Written Answers Nos. 197-207
197. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to identify and address gender pay disparity in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17355/22]
View answerThe Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 introduced a legislative basis for gender pay gap reporting in Ireland and reporting by organisations with over 250 employees will begin this year.
Regulations to give effect to this legislation are in preparation and will be published in the coming weeks together with guidance for employers by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs.
Gender pay gap reporting will enable my Department, offices and agencies to identify the drivers behind individual gender pay gaps and as part of the reporting process, to explain the gender pay gap and to propose measures and steps to be taken to address areas identified.
My Department is working with other Government Departments and the National Shared Services Office to develop reports to measure the gender pay gap.
Areas being considered are:
- technology and supports required to make the calculations
- The pay elements required to be included in the calculations
- Consistent analyses of payroll data
- Developing a reporting template to publish a statement which will set out the Gender Pay Gap, and detail the reasons for the gap and any measures that will be taken to address the gap including to identify and mitigate any equal pay or discrimination issue
Once the regulations are completed reports will be developed to ensure consistency of measurement and to meet the December 2022 commencement date for reporting. This new legislation is another step in ensuring we all work towards achieving gender equality in the workplace.
198. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to encourage active travel modes to and from work in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17374/22]
View answerThe Department is a strong advocate of the Green and Wellbeing agendas, areas which are of relevance to active travel.
Over the last few years our cross-Departmental "Green Team" has been strengthened with representation in membership across all locations, including our Offices. These include the Companies Registration Office which incorporates the Registry of Friendly Societies and the Register of Beneficial Owners; the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland; the Labour Court, the Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Workplace Relations Commission.
For 2022, the Department signed up to the "Smarter Travel Workplaces" programme which is run by the National Transport Authority (NTA). Through this programme the Department will participate in various active transport initiatives which include "March-athon", Bike Week and "WalktOber".
In collaboration with the NTA, over the summer months we will undertake an "Active Travel" site audit of each of our eleven buildings and undertake an Active Travel survey with staff.
Other initiatives, as part of our annual "Green Month" programme and as part of our Wellbeing Framework,, have focused on providing support and advice to encourage colleagues to get active by walking, cycling and running. Examples have included:
- The ‘DETE on Tour’ initiative where distances cycled by staff as part of their commute, or as part of their own physical activity were logged and combined cumulatively to demonstrate the reduction of the staff’s carbon footprint;
- Couch to 5k, and 5k – 10K support and advice from the staff running club;
- A Bike servicing webinar and onsite clinic.
We have also engaged with the Department of Transport regarding the Cycle Friendly Employer EU certification scheme developed by the European Cyclists’ Federation.
The Department has also been a participant in the Government’s “Bike to Work” scheme since its introduction in 2009 which encourages staff to cycle to work. There is no cost incurred to the Department’s vote in participating in this scheme and the bicycles and any related equipment which qualify under the Scheme are paid for by staff themselves by way of salary sacrifice spread over a single year.
The Department is also working with the Office of Public Works as part of an upgrade to the basement area of 23 Kildare Street to provide enhanced shower facilities and additional space for bicycles, drying racks and lockers for staff of the Department and staff from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media with whom my Department shares the building. These facilities enhancements will support staff who wish to walk, run or cycle to/from the office as part of their daily commute.
In addition, the promotion of active travel will continue to feature in our Wellbeing Framework which my Department is currently reviewing and updating to take into account learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolution to hybrid working.
Active travel and its promotion by the Agencies under the remit of my Department forms part of their day-to-day operations, and as such is a matter for the respective Boards and Chief Executive Officers to determine.
199. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there has been an update in relation to his intention to grant a mining licence for the purpose of mining for gold and silver and other minerals in the hinterland of Thurles, County Tipperary; if so, the rationale for the granting of such a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17261/22]
View answerThere has been no application received for a mining licence near Thurles, County Tipperary. My Department previously published a notice of intention to grant Prospecting Licences in this area for a thirty day public consultation, which closed on 21 January 2022.
The current application to grant Prospecting Licences remains under consideration by my Department and no final decision has been made as of yet. A PL holder may undertake mineral exploration activities, such as mapping, geophysical and geochemical surveys, and drilling in accordance with Prospecting Licence conditions and environmental legislation. Seeking permission to mine is a separate process requiring three State authorisations; planning permission from the local county council; a licence from the EPA (Industrial Emissions or Integrated Pollution Control licence); and a State Mining Licence/Lease.
200. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to identify and address gender pay disparity in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17356/22]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing an inclusive work environment for all colleagues. Our Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 23, is underpinned by the values set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan and is committed to human rights, equality and anti-discrimination. A key action for 2022 arising from this is Ag Obair Le Chéile, a comprehensive action plan to develop the Department's people, culture and organisation to deliver, improve and transform the Department. As part of Ag Obair le Chéile, in 2022, my Department will develop and deliver a People Strategy and adopt a new blended working policy. Gender equality is a key focus within these deliverables. Our Department’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Group was established last year with the aim to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace. This Group is a cross representative group and will play an integral role in driving forward the Department’s vision for inclusion, diversity and equality to create a fairer and more inclusive workspace. A gender equality sub group has been established as part of EDI group.
At my Department’s International Women’s Day event, an overview of data related to gender balance in my Department was presented to staff, along with the Department’s Gender Equality Plan, which includes a set of commitments and goals for the coming year based on the collected data and continuous engagement with staff.
The salaries of Civil Servants are attached to relevant pay scales as set out by DPER. My Department intends to improve data analysis around internal competitions, female participation in leadership and gender pay disparity.
The information requested in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each body. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
201. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to encourage active travel modes to and from work in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17375/22]
View answerMy Department participates in the Government Cycle to Work Scheme which is a tax incentive scheme designed to give employers the opportunity to offer their employees savings when purchasing a bicycle /electric bike for the purposes of primarily commuting to work.Most of the Departments offices offer bike parking and shower facilities to staff who chose to walk, cycle or scoot to work. My Department's new HQ which is being constructed at present will see a significant increase in the range of facilities available to staff who chose to chose active travel modes to attend the office. These facilities will include bike repair stands and e bike charging stations. The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
202. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if signs could be provided by the Department for places where animals are grazing in public common grounds such as hills, mountains and so on, to advise the public to be mindful of these animals when they are out for walks with their dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17164/22]
View answerThe Traffic Signs Manual constitutes a Direction given by the Minister for Transport to Road Authorities under Section 95(16) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 in relation to the provision of traffic signs. The Deputy is requesting signage off the public road and on lands to warn of animals grazing.
While the Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 6 does contain warning signs for animals on the public road, it would not be suitable for these signs to be used off-road as it would dilute their importance for road safety. It might be that such requested signs could be developed in association with Local Authorities, through their bye-laws, and could be enforced through the Control of Dogs Act.
203. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will allow taxi drivers that are about to retire to resale their taxi plates or introduce a buy-back scheme for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17172/22]
View answerThe Deputy may recall that prior to the liberalisation of the taxi market, taxi licences changed hands for upwards of IR£80,000 in a broken market which favoured incumbents, and disadvantaged both new entrants eager to earn a living, and the general public that wished to use taxis.
The current licensing regime for small public service vehicles (SPSVs) is built upon the principle that the purpose of a licence is to indicate a person’s suitability to carry out a function and to ensure that the holder of a licence is subject to lawful conditions and restrictions. As such, a licence should not have, by association, a monetary value or be tradable on the open market. As quantitative restrictions have been removed from the taxi market and there are no barriers to entry to this industry - other than the obligation to use a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) - it is not clear how the re-sale of licences would deliver benefits to the industry, or members of the public that use these services, especially those who require access to WAVs. Accordingly, no consideration is being given to the introduction of a "buy back" scheme as suggested by the Deputy.
204. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the motor tax fees collected by his Department, by county and month in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17210/22]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
205. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons on waiting lists for driving tests in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath and nationwide to date; the length of time they have been waiting; the stage they are at in their application process, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17211/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test, and as the information requested is held by the Authority I have referred the Deputy's question 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.
206. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of waiving public transport fees for persons in possession of a student leap card. [17214/22]
View answerAs 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 the statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services and also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services by way of public transport services contracts in respect of services that are socially necessary but commercially unviable. The funding of those services comprises both the fares paid by passengers and the subvention payments from the Exchequer. The main purpose of the subvention payment is to meet the gap between income from fares and the cost of operating services.
The provision of public transport services is heavily dependent on passenger fare revenue as it normally contributes about 65% of the operational cost. The remaining 35% of cost is covered by the PSO grant and the Department of Social Protection grant under the free travel scheme.
Prior to COVID-19, €287 million of Exchequer funding was provided for PSO services in Budget 2020; however, since 2020, additional funding has been required to continue to address the significant COVID impacts on public transport provision. All PSO providers are currently in receipt of emergency support funding to compensate for fare revenue loss arising as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector, and the associated fall in passenger numbers (passenger numbers fell to below 10% of 2019 levels at the height of the restrictions in 2020 and 2021). Further, on 25/06/2020 Government approved the introduction of temporary financial supports for the licensed bus sector – commercial operators (in accordance with EU and national legislation).
In 2022, I secured €538m to support PSO services including over €200m to address COVID expenses (i.e. loss of fare revenue, cleaning costs). Up to €12m will be provided as ongoing support for the licensed bus sector; while, over €15m has also been allocated to support Local Link regular service provision in rural Ireland.
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 all PSO services until the end of 2022. These discounted fares will benefit the hundreds of thousands of people across the country who use PSO public transport every day. €54m in Exchequer funding has been secured to allow for the introduction of these discounted fares.
Also, in recognition of the importance of incentivising young people to use public transport, as part of Budget 2022 I secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a young adult card (YAC) which will allow any person nationwide who is between 19 and 23 years old, to avail of an entitlement for discounted travel costs, and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount to an average of discount of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services. It is envisaged that the discount will initially be made available on PSO services, and then broadened to include commercial operators at a later date. This will not only promote modal shift in the transport sector among this age group but should also contribute towards a reduced reliance on private transport with associated benefit of transport emission savings.
The PSO programme represents a significant expenditure of taxpayers' money, and funding has increased in recent years to cater for additional services and growing capacity. Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance. Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the estimated cost of waiving public transport fees for persons in possession of a student leap card. to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
207. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of making the city bikes scheme free of charge for all students in Ireland. [17215/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure. The management of the public bike schemes is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), which works closely with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the NTA's role in the matter, I have referred 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.
