Wednesday, 26 Jan 2022

Written Answers Nos. 21-40

Cabinet Committees

Questions (21)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

21. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Education will next meet. [2243/22]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Cabinet Committee on Education oversees implementation of the Programme for Government commitments in the area of Education, including the management of COVID in schools. This Cabinet Committee last met on 13 May 2021 and will meet again shortly.

I have regular engagement with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss priority issues relating to their Departments.

In addition, a number of meetings have been held between my officials and officials from relevant Government Departments since the establishment of the Cabinet Committee in July 2020.

Questions Nos. 22 to 25, inclusive, resubmitted.

Cabinet Committees

Questions (26)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

26. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health last met. [2232/22]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Cabinet Committee on Health last met on Thursday, 9 December 2021.

Questions Nos. 27 to 30, inclusive, resubmitted.

Work Permits

Questions (31)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

31. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the issue of work permits that businesses paid for in January 2020 prior to the Covid-19 pandemic to bring staff into Ireland but the person did not enter Ireland due to the pandemic and the money was never refunded; if this money is refundable to these businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3829/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The State's employment permit system is designed to supplement Ireland's skills and labour supply over the short to medium term by allowing enterprises to recruit nationals from outside the EEA, where such skills or expertise cannot be sourced from within the EEA at that time.

The fees for a General Employment Permit are €500 for a duration of six months or less, and €1,000 for a duration of up to 24 months. The fee levels conform to the cost recovery principle, which provides that the full cost of activities and services are recovered in the medium term.

Since the outset the Covid-19 pandemic my Department has implemented a contingency plan to ensure that the Employment Permit system will continue to operate in all scenarios. Under the Covid-19 Employment Permits Contingency Arrangements, published by my Department on 30th March 2020, a 100% refund of the application fee may be granted in cases where an application is withdrawn in advance of a decision being taken on it. However, the current employment permits legislation does not provide for a refund to be granted after an employment permit has issued, or to offset the fee paid for an issued Employment Permit against a different/new application. The employment permits legislation prescribes that where an application for an employment permit is refused or withdrawn, a portion of 90% of the fee paid is returned to the applicant.

With regard to the additional information provided by the Deputy the individual in question was issued an employment permit on 30 January 2020. A refund was requested in September 2020 as it was claimed the individual was unable to travel due to Covid. The Employment Permits Section informed the applicant on 16 November 2020 that a refund was not possible in this instance.

Furthermore, the employment permits system is run on the principle of cost recovery and while not uniquely, the Employment Permits Acts do not provide that the system reflect the cost of administering the service and enforcing the regime, there is an expectation that there is a nexus between fee income and the expenditure of administrating the service, including enforcement and provision of information, in the medium term.

Further information in relation to the contingency arrangements introduced by Employment Permits Section in response to the pandemic can be accessed on my Department’s website via the following link: enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/COVID-19-Employment-Permits-System-Contingency-Arrangements.pdf.

Employment Rights

Questions (32)

John Brady

Question:

32. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the statutory sick pay scheme; when the Sick Leave Bill 2021 will be progressed through the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3807/22]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

This Government is committed to introducing a statutory sick pay scheme and work is well underway in this regard.

Any move to introduce a statutory sick pay scheme must be balanced with the need to support the viability of the business and enterprise sector, thereby protecting jobs. My Department undertook a full public consultation, reviewed international best practice, and formed an interdepartmental group – to ensure that all views and issues were properly considered in the development of the scheme. The draft Heads of Bill have been published and are available on my Department’s website.In the first instance, the legislation will provide for a replacement rate of 70% of gross salary for a duration of 3 working days in a calendar year. Coupled with the 70% rate of pay, the application of a daily earnings cut-off point of €110 will ensure that employers do not face excessive costs and that jobs are not jeopardised.

Pre-legislative scrutiny has been completed and I hope to receive the Joint Oireachtas Committee's report in the coming weeks. Once this report has been received I will review their findings and then I will be in a position to seek Government approval to present the Bill to the Houses.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (33)

Réada Cronin

Question:

33. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the tendering process used by his Department for State contracts granted in relation to Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic; the name of each company, the services involved; the amount paid to each company in each of the relevant years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4228/22]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

My Department has a dedicated Procurement Co-Ordination Unit which assists internal business units and our Offices on a range of procurement matters, as required. We are also guided by various national and international (EU) procurement rules and guidelines.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, 55 procurement contracts were awarded in relation to COVID-19 with a total value of €645,591 inclusive of VAT. A breakdown of these procurement contracts, by goods and service type are attached in tabular form below.

The Deputy should be aware that, in the main, the Department and its Offices use the Office of Government Procurement's (OGP) standard tendering and contract templates in our procurement processes.

As can be seen from the data below, and as outlined in the OGP Information Note “COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Public Procurement”, for above threshold procurements a number of contracts were entered into using the Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification.

Amongst the primary reasons for these procurements included a critical and urgent need to purchase of laptops to enable staff to work from home during lockdown restrictions, and also for urgent legal advice and associated resources, in relation to certain COVID-19 specific business support schemes.

Individual breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending since 2020.

Services	Supplier	Contract Value (inc VAT)	Year	Tendering Process
Perspex Screens	Franey Hardwood Ltd	€2,970	2020	Request for Quotation (RFQ)
COVID-19 Signage	Cloud9	€8,085	2020	RFQ
Legal advice and resources for the negotiation and amendment/finalisation of Bilateral Guarantee Agreements between the Minister and participating finance providers relating to the Credit Guarantee Scheme	McCann-Fitzgerald Solicitors	€160,411	2020	The COVID Credit Guarantee Scheme was implemented as a rapid response to provide lending facilities to SMEs impacted by the pandemic and was a Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification
Legal services for the development of legal agreements related to the €500 million expansion of the Future Growth Loan Scheme. The Future Growth Loan Scheme is aimed at supporting strategic investment amongst SMEs, including COVID-19 and Brexit impacted SMEs.	McCann-Fitzgerald Solicitors	€24,600	2020	The procurement was undertaken in May 2020 in line with Office of Government Procurement information note on ‘Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and Public Procurement’ and was a Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication
Urgent Business Survey - issued from NPHET regarding what measures/assistance the business sector considered necessary to the reopening of their businesses to ensure safety amongst staff and public for the first phase of reopening May 18 2020.	Behaviour & Attitudes	€24,200	2020	It was necessary to engage a provider at short notice and a provider currently used by the Department was selected due to their excellent reputation for timely response and engagement.
COVID 19 Signage	Cloud And Graphic Solutions	€1261	2020	Utilisation of existing contract
Photocall Minister/Taoiseach Total Produce Hub COVID-19	Julien Behal	€486	2020	RFQ
Photography COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme	Maxwell Ltd	€357	2020	RFQ
Graphic Design of COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template	Emagine	€738	2020	RFT
Graphic design work on Supports for Small Businesses Animation	Long Lost Design	€1,107	2020	RFT
Graphic design work on the Re-Start Grant Animation	Long Lost Design	€984	2020	RFT
Graphic Design- Employer Checklist + Banner	Emagine	€686	2020	RFT
PPE Notice to Exporters – Newspaper Advertising	Irish Independent, Irish Examiner and The Irish Times	€3,798	2020	OGP Framework
PPE Notice to Exporters - Newspaper Advertising	Irish Independent, Irish Examiner and The Irish Times	€4,580	2020	OGP Framework
Sunday Business Post Notice to Exporters for PPE equipment	Sunday Business Post	€1,116	2020	OGP Framework
Translation into Irish of COVID-19 Return to Work Safely Protocol	Ling Translations	€800	2020	RFQ
Translation into Irish of the COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template	Ling Translations	€861	2020	RFQ
Translation into Irish of Data Protection - Work Safely Protocol	Ling Translations	€135	2020	RFQ
Translation into Irish of the COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template	Ling Translations	€18	2020	RFQ
Translation into Irish of the COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template	Ling Translations	€284	2020	RFQ
Translation into Irish of the COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template	Ling Translations	€133	2020	RFQ
Translation of Covid-19 Work Safely Protocol	Ling Translations	€913	2020	RFQ
Social Media CampaignShop Safely	Twitter and LinkedIn	€1,861	2020	Direct Payment to Platform
Legal advice and drafting assistance Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2020	Conor Feeney BL	€430	2020	No Tendering process used as task was follow on from legal services provided in 2020
Donncha O CroininLing Language Technology	Translation to Irish of the Return to Work Safely Protocol and subsequent revisions as Work Safely Protocol	€799	2020	Tender competition held and successful tender awarded to Ling Language Technology
Donncha O CroininLing Language Technology	Translation to Irish of the Return to Work Safely Protocol and subsequent revisions as Work Safely Protocol	€912	2020	No Tendering process used as task was follow on from services already provided in 2020
Donncha O CroininLing Language Technology	Translation of Data Protection Return to Work Protocol	€135	2020	No Tendering process used as task was follow on from services already provided in 2020
Donncha O CroininLing Language Technology	Translation/proofing of EU correspondence re COVID-19 workplace protection from English to Irish	€121	2020	No Tendering process used as task was follow on from services already provided in 2020
Supply of laptops to facilitate urgent staff working from home arrangements	Evros	€45,129	2020	Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification
Supply of laptops to facilitate urgent staff working from home arrangements	Evros	€21,237	2020	Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification
Supply of laptops to facilitate urgent staff working from home arrangements	Evros	€86,439	2020	Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification
DETE Branded Face Masks for staff when onsite	Q- Flow	€4,392	2021	RFQ
CO2 Monitors	Jones Business Services	€2,162	2021	RFQ
Legal advice and resources for the negotiation and amendment/finalisation of Bilateral Guarantee Agreements between the Minister and participating finance providers relating to the Credit Guarantee Scheme	McCann-Fitzgerald Solicitors	€88,626	2021	The COVID Credit Guarantee Scheme was implemented as a rapid response to provide lending facilities to SMEs impacted by the pandemic and was a Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification
Perspex Screens in Labour Court Offices & Court Rooms	Franey Hardwood Products Ltd t/a Franey Wood Concepts	€8,282	2021	RFT
Labour Court Face Masks	QFlow Promotions LTD	€1n164	2021	Utilisation of existing contract
Photography Services COVID-19 Grant Launch	Maxwell Ltd	€272	2021	RFQ
Infographics for COVID-19 Business Supports	Emagine	€290	2021	RFT
Infographics for Work Safely Protocol	Emagine	€310	2021	RFT
Infographics for Work Safely Protocol	Emagine	€656	2021	RFT
Shop safely – graphic design and storyboard, animation and audio licence	Long Lost Design	€615	2021	RFT
Infographics for Face Facts Campaign	Emagine	€1,648	2021	RFT
Updates to the Remote Working Checklist for Employers (July 2021)	Emagine	€492	2021	RFT
Design of the Remote Working Checklist	Emagine	€494	2021	RFT
Rescue Process (SCARP) Infographic	Emagine	€618	2021	RFT
Design and editing the Rescue Process Leaflet	Fiona Kearns	€1,024	2021	RFT
Vaccines Export Authorisation – Newspaper Advertising	Irish Independent, Irish Examiner and The Irish Times	€3,647	2021	OGP Framework
Vaccines Export Authorisation – Newspaper Advertising	Irish Independent, Irish Examiner and The Irish Times	€5,562	2021	OGP Framework
Translation into Irish of the COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template	Ling Translations	€605	2021	RFQ
Facebook advertising for Work Safely Campaign	PHD Media	€917	2021	GIS Framework
Facebook and Instagram advertising for Work Safely campaign	PHD Media	€888	2021	GIS Framework
Legal advice and drafting assistance Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2021	Conor Feeney BL	€215	2021	No Tendering process used as task was follow on from legal services provided in 2020
Tender process on behalf of the Retail and Transformation Policy Unit for the Restart Grant Audit	Ernst & Young	Fixed Contract Amount €120,000 (incl. VAT)	2021	Open competition via OGP Framework Contract (Professional Services)
Social Media- Shop Safely Campaign	LinkedIn and Twitter	€5,270	2022	Direct Payment to Platform
Social Media- Rescue Process Campaign	LinkedIn	€1,856	2022	Direct Payment to Platform
Total		€645,591

Ref No: 3938/22

Departmental Contracts

Questions (34)

Réada Cronin

Question:

34. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the tendering process used by his Department for State contracts granted in relation to Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic; the name of each company, the services involved; the amount paid to each company in each of the relevant years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4229/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Since the beginning of the pandemic, my Department spent €334,601 on Covid-19 related contracts. The details requested are shown in the table below.

-			Expenditure
Description	Tendering Process Used	Company providing Goods / Services	2020	2021	2022 (To Date)	Total
Cleaning services	OGP Framework	Five Star Facilities Services	3,581	12,685		16,266
	OGP Framework	Bunzl BCSS	2,190	765		2,954
	OGP Framework	JBS Limited	925	655		1,580
	Quotations	Communicare	1,124			1,124
	Quotations	Fire Protection Ireland	4,754			4,754
	Quotations	Hunt Office	598	524		1,122
	Quotations	Lyreco	1,932			1,932
	Quotations	Office Depot	218	32		249
Cleaning equipment / supplies	Quotations	Viking	951	986		1,937
Health & Safety Consultancy	OGP Framework	Quadra Consulting	8,947	6,346		15,293
	Quotations	Datapac	13,393			13,393
	Quotations	Datapac	20,111			20,111
	Quotations	Datapac	2,007			2,007
IT Hardware	Quotations	MJ Flood	24,600			24,600
	Non-competitive	Zoom	12,472	18,588		31,060
	Quotations	Bechtle Direct Ltd	4,130			4,130
	Non-competitive	Integrity 360	74,849			74,849
IT Software	Non-competitive	PFH	34,315			34,315
Mobile Communications	Non-competitive	Vodafone	9,970	29,776		39,746
	OGP Framework	Bunzl BCSS		1,065		1,065
	OGP Framework	D.I.D Electrical	1,042			1,042
	OGP Framework	JBS Limited	15,462			15,462
	OGP Framework	MJ Scannell		324		324
	Quotations	Codex	76			76
	Quotations	Event Productions Supplies	46			46
	Quotations	GH Pittman Limited	984	335		1,319
	Quotations	Hunt Office	2,461	1,482		3,943
	Quotations	Lyreco		1,469		1,469
Personal Protective Equipment	Quotations	Office Depot	163			163
	Quotations	Carroll Print	1,998			1,998
	Quotations	Codex		659	123	782
Signage	Quotations	Hunt Office	190	76		266
Training	OGP Framework	Bid & Tender Management Services	850	-	-	850
Van Hire	Quotations	Value Van Rental		9,844	4,528	14,372
			244,341	85,610	4,651	334,601

 Contracts awarded without competitive tendering are reported by my Department in its Annual 40/02 Reports as required under Circular 40/2002 on Public Procurement Guidelines.  

Road Projects

Questions (35)

Imelda Munster

Question:

35. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has received an application for a strategic road grant for the Port Access Northern Cross route under the strategic grant scheme from Louth County Council; if so, the details of the application including the status of same; if the road is eligible for such a grant as was previously indicated at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts in November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3674/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As indicated previously, Louth County Council is the statutory planning and road authority for its area of responsibility. It is, therefore, a matter for Louth County Council to consider options regarding the development of the proposed Drogheda Northern Cross Route (PANCR) scheme.

My Department met with the Council in 2021 to outline the Public Spending Code project appraisal requirements for any proposed transport scheme, including the need for the preparation of a Strategic Assessment Report.

While no funding application has been submitted to the Department under the Strategic Grant heading in relation to the Drogheda Northern Cross Route project, officials from my Department are available to engage further with Louth County Council if the Council wishes to do so as part of its consideration of options for sharing the cost of the proposed road.

As noted in December, the primary focus for capital investment under the regional and local road grant programme in the period to 2025 will be the maintenance and renewal of the regional and local road network, targeted safety/minor schemes together with the implementation of a number of the larger regional and local road projects under the Strategic Grant category which were included in the original NDP and which are now at construction stage.

Road Signage

Questions (36)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

36. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the reason that road markings (details supplied) which are painted on the public roads and in public housing estates in the Gaeltacht areas in County Donegal cannot be written in Irish given that Donegal County Council has indicated that it cannot do this due to a Departmental directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3705/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

Road markings/symbols such as STOP and YIELD are internationally recognised and are generally accompanied by road signs. It is important for road safety that all traffic, including international traffic, understand the regulatory signage and road markings as displayed, to adequately warn and inform the driver of potential hazards ahead. Regulatory signs are prescribed by the Minister for Transport. The principal regulations are the Road Traffic (Signs) regulations 1997 and the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997. The regulations specify the types of signs which must be used by Road Authorities when providing road traffic regulatory signs and there must be strict compliance with the form and content of these signs.

In relation to regulatory road markings written in the Irish language in Gaeltacht areas, it is accepted that the word STOP exists in both English and Irish languages and therefore is not necessary to alternate. Regarding YIELD, the traffic signs manual does provide for the Irish variant, Géill Slí, to be used as appropriate, in place of the word YIELD on the traffic sign. The YIELD symbol is to be used on road markings.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (37)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

37. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport his views on introducing an initiative to facilitate the trialling of electric vehicles to improve adoption rates among persons that are car dependent and could contribute to an overall reduction in carbon emissions but have range anxiety. [3719/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; and this is further reinforced through the implementation strategy set out in Climate Action Plan being published this week. Ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. Electrification will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector.

In support of this, preparations are under way to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), as recommended in the EVPP Report; this will play an important role in our transition to zero-emission vehicles. OLEV will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure. This Office will also play an important role in coordinating communications campaigns to encourage EV uptake.

A generous suite of incentives is available to support individuals who wish to purchase an electric vehicle. In addition to this, officials in my Department are actively examining technological innovations which will in time provide more affordable options to the consumer wishing to purchase an EV.

My Department is currently working with the SEAI to develop a commercial fleet trial for companies to trial an electric vehicle. It is anticipated that this program will launch in Q1 2022.

A crucial step in the electrification of Ireland’s national fleet is encouraging the commercial and public sectors to adopt electric vehicles into their fleets. This pilot scheme will afford businesses an opportunity to trial an electric vehicle in real world conditions and showcase the suitability of electric vehicles in the commercial sectors. Businesses will be exposed to the real-life performance, savings and benefits of electric vehicles without the initial capital outlay.

Most vehicles in the commercial sector operate on a 3/4 year service period. Once this service has been completed, the vehicles tend to move into the second-hand market in Ireland and provide a viable, affordable option for consumers who are unable to purchase new electric vehicles.

Overall, the expedition of electric vehicles take up is a key priority for my Department. To this end, electric vehicle policy and expenditure is kept under continuous review to endeavour to make low emission vehicles a realistic option for individuals purchasing a vehicle.

Public Transport

Questions (38, 39)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

38. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the number of penalties that have been issued for non-compliance of mask wearing by public transport operators, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3786/22]

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

39. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the number of enforcement notices that have been issued for non-compliance of mask wearing by public transport operators, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3787/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.

As 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 services.

Public health advice tells us that face coverings are an important safety measure, especially in interior spaces; subsequently, regulations for the mandatory wearing of face coverings on public transport were introduced back in July 2020. Failure to comply with these regulations is an offence and there are penalties (on summary conviction) for non-compliance. However, as people understand the importance of protecting their fellow passengers and the staff of the public transport operators, it is not intended that enforcement or penalties will be needed often, but they are available if necessary.

The NTA is engaging regularly with public transport operators regarding implementation of the Regulations, and monitoring compliance levels across the network. The Authority is also responsible for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport. I have, therefore, forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Question No. 39 answered with Question No. 38.

Irish Language

Questions (40)

Thomas Gould

Question:

40. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if a person is entitled to use the Irish language version of their name on their driver licence in cases in which they do not use it on other official documentation. [3799/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. 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.