Written Answers Nos. 162-184
162. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to make grants available to SMEs to ensure that their websites are accessible for those with disabilities; if it will become a requirement of the trading online voucher scheme that websites are accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59907/22]
View answerMy Department through the enterprise development agencies provides a range of tailored supports for enterprises of all sizes in Ireland. Supports include access to finance, management development, mentoring supports, business development programmes, market supports and trade promotion.
Through Enterprise Ireland the Department ensures the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. Enterprise Ireland work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate, and win export sales in global markets.
The Local Enterprise Offices aim to promote entrepreneurship, foster business start-ups, and develop existing micro and small businesses to drive job creation and to provide accessible high-quality supports for your business ideas.
The Trading Online Voucher scheme, available through the Local Enterprise Offices, is designed to encourage microenterprises (10 or less employees), with little or no online presence, to trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets. The scheme offers financial assistance of up to €2,500 with co-funding of 50% from the business along with training and advice to help them trade online. The Trading Online Voucher scheme cuts the cost of developing an online trading capacity and makes this investment very affordable for many small businesses.
All assistance available through the Local Enterprise Offices are awarded based on an identified business need.
The promotion of accessibility in all facets of life, including websites, is an essential precondition for ensuring that people with disabilities can fully participate in our society.
Under the European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020, all public sector bodies are required to make their websites and mobile applications accessible for people with disabilities. These Regulations do not apply to the private sector.
To support the promotion of web accessibility, guidelines and technical standards have been developed at international and European levels. At national level, the National Disability Authority (NDA) has produced extensive guidance and codes of practice around accessibility. The NDA will provide guidance to any provider. A Centre of Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) has also been established in NDA to promote the principles of accessibility and universal design, including in relation to ICT.
163. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the case of a person (details supplied) who has been refused a work permit to continue working as an SNA will be examined; if any exceptional circumstances or discretion can be applied by his Department to allow this person to continue working in the school given the crisis in attracting and retaining staff in this sector and the difficulties faced by the school in replacing this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59910/22]
View answer166. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has any flexibility in relation to the issuing of temporary work permits for jobs not deemed critical skills jobs in cases in which an applicant (details supplied) has commenced work in a position and where their removal from that position will result in extreme hardship to vulnerable people reliant on their continued employment in that position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59913/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 166 together.
The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that on 24th October 2022 the application concerned (in the details supplied) was refused and on 21st November 2022 a request for a review of the refusal reasons in this case was also refused.
The reasons for the refusal of the application (and the review) were that an advertisement for the employment was not placed with the Department of Social Protection/EURES for 28 days during the 90 days preceding the application and not placed in a national newspaper and in a local newspaper or on a website for three days. The requirements in relation to the Labour Market Needs Test are set out in employment permit regulations and as such must be fully adhered to as the current legislation provides no discretion where there is a failure to carry it out correctly.
The refusal to grant an employment permit does not preclude the applicant from submitting another application for an employment permit. Such an application must comply with all of the legislative requirements for the particular employment permit type. Therefore, in order to obtain an employment permit for the non-EEA national concerned the employer is required to submit new General Employment Permit application after carrying out a valid Labour Market Needs Test for the employment.
Information in relation to the Labour Market Needs Test is available on the Department’s website and can be accessed through this link enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Labour-Market-Needs-Test/.
A Checklist Document has been prepared to assist applicants when applying for a General Employment Permit application and this can be accessed on the Department’s website at enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/General-Employment-Permits-Checklist.pdf.
There is no provision under the Employment Permits legalisation for the provision of temporary employment permits for occupations that do not qualify for a Critical Skills employment permit.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. 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/.If a permit is urgently required, an applicant may request to have an application expedited. A request to have an application expedited will only be considered in exceptional cases and must be accompanied by a compelling business case which details the individual circumstances involved.
165. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he intends to revise current regulation and legislation regarding work permits and categories of critical skills in relation to teaching staff in primary and post primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59912/22]
View answerThe State's employment permit system is vacancy-led and managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which, respectively, prioritise specified in-demand, highly skilled professional roles and identify occupations for which a labour supply should be available in the EEA and so are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit.
The role of Teacher in either secondary or primary schools is currently eligible for the General Employment Permit. In order to ensure that job opportunities are made available to Irish and EEA nationals, employers must undertake a Labour Market Needs Test before a General Employment Permit can be issued.
The Government’s policy is that employment opportunities should, in the first instance, be offered to suitably skilled Irish and other EEA nationals and should only be offered to non-EEA nationals where no suitable candidate emerges from within the EEA to fill the vacancy. This policy fulfils our obligations under the Community Preference principles of membership of the EU.
In order to maintain the relevance of the lists to the needs of the economy and to ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence, these lists undergo evidence-based reviews which are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) of my Department, SOLAS and by a public consultation.
My Department chairs the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group to oversee the review process which includes membership drawn from senior officials of key departments including the Department of Education which has policy responsibility for this sector.
The Department continues to keep the employment permits system under review in light of changing labour market circumstances. Outside of the full review process the Department continues to be in contact with other relevant policy departments to address particular challenges as they arise. The timing of the next Review of the Occupational Lists is being kept under consideration.
167. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he can detail any steps taken by his Department to date to ensure the ERO for the security sector is enforced and implemented; the advice he has received in relation to the current injunction in implementing this ERO; if he can detail any meetings he or his Department have had with interested stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59917/22]
View answerOn 3 August 2022, I signaled my intention to issue an Order to give effect to a statutory recommendation of the Labour Court concerning minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions in the Security Sector. The Order was to apply from 29 August 2022.
On 24 August 2022, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment was informed that the High Court had granted an Injunction prohibiting the commencement of the proposed Statutory Instrument giving effect to the new Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry. As a result of the Injunction, I cannot at this moment in time proceed with the Order. To this end, my officials are actively engaged with legal counsel in relation to the Injunction.
168. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the contracts that have been granted without having to go to public tender; the companies that were granted these contracts and nature of the work involved; the qualifying criteria that was applied to any company awarded such a contract in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60080/22]
View answerMy Department operates a devolved procurement function whereby each business unit and Office of the Department is responsible for the procurement of their own individual contracts. The Offices of the Department include the Companies Registration Office, the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, the Labour Court and the Workplace Relations Commission.
Under the terms of the Department of Finance Circular 40/02, my Department, including the Offices, is required to provide an annual report to the Comptroller and Auditor General providing details of any contracts for goods or services valued at €25,000 or more (excluding VAT) that were awarded without first holding a competitive process i.e. obtaining quotations or advertising on eTenders, the Irish Government’s electronic tendering platform administered by the Office of Government Procurement.
However, in order to provide the Deputy with the full list of contracts undertaken, to include the qualifying criteria that was applied for such contracts, in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022 it will not be possible to provide the details requested within the timeframe specified.
Details regarding this element of the question will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible over the coming days.
169. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide clarity on sections 6 and 9 of the County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Act 2014; if it is Enterprise Ireland that takes the place of a local enterprise office in any legal proceedings after the transfer of function, oversight and liability; and the number of breaches of EU state aid law that have occurred since 2020 in his Department under article 107,108 and 109 and associated EU treaty provisions. [60098/22]
View answerSection 6 of the County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Act 2014, relates to the transfer of the functions of the County Enterprise Boards to Enterprise Ireland as per Section (3) (a) of the Act:
The functions transferred to Enterprise Ireland by this section shall, in the functional area of a local authority, be performed on its behalf by that local authority.
Section (3)(b) provides for the making of arrangements between Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authority to carry out this function:
Enterprise Ireland may make an arrangement with a local authority in relation to the performance by that local authority of functions transferred to Enterprise Ireland by this section and, where such an arrangement is made, the local authority shall perform those functions in accordance with the arrangement.
Section 9 of the Act refers to liability for loss occurring before dissolution day:
(1) A claim in respect of any loss or injury alleged to have been suffered by any person arising out of the performance before the dissolution day of the functions transferred to Enterprise Ireland by this Act shall on and after that day, lie against Enterprise Ireland and not against a county enterprise board.
(2) Any legal proceedings pending immediately before the dissolution day to which a county enterprise board is a party, that relate to a function of that county enterprise board transferred by this Act, shall be continued, with the substitution in the proceedings of Enterprise Ireland, in so far as they so relate, for that county enterprise board and the proceedings shall not abate by reason of such substitution.
(3) Where, before the dissolution day, agreement has been reached between the parties concerned in settlement of a claim to which subsection (1) relates, the terms of the agreement have not been implemented, or judgment in such a claim has been given in favour of a person but has not been enforced, the terms of the agreement or judgment, as the case may be, shall, in so far as they are enforceable against a county enterprise board be enforceable against Enterprise Ireland and not that county enterprise board.
(4) Any claim made or proper to be made by a county enterprise board in respect of any loss or injury arising from the act or default of any person before the dissolution day shall, where the claim relates to functions transferred to Enterprise Ireland by section 6, on and after that day be regarded as having been made by or proper to be made by Enterprise Ireland and may be pursued and sued for by Enterprise Ireland as if the loss or injury had been suffered by Enterprise Ireland.
Further clarification of those sections would be subject to legal interpretation.
Officials in my Department are not aware of any breaches of State Aid law concerning aid granted by either my Department or agencies of my Department where a complaint was subsequently lodged with either the Irish Courts or the European Commission since 2020. As you are aware, State Aid rules are ever evolving and it is possible for a complaint to be made by an individual or enterprise regarding any State Aid measure to the European Commission or the National Courts.
170. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will instruct his Department to investigate a case (details supplied) in relation to the warmth and wellbeing pilot scheme in 2017; if he will ensure that this person's heating is repaired at no cost to them and the original installation company held responsible for their faulty work. [59921/22]
View answerThe administration and management of applications under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI and I as Minister, have no function with regard to individual grant applications. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries such as this from Oireachtas members so important queries such as this can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. I would urge the Deputy to pursue this matter directly with SEAI through following dedicated email address is oireachtas@seai.ie. My officials have also made contact with SEAI in relation to the case referred to by the Deputy and asked that the matter be examined.
171. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications If any windfall tax will be applied to electricity generation companies for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59926/22]
View answer172. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any windfall tax will be applied to the owners and operators of the Corrib gas field for 2022; if so, the estimated revenue that will be generated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59927/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.
Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices came into force in October. This Regulation seeks to address windfall gains in the energy sector through a cap on market revenues for non-gas electricity generators and a temporary solidarity contribution based on surplus taxable profits in the fossil fuel production and refining sector, which would include the Corrib gas field.
The cap on market revenues for non-gas electricity generators will be applied from December 2022 to June 2023 inclusive. The Government has decided that the temporary solidarity contribution will apply for the years 2022 and 2023. The total proceeds from the cap on market revenues and the temporary solidarity contribution, which are both heavily dependent on the price level of natural gas, are projected to be in the range of circa €300 million to €1.9 billion.
My Department is working with other Departments, agencies and stakeholders to fully implement this Regulation.
173. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59982/22]
View answerAwaiting reply from the Department.
174. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the contracts that have been granted without having to go to public tender; the companies that were granted these contracts and nature of the work involved; the qualifying criteria that was applied to any company awarded such a contract in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60081/22]
View answerIn general, competitive tendering is used by my Department unless exceptional circumstances exist which justifies the use of an alternative approach. Circumstances where competitive tendering may not be appropriate, feasible or cost-effective is provided for in Circular 40/02 on Public Procurement. Examples of the exceptions covered by this Circular include sole supplier scenarios, proprietary goods or services, licensing renewals and instances where specialist knowledge/previous experience is essential or where urgency is a factor. Non-competitive contracts are contracts for which competitive tendering is not considered appropriate under the circumstances.
In line with the requirements of Circular 40/02, my Department makes annual returns to the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of contracts in excess of €25,000 which are awarded without a competitive tender process. Contracts awarded by my Department in accordance with Circular 40/02 in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022 are in the table below.
|
Year |
Company |
Nature of work |
Exception Criteria Under Circular 40/02 |
|
2020 |
|||
|
2020 |
Micromail |
Windows 7 - Extended security updates |
Urgency |
|
2020 |
Confidential |
Software for the National Cyber Security Centre |
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2020 |
Independent contractor |
Legal advisory services relating to the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill |
Urgency
|
|
2020 |
Confidential |
Software for the National Cyber Security Centre |
Sole Rights, Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2020 |
Confidential |
Software for the National Cyber Security Centre |
Sole Rights
|
|
2020 |
Confidential |
Software for the National Cyber Security Centre |
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2020 |
McKinsey & Co |
Sensitivity planning to assess potential sectoral costs of achieving more ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets out to 2030 |
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge./ Urgency |
|
2020 |
Independent contractor |
Just Transition |
The commissioner was appointed in light of his specific expertise. |
|
2020 |
New Decade TV |
Outreach & promotion of research |
Sole Rights /AV services |
|
2020 |
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2020 |
KPMG |
Financial and procurement advisory services in support of the National Broadband Plan |
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge. |
|
2020 |
Integrity 360 |
Software Licences |
Urgency |
|
2020 |
PFH Technology |
Software Licences |
Urgency |
|
2020 |
NDRC |
Operation of the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) |
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2020 |
Reveal Data Corporation Ltd |
IT software and related services |
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2020 |
Hayes Solicitors |
Legal Services |
Urgency, Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2020 |
Independent contractors |
Legal Services |
Urgency, Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2021 |
|||
|
2021 |
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine |
Health impact evaluation of the Warmth and Wellbeing scheme
|
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2021 |
Vodafone |
Mobile telephony services
|
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2021 |
Eir
|
Landline telephony services |
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2021 |
Confidential |
Software for the National Cyber Security Centre |
Only one suitably qualified specialist. Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2021 |
Confidential |
Software for the National Cyber Security Centre |
Proprietary product |
|
2021 |
Confidential |
Software for the National Cyber Security Centre |
Proprietary product |
|
2021 |
Independent contractor |
Just Transition |
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2021 |
Confidential |
Software for the National Cyber Security Centre |
Proprietary product |
|
2021 |
Confidential |
Consultancy services for the National Cyber Security Centre |
Only one suitably qualified specialist |
|
2021 |
IHS Markit |
IT licences |
Proprietary product |
|
2021 |
An Post |
IT software |
Sole rights |
|
2021 |
Unit4 |
IT licences |
Sole rights |
|
2021 |
Integrify |
IT software |
Sole rights |
|
2021 |
ESRI Ireland |
IT licences and maintenance |
Sole rights |
|
2021 |
SGS Ireland Limited |
Corestore management and operations |
Urgency |
|
2021 |
Arthur Cox |
Legal services
|
Only one suitably qualified specialist. Specialist expertise |
|
2021 |
National Council for the Blind Ireland |
Telephone switch operator services |
Specialist expertise |
|
2021 |
Precision Box Company |
Storage solution |
Proprietary product |
|
2021 |
Vodafone |
IT services |
Proprietary product |
|
2022 to Date |
|||
|
2022 |
Baringa |
Consultancy services |
Urgency |
|
2022 |
Arthur Cox |
Legal advisory services |
Urgency |
|
2022 |
eir |
Landline telephony services |
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2022 |
Ernst & Young (EY) |
Project Management Support - security of supply actions in support of CRU’s Programme of Action |
Urgency |
|
2022 |
IPA |
Secretariat Support - Security of Electricity Supply Review |
Urgency |
|
2022 |
Kiwa Gastec |
Laboratory Services |
Where there is only one suitably qualified specialist in the relevant field |
|
2022 |
Matheson |
Legal advisory services |
Previous experience/ specialist knowledge |
|
2022 |
McKinsey & Company Ireland Inc |
Technical Advisory Services |
Where there is only one suitably qualified specialist in the relevant field. |
|
2022 |
An Post |
Reduce Your Use – Winter National Door Drop |
Where there is only one suitably qualified specialist in the relevant field. |
|
2022 |
Confidential |
Software for the National Cyber Security Centre |
sole rights |
175. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide clarification on a matter (details supplied) in relation to an application for a rebate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59894/22]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the administration of the Motor Tax Refund Scheme for SPSVs, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the matter.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
176. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport the current status of a Safe Routes to School Programme 2021 for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59908/22]
View answerIn March 2021, I launched the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme as a response to the need to improve safety at the ‘front of school’ environment and enhance access to school grounds. The programme aims to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools and to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities. This will help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure.
The Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is supported by the Department of Education. An Taisce’s Green-Schools is coordinating the programme, while funding will be made available to local authorities who will play a key part in delivering the infrastructure along access routes and at the school gate.
All schools in the state were eligible to apply to the programme and information was circulated in March 2021 from the Departments of Education and Transport to schools nationwide. By the deadline of 16th April 2021, 931 applications had been received from schools in every county in Ireland. Having consulted with the NTA, I understand that the school referred to by the Deputy did not submit an application to the programme and are therefore not part of the Safe Routes to School Programme.
Due to the overwhelming response to the programme (almost 1/4 of schools in Ireland have applied), there are no plans for an additional call for schools to join the SRTS programme at this time. Schools outside of the programme may contact the relevant Local Authority regarding specific safety or infrastructure issues at their school. Information on what schools can do to support active travel is contained in the NTA’s Toolkit for School Travel.
177. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding that has been provided for cycling facilities in Kildare in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59961/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Kildare County Council received an allocation of just under €13.7 million under the NTA's Active Travel Programme in 2022 for walking and cycling projects. Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer in relation to specific funding for cycling facilities. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
178. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the extraordinary delay for drivers seeking to book a national car test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59962/22]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have therefore referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply.
I am very aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet demand and the delays which vehicle owners have encountered since the start of this year. I have met with the RSA to convey the seriousness of this matter and my officials are meeting weekly with the RSA to monitor progress in reducing test delays, as well as supporting any appropriate requests from the RSA for assistance.
Progress is being made in addressing the long-term staffing resource issues behind this backlog. The Deputy will be aware that 20 staff from the NCTS's counterpart in Spain have recently been temporarily assigned to Northpoint test centre, which is one of the test centres most affected by delays.
In light of the labour shortages in this sector across the EU, my department has worked with Minister English's department to amend the Employment Permits Regulations and allow up to 100 qualified non-EU personnel to be recruited as needed. 44 new testers are currently being trained and will be assigned to those centres with the longest delays before the end of the year.
These measures are in addition to the 53 new staff employed by the NCTS earlier in the year, a significant increase in staff overtime, allowing 8 tests per tester per day instead of 7, and the forthcoming pilot for additional inspection personnel to assist vehicle inspectors with automated elements of the test. Recruitment is also continuing on an on-going basis.
I am advised that customers seeking test appointments may contact the NCTS directly, by calling 01-4135992, or may avail of the priority waiting list function via the NCT website, www.ncts.ie. In the majority of cases, these vehicle owners are provided with an appointment within 30 days.
179. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the progress being made with the Athy distributor road; the target date for the opening of the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59984/22]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants.
The Athy Southern Distributor Road is one of the limited number of strategic regional and local road improvement schemes being undertaken under the National Development Plan.
Implementation of the Athy Southern Distributor Road is the responsibility of Kildare County Council. Following the conclusion of the tender process for the main construction contract for the scheme, the contract was awarded in late 2021 and the construction programme is underway. My understanding is that the scheme is scheduled to be completed in 2024.
180. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a report on the provision of a new Coast Guard station in Killaloe, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60029/22]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) building programme – essentially aimed at ensuring Coast Guard Units along the coast are fit for purpose. The programme is managed through the Office of Public Works (OPW) from planning design to build and on-going maintenance, with legal assistance as necessary from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.
The provision of a new Coast Guard station for the Killaloe Unit has been a priority on the Building Programme for the IRCG for a number of years.
The Killaloe IRCG Unit is currently based in a site on the banks of Lough Derg in a small area licensed from the ESB. The site is not a viable long term option for the unit and does not meet the required standards of accommodation for the IRCG Volunteers.
The Office of Public Works has been requested to locate a suitable site for a new coast guard station in the area. Their Property Advisory Services team is currently carrying out investigations including a full market trawl to help identify all viable options available to the unit.
On receipt of the report of these investigations, IRCG will then be in a position to make a decision on the best location for the new Coast Guard Station and proceed to the site acquisition phase.
181. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the contracts that have been granted without having to go to public tender; the companies that were granted these contracts and nature of the work involved; the qualifying criteria that was applied to any company awarded such a contract in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60091/22]
View answerMy department is currently in the process of compiling the information requested and will forward this to the Deputy within 10 working days.
182. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if it is possible to introduce a service cheque (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59919/22]
View answerMy understanding is that the service cheque scheme to which the details supplied refer, operates primarily by way of direct expenditure subsidy rather than as a tax expenditure measure (albeit that there is an element of a tax refund involved in the example cited).
In addition, I believe that schemes of this nature may be directed a range of different social objectives: health care, social care or labour force activation, for example.
Accordingly, it would seem that the introduction of a service cheque scheme along the lines outlined would, in the first instance, be a matter for the relevant line Minister, possibly in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, rather than for me as Minister for Finance.
The question of additional support through the tax system for any such scheme would then need to be evaluated against the framework of the Department of Finance Tax Expenditure Guidelines. These guidelines state that any policy proposal which involves tax expenditures should only occur in limited circumstances, for example, where there are demonstrable market failures.
183. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if he can arrange for the capacity to upload photos to be increased on Revenue.ie current given that the maximum is 5mb which is inadequate. [59946/22]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that there are a number of different file size limitations in place across Revenue’s many online services. These limits are in place to ensure performance and take account of technical limitations. The current limit for uploading supporting documentation for Income Tax Returns is 10MB (megabytes) per file. The Revenue receipts tracker service has a current limitation of 2MB per file. Plans are underway to upgrade this limit to 10MB in the coming months. Revenue constantly reviews and upgrades its online services to provide the best possible user experience.
184. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on Louth County Councils plans to develop phase 1 of the Northern Cross Route in Drogheda using NTMA funding; if he will provide an update on recent discussions with Louth County Council on the proposed plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59954/22]
View answerAs Minister for Finance I have no direct involvement in the commercial investments considered by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), so it is not appropriate for me to comment on the specific project referenced. I can confirm that the ISIF has a very strong focus on regional development and in particular on enabling the regions to support balanced growth. ISIF and its investees provide regular updates to the market on investments completed once they are fully documented and signed
