National Remote Work Strategy. The Strategy will ensure that remote working is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits. The report is built on three pillars:
1. Create a Conducive Environment
2. Develop and Leverage Remote Work Infrastructure
3. Build a Remote Work Policy and Guidance Framework
Under these pillars there are 15 actions to be delivered in 2021 to progress remote working into the future.
The Government, via the National Remote Working Strategy, has committed to legislate to provide employees the right to request remote working. On 1st April, the Tánaiste launched a public consultation on this plan and I would encourage employers and employees alike to make their views known. The closing date for submissions is Friday 7th May.
On 29th April, my colleague Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, launched a new €5m Connected Hubs Fund to support the development of Ireland’s first national network of remote working hubs. The Fund will expand existing hub facilities, providing additional hot desks, office spaces and meeting rooms for remote working. The Connected Hubs Fund will support the key objectives of Our Rural Future – the Government’s ambitious new five year policy for rural Ireland. Capital Grants provided will range from €10,000 to €250,000.
Government is also investing significantly in the development of new hubs through schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
129. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to ensure that employers provide reasonable accommodations for employees due to receive vaccinations during working hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23039/21]
View answerFrom the outset of Covid-19, many employers have taken the initiative in line with subsequent requests from the Government to be as flexible and as accommodating as possible with their staff. Employers have a general duty of care towards their workers and that care is often expressed in the form of understanding, compromise and flexibility.
COVID-19 vaccinations are an extremely important public health measure in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the community and in workplaces. There is no provision under occupational safety and health legislation to obligate employers to give employees time-off to avail of COVID-19 vaccinations. However, employers should bear in mind that in offering employees time off to facilitate COVID-19 vaccinations they are, in fact, ensuring that the greatest level of workplace safety against COVID-19 can be maintained in their business. Facilitating workers to avail of COVID-19 vaccination appointments will greatly assist in the recovery of individual businesses and of the wider economy.
I would encourage employees to engage with their employer in the first instance once they are assigned a vaccination appointment to explore all options available to enable them to receive the vaccination should it fall during working time. I would also encourage all employers to be as flexible and supportive as possible with a view to maintaining good employment relationships over the long term.
Employers are obliged to take reasonable steps to provide a safe place of work for their staff. In circumstances where employers fail to consider any of the reasonable options, an employee may have recourse to pursue a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission under the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977 to 2015, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 or the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2015.
130. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if small businesses whose annual turnover is under €50,000 will be allowed to qualify for the small business assist scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23040/21]
View answerI am very aware of the ongoing difficulties facing businesses over the past year. It has been a difficult time for business owners, employees and their families. With this in mind, the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.
Budget 2021 also 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.
All business owners should ensure they know what they are entitled to and I would encourage businesses owners in particular small businesses owners in which you refer to, to talk to their Local Enterprise office who can signpost them to all Government supports available to them.
In relation to the eligibility requirement of €50,000 turnover, these schemes are being 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 and the Government is providing subsidies or other income supports in the form of the EWSS and the PUP.
Small businesses are crucial to our economy and the Government continues to keep all schemes under review.
131. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it will be ensured that the guidelines for the safe reopening of the hospitality sector are connected with the indoor and outdoor space available to a business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23041/21]
View answerI understand that Fáilte Ireland, which operates under the aegis of my colleague Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, has published re-opening guidelines tailored to various sectors of the Irish hospitality and tourism industry. These guidelines are available on the Fáilte Ireland website.
Fáilte Ireland has worked closely with key industry groups to develop these detailed operational guidelines. The guidelines are designed to support business owners and management in the wider tourism sector as they tackle the challenges specific to their industry and offer detailed advice on the systems that should be put in place to help instill public confidence, and reboot businesses, while adhering to public health advice and Government protocols.
These guidelines are regularly updated in line with Public Health advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the National Public Health Emergency Team, including on the application of social distancing requirements in specific, defined and controlled environments in the tourism and/or hospitality sectors.
I also understand that Fáilte Ireland is providing funding to Local Authorities for outdoor infrastructure and, also, through Local Authorities to the tourism and hospitality sectors for suitable equipment. The Local Authority Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Infrastructure Scheme is a Capital Grants scheme developed in collaboration with Local Authorities which will allow for the upgrade and enhancement of streets and public spaces including weather-proofing solutions which will facilitate outdoor dining.
