Written Answers Nos. 218-232
219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the progress made since the granting of planning permission by an Bord Pleanála with the N6 Galway city ring road motorway scheme 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10655/22]
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.
Planning permission was granted by An Bord Pleanála on 6 December 2021, subject to conditions. As of today, three Judicial Reviews have been lodged. The progression of this project is dependent on the outcome of these reviews. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the current 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.
220. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 9 February 2022, if the persons assigned within the Road Safety Authority, RSA, with responsibility for the establishment of an exchange agreement on driving licences between Ireland and Ukraine are currently in active employment; if they are absent from the workplace; if the project will be reassigned; when work will recommence on the establishment of an agreement between the two authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10665/22]
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.
221. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the recruitment crisis currently facing the transport sector; the steps and assistance his Department is providing to resolve the crisis and bring additional drivers into the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10666/22]
View answerI am fully aware of the recruitment crisis currently facing the transport sector, and of the shortage of HGV drivers in particular. The driver shortage is not confined to Ireland; it has been a growing issue across Europe and globally for a number of years now. It is a multifaceted issue with a range of different contributing factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has clearly had a significant impact on the labour market for many sectors.
My Department established the National Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group in 2019, the key objective of which is to support the promotion of careers, skills development and sustainable employment in the logistics and supply chain sectors in Ireland. The Group includes haulage and logistics sector industry representatives, education and training providers and all of the relevant Government Departments and Agencies.
Last year I asked the Group to examine the HGV driver shortage and make recommendations, with specific regard to actions that can be taken by Government and the industry. These recommendations were finalised at the end of 2021 and have been published here - gov.ie - Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group (www.gov.ie) The recommendations are aimed at ameliorating the supply issue, without undermining the working conditions and health and safety of drivers or other road users.
Implementation of the Recommendations will now be monitored via the Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group who meet quarterly. Some of the recommendations have already been implemented and work is ongoing in respect of others.
For example, recruitment from abroad could make new drivers available in the short term. My Department maintains regular engagement with the Department of Social Protection (DSP), which has dedicated employer relations teams offering a range of supports and services to employers to fill vacancies including recruitment campaigns, specialised jobs fairs and through the online portal JobsIreland.ie.
The DSP organises events in the EU/EEA labour market via the EURES network. On 02 March next there will be a EURES event aimed at jobseekers based in Romania who are interested in coming to Ireland to work. On 15 March, there will be an event for jobseekers from across the EU with a focus specifically on jobs in Ireland in the transport sector, as well as in hospitality and construction. Companies can post job vacancies directly on the event website here - Jobs in Ireland 2022 – Hospitality, Construction & Transport | EURES - European Job Days – and I understand that many companies in the transport sector have already done so.
HGV drivers from outside the EU/EEA must have a valid employment permit and a visa to work in Ireland, if coming from a visa required state as defined by the Department of Justice. Following engagement with my colleague Minister of State English at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the quota for employment permits for HGV drivers from outside the EU/EEA was removed in 2021. I am aware that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is currently experiencing a high level of applications for work permits across all sectors but has recently assigned additional resources to work through this. Non EU/EEA drivers must also exchange their HGV drivers licence for an Irish licence. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with several countries and the Road Safety Authority, which oversees these agreements, is engaging with a number of other countries with a view to progressing further licence exchange agreements.
In terms of attracting young people already based in Ireland into transport careers, the promotion of education, training, careers and sustainable employment in the sector is crucial, along with skills development and career progression for existing workers. I am very encouraged at recent new programmes such as the BSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and the Logistics Associate Apprenticeship involving TU Dublin and Munster Technological University and, in development, the first ever Commercial Driver Apprenticeship programme at Sligo IT.
The Logistics and Supply Chains Skills Group has recently published a comprehensive Overview of the Existing Education and Training Provision in Logistics and Supply Chain. In addition, the group has prepared 2 general information notes on How to qualify as a HGV driver in Ireland and Requirements for recruitment of HGV Drivers who are non-EEA citizens, to assist individuals in understanding what is involved in becoming a HGV driver and companies in recruiting new talent. These notes are all available on the LSCSG webpage at the link provided above.
Regarding HGV driver testing in Ireland, in the 4 weeks prior to 20 February, an average of 211 tests for HGV drivers were carried out by RSA testers each week, with a pass rate of 78%. This means that 164 HGV drivers were qualified on average each week.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to publish a 10-year strategy for the haulage sector. The Government’s aim is to develop a strategy that will focus on generating efficiencies and improving standards, and helping the sector move to a low-carbon future. A section of the Strategy will focus on the driver and skills shortage – highlighting work underway and ensuring a focus remains on this issue. Work on the strategy is ongoing with a plan for further consultation with the public and stakeholders in the coming months.
I will continue to proactively engage with the freight transport, distribution and logistics sectors and the Government is committed to continuing to support the industry. It is vitally important for education, industry, and government to work together to enhance the appeal of a career in road haulage and logistics, so that the sector can both attract and retain talent.
222. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the progress of each section of the Royal Canal greenway from Maynooth to Ashtown, Dublin 15; the costs granted to each section to date; and if his attention has been drawn to the Clonsilla to Castleknock section in the context of design and planning issues. [10684/22]
View answerAs Minister, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the allocation of funding to specific projects and oversight of their development, in cooperation with relevant local authorities. The NTA is also responsible for the development of urban Greenways, allocating the funding provided by my Department at project level and working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
Noting their responsibility in this area, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
223. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if a driving licence can be renewed for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10716/22]
View answerThe current extension to the validity of driving licences is granted under EU Regulation 2021/267 and is recognised by all EU Member States. This means that driving licences that expired between 1 September 2020 and 31 October 2021 have been extended for an additional 10 months. This includes an additional authorisation that Ireland received from the EU to extend licences that expired between 1 July 2021 and 31 October 2021.
When the extensions were applied, the expiry date on the driver file for each person affected was updated to the new expiry date. By law, a driving licence cannot be renewed more than 3 months before the expiry of the licence.
A licence holder can request a letter of entitlement from the Road Safety Authority to bring with them when driving abroad. A letter of entitlement, also known as a driver statement, is a copy of a person's driver record and will show the extended date of expiry of their licence. Further information can be found on the National Driver Licence Service website here www.ndls.ie/about/order-my-driver-statement.html.
All EU member states will recognise an extension granted by the EU. However, recognition of these extensions is a matter for each non-EU country.
224. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if a driving test can be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10717/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the operation of the driving test. 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.
225. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if he will request the National Driver Licence Service, NDLS, for an update on this licence renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10745/22]
View answerAll 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. My Department does not have access to individual applications. I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If she has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that she contact my office directly.
226. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the position of a matter (details supplied) regarding NCT testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10824/22]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
227. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance if his Department will be looking into the removal of VAT on AED devices in the wake of agreement by EU Finance Ministers to amend Council Directive 2006/112/EC on 7 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10519/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the EU Commission published a proposal on the reform of VAT rates in January 2018 which would allow Member States more flexibility in how they apply VAT rates. The compromise text agreed at ECOFIN in December has been amended significantly in comparison to the original proposal so the EU Parliament will once again be consulted for their opinion. While not providing for as much flexibility as the original proposal it still provides greater scope for Member States to make changes when it comes to setting VAT rates.
Once the Parliament has issued its opinion on the proposal, the Council will formally adopt the directive. I understand that when the Slovenian Presidency wrote to the European Parliament an early response was requested but it is ultimately a matter for the European Parliament when such a response issues. I understand from my officials that they expect the response in the coming months. Following the Council formally adopting the directive it will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication.
In the interim officials in my Department will be reviewing the options now available to Ireland in setting VAT rates. Future tax changes are generally taken in the context of the Budget. Deputies will be aware that my officials prepare a series of papers containing tax options for the Tax Strategy Group to be considered in the context of the budgetary process, alongside a wide range of submissions from various stakeholders and lobby groups.
228. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the number of loans drawn down from the European Investment Bank; the date of commencement; the repayment schedule; the interest rate and purposes of each loan in tabular form; and his plans to allocate additional funding for the provision of social housing from the EIB. [10522/22]
View answerAt the outset, the Deputy should note that as Minister for Finance, and a Governor of the European Investment Bank (EIB), I have no role in the negotiation of contracts between the EIB and any borrowers here in Ireland. In addition, in my role as a Governor of the EIB, I have no role in the allocation of funding in Ireland, nor do I have the authority to specify which sector funding should be allocated to. However, I am keen that projects in Ireland are able to access funding, where it is possible, from the EIB, in particular in relation to priority issues including climate and environmental sustainability; innovation and skills; infrastructure; small and medium-sized enterprises; cohesion, and development. In that regard, the EIB has an office in Ireland which assists interested parties in engaging with the EIB, whether it be for advisory or financial support. In addition, my Department facilitates, through an EIB-Ireland Financing Group and relevant sub-groups, engagement between the EIB and interested parties, including other Departments and State Bodies, in relation to these priorities.
The Deputy may be aware that the EIB has provided in the region of EUR 1billion in financial support to Irish projects in recent years. Much of the information which the Deputy is seeking is published on the EIB’s website (www.eib.org/en/projects/index.htm). I understand that elements of the request, including the repayment schedule, and interest rate are commercially sensitive and not available. In 2021 alone, the Deputy will note that Irish projects listed there received EIB funding in excess of EUR 600 million directly from the EIB. This included EUR 65 million loan for a windfarm in County Mayo; EUR 170 million to support deployment of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) fixed very high capacity (VHC) network throughout Ireland, and; EUR 200 million to the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) for a social and affordable housing programme for the next four years. It should also be noted that in 2021 Ireland also benefited from a number of other investments, supported by the European Guarantee Fund (EGF), a crisis support instrument, established by the EIB Group in response to the Covid-19 crisis to support SMEs and Midcaps.
While I am not in a position to disclose ongoing negotiations between the EIB and other Government departments or State bodies, I would note that the EIB has been providing significant support to housing development in Ireland including the EUR 200 million loan I mentioned previously, which was signed at the end of last year. This is in addition to other loans provided for social and affordable housing in 2019, one of which was EUR 200 million to the HFA, and another of which was to the NTMA of EUR 61 million for a PPP Social Housing Programme.
Finally, the Deputy will be aware that the State also supports housing development funding through a number of different State agencies, including: Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI); Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF); Land Development Agency (LDA); Housing Finance Agency (HFA); National Asset Management Agency (NTMA). Each of these State bodies has a mandate to support the funding and development of residential housing. The Housing Finance Agency’s borrowing from EIB for the purpose of supporting social and affordable housing in Ireland referenced above forms part of Government’s housing policy which is overseen by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
229. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications for the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, from its inception to date; the number of applications that have been refused during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10539/22]
View answerThe Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) was legislated for under the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020.
Since the scheme commenced, 51,988 employers have registered and payroll submissions have been filed in respect of 727,662 eligible employees. Subsidy payments totalling €6.5 billion and PRSI credits totalling €1 billion have been processed to date.
The scheme is currently open to employers who file their payroll submissions electronically through Revenue Online Service (ROS) and who were registered at, and had correctly received a valid subsidy by 31 December 2021, or who re-entered the scheme from 1 January 2022.
The administration of the EWSS is placed under the care and management of Revenue. From the commencement of the scheme up to 31 December 2021, employers had the facility to register themselves for the scheme online using ROS. There was no “applicant” stage in the process for employers registering online up to this date. As the scheme was operated on a “self-assessment” basis, with employers signing a declaration stating that their business qualified for the scheme, proof of eligibility for the scheme was not requested at registration stage. In signing the declaration, employers agreed to abide by the terms and conditions of the scheme and undertook to retain all records relating to the scheme, including the basis of eligibility, for review by Revenue at a later stage. For July to December 2021, employers provided to Revenue details of their eligibility reviews on a monthly ERF (Eligibility Review Form) filed through ROS. Subsidy payments were held and not paid to those employers who breached the 30% threshold test or did not file an ERF within prescribed timelines for pay dates after 1 July. As at 21 February 2022, €63.8m is being held by Revenue for threshold breaches or non-filing of the ERF record.
On 21 December 2021, in light of public health restrictions announced on 17 December 2021, I announced a re-opening of the scheme for certain employers who would otherwise be ineligible. These were employers who were previously eligible for EWSS but were not eligible on 31 December 2021. Under these measures, employers who met specific eligibility criteria were afforded an opportunity to apply for re-entry to the EWSS with effect from 1 January 2022. Revenue received 466 applications for re-entry to the EWSS with effect from 1 January 2022 and 9 re-entry applications have been refused to date.
Revenue undertakes a multi-faceted risk-based approach to compliance checks to safeguard the integrity of the EWSS. This includes real time checking of submissions and cross-referencing claim data against other Revenue data sources to identify anomalies or trends requiring attention. Overall, Revenue has finalised EWSS related interventions with 4,081 employers, recouping €24.3 million, which equates to 0.37% of the total subsidy paid. There are further compliance checks with 2,215 employers ongoing, which will be finalised by Revenue in due course.
230. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings he or officials from his Department have had with the National Women’s Council of Ireland from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10576/22]
View answerDuring the period mentioned in the Deputy’s question I have engaged with the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) on six occasions including in the context of the annual National Economic Dialogue and Pre-Budget meetings with the Community and Voluntary Pillar of which the NWCI is a member organisation. Officials also attended these engagements. Separately, my Department and the NWCI both participate in the National Strategy for Women and Girls Inter-Departmental Strategy Committee and Equality Budgeting Expert Advisory Group. These groups meet on a regular basis, with a total of eighteen meetings held since 1 January 2019.
231. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if his Department will put measures in place to help with the increased costs which are making it more difficult for persons who avail of the disabled drivers and passengers scheme to change their vehicle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10659/22]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.
Under DDS provisions, the reliefs from VRT and VAT are generous in nature amounting to up to €10,000, €16,000 or €22,000, depending on the level of adaption required for the vehicle. As the Deputy will appreciate this Scheme confers substantial benefits to eligible persons and any changes would raise the already considerable cost of the Scheme in terms of tax foregone to the Exchequer.
The Deputy will be aware that I gave a commitment to review this scheme, including a broader review of mobility supports for persons with a disability. This is now under way within the framework of the cross-governmental National Disability Inclusion Strategy - Chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte. The first meeting of that Working Group was held on 26 January this year.
232. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the estimated time to complete liquidation of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, IBRC; the estimated value of the remaining assets; the number of remaining assets; the number of personnel currently working on the special liquidation; the date on which operations will scale down once the liquidation is complete; if the liquidators will be retained for a period of time; and the cost to date incurred in respect of the liquidation [10825/22]
View answerI published the 8th Update Report from the Special Liquidators in July 2021 and this report is available on my department's website. This report highlighted the ongoing impact which COVID-19 was having on some of the key aspects to delivering a successful winding up of IBRC. In particular, COVID-19 impacted the asset realisation strategies of the Special Liquidators, as well as the timely conclusion of outstanding legal cases which were impacted by delays in court sittings. It is anticipated that the IBRC liquidation will complete by the end of 2024. There are a number of assumptions which underpin this timeline but the conclusion of outstanding litigation is the most material.
The estimated value of the 12 remaining assets is commercially sensitive and the process around the sale of these 12 assets has already commenced.
There are approximately 15 people who continue to work on the liquidation with varying levels of activity.
The date at which operations will scale down will be the date the liquidation finalises, which I anticipate to be the end of 2024 as noted above.
As set out in the 8th Update Report, the special liquidation legal and professional fees to 31 December 2020 amounted to €285.8m (net of rebate).
