Written Answers Nos. 31-45
31. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the protection of employment (collective redundancies) (amendment) Bill for which work is currently under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6895/22]
View answerFollowing extensive engagement with the social partners the “Plan for Action on Collective Redundancies following Insolvency” was published in June 2021. This sets out several commitments to safeguard further the rights of workers in these circumstances including;
(i) amendments to company law and employment law,
(ii) a new Employment Law Review Group, and
(iii) the provision of an accessible guidance document.
The Guidance Document was published on 20th December and provides clear and accessible information in relation to the rights and remedies available to employees facing a collective redundancy situation following a company insolvency.
Drafting of the amendments to the Protection of Employment Act 1977 has now commenced with a view to seeking Cabinet approval for the drafting of Heads of a Bill as soon as possible.
Work has also commenced on the drafting of the Terms of Reference for the Employment Law Review Group and organising suitable membership. Our immediate focus is to get the Group up and running initially on a non-statutory basis, in Q1 of 2022. We will then work on drafting the appropriate legislation to have the Group placed on a statutory footing as soon as possible thereafter.
The 'Plan of Action' on company law included 9 amendments, 3 of which were progressed under (Rescue Process for Small and Micro Companies) Act 2021, which was commenced on 8th December 2021. The remaining company law recommendations will be progressed this year by way of regulations or amendment to the Companies Act 2014.
These complementary range of measures will promote the provision of quality information, enhance participation and transparency for those workers facing a collective redundancy following company insolvency, and will also provide for continued development of employment law in general.
32. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the shortage of workers in the tourism and hospitality sector; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7021/22]
View answerThrough my Department's participation in the Hospitality and Tourism Forum, I am fully aware that recruitment continues to be a significant challenge for the tourism and hospitality sectors, with up to two-thirds of businesses reporting reduced capacity due to staff shortages. The Forum was established in late 2020 to provide a platform for structured engagement between the sectors with relevant Government Departments, allowing key issues to be discussed and practical actions identified to support the sectors.
My Department is working to support the efforts being undertaken by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Fáilte Ireland, aimed at ensuring a coordinated approach to addressing labour and skills shortages within the tourism and hospitality sectors Fáilte Ireland has recently conducted comprehensive research on the tourism and hospitality labour market. This robust and wide-ranging research programme covers the views of 1,000 employers and 3,500 workers with tourism and hospitality experience as well as international benchmarking, a review of education provision and consultation with recruitment agencies. This research is shaping Fáilte Ireland’s work programmes for the year ahead, which will focus on:
- Supporting recruitment to drive recovery: to provide support to the tourism and hospitality industry to address immediate labour and skills supply challenges, which will be critical to the short to medium term recovery.
- Supporting the long-term repositioning of the industry: to support businesses and the wider industry to work together to drive the long-term repositioning of the industry as an appealing and rewarding career choice and workplace, and ensure a future pipeline of talent.
- Building employee capability and skills: to build the capability of individual employees to help businesses to bridge the skills gaps they are experiencing and also drive greater employee retention by improving the quality of training across the business.
Fáilte Ireland also chairs the Tourism and Hospitality Careers Oversight Group (COG), established in 2019, which is a collaborative approach by stakeholders, including Industry Bodies, Education Providers, Government Departments and State Agencies to addressing Skills Shortages.
Its membership includes the Departments of Tourism, Social Protection, and Further and Higher Education; the Higher Education Authority, SOLAS, Skillnet Ireland, and Quality and Qualifications Ireland; Education and Training Boards Ireland and the Technological Higher Education Association; as well as the Irish Hotels Federation, Irish Hospitality Institute, Restaurants Association of Ireland, Licensed Vintners Association, Vintners Federation of Ireland and Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions.
This Group will continue to work to support sustainable employment in the tourism and hospitality sectors, with an immediate focus on recruitment and retention initiatives, as well as focusing on the long-term repositioning of the sectors as attractive career choices.
My Department supports this Group's efforts in particular through the work of the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration, which is chaired by my Department, and in which the Department of Tourism participates. The Group works to ensure an employment permits system which is responsive to areas of identified skills or labour market needs in the short to medium term.
Most recently the work of the Group resulted in up to 350 work permits being granted for managerial positions in certain tourism and hospitality businesses, in recognition of an immediate need for management experience as the economy continues to emerge from the pandemic. This quota is subject to a framework requiring a third level qualification and five years' experience in the role. Applications for chef permits have also been prioritised. The Group will continue to monitor the demand for workers across the tourism and hospitality sectors throughout 2022.
More broadly, these efforts are taking place under the framework of the Government's Economic Recovery Plan, which has an overarching objective of having 2.5 million people at work by 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Under the Plan there are a number of skills and labour supply measures that can be leveraged by tourism and hospitality employers.
The overarching employment goal will be realised through ongoing support for people in securing and remaining in sustainable and quality employment, in areas of identified skills needs for business. This will be achieved in particular through a combination of significant upskilling and reskilling opportunities, funded through the National Training Fund and therefore either free or heavily subsidised, as well increased labour market activation interventions, including employer grants for live register recruitment, through the Government’s Pathways to Work 2021-2025 strategy.
This jobs led recovery will ultimately be supported through creating the right environment for employment creation, through measures to boost the resilience, agility, competitiveness and innovation of businesses across the economy. This will also be supported through ensuring a balanced and inclusive recovery, through strategic investment in infrastructure and reforms that enhance our long-term capacity for growth, balanced regional development and by improving living standards.
These measures will work to support the broader recovery and viability of the tourism and hospitality sectors, which in turn will work to enhance their attractiveness as career options.
33. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way he is using the new regional aid maps to support the northern and western region (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6689/22]
View answerRegional Aid is an enhanced form of State aid that can be provided to Irish enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas. It helps Irish enterprises to grow and expand and assists in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country. Within my Department, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland grant Regional Aid, amongst other valuable forms of assistance.
Since 2014 there has been a total of almost €160 million in Regional Aid granted by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE) and its agencies, with annual expenditure ranging from €28 million to €48 million. For the Northern and Western Regions as defined by Eurostat, approximately €72 million in Regional Aid has been granted.
The Regional Aid Map sets geographical boundaries on where Regional Aid can be applied and identifies areas eligible for Regional Aid.
My Department is now in the final stages of engaging with the European Commission to finalise Ireland’s 2022 – 2027 Regional Aid Map. The new Map is expected to be finalised and in place by the end of quarter one. Once in place, granting authorities and agencies, including Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, will commence using the new Map to grant Regional Aid.
34. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the employment results of the local enterprise offices for 2021; the regional spread of same; the factors behind the level of job increases; the estimated level of job creation that is anticipated in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7047/22]
View answerThe Local Enterprise Offices have just come out of an 8th consecutive year of growth with 7,400 new jobs created by LEO clients in 2021. The LEOs now support over 7,100 companies financially within their portfolio with almost 36,000 associated jobs and a net gain of 3,000 jobs in 2021. That is not to mention the thousands of other businesses they have helped with additional supports such as training and mentoring programmes, the Trading Online Voucher scheme, LEAN for Micro, Green for Micro and the Start Your Own Business programme.
Housed within the 31 Local Authorities, the Local Enterprise Offices are at the very heart of business development and entrepreneurship in towns and communities right across the country. This is shown by the figures reported, with 85% of Local Enterprise Office client company employment based outside of Dublin.
In 2021 Ireland’s small business community faced the perfect storm with a global pandemic, Brexit and international supply chain issues. With compassion, expertise, and enthusiasm the Local Enterprise staff have worked tirelessly with small business owners to see what was possible, how things could work differently and find solutions to the issues facing businesses. This has included diversification of their products or services, pivoting to online trading, sourcing new suppliers or paths to market, and exploring foreign markets.
While challenges remain in 2022, there is resilience in the Irish business community and a renewed optimism for the future growth of our small and micro businesses. Therefore we anticipate, that with the right measures in place, employment in the LEO client companies will increase by 3,500.
The additional €2m allocated to the Local Enterprise Offices in Budget 2022 will help in achieving this goal and allow the Local Enterprise Offices to continue to provide focused guidance in the areas of sustainability and greening their businesses and also digitalisation and e-commerce.
The Green for Micro programme, launched in March 2021, will receive additional funding this year. This scheme enables businesses to take those first steps on becoming more sustainable. Businesses now know this is not just about protecting the environment and achieving cost savings but that their partners and customers are demanding sustainable business practices.
In the past two years more than 17,000 Irish businesses have been approved for the Trading Online Voucher, which has enabled them to open their virtual doors to the world.
In 2022 we will work with small businesses to begin or continue their journey of digitalisation. Similar to the Green for Micro scheme, a new digitalisation programme will help businesses take those first steps and see how the process can benefit their business. Exporting and selling into new markets has never been easier for small businesses and we plan to assist more businesses to grow, scale and reach export stage in 2022.
Ireland's small businesses can compete with the best in the world, and through the Local Enterprise Offices, we will give them the tools to help them achieve that.
35. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the Mid-East Regional Enterprise Plan. [6803/22]
View answerRegional enterprise development and sustainable local job creation is a key policy priority of mine and this Government.
Throughout 2021, my Department has overseen the development of nine new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024. These are ‘bottom-up’ plans, developed by regional stakeholders which identify growth opportunities, recognise vulnerabilities, and enable job creation across the nine regions.
The Regional Steering Committees are chaired by senior industry figures and include the Enterprise Agencies, LEOs, Regional Assemblies, Local Authorities, Higher Education bodies, and others, all of whom are focused on creating and sustaining employment opportunities in the region.
Following in-depth consultation and engagement across the regions, each plan will contain a set of objectives and related actions to be delivered by end 2024. These objectives are complementary to and support existing Government and agency initiatives.
The Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024 are currently being finalised by my Department. They will be published and launched across the country over February and March this year.
My Department has approved over €126 million in funding to 79 enterprise strengthening projects in every region over a series of competitive calls since 2017. This has been provided through Enterprise Ireland via the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, the Border Enterprise Development Fund and the Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme. Together, these funds assisted the development of collaborative regional projects that drive delivery of the objectives developed in the previous Regional Enterprise Plans.
I can advise the Deputy that in addition to the €5 million allocation for regional enterprise funding in Budget 2022, my officials are in the process of exploring new significant sources of funding to drive implementation of the nine new Regional Enterprise Plans. I expect to announce details on new regional funding shortly.
36. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address concerns in relation to the enforceability of Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022 due; and his views on whether an employer who withholds tips from employees should be subject to criminal sanction. [7017/22]
View answerThe Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022 (No 5 of 2022) was published on 24 January 2022.
The Bill will require businesses to clearly display their policy on how tips, gratuities and mandatory service charges are distributed, and provides for similar provisions for new models of work such as platform workers who are not direct employees, but their work typically attracts tips e.g., food takeaway delivery apps.
The Bill also provides a legal entitlement for workers to receive tips and gratuities paid in electronic form (i.e., by debit or credit card or other smart type payment cards) with a provision that these tips and gratuities should be paid out to workers in a fair and transparent manner. The electronic record facilitates traceability of the tip and assists with the enforceability of the legal obligations.
An employer must also provide a statement to workers showing the amount of tips obtained in a period and the portion paid to the individual employee for that particular period.
An employer who contravenes any of these provisions will be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a class C fine, which means a fine not exceeding €2,500. This is in line with other offence provisions under employment enactments and I believe it to be proportionate in the circumstances.
37. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he raised issues relating to the human rights record of the Government of Saudi Arabia during his visit to that country in November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7064/22]
View answer60. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the issues that were discussed with members of the Saudi Arabian Government during his visit to the country in November 2021; the matters that were agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7065/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 60 together.
I visited Saudi Arabia from 13 – 15 November 2021 as part of an Enterprise Ireland-led trade mission to the Gulf. I held a number of meetings in Saudi Arabia including the Saudi Minister for Commerce, the Saudi Minister for Investment, and the Saudi Minister for Transport. I also had meetings with the President of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation as well as the Governor and Board of the Saudi Central Bank.
While in Saudi Arabia, I had discussions on the social and economic transformation which is underway, as part of the Saudi government’s Vision 2030. This aims to diversify the Saudi economy, encourage greater personal freedoms, and deepen Saudi Arabia’s engagement with regional and international partners which include the European Union. I also discussed the strong partnerships between Irish and Saudi Arabian companies in the key sectors of: Equine, Agritech / Food Production, ICT / Fintech Construction / Engineering, Healthcare, Higher Education and Aviation.
Protecting and promoting human rights is a cornerstone of Ireland’s foreign policy, as it is for the European Union. Ireland is committed to all aspects of human rights, and encourages adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in both bilateral dialogues, and in appropriate international fora.
38. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that he is taking regarding job creation and enterprise in counties Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6947/22]
View answerMy Department, through Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, and the LEOs, provide assistance to companies in every county of Ireland to start and scale, innovate, and remain competitive in international markets.
Focusing on Galway, in 2021, 8,122 people were employed across 215 Enterprise Ireland client companies. 1,056 jobs were created resulting in a net increase in employment of 714.
In addition, 94 IDA supported companies are established in Galway City and County, employing 22,801 in total. The city of Galway is a crucial part of the West’s attractiveness to FDI.
Between 2019 and 2021 Enterprise Ireland paid €33 million to their client companies in County Galway. These investments have helped companies enhance productivity and resilience, drive new entrepreneurship, develop urban centres of growth, and support the expansion of scaling companies in the county.
LEO Galway provided priming and business expansion grants supporting 277 businesses across Galway County and city creating 221 jobs in 2021. The total employment in these businesses amounts to 1,187 jobs.
LEO Galway provided additional funding in new grants during 2021 to 24 businesses, with a total of 234 jobs associated with these projects. In addition to the 24 clients financially supported in 2021, an additional 1,493 businesses received training, mentoring advisory and management development supports.
This Government, through Enterprise Ireland, has also funded infrastructural projects to assist enterprise in County Galway. Between 2019 and 2021, over €8.6 million has been paid toward infrastructural projects in County Galway. This investment facilitates new collaborative and innovative initiatives that can make a significant impact on enterprise development in the region, across regions or nationally.
Focussing on Roscommon, in 2021, 1,684 people were employed by 34 Enterprise Ireland client companies. During 2021, 154 new jobs were created resulting in a net increase in employment of 102 people when losses are taken into account. In addition, 10 IDA supported companies employ 1,473 in total.
In 2021 940 people were employed in 167 LEO Roscommon supported businesses with 104 net jobs created. 17 Roscommon businesses received LEO Measure 1 grants in 2021 with 73 job commitments associated with Priming and Business Expansion grant approvals. In addition, 42 Roscommon businesses received Trading Online Vouchers. LEO Roscommon provided Start Your Own Business training to 111 people across 7 courses in 2021.
Over €3.2 million has been provided to Enterprise Ireland client companies between 2019 and 2021. These investments have helped companies in County Roscommon to innovate, to invest in capital equipment, and to create new jobs in the county.
Additionally, over €66,000 has been paid in infrastructural grants to County Roscommon between 2018 and 2021. This investment helps to assist start-ups, micro-enterprises, and small business providing physical space for remote working initiatives.
I understand that Roscommon County Council has just completed the sale of 16 sites where 12 businesses have been established creating over 50 jobs. Funding has been approved for the development of Monksland Innovation Hub which will commence refurbishment in 2022 and will create over 50 jobs in 2023.
39. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the work of the Working Group on the Living Wage. [7013/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government makes the commitment to "progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government.” I have spoken before about how the pandemic has caused many of us to reconsider and re-evaluate what an essential worker is. We now understand that it is a much broader group of workers than people would have originally described, many of whom are on low pay and in the private sector.
The Government has been clear in its belief that a legacy of the pandemic must be better pay, terms and conditions for everyone, but particularly for those on low pay. We are committed, therefore, to honouring the Government commitment to progressing to a living wage over the lifetime of this Government. In doing so, we need to recognise that many businesses have been badly affected by the pandemic and are struggling to pay existing wages. We need to make sure that we proceed in a way that does not cause jobs to be lost in terms of the numbers of people employed, or would see employees having their hours cut. To do so would be counterproductive.
In 2021, I asked the Low Pay Commission to examine the programme for Government commitment and to make recommendations on the best approach to progressing to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government.
The Low Pay Commission commissioned a team of researchers at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM) to conduct supporting research on the concept of a living wage. Terms of Reference for this research were noted by Cabinet in 2021. In January of this year, the Low Pay Commission received the final Living Wage Study from the team of researchers at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. The Low Pay Commission is currently evaluating this study and is in the process of meeting with numerous stakeholders in relation to the introduction of a living wage. I expect to receive the Low Pay Commission’s final report on the move to a living wage and its recommendations by the end of the first quarter of this year.
40. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to introduce an export credit insurance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6938/22]
View answerMy Department regularly explores ways to assist businesses and to create an environment that stimulates their growth. This includes potentially methods which may prove useful to enterprises such as the possibility of an export credit insurance scheme.
A state supported export credit insurance scheme should only be considered where private sector insurance is unavailable and where there is a clear market failure. While my Department currently offers state supports for exporters, such as training, it is understood that export credit insurance is available from the private market.
In early 2020, in the context of the major disruptions to global trade and supply chains in the early stages of the spread of the coronavirus, my Department competed an assessment of the need for state supported export credit insurance. The assessment found that Irish insurers, as subsidiaries or branches of international insurer groups, are financially strong, and did not need to be financially supported by a Government intervention during the pandemic.
My Department has continued to monitor the export credit insurance market and in 2021 commissioned a review to assess the potential need for a state-backed export credit insurance scheme. This review involved engagement with trade credit insurers, industry and other relevant stakeholders. My officials continue to assess the findings of this review and are considering how to proceed on the matter.
41. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the remote working strategy; his views on the main obstacles to remote working; the way that the strategy addresses these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6849/22]
View answerMy Department published the National Remote Work Strategy, on January 15th, 2021. The objective of the Strategy is to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.
My Department led the implementation of the Strategy’s 15 actions through an Interdepartmental Group. There has been significant progress in implementing these actions which will facilitate remote working both now and into the future. I would highlight the following:
- Following public consultation and a review of international best practice, the General Scheme of the Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2022 has been published following Government approval. The new law will set out a clear framework around which requesting, approving or refusing remote work can be based. Pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee will commence on the 9th of February.
- The publication of the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect in April 2021 by the Workplace Relations Commission.
- ConnectedHubs.ie- Ireland’s first national digital hub network- was launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development in May 2021. ConnectedHubs.ie will ultimately link over 400 hubs throughout the country.
- The Connected Hubs Call has awarded funding of €8.9m to 117 remote working hub projects in July 2021 to upgrade Ireland’s remote work infrastructure.
- While National Broadband Plan has been impacted negatively by COVID-19, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications is continuing to engage with National Broadband Ireland to address the delays that have arisen to ensure that the programme gets back on track and is building momentum month on month.
- The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has been working across the Civil and Public Service to develop a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service which will be finalised over the coming months, following engagement with employee representatives.
- My Department is currently developing new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024 in which there will be a focus on promoting remote working opportunities and investing in infrastructures across the nine regions.
- In October 2021, over €9.3 million in funding was awarded to projects around the country through Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme, with successful applicants including hubs and enterprise centres throughout the country.
- In Budget 2022, an enhanced income tax deduction for people working from home was announced. It amounts to 30 percent of the cost of vouched expenses for heat, electricity and broadband.
42. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the West Regional Enterprise Plan. [6801/22]
View answerRegional enterprise development and sustainable local job creation is a key policy priority of mine and this Government.
Throughout 2021, my Department has overseen the development of nine new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024. These are ‘bottom-up’ plans, developed by regional stakeholders which identify growth opportunities, recognise vulnerabilities, and enable job creation across the nine regions.
The Regional Steering Committees are chaired by senior industry figures and include the Enterprise Agencies, LEOs, Regional Assemblies, Local Authorities, Higher Education bodies, and others, all of whom are focused on creating and sustaining employment opportunities in the region.
Following in-depth consultation and engagement across the regions, each plan will contain a set of objectives and related actions to be delivered by end 2024. These objectives are complementary to and support existing Government and agency initiatives.
The Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024 are currently being finalised by my Department. They will be published and launched across the country over February and March this year.
My Department has approved over €126 million in funding to 79 enterprise strengthening projects in every region over a series of competitive calls since 2017. This has been provided through Enterprise Ireland via the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, the Border Enterprise Development Fund and the Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme. Together, these funds assisted the development of collaborative regional projects that drive delivery of the objectives developed in the previous Regional Enterprise Plans.
I can advise the Deputy that in addition to the €5 million allocation for regional enterprise funding in Budget 2022, my officials are in the process of exploring new significant sources of funding to drive implementation of the nine new Regional Enterprise Plans. I expect to announce details on new regional funding shortly.
43. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications by business for Covid-19 supports under all schemes administered by his Department in 2020 and 2021, by county; and the number of rejected applications for Covid-19 supports under all schemes administered by his Department by business and by county in 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [6412/22]
View answerA wide range of loans and grants have been provided by my Department in 2020 and 2021 in the context of Covid and Brexit and a table of these is updated every month on my Department’s website.
In terms of loans, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme saw 8,023 loans drawn down during 2020 and 2021.
At the end of January 2022, 1,112 loans were drawn down under the Covid-19 Loan Scheme. While 3,471 Future Growth Loan Scheme loans have been sanctioned.
The Covid-19 Working Capital Scheme approved 1036 loans in 2020 and 2021.
Regarding grants, the Restart Grant Scheme approved 108,489 successful applications. The Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID was provided to 5,500 applications.
Enterprise Ireland approved 2,950 companies through initiatives such as the Sustaining Enterprise Fund, the Covid-19 Product Scheme, Lean Business Continuity Offer. The COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme is also included in this which provided funding to 503 retailers nationwide.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) approved 9,389 Business Continuity Vouchers in 2020, 17388 Trading Online Voucher were approved 196 approvals were made for applications for the Micro Enterprise Assistance Fund (MEAF).
In addition, IDA Ireland provided supports through their Business Continuity Support scheme and the Covid-19 Products Scheme while InterTradeIreland provided assistance through their E-Merge and Emergency Business Solutions.
44. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the current state of pay and conditions for workers in the tourism and hospitality sector; his plans to examine this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7020/22]
View answerRates of pay and conditions in a given sector are primarily a matter for its workers and employers. In relation to the Hotel and Catering (restaurants and pubs) sectors, there are established Joint Labour Committees (JLC) in place. A JLC is composed of equal numbers of representatives of employers and workers in an employment sector with an independent chairman. The Committee meets to discuss and agree proposals for terms and conditions to apply to specified grades or categories of workers in the sector concerned. If agreement is reached on terms and conditions, the JLC publishes the details and invites submissions from interested parties.
Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) are drawn up by JLCs and set the minimum rates of pay and conditions of employment for workers in a specified business sector. To become an ERO, the proposals drawn up by the JLC must be adopted by the Labour Court and an Order giving them statutory effect must be made by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. If an ERO is put in place employers are then obliged to pay wage rates and provide conditions of employment to workers that are not less favourable than those set out in the Order.
The constitution and proceedings of JLCs is set out in the Fifth Schedule to the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. The Minister with responsibility for JLCs has no function in the determination of the terms of EROs which under legislation is a matter solely for the relevant JLC and the Labour Court. The role of the Minister of the day - provided that she or he is satisfied that the Labour Court has followed due process - is to approve an Order giving effect to any recommendation.
45. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current schedule for trade missions for 2022; the core objectives of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6480/22]
View answerEach year, Enterprise Ireland offers a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment.
In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led Trade Missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represented the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These Trade Missions focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and lifesciences.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, trade missions took place virtually throughout 2020 and during Quarters 1 to 3 of 2021. Physical trade missions took place during Quarter 4 of 2021.
My Department is currently working closely with its agencies to finalise a trade mission schedule for 2022 which will maximise opportunities to help Irish companies to access new markets and to increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland.
