Written Answers Nos. 214-234
214. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has introduced legislation or protocols to ensure that electric vehicle owners in multiple-unit developments have a right to install a charger in their parking spot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57052/21]
View answerThe Government’s policy regarding the increased usage of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is primarily driven by the Climate Action Plan which sets a target of 936,000 EVs by 2030.
Home charging is considered the primary method of charging for the majority of EVs in Ireland and is a convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly means of charging, especially when using night rate electricity. It accounts for circa 80% of EV charging sessions and will continue to be the primary method of charging in the future.
The Government earlier this year introduced a requirement that new buildings and those undergoing substantial renovation works will have to include charging points for electric vehicles if they have more than 10 car parking spaces.
The EV Home Charger Grant Scheme has been in operation since January 2018 to support the installation of home chargers for purchasers of new and second-hand BEVs and PHEVs. The grant provides generous support towards the full cost of installation of a home charger up to a maximum of €600. As regards existing apartment buildings, work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for apartments to open in the near future.
215. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will review a report (details supplied); if he will report this matter to the operator concerned; if they will explain the reason the cancellation took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57077/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. Further, Bus Éireann’s Expressway services are commercial bus services and responsibility for the operation of those services is a matter for the company.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
216. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a response to a Labour Court ruling (details supplied) and the implications that this will have to public service staff during the Covid-19 pandemic and in the years ahead. [57126/21]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for this question.
The Labour Court ruling concerns 10 administrative staff of Shannon Commercial Properties who were moved for a period of time from a 5 day week to a 3 day week working pattern and corresponding reduction in pay in response to the impacts of COVID-19 on Shannon Group. The trade union submits that as the staff concerned are public servants, they should be protected from short time working by a statement of Government in March 2020 to the effect that public servants would remain working and would be available to transfer anywhere in the public service.
The Labour Court recommended that the Department of Transport clarify whether Government policy during the pandemic can be taken to mean that these public servants were protected from short time working notwithstanding the commercial position of the employer.
I can confirm that my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to seek clarification on whether Government policy during the pandemic can be taken to mean that these public servants were protected from short time working, given that DPER has policy responsibility in relation to the terms and conditions of employment for Civil and Public Servants.
217. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a subsidy will be put in place to encourage airlines to operate additional flights (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57193/21]
View answerNational policy on aviation aims to enhance Ireland’s connectivity by ensuring safe, secure and competitive access responsive to the needs of business, tourism and consumers. It recognises the important role which regional airports play in their areas and in regional development and undertakes to support these airports to make a sustainable contribution to their local economies and communities, through the Regional Airports Programme. A new Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 was published recently. This Programme, with a budget of €21.3 million in 2021, supports the airports of Kerry, Donegal, and Ireland West..
The Regional Airports Programme also supports Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services to remote regions in accordance with EU Reg 1008/2008. Funding for PSO services is provided directly to the airline(s) contracted by my Department to operate these services.
This Programme supported PSO air services on the Dublin/Kerry and Dublin/Donegal routes up until 12th June 2021, when Stobart Air, the airline contracted to operate these services entered into voluntary liquidation.
As the restoration of regional connectivity was of critical importance to this Government, an emergency procurement process commenced immediately in accordance with EU Reg 1008/2008 governing PSO air services, with a view to restoring air services on these vital regional routes as soon as possible.
While the Dublin/Donegal route continues to be supported as a PSO route, during the procurement process, an airline made an offer to operate the service on the Kerry route but with no subsidy from the State. On foot of this, this route has operated commercially since 28 July 2021.
Given this, the scheduling of earlier morning flights on this route is a commercial matter between the airline and Kerry Airport.
218. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport when funding will be approved for the realignment project from Clogher Cross to Waterdyke, Shanballymore, Mallow, County Cork, on the N73; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57338/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
219. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will process and expedite the renewal of an SPSV licence for a person (details supplied) considering all necessary documents are intact and have been submitted, including confirmation that the renewal of their IRP card is being processed. [57347/21]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including renewal of SPSV licences, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
220. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to amend and increase the midnight service times for the Nitelink bus service in Dublin in view of the recent announcement of hospitality closure at midnight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57358/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the operations of public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
I have, therefore, forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
221. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if there is an onus on the airline (details supplied) to provide alternative ground transport arrangements to passengers travelling from Donegal to Dublin in circumstances in which the flight is cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57365/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, following the liquidation of Stobart Air on 12 June, and on foot of an emergency procurement process in accordance with EU Regulation 1008/2002, which governs PSO air services, a temporary 7 month contract was awarded to the Swedish airline, Amapola FlyG AB to operate PSO air service between Donegal and Dublin.
This temporary contract, which is in place until 25 February 2022, requires that the rate of flights cancelled for reasons directly attributable to the airline shall not exceed 2% of all flights for the duration of the contract. It is a matter for the airline to handle arrangements with passengers if such events arise.
EU Regulation No. 261/2004 establishes common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers including in the event of cancelled flights. The Commission for Aviation Regulation is responsible for enforcing European 'air passenger rights' under this Regulation. Further information is available for passengers on their website as follows: www.flightrights.ie.
222. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport his plans to publish a report (details supplied) and urgently implement its recommendations regarding organisational structures that underpin marine casualty investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57399/21]
View answerThe report by Clinchmaritime Ltd. was received in July 2021. The report and its recommendations are currently being considered by officials in my Department as part of the review of organisational structures for marine casualty investigation in Ireland. Additionally, the Department is engaging with the Office of the Attorney General to obtain legal advice on certain aspects of the report.
223. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the reason Greystones, County Wicklow, is not included in the new TFI 90 minute fare introduced recently by the NTA; if there are plans to bring public transport fares from Greystones down in line with greater Dublin area fares; his views on whether the traffic chaos and attendant environmental impact that are a feature for commuters travelling from Greystones into Dublin city centre every day for work should have informed the inclusion of Greystones in the scheme and the lowering of DART fares, in particular, to encourage commuters to use public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57435/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
224. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if public servants were put on short time during the Covid-19 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57457/21]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure & Reform developed Guidance and FAQs on working arrangements and temporary assignments during COVID-19 for civil and public service employers. This Guidance and FAQs document has been continually updated to reflect public health and Government policy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The FAQs have been prepared to assist employees and management in the Civil and Public Service to understand the process, rules and expectations associated with work arrangements during the COVID-19 across the public service.
In order to continue to facilitate physical distancing and public health requirements, Civil and Public Service employers are providing for working from home where possible, and continuing temporary alternative arrangements e.g. flexible shifts, staggered hours, longer opening hours, blended working patterns, weekend working etc., where feasible.
I can confirm that no staff in my Department were placed on short-time during the Covid-19 period.
In addition to continuing with regular work, significant additional work was undertaken by many of my officials during this period to support the Covid and Brexit crises.
I have asked the Agencies under my Department's aegis to provide the information directly to the Deputy. Please contact my office if you have not received a reply within 10 days.
225. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport the nature of the European Commission's letter of formal notice of 24 January 2020 concerning Council Directive (EU) 2017/159, Commission reference INFR(2020)0062; the status of this infringement procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57487/21]
View answerThe Department of Transport has primary responsibility for Council Directive (EU) 2017/159, which implements the Agreement concerning the implementation of the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 of the International Labour Organisation. On 24 January 2020, the Department of Transport received a Letter of Formal Notice from the European Commission relating to the late transposition of Council Directive (EU) 2017/159.
Directive 2017/159 implements a social partners agreement concerning the implementation of the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 aimed at ensuring decent living and working conditions on board fishing vessels. The Directive covers a number of requirements for work on board including conditions of service, accommodation and food, occupational safety and health protection, medical care and social security. Transposition of the Directive was a complex exercise and a number of separate Statutory Instruments had to be put in place to ensure continuity with existing legislation.
This work is now complete and, on 7 September 2020, my Department communicated to the European Commission via the European Commission National Execution Measures System (NEMS) that the Directive had been transposed in full. The final view of the European Commission on this infringement case is awaited.
My Department continues to put in place the necessary measures to improve the transposition, implementation and enforcement of transport law in Ireland. A dedicated EU Coordination Unit within my Department is responsible for engaging with the EU Commission on these issues and works closely with responsible Officials in the Department of Transport, and other Departments as required, in response to each case.
226. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the reason the route 30 Bus Éireann 1 a.m. service from Donegal town to Dublin was cancelled on 15 November 2021; the operational issues which led to this cancellation; the back-up and-or preventative measures that were in place in case of such operational issues arising; the steps that were taken by Bus Éireann to avoid the cancellation; the time at which the attention of Bus Éireann was drawn to the need to cancel the service; the time at which Bus Éireann informed passengers of the cancellation of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57537/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
Further, Bus Éireann’s Expressway services are commercial bus services and responsibility for the operation of those services is a matter for the company.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
227. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport when a response will issue to representations made on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57619/21]
View answerThank you for raising the question regarding this case (details supplied). A response in this matter has been issued directly to the Deputy.
228. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) can be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57635/21]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
229. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the amount raised in 2019 by Bus Éireann by charging passengers a fee to place a non-folding bicycle in the hold of a bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57636/21]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised is an operational matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
230. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a campaign in relation to a company (details supplied); and his views on the call by the campaign for the company to address issues in relation to tax transparency. [57143/21]
View answerIreland’s comprehensive suite of employment rights legislation protects all persons legally employed in Ireland on an employer-employee basis and provides robust safeguards for employees.
If workers have concerns or complaints regarding their employment rights, the mechanism for them to use is the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The WRC is the organisation which is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. The Customer Service section of the WRC operates a telephone helpline at 1890 808090. They can provide further information in relation to employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations, and how to obtain redress where appropriate.
231. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he will reintroduce enhanced supports through the employment wage subsidy scheme for this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57466/21]
View answerThe objective of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is to support employment and maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. The EWSS has been a key component of the Government’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.
The cost to date (18th November) of the EWSS is over €6.3 billion comprising of direct subsidy payments of €5.505 billion and PRSI forgone of €865 million to 51,700 employers in respect of over 687,600 employees.
Government policy has been that there will be no cliff edge to the support, at the same time it is necessary to gradually unwind and phase out this temporary emergency support measure. That is why, on Budget Day, I announced the extension of EWSS in a graduated form until 30 April 2022. This ensures there will be no sudden end to the EWSS and also provides clarity and certainty to business.
Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has adopted a proactive and dynamic approach to supporting businesses and individuals insofar as possible during this challenging time.
As regards the EWSS and the current circumstances referenced by the Deputy in his question, the Government continues to monitor developments closely and will consider if any response is required at an appropriate time.
Finally, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the comprehensive package of other business and employer supports that have been made available over the course of the last 18 months or so – including the Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS), the Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS), the Credit Guarantee Scheme, the SBCI Working Capital Scheme, Sustaining Enterprise Fund, and the Covid-19 Business Loans Scheme. Details of the supports are available on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s website at the following link - enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
232. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance the progress that has been made in relation to implementing the recommendations of the Financial Inclusion Strategy; if he will provide a list of other reports issued by the Financial Inclusion Working Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56891/21]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to the Strategy for Financial Inclusion developed in 2011.
In March 2011, the previous Minister for Finance announced plans to restructure the Irish banking system. As part of the European Commission decision on the restructuring of Bank of Ireland, the State undertook to review the options available to achieve financial inclusion, drawing on best practice international approaches to resolving this issue.
The Strategy for Financial Inclusion was developed in 2011 in response to this. Its goal was to identify actions to achieve a substantial reduction in financial exclusion over a 3-5 year period. A review was conducted by a project team from the Social Finance Foundation under the aegis of a Steering Group composed of key stakeholders, which included the Department of Finance and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).
The fundamental conclusion was that access to transaction banking should be the priority because it is key to accessing other financial services (for example insurance, savings and credit). Accordingly, the Strategy for Financial Inclusion called for the nationwide launch of a Standard Bank Account as a first step in promoting Financial Inclusion. The Minister then convened the Financial Inclusion Working Group (FIWG) to implement this recommendation.
A pilot project for a Basic Bank Account was run for a 9 month period and concluded in March 2013. The pilot was not extended to a national roll out because take up was very low (only 205 accounts were opened) and the Payment Accounts Directive was then being negotiated.
The Payment Accounts Directive was transposed into Irish law in 2016, and contains a right to open a payment account with basic features with a credit institution. All of the main retail banks in Ireland provide such bank accounts. The most recent figures from the Central Bank of Ireland shows that in 2019 there were 47,116 accounts with basic features opened across all the banks.
233. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if the fuel grant under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme will be increased in recognition of increasing fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56895/21]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Fuel Grant is regulated by S.I. 635/2015 and provides for payment of a fuel grant based on a the value of excise chargeable per litre rate of fuel. The current value is €0.619 for petrol, €0.515 for diesel and €0.118 for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in respect of the mineral oil taxes applying to these products. An annual maximum of 2,730 litres applies in respect of a driver or passenger, and 4,100 litres in respect of an organisation. This grant will be increased by the value of the increase in carbon tax with effect from 1 January 2022.
234. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if further supports, in particular the expansion of the business resumption support scheme, are currently under consideration for the hospitality sector in view of the reports of large-scale cancellations of Christmas events which many businesses were relying on in order to retain staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56973/21]
View answerThe Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) is a targeted support for companies, self -employed individuals, partnerships as well as certain charities and sporting bodies that carry on a trade that was significantly impacted by COVID-19 public health restrictions, including where the impact has continued after the easing of the restrictions.
The Scheme is available to businesses that were actively trading on 1 September 2021 and intend to continue doing so. To qualify for the BRSS, a business must be able to demonstrate that the turnover from its trade in the period from 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021 is no more than 25% of a ‘reference turnover amount’, which is based on when the business commenced. A qualifying person may, since early September, make a claim under BRSS for a single payment which will be equal to three times the average weekly turnover of the relevant business activity in a reference period, subject to a maximum payment under the scheme of €15,000. Closing date for applications is 30 November 2021.
Eligible businesses may make a claim for a once-off support payment under BRSS irrespective of whether they have previously qualified for other COVID-19 related Government schemes and detailed operational guidelines on the scheme are available on the Revenue website.
Registration for BRSS opened on 6 September 2021. Up to 18 November, 1,490 businesses with 1,590 trades have availed of BRSS and claims of €5.5 million have been made under the Scheme.
Companies and self-employed individuals, including those in the hospitality sector may be entitled to support under other measures put in place by Government, including the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and the COVID Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). Businesses may also be eligible to warehouse certain tax liabilities. In recognition of the unprecedented challenges facing the Hospitality and Tourism sector, a reduction in the VAT rate applying to supplies of certain goods and services which primarily relate to the hospitality and tourism sector from 13.5% to 9% was announced in Budget 2021 and the reduced rate was extended until 1 September, 2022 in the Finance (COVID-19 and Miscellaneous provisions) Act 2021.
CRSS is provided for in section 11 of the Finance Act 2020. To qualify under the scheme a business must, under specific terms of the Covid restrictions, be required to either prohibit or significantly restrict customers from accessing their business premises to acquire goods or services, with the result that the business either has to temporarily close or to operate at a significantly reduced level. A business must be able to demonstrate that, because of the Covid restrictions, the turnover of the relevant business activity during the period of restrictions will be no more than 25% of the average weekly turnover of the business in a reference period, which in most cases is 2019. Eligibility for the scheme depends on the particular circumstances of the individual business. CRSS remains available to qualifying businesses until 31 December 2021.
A total of €704m has already been paid out under the CRSS in respect of 25,500 premises.
The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) provides a subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll and charges a reduced rate of employer PRSI of 0.5% on wages paid which are eligible for the subsidy payment.
The objective of the EWSS is to support employment and maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. The EWSS has been a key component of the Government’s response to the continued Covid-19 crisis to support viable firms and encourage employment in the midst of these very challenging times.
The cost to date (as at 18th November) is almost €6.4 billion, comprising of direct subsidy payments of €5.505 billion and PRSI forgone of almost €865 million to 51,700 employers in respect of over 687,600 employees.
It is widely acknowledged that the EWSS has played a central role in supporting businesses, encouraging employment and helping to maintain the link between employers and employees during this pandemic.
Government policy has been that there will be no cliff edge to the support, at the same time, it is necessary to unwind and phase out this temporary, emergency support measure. That is why, on Budget Day, I announced the extension of EWSS in a graduated form until 30 April 2022. This ensures there will be no sudden end to the EWSS and also provides clarity and certainty to business.
The purpose of these schemes is to give viable businesses the opportunity to survive the economic shock of the pandemic and to help as many as possible to recover and seek to ensure their future.
The Government will continue to assess the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and I will continue to work with my Ministerial colleagues to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to mitigate these effects.
