Written Answers Nos. 163-182
163. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the EU directive allowing for class action lawsuits is still scheduled to be transposed into Irish law in December 2022; if so, when in 2023 it will come into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8832/22]
View answerThis Directive does not allow for class action lawsuits, as suggested by the Deputy. Directive (EU) 2020/1828 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated 25 November 2020 on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers is due to be transposed into Irish law by 25 December 2022. The Directive applies to representative actions (civil claims) brought by a qualified entity against infringements by traders of the provisions of Union law referred to in Annex 1 of the Directive that harm, or may harm, the collective interests of consumers.
A public consultation process dealing with the implementation of the Directive was held in spring 2021 and the views of stakeholders were noted and have contributed to the development of a draft General Scheme of a Bill to transpose the Directive . This work is continuing apace in my department and the intention is that the deadline for the Directive’s implementation will be met. The measures contained in the Directive are due to take effect in all member states from 25 June 2023.
164. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a work permit for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8850/22]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that a Critical Skills employment permit application for the person concerned was received on 18 January 2022. However as the occupation stated on the application is not on the Critical Skills occupations list and the annual remuneration on offer is below €64,000, it is expected that this application will be refused.
While the occupation is ineligible for a Critical Skills employment permit, it is eligible for a General Employment permit. Therefore it is advised that the employer should withdraw the current application and submit a new application for a General Employment permit. Such an application should comply with all of the legislative requirements for the particular employment permit type.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. My Department recommends all applications for an employment permit to be submitted to us at least 12 weeks before the proposed start date of an employment. The Department provides regular updates on its website in relation to processing times and advises all employers to take current timelines into account as part of their recruitment plans.
Applicants can keep track of Employment Permit applications current processing dates at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates/
There is also an Online Status Update Enquiry - where details on a particular application can be found:
enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Status-Form/
165. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will reopen a scheme (details supplied) to assist businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8946/22]
View answerIn the early stages of the pandemic, as part of an emergency response, a proportion of the funding available under the Brexit Loan Scheme was made available to COVID-19-impacted businesses through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland(SBCI) COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme (COVID-19 WCS). Loans under this scheme are similar to those offered under the Brexit Loan Scheme, but to businesses seeking to innovate, change or adapt in response to the impacts of the pandemic. The COVID-19 WCS is underpinned by a counter-guarantee from the European Investment Bank Group through its InnovFin SME guarantee instrument.
Three banks participated in this scheme. Over €100 million was sanctioned across more than 800 loans up to September 2020. After this the uptake of this scheme tapered off as the tailor made COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme had become available in the market. The COVID-19 WCS is now closed to new eligibility applications, however some eligibility code holders may yet proceed to loan application. As of 14 February 2022, 987 loans progressed to sanction under the scheme, to a total value of €128,196,963.
The COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme is the largest scheme of its type in the history of the State and provides up to €2 billion in lending. Since its launch in September 2020, it has enabled vital access to loans for the SME sector. There have been over 9,186 loans drawn or approved to a value of €640 million under the Scheme up to 31 January 2022. These loans are being drawn from all over the country by businesses which have been most impacted by the effects of COVID-19. The wholesale and retail sector, the accommodation and food services sector, the construction sector and the primary agriculture and fisheries sector account for 58% of all loans drawn under the scheme demonstrating that funding is getting to where it is most needed.
Loans of up to €1 million are available for up to 5.5 years. Loans under €250,000 do not require any personal guarantees or collateral. The Scheme is currently available through three commercial banks, six non-bank lenders and nineteen credit unions thus providing competition in the market and a variety of loan products. This long-term policy goal of diversification adds competition in the market and ensures a wide range of loan products are available throughout the regions.
The Scheme has been developed in accordance with the European Commission’s State Aid Temporary Framework and has been extended three times since September 2020 following extensions of the Temporary Framework by the European Commission. The last extension was in December 2021 and makes the scheme available until 30 June 2022. Any further extension of the scheme beyond that point is dependent on an extension of the Temporary Framework. I would therefore encourage businesses to avail of these low-cost loans in the remaining time of the scheme, which can be used for both working capital and investment purposes.
166. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the recently announced energy credit will be given to those staying in private rented accommodation but who are paying for electricity themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8925/22]
View answerThe Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022 contains provision for a once-off Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account in 2022, to help alleviate the exceptional rise in energy prices faced by people. This scheme is in addition to the Government’s ongoing measures to address energy poverty and the protection of vulnerable customers, and to the measures introduced in the Budget.The scheme will apply to all domestic accounts and will include pre-pay customers. I understand that the majority of the 300,000 tenancies registered with the RTB would hold their own domestic electricity accounts. In those instances the payment will be directly applied to these accounts. Others would have tenancy agreements where tenants pay their actual share of each bill and, in those cases, will benefit from the payment because the amount of the bill will be reduced by the amount of the payment. A small proportion would have other arrangements in place whereby electricity costs are part of the rental cost. In consultation with my Department, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) is working on a public information campaign on this legislation and payment. In the event of a dispute between a tenant and a landlord as a result of failure to pass on the credit payment, the dispute resolution mechanisms run by the RTB are available. The Deputy may also wish to note that regular information updates, including frequently asked questions, are being made available on gov.ie at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/4ae14-electricity-costs-emergency-benefit-scheme/.
167. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a deep retrofit scheme for persons (details supplied). [8923/22]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The administration and management of applications under Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications. SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie
168. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is any direction from his Department to encourage electricity providers to permit community and voluntary organisations to utilise either domestic rates or reduced rates for electricity supply rather than paying commercial rates for their electricity as is currently the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8978/22]
View answerThe electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999.In line with long standing policy on deregulating price setting, CRU ended its regulation of retail prices in the electricity market in 2011, and in the gas market in 2014. Given that prices are no longer regulated, they are set by all suppliers as entirely commercial and operational matters by them. Each supplier has its own business model and approach to pricing decisions over time, in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base. ESB Networks connection charges and distribution use of system charges are based on procedures and policies as approved by CRU. The CRU, as the Deputy will appreciate, is an independent statutory regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions to the Oireachtas, and not to me as Minister. I have no function in these matters. The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members which enables them raise questions on general energy regulatory matters, as in this instance, to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
169. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the issues with the 175 bus route (details supplied); if he will ensure that a company resolve this issue with its service; and if he will request that the company offers a customer comment form in order that customer feedback can be provided. [8818/22]
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. 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.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question, in relation to the timetabling of Go-Ahead Ireland Bus Route No 175 along with the possible provision of a customer comment form, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
170. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will set out the current waiting time for motorcycle driving tests in each driving test centre; when a motorcycle driving test will be offered to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8827/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Motorcycle Test. The information requested is held by the RSA.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.
171. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the reason that motorcycle tests are taking much longer to obtain than car driving tests (details supplied); the steps that his Department is taking to speed up the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8829/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for the operation of the Motorcycle Test.
While I cannot comment on the precise circumstances of individual cases, I understand there is no excessive delay on motorcycles tests in comparison to car driving tests. While there have been some centres where it has taken longer to get a motorcycle test than a car test, driver testers have been recently upskilled to test this category, and lists are therefore reducing across the board.
I am also referring the question to the RSA for further clarification of the position. If you do not have a further response within ten days please contact my private office.
172. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a waiting list of over ten months throughout the country for driving tests for motorcyclists; the steps that are being taken to address this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8839/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the operation of motorcycle driving tests. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
173. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the current waiting time for a motorbike driving test; the number of persons waiting for a motorbike driving test; the action being taken to reduce the wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8841/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Motorcycle Test.
As the information requested is held by the RSA, I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.
174. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the €54 million in funding announced for the 20% reduction in fares on public service obligation routes; the way that this figure was calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8856/22]
View answer175. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if any of the €205 million in emergency public transport public service obligation is being used to part fund the reduction in public transport fares by 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8857/22]
View answer176. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the meaning of on average in relation to the reduction in fares by 20% on average for public service obligation routes until the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8858/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 174 to 176, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
The Government is strongly committed to helping combat the rising cost-of-living being experienced throughout the country. In this context, a suite of new measures is being introduced by Government to help with this issue, including a 20% average fare reduction on PSO services until the end of 2022. These discounted fares will benefit the hundreds of thousands of people across the country who use public transport every day. A further €54m in Exchequer funding has been secured to allow for the introduction of these discounted fares, this is in addition to the REV22 allocations.
The NTA will work with the public transport operators in the coming weeks to commence rolling out these fare reductions across the public transport network in April/May. In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific questions in relation to the breakdown of the funding allocated for the scheme and explanation of the 20% average fare reduction on PSO routes, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
177. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated increase in demand if public transport fares were abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8859/22]
View answer178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he is considering introducing a €365 annual public transport ticket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8860/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts
Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance along with the estimated increase in demand for public transport services if fares were abolished. Therefore, in light of the Authority’s responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy's specific questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
179. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has awarded the consultancy contract to study and review the regulatory and infrastructural frameworks for the use of hydrogen as a transport fuel in Ireland and in Northern Ireland; the amount provided for the contract; the company and or person that will conduct the study; and the date on which the report is due. [8870/22]
View answerThank you, Deputy, for asking this important question. The contract is still out to tender with a deadline of Wednesday 2nd March for all submissions. The amount provided for the contract is €100,000 and the report is due in October 2022.
180. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of motorcycle licence tests, compared with car licence tests, that have been completed since the start of 2021, by test centre. [8877/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of these tests. The information requested is held by the RSA.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.
181. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the issues raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to the construction of a road; the status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8921/22]
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 on the status of this project.
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.
182. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will include Ireland’s western arc in the Ten-T review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8942/22]
View answerThe European Commission’s review of the 2013 Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation commenced in 2019.
My Department participated fully in the review process. In August 2019, my predecessor, Minister Ross, made a submission to the European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, regarding the review. A copy of that submission, and Commissioner Bulc’s reply, is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/3c921e-submission-to-commissioner-bulc-for-a-revision-of-the-core-ten-t-net/
In its engagement with the Commission during the review process, my Department sought changes in the methodology used to define which ports are included in the network. We asked for new criteria that recognise ports with high offshore renewable energy potential in order to seek the inclusion of Galway Port on the network.
Regarding the rail network, my Department informed the Commission that our position on the TEN-T rail network will be informed by the results of the ongoing all-island Strategic Rail Review and that we would hope to have the outcome of the Review reflected in the maps. The Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland and will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades. The Review will consider the potential scope for improved rail services along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network. That scope includes the Western Rail Corridor.
Regarding other transport modes on the Western Arc, major roads in the west are already included on the TEN-T Comprehensive network. Also on the Comprehensive TEN-T network are the airports of Donegal, Inis Mór, Kerry, Ireland West and Shannon. Cork airport and the Port of Cork and Shannon-Foynes port are on the Core TEN-T Network.
The Commission completed its review of the TEN-T Regulation in May 2021 and the evaluation report is available at the following link:
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021SC0117
In December 2021, the EU Commission published its proposal for a revised TEN-T Regulation and negotiations on the text have now begun in Brussels. My Department is currently examining the proposal in depth to ensure that Irish concerns can be identified and addressed during the negotiation process.
The full text of the proposal is available here:
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2021:812:FIN
