Written Answers Nos. 158-178
158. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 2 June 2021, the breakdown by sector and type of breach detected by the Workplace Relations Commission investigations in relation to the list of employment law breaches for County Kerry. [31203/21]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services.Inspections carried out by WRC Inspectors operate on a compliance model. This means that an inspector will work with the employer to ensure that the employer fulfils all their statutory obligations and that any outstanding wages or entitlements are given to workers.Table 1 sets out the breakdown of breaches by sector and type in County Kerry for 2019 and 2020.
https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2021-06-15_pq158-15-6-21_en.docx
159. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the Workplace Relations Commission investigation into the employment of four persons (details supplied) outside the terms of the atypical work permit scheme for non-EEA migrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31227/21]
View answerAt the outset I should emphasise that the Workplace Relations Commission inspectorate service is independent in its functions and does not comment on any ongoing investigations.
However, I can confirm that my Department had received a referral on 10th May, 2018 from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITWF) requesting the initiation of civil proceedings against the employers of these fishers in order to recover monies due to these fishers arising from their employment between 29th January 2018 and 10th April, 2018.
On 29th June, 2018 my Department requested the Workplace Relations Commission to establish the facts in relation to four Ghanaian fishers, alleged to have been the victims of human trafficking while working in Ireland on UK and Irish registered fishing vessels. The Workplace Relations Commission submitted its report on the facts in this case to my Department in September 2020.
This report was compiled following work by the Workplace Relations Commission involving interviews with the crew members, liaison with the ITWF and the National Fisheries Monitoring Centre and communications with certain fishing vessel owners. No civil proceedings are in train.
160. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 1 June 2021, the breakdown by sector and type of breach detected by the WRC investigations in relation to the list of employment law breaches for County Clare. [31236/21]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services. Inspections carried out by WRC Inspectors operate on a compliance model. This means that an inspector will work with the employer to ensure that the employer fulfils all their statutory obligations and that any outstanding wages or entitlements are given to workers.
Every breach is followed up on by the WRC and appropriate action taken to ensure workers’ rights are protected.
Table 1 sets out the breakdown of breaches by sector and type in County Clare for 2019 and 2020.
161. 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 the requirement to have a statement on the compliance of their websites and mobile applications with the regulations under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31281/21]
View answerMy Department is committed to meeting the requirement to have a statement on the compliance of websites and mobile applications under its remit in accordance with directive 2016/2102 (EU).
My Department has begun the process of migrating website content to .gov.ie. In tandem a review of all websites is ongoing and, where practicable, each website will be migrated to the .gov.ie platform. Where it is not possible to migrate a particular site to the .gov.ie platform, a statement of compliance in accordance with directive 2016/2102 (EU), will be available on that website.
162. 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 the requirement to subject to Regulation 6, public sector bodies shall, in accordance with Regulation 3, take necessary measures to make their websites and mobile applications more accessible by making them perceivable, operable, understandable and robust under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31299/21]
View answerMy Department is committed to making all websites under its remit accessible in accordance with S.I. 258/2020 and to achieving AA standard under WCAG 2.1 guidelines. My Department has begun the process of migrating website content to .gov.ie. In tandem, a review of all websites is ongoing and, where practicable, each website will be migrated to the .gov.ie platform. Where it is not possible to migrate a particular site to the .gov.ie platform it will be upgraded to meet the ECAG 2.1 guidelines.
The Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM) approach will be used. My Department encourages feedback from its website visitors and will work with individual visitors to resolve any issues should they have any difficulties accessing content.
163. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of Vote 32 for enterprise, trade and employment with headings and subheadings for 2021, in tabular form. [31385/21]
View answerThe Revised Estimate for my Department for 2021 as published in December 2020 are available at the below link. This Estimate incorporates the transfer of certain innovation functions from my Department to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science as well as the transfer in of certain functions from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
Since the publication of the Estimate the Government has agreed to provide further additional funding to my Department to assist in the ongoing response to Covid and Brexit. This will necessitate a new Estimate for my Department, which I understand will be brought before the Dáil in the coming weeks.
164. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of Vote 32 for business, enterprise and innovation with headings and subheadings for 2020, in tabular form. [31386/21]
View answerThe final allocation for my Department’s Vote for 2020 were confirmed in a Further Revised Estimate (FRE) which was approved by the Dáil in November 2020. The breakdown of the allocation is available at the below link..
The FRE reflected the unprecedented increase in my Department's allocation in order to actively respond to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our enterprise base. The FRE also reflected the Transfer of Functions between my Department certain functions transferring in from the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
165. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 1 June 2021, if a breakdown by sector and type of breach detected by the Workplace Relations Commission investigations in relation to the list of employment law breaches for County Wexford will be provided. [31445/21]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services. Inspections carried out by WRC Inspectors operate on a compliance model. This means that an inspector will work with the employer to ensure that the employer fulfils all their statutory obligations and that any outstanding wages or entitlements are given to workers.Table 1 sets out the breakdown of breaches by sector and type in County Wexford for 2019 and 2020.
166. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if advice will be provided in relation to matters raised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31447/21]
View answerAs you are aware, the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID was introduced to help businesses not eligible for the Government’s COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) and the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity grant or other direct sectoral grant schemes. Earlier this month the Government agreed to expand the SBASC scheme which will now take into account businesses who do not pay rates and also businesses that have a turnover below €50,000. If you are a rate paying business or non rate paying business you may be eligible for a grant of €4,000 and if you have a turnover of between €20,000 and €49,999 you may be eligible for a grant of €1,000.
Phase 2 of this scheme is now open for applications through Local Authorities with a closing date of 21st July. The business you reference may be eligible for phase 2 of this scheme if they meet the other eligibility requirements.
Further details of the scheme including all eligibility criteria is available on my Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie and on Local Authority websites.
Alternatively the business you refer to may be eligible for the Enterprise Support Grant for businesses impacted by COVID-19. The Enterprise Support Grant is available to assist eligible self-employed recipients who close their Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Applications for this grant should be made through your local Intreo Office.
167. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 1 June 2021, the breakdown by sector and type of breach detected by the Workplace Relations Commission investigations in relation to the list of employment law breaches in County Limerick. [31560/21]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services.Inspections carried out by WRC Inspectors operate on a compliance model. This means that an inspector will work with the employer to ensure that the employer fulfils all their statutory obligations and that any outstanding wages or entitlements are given to workers.Table 1 sets out the breakdown of breaches by sector and type in County Limerick for 2019 and 2020.
168. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he expects that the high-level working group on collective bargaining will report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31837/21]
View answerThe Government announced the establishment of the High Level Group on Collective Bargaining under the auspices of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) at the end of March 2021.
The purpose of the group is to review the collective bargaining and the industrial relations landscape in Ireland.
The group has met twice to date and is due to submit an interim report by the end of July 2021, with the aim of completing its work as soon as possible thereafter.
169. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which his Department supports persons with disabilities to access the mainstream job market. [31868/21]
View answerAs a member of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities Implementation Group, my Department has committed to highlight the supports that are available to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market, or to retain in the workforce employees who acquire a disability.
The Department of Social Protection (DSP) offers a number of workplace supports schemes for people with disabilities and their employers or prospective employers.
The EmployAbility Service is an employment and recruitment service that helps people who have a disability, an injury or and an illness to get and keep a job. This service works through sponsor organisations in local communities on behalf of DSP and it is free of charge. It provides ongoing support for both the employer and employee throughout employment. The EmployAbility Service’s supports for employers include, free recruitment and employment service, access to a dedicated workforce, a database of skilled jobseekers, ongoing professional support and advice on grants and supports.
Further information may be viewed through www.gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/service/8578c4-access-the-employability-service/.
The new Economic Recovery Plan commits to supporting employers in the recruitment and retention of people with disabilities and developing initiatives to improve employment opportunities for those with disabilities in rural areas including through remote working options. Under Pathways to Work 2021- 2025, an Early Engagement model for jobseekers with disabilities will be introduced, and wider take-up of incentives and supports available for the employment of people with disabilities will be promoted.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the meaning of the term ventilation in the context of his Department’s recently published Work Safety Protocol that was drafted in conjunction with the HSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31869/21]
View answerThe Work Safely Protocol explains that ventilation, refers to the movement of outdoor air into a building, and the circulation of that air within the building or room while removing stale air to improve the air quality. Ventilation is best achieved by direct access to outdoor air, but artificial circulation of outdoor air through a ventilation system fitted with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are also affective.
The reason for improving ventilation is to minimise transmission, so that the level of “fresh” outside air should be maximised therefore reducing the level of recirculated air in the workspace, unless high-efficiency particulate filters (HEPA) are installed in the ventilation system. The Protocol is of the opinion that reoccupying workplaces should not, in most cases, require new ventilation systems but improvements to ventilation will help increase the quantity of clean air and reduce the risk of exposure to airborne concentrations of the virus.
The Deputy may be aware that under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, employers are required to make sure enclosed workplaces have an adequate supply of fresh air (ventilation) in enclosed areas of the workplace. The requirement remains in place irrespective of the Protocol.
The Health and Safety Authority provide the following advice to employers to meet this responsibility:
- natural ventilation which relies on passive air flow through windows, doors and air vents that can be fully or partially opened. This is the simplest way to ensure adequate air quality in poorly ventilated areas.
- mechanical ventilation using fans and ducts including window fans to bring in fresh air from outside, or
- a combination of natural and mechanical ventilation, for example where mechanical ventilation relies on natural ventilation to maximise fresh air.
Employers should also consider regulatory requirements under building, food and/or health and safety regulations when planning any changes to ventilation at a workplace.
171. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of employees in his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department who have been in receipt of a higher duty acting allowance for over two years. [31874/21]
View answerMy Department assigns officers to higher duties allowances in line with Circular 38/2007: Allowances for the performance of the duties of a higher grade, which sets out the conditions under which an allowance for the performance of the duties of a higher grade may be granted.
Currently there are no employees within my Department or within the staff of the agencies under the aegis of my Department in receipt of a higher duty acting allowance for more than two years.
The Deputy should note however, that a small number of staff (4) in three of our Agencies (IDA, EI and NSAI) are in receipt of personal-to-holder allowances with reference to the performance of higher duties put in place to honour historical pay agreements.
172. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the legislation for a person who is currently in the country and does not have a work permit at present but would like to apply for a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32075/21]
View answerIreland has a clear division between the application of economic migration and general immigration policies. In order to work in the State all non-EEA nationals require either a valid employment permit or relevant immigration permission from the Minister for Justice which allows them to reside and take up employment in the State without the requirement for an employment permit. A person who does not hold a valid work permit or a visa which grants them permission to work in the State is not entitled to enter into a contract of employment in the State.
My Department administers the employment permits legislation and criteria for the granting of employment permit permissions to work in the State.
All first-time applicants for employment permits should normally make their application before travelling into the State. However, non-EEA citizens who are already legally in the State and hold valid immigration permission and a Certificate of Registration Card and have been offered employment in an eligible occupation may submit an application for an employment permit.
Employment permit applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Acts and must meet all the legislative requirements for the permit type which include the skills and requirements of the role, minimum remuneration thresholds, a labour market needs tests where required and the location of where the employment is to take place in the State.
Information on the Employment Permit System is available on the Departments website using the following link:
Employment-Permits-FAQs-2020.pdf (enterprise.gov.ie).
173. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date by which the micro-generation support scheme will go live; the dates for interim stages to go live; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30550/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to prioritising the development of micro-generation of electricity. Under the Climate Action Plan, a Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is developing an enabling framework for micro-generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments.
My Department outlined proposals for a new Micro-generation Support Scheme, including the proposed support mechanism, in a public consultation that closed on 18 February. An analysis of the almost 900 submissions received is underway by my Department, with a view to publication of a summary of responses on my Department's website in the coming weeks. The findings from the submissions to the public consultation will inform the final design of the Micro-generation Support Scheme.
While the primary aim of a micro-generation scheme is to enable a household to meet its own electricity needs, it is envisaged that a suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all renewables self-consumers in the second half of 2021, subject to regulatory arrangements, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. Work is ongoing with a view to achieving transposition of the Directive into Irish law in the coming months.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published an updated Roadmap for the Clean Energy Package’s Electricity and Renewables Directives in February, which provides for a public consultation on the regulatory framework for prosumer development, including for renewables self-consumers, later this year.
174. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement he has had with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to ensure that all persons at the end of their current utility contracts are contacted by the contracted utility company with options available to them to ensure that any charge hikes being applied at the end of these contracts could be avoided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30606/21]
View answerThe electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). CRU was assigned this responsibility following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999. It has a wide range of customer protection functions under the above framework which are implemented via the various Codes of Practice set out in CRU’s Supplier Handbook. As part of its statutory role, the CRU monitors energy retail markets to ensure that competition continues to develop. It also oversees non-price aspects of competition, and continues to take steps to increase transparency and consumer engagement in retail markets. Measures introduced by the CRU include a stipulation that electricity suppliers provide customers with an Estimated Annual Bill, highlighting the yearly average electricity bill for a particular electricity supplier rather than just the discounted offers. Additionally, suppliers must issue a written notification on an annual basis to prompt consumers who have been on the same tariff or on a non-discounted tariff for more than 3 years to consider switching. The ERA states that the CRU shall account for the performance of its functions to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. Given this CRU statutory accountability to an Oireachtas Committee, the Deputy may wish to note that CRU provide a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions directly to CRU, including on its customer protection functions, at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
175. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a fibre connection will be available for Coachford Village, County Cork and more specifically a location (details supplied) given that homes in this area are not in the intervention area for National Broadband Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30607/21]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. Complaints about service provision are a matter to be dealt with between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.
Notwithstanding this, my Department has investigated the matter and have established that high speed broadband is available from a service provider operating in Coachford and that the premises referred to in the Question should be able to access speeds of up to 80Mbps through existing network infrastructure.
176. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of submissions made to the public consultation on the Climate Conversation - Climate Action Plan 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30655/21]
View answerThe Public Consultation - Climate Conversation - Climate Action Plan 2021 was launched on 23 March 2021 and ran for a period of 8 weeks until 18 May 2021. The purpose was to invite citizens and stakeholders to submit their views on climate change and inform the new Climate Action Plan 2021. The consultation was widely advertised and over 3,800 submissions were received through the online conversation, including: people from all age cohorts; a mix of urban, rural, and suburban; representation from every county in Ireland; environmental activists; and those with no affiliation.
In addition, there was meaningful engagement with over 200 citizens through 16 Public Participation Networks; over 100 young people from 12 Comhairle na nÓg groups; and over 70 people of all ages, from 12 years and upwards through in-depth conversations.
A call for expert evidence was also run in parallel with the Climate Conversation asking climate scientists, experts and industry to share their data-based, technical proposals to support the development of the Plan. Over 200 responses were received in relation to this strand.
While the submissions are now being analysed in detail, initial examination shows that the vast majority recognise climate change as a serious threat, want action, and appreciate that everyone in society has a role to play in delivering this. These views will be reflected in the draft of the Climate Action Plan 2021, with a full report due to be published in the coming weeks.
Going forward, there will be on-going dialogue with citizens including an annual public consultation, administered through the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA), with the outputs incorporated into the annual Climate Action Plan.
Following on from the successful piloting of the NDCA between 2017 and 2019, a enduring structure for the NDCA is being finalised. The strengthened NDCA will create an on-going process of awareness raising, engagement and activation of citizens in relation to the opportunities and challenges involved in addressing climate change, including empowering them to participate in the co-design of climate policies and plans. The NDCA will represent a major step-up in engagement with citizens, communities, and young people to deliver on climate change through collective action.
177. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the implications for Ireland of the recent cyberattack on a pipeline system (details supplied) that resulted in a state of emergency in the United States of America from Florida to Virginia; the actions that have been taken to protect Ireland’s imported gas supply that comes from Britain through an interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30773/21]
View answer178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is an emergency response plan to deal with a potential cyberattack on an interconnector (details supplied) which supplies Ireland’s imported gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30774/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together. Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) is the designated National Gas Emergency Manager (NGEM) appointed by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). GNI prepare a “Natural Gas Emergency Plan” which is subject to approval by the CRU in pursuance of its statutory functions in respect of security of gas supply.
GNI’s Natural Gas Emergency Plan, which is publicly available, sets out in detail the procedure for managing a Network Gas Emergency and provides details on the role of GNI as the National Gas Emergency Manager NGEM. In addition, the Gas and Electricity Emergency Planning Group (GEEP) is chaired by CRU and comprises representation from my Department, EirGrid (electricity Transmission System Operator), ESB Networks and GNI (Gas Transmission System Operator). The GEEP assesses the robustness of existing emergency procedures, including interdependencies between gas flows and electricity generation, on an ongoing basis.
Furthermore, the loss of gas supply to Ireland is considered by CRU by way of Risk Assessment and the preparation of Preventive Action Plans and Emergency Plans to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to safeguard an uninterrupted supply of gas. The risk assessment and plans are required by EU Regulation 2017/1938 concerning measures to safeguard the security of gas supply and CRU is Ireland’s designated Competent Authority for this EU regulation. The Risk Assessment takes into account various scenarios, both short and long term gas supply disruptions and assesses the likely consequences. The Preventive Action Plan and the Emergency Plans contain measures to remove or mitigate identified risks to gas supply disruption.
The European Union Network and Information Services Directive requires that an operator of essential services in the energy and other sectors shall
(a) take appropriate and proportionate technical and organisational measures to manage the risks posed to the security of the network and information systems which it uses in its operations, and
(b) take appropriate measures to prevent and minimise the impact of incidents affecting the security of the network and information systems used by it for the provision of the essential services in respect of which it is designated as an operator of essential services with a view to ensuring the continuity of the provision by it of those services.
The measures to be taken by an operator of essential services shall ensure, having regard to the state of the art, a level of security of network and information systems appropriate to the risks posed.
While, like any other company, GNI could be susceptible to a cyber attack, GNI is committed to the highest level of compliance possible within the EU framework of Directives, standards and requirements. I am informed that the company takes a proactive approach to ensure that sufficient controls are in place and tested, and has invested extensively in its security infrastructure and internal controls in recent years.
A dedicated team in the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides guidance to its constituents, including Government Departments and agencies, together with operators of essential services, on appropriate measures they can take to reduce the risk of ransomware incidents on their networks. Immediately following the recent attack on the HSE, staff at the NCSC were in direct contact with the operators of essential services and this was followed up with a number of detailed confidential briefings for key sectors. The NCSC has also issued a number of confidential advisories to these constituent organisations.
