Written Answers Nos. 126-150
126. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if steps will be taken to cease the practice of segregation and discrimination against children on the basis of religion in schools by moving the teaching of religion to outside school hours, thereby allowing parents to choose whether they want their child to receive religious instruction in the school setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41419/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraReligious education is one of the seven curricular areas of the Primary School Curriculum (1999) and schools are currently required to allocate thirty minutes per day for religious education. Section 30 of the Education Act 1998 provides that time will be made available in the school day to teach curriculum that arises from the characteristic spirit of the school.
This means that, unlike other curricular areas, the content of the religious education programme and arrangements for faith formation and sacramental preparation in a primary school is determined by the patron of the school. Multi-denominational schools, such as Community National Schools, teach a multi-belief and values curriculum, which is inclusive of all children. In such schools, faith formation and preparation for religious sacraments takes place outside of school hours.
Under the Constitution and the Education Act 1998 parents have a right to have their children opt out of any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parent of the student or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student themself.
The manner in which any school ensures that the right to opt-out of any class including religion is upheld is a matter for the school concerned. The precise nature of the arrangements have to be considered by each school having regards to the particular circumstances in question including factors such as the numbers of children involved, the ages of those children and the availability of staff and physical space in the school concerned.
The Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector (2012) acknowledged that denominational religious education, including faith formation and sacramental preparation are long-established features of the primary system. With regard to denominational religious education in primary schools, the Forum’s Report did not recommend that it be removed from the school day.
However, the Advisory Group had concerns about the amount of time which can be devoted to sacramental preparation in some schools and they recommended that it should not be allowed to encroach on time allocated for the general curriculum.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is in the process of reviewing and redeveloping the Primary School Curriculum as a whole. As part of this process the allocation of time across the curriculum will be considered, which will include the time allocated to religious education. The NCCA will publish a draft overview of a redeveloped primary curriculum in autumn 2019.
The Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector also recommended that the State has a responsibility to ensure that all children have the right to receive Education about Religion and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics. ERB and Ethics is being considered as part of the review and redevelopment of the primary curriculum, and is intended to be suitable for all children regardless of their religious beliefs.
At post-primary level, the Religious Education curriculum designed by the NCCA is an optional examinable subject at Junior and Leaving Certificate. Schools are not required to include the NCCA-developed Religious Education syllabuses at Junior or Senior Cycle as mandatory subjects on their curriculum
127. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the important role that school secretaries play in the education system (details supplied); the steps he will take to bring these members of staff into the direct employ of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41418/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools. I have spoken to a number of school secretaries about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised.
In Budget 2020 I increased the number of secretaries in certain schools, allowing schools with enrolments of 500-625 to fill secretary vacancies provided they have fewer than 1.5 secretaries, and schools with enrolments of 626-699 will be permitted to fill vacancies provided they have fewer than two posts filled. These measures will take effect from September 2020.
Earlier this year I relaxed the moratorium for those C&C and ETB schools with enrolments of 700 and more which allow them to employ additional school secretaries up to a maximum of two per school. There are 91 schools in the C&C and ETB Sector who meet this criteria, based on the information currently available to this Department. This is an initial step and has taken immediate effect
Schemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of clerical officers and caretakers in schools. The schemes were withdrawn completely in 2008. These schemes have been superseded by the more extensive capitation grant schemes. The current grant scheme was agreed in the context of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, published in 1991.
The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools now receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under these grant schemes. It is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs. Where a school uses the grant funding for caretaking or secretarial purposes, any staff taken on to support those functions are employees of individual schools. Specific responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.
On foot of a Chairman’s Note to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, my Department engaged with the Unions representing school secretaries and caretakers, including through an independent arbitration process in 2015. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for staff and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 be phased in over that period. This arbitration agreement covers the period up to 31 December 2019.
The arbitration agreement was designed to be of greatest benefit to lower-paid secretaries and caretakers. For example, a secretary or caretaker who was paid the then minimum wage of €8.65 per hour in 2015 prior to the arbitration has from 1 January 2019, been paid €13 per hour which is a 50% increase in that individual’s hourly pay.
Officials from my Department attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Education and Skills on 9 April to discuss the status of non-teaching staff.
In May this year officials from my Department had discussions with FÓRSA trade union representatives as part of a planned meeting. FÓRSA took the opportunity to formally table a pay claim.
This was tabled as a follow-on claim from the current pay agreement for this cohort of staff which lasts until December 2019. The Department issued surveys on the 10th of July to establish the full current cost of the trade union’s claim. This is standard practice.
Officials from the Department met with FÓRSA representatives in September. Management Bodies representing the employers of schools impacted by the action were also in attendance at the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to further explore the details of the pay claim as presented by FÓRSA and the nature of the industrial action.
On 30 September FÓRSA requested the Department to agree to use the services of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to resolve the dispute. As is normal practice the Department has agreed to use the industrial relations machinery of the state in an effort to resolve this matter.
In order to address the various issues within the claim and to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution, the Department is in discussions with FÓRSA under the auspices of the WRC.
128. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the lack of enforcement being undertaken by An Garda Síochána to prevent private vehicles using bus lanes in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42461/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached record levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. I am pleased to have secured an overall increase of €122 million in Budget 2020 which will increase An Garda Síochána’s budget to an unprecedented €1.882 billion for next year. Very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021. This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
The Garda Commissioner has responsibility for managing An Garda Síochána including the allocation of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I understand however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
In relation to the matter of enforcement regarding the issue of private vehicles using bus lanes in Dublin, the Commissioner has provided me with a report on the matter and indicates that the following table sets out the number of Fixed Charge Notices issued in 2017, 2018 and 2019 (Jan-Sept) within the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
|
2017 |
2018 |
Jan-Sep 2019 |
|
|
Driver Entering a Bus Lane |
3133 |
4035 |
3072 |
|
Driver Entering a Contra Flow Bus Lane |
28 |
71 |
22 |
|
Driver entering Bus Only Street |
20 |
25 |
15 |
|
Total |
3181 |
4131 |
3109 |
Note: All figures provided are provisional, operational and subject to change.
As the Deputy will appreciate, this data indicates a significant increase in the number of Fixed Charge Notices issued in respect of these matters in 2018 when compared with 2017. Levels of Fixed Charge Notices issued to date in 2019 appear generally consistent with the level seen in 2018.
129. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill 2018, as it relates to thalidomide survivors and unacknowledged thalidomide survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42489/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question of how best to support thalidomide survivors remains under consideration by my colleague, the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, T.D., who holds primary policy responsibility for this area. In responding to the Deputy, I am also conscious of the fact that this is an area which is the subject of ongoing proceedings before the High Court to which Minister Harris is a party.
The Minister for Health has confirmed the Government’s intention to bring forward Heads of a Bill to provide for a package of health and personal social services for the Irish survivors of thalidomide. It is understood from the Department of Health that this work is still on-going and that the Department remains in liaison with Thalidomide Ireland and other stakeholders on these matters.
My Department is engaged in an ongoing review of the broader Statute of Limitations regime in Ireland. However in terms of the question of any changes that might be made to the law as part of a specific Department of Health policy response in this area, the Government will, of course, be guided by the Minister for Health including in the context of the package of supports that he will be proposing to Government under his Department's anticipated Health Bill.
130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has engaged and-or consulted with the Garda Commissioner and-or other authorities in respect of broadening and-or abolishing the upper age limit on persons wishing to make an application to become a full-time serving trainee Garda in line with the PSNI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42502/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 which provide that the age at which a person may apply to join An Garda Síochána as a full time member is not more than 35 years.
On 18 December 2018, the Government endorsed the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and agreed to accept all of its 157 key recommendations, including those related to Garda workforce planning and modernisation. The report is now being implemented in accordance with the targets and timelines set out in "A Policing Service for the Future", the four year implementation plan for the recommendations of the Commission.
Among the issues highlighted in the report was that An Garda Síochána should reflect the diversity of Irish society and should therefore develop recruitment strategies to achieve a more diverse intake. In this regard, it recommended that age limits for recruitment should be removed. These recommendations echoed those of the Garda Inspectorate following their examination of entry routes into An Garda Síochána.
I can inform the Deputy that the question of the appropriate age for recruitment to An Garda Síochána will be considered as part of my Department's broader review of entry to An Garda Síochána.
131. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a naturalisation application by a person (details supplied); when the application will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42507/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on 2 April 2019. This application continues to be processed with a view to the establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If further documentation is required it will be requested from the applicant in due course.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
Should the person have concerns about other matters relating to their immigration permission they should contact the Immigration Office which issued their current permission in order to address the matter.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the Immigration Service is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
132. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of files relating to historical cases of child abuse being kept at the headquarters of an organisation (details supplied) that have been forwarded to An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42511/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the information sought by the Deputy. I will write directly to the Deputy once I receive it.
133. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42517/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the person referred to had sought the setting up of an inquiry under section 109 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 arising from his dissatisfaction with the progress of his complaint to GSOC.
I examined the matter in light of the person's request and, as I am required to do under the Act, I consulted with GSOC. Following that consultation, I decided that there were not sufficient grounds for me to invoke section 109 of the Act.
My office wrote to the person on 19 December 2018 to inform him of my decision. The letter also set out the grounds for the decision including that the conduct alleged against the GSOC designated officer was not such as to meet the threshold for invoking section 109. It encouraged him to continue to engage with GSOC in order to progress the investigation of his complaint.
For the sake of clarity, I want to clearly state that the request for a section 109 inquiry did not result in a discontinuation of the GSOC investigation. Consequently there was no referral by me to GSOC in this instance.
I should point out, given the nature of an inquiry under section 109 of the Garda Síochána Act, that it cannot be considered to be an ordinary complaints or grievance procedure. An inquiry under section 109 requires the Chief Justice to request a Judge of a Superior Court to conduct the inquiry. Such an inquiry must, therefore, be viewed as being far from a standard occurrence.
As referred to by the Deputy, the person concerned wrote to my Department again last month. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has responded directly to the person concerned.
134. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civilian executives and Garda civilian staff under investigation who have been suspended each year since 2010 to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42533/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra135. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civilian executives and Garda civilian staff, if suspended, who have been reduced to zero rate of pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42534/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra136. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if serving sworn members of An Garda Síochána while the subject of a public interest inquiry are permitted to be promoted; if not, if promotion is dependent upon the outcome of such an inquiry. [42535/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 to 136, inclusive, together.
The Garda Commissioner has responsibility for managing An Garda Síochána and for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for personnel matters. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy. I will write directly to the Deputy once I receive it.
137. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide the last date on which he and-or his officials were briefed with an update by the DPP and-or An Garda Síochána in respect of the final report of the Moriarty tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42549/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would refer the Deputy to my previous response to questions on this matter, most recently Question 250 on 4 July 2018. The Deputy will appreciate that criminal investigations and other operational matters are, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner. Likewise it is a matter for the DPP to decide, independently in the exercise of her functions, if any charges should be brought and I have no role in these matters.
138. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the end recipients of funding that was initially given to an organisation (details supplied) in each of the years 2008 to 2016 in respect of State investment in the intercultural plan of same; the reason for the gaps in 2013, 2014 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42554/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt will not be possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy within the time allowed. When the information has been collated I will write to the Deputy on the matter.
139. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his progress in addressing the issues raised by the High Court judgment in respect of time spent outside the State in terms of applications for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42626/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that the recent judgment of the High Court relating to continuous residency under Section 15(1)(c) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 (as amended) has given cause for concern. The matter remains before the courts, with the Court of Appeal reserving judgement on the appeal on the 8th October, and the matter, therefore, remains sub-judice. The outcome of the appeal will have a bearing on whether or not legislation is required. Should it be necessary, I intend to introduce a Bill in the Oireachtas as soon as possible this term.
My Department is doing everything possible to put a solution in place on an urgent basis. At the end of July, I obtained Cabinet approval for a proposed Bill to address the matter and intensive work is taking place in my Department where officials are working with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in the Attorney General’s Office to finalise the draft Bill.
As soon as the legal issues are resolved, my Department will make all necessary arrangements for the next Citizenship Ceremony. Invitations will issue four weeks in advance of the ceremony to ensure everyone has adequate notice.
The advice to those who are planning to apply for citizenship is to continue to collect all of the necessary proofs that support their application and to submit a comprehensive application form. Once a solution is in place, if any additional information is required, applicants will be contacted as part of the processing of their application.
The ruling is not considered to have consequences for anyone who has already obtained citizenship under the Act.
140. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason nurses from outside the EU with diplomas, who are seeking work permits here, are not considered under the critical skills permit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42365/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe critical skills employment permit is designed to attract highly skilled people into the labour market. Eligible occupations, on the critical skills occupation list, under this type of permit are deemed to be critically important to growing Ireland's economy, are highly demanded and highly skilled and in significant shortage of supply in our labour market. For this employment type non-EEA nationals must be the holder of a degree level qualification or higher in the relevant field if the remuneration on offer is between €30,000 and €60,000 per annum. In cases where the remuneration is €60,000 or more, the non-EEA national can be either the holder of a degree level qualification or higher in the relevant field or have the necessary experience for the role.
The determination of qualification equivalence is made by NARIQ Ireland; information is available at www.qqi.ie/Articles/Pages/Qualifications-Recognition.aspx.
Where NARIQ Ireland determines that a qualification is equivalent to a degree awarded by an Irish third level institution, the holder of that qualification may be granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit if they also meet the other conditions for grant. However, if the qualification is deemed not to be equivalent, then the criteria for a Critical Skills Employment Permit where the remuneration is less than €60,000 per annum cannot be met.
Qualified non-EEA nurses who wish to work in Ireland may be eligible for Critical Skills Employment Permits where they have been awarded a relevant degree or degree equivalent and the proposed employment meets the criteria for this type of employment permit. Where a non-EEA nurse is qualified to practice nursing in Ireland but does not hold a relevant degree or degree equivalent as recognised by NARIQ Ireland, they may be eligible for a General Employment Permit in order to work here.
Non-EEA nurses who wish to work in Ireland must normally complete an adaptation process in order to register with The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Permission to be in the State to undertake this process is granted by the Department of Justice and Equality.
141. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation following the announcement in budget 2020 of a no-deal Brexit support fund for enterprises totalling €110 million, the details of the monetary amount that will be made up of financial instruments (details supplied) in tabular form. [42373/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs announced last Tuesday as part of Budget 2020 my Department will have immediate access to €110 million of the Brexit contingency fund in the event of a no-deal Brexit scenario. A suite of measures will be activated to support businesses that are most affected. Importantly, this package is an initial tranche, which will be built upon as required.
There are currently a range of grant supports, vouchers and other direct payments available to firms, and there will continue to be grant-aid supports available for ‘vulnerable but viable’ firms as part of the mix of supports for firms in a post-Brexit scenario. In 2018 alone EI approved €74m to Brexit impacted firms in grant support.
Experience to date and indications from businesses are that the immediate issues are going to be in relation to acute liquidity issues, whether that is to deal with currency, supply chain delays or loss of orders, and hence the need for short terms support for a broad base of firms.
In addition to the existing range of grant and other supports from the agencies and the LEOs, several new schemes were announced as part of Budget 2020 that will be activated in a No Deal scenario. The form of support will be bespoke to the circumstances of individual firms and thereby where permissible the funding will be a mix of grants or loans and equity. These are set out in the table.
My objective in the provision of support through the development agencies and bodies such as Micro-Finance Ireland is to ensure that we use the most appropriate mix of supports for individual firms to address their needs. It is important that interventions can be spread across the broadest base of firms as possible.
|
DBEI Scheme |
Form of Support |
|
Rescue and Restructuring fund - €42 million |
Loans or Equity |
|
Transition Fund - €45 million |
Grants, Loans and/or Equity |
|
Transformation - €8 million |
Grants |
|
Emergency Brexit Fund for Micro Enterprises - €5 million to MFI - €5 million to LEOs |
Repayable Grants and Loans |
The remaining €5 million in the €110 million initial no-deal Brexit contingency fund for my Department will be allocated to InterTrade Ireland (€2 million) to support firms in the border region, North and South; and to Regulatory Bodies (€3million) to meet additional demands in the areas of market surveillance, accreditation and conformity. These bodies include the National Standards Authority, the Irish National Accreditation Board, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Health and Safety Authority.
Rescue and Restructuring Fund – €42 million
This fund is for the worst-case scenario. It will rescue firms with acute liquidity or insolvency problems and support them to put a restructuring plan in place to adjust to their new reality with investment support potentially of up to €10m under state aid rules for firms of all sizes depending on circumstances.
The funding will be provided in the form of equity or loans (as required by State aid rules) through Enterprise Ireland and it will be available to eligible EI, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta clients, as well as non-agency clients.
Transition Fund – €45 million
This Fund will support businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector, ranging from food and engineering firms to business process outsourcing firms. It will help those businesses to adapt their business model as needed and adjust to the new trading reality. It is targeted at businesses with 10 or more employees.
The funding will be provided through grants, equity and loan support of up to €1m dependent on the circumstances of individual firms. Similar to the Rescue and Restructuring Fund, it will be delivered through Enterprise Ireland and available to eligible Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta clients, as well as non-agency clients.
Transformation Fund - €8 million
This Fund will be administered by Enterprise Ireland.
The funding will be provided as grants supporting larger indigenous firms to transform their business to develop new products and processes, to achieve a step-up in levels of competitiveness and innovation and to assist in diversifying to new markets. There will be initial funding of €5 million for primary food processing companies and €3 million for non-food companies, for example, in traditional engineering sectors. Additional funding for food transformation is also being made available through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Emergency Brexit Fund for Micro Enterprises - LEO repayable grants – €5 million
The LEOs will operate a new “Micro-Enterprise Emergency Brexit Fund”.
The funding will be provided in the form of a repayable grant at a 0% interest rate, which is how the LEOs currently provide grants, worth up to €50,000 through their LEO.
This support is linked to the MFI support below. Enterprises will have first recourse to MFI and then, if required, they may avail of further support in the form of a repayable grant worth up to €50,000 through their LEO.
Microfinance Ireland (MFI) – €5 million
This funding will allow Microfinance Ireland to increase the amount it can lend to microenterprises from €25,000 to €50,000 over a 2-5 year period at a competitive interest rate.
142. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation following the announcement in budget 2020 of a rescue and restructuring fund of €42 million for a no-deal Brexit scenario, the details of the monetary amount that will be provided according to financial instruments (details supplied) in tabular form. [42374/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the Budget last week, the Government is putting in place an additional contingency package of over €1 billion for Brexit supports for the coming year. This contingency will ensure that an initial provision of €110 million will be available to my Department and our Enterprise and Regulatory Agencies to provide targeted supports to impacted businesses in the immediate aftermath should there be a no deal Brexit outcome. The provision will also allow for additional tranches of supports to be provided to meet actual needs as the impacts of a No Deal develop.
The Rescue and Restructuring Fund (R&R Fund) is one of the supports announced in Budget 2020. It is contingent on the outcome of negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union and will only come into effect in the event of a No Deal Brexit.
The R&R Fund will be available to vulnerable but viable enterprises. It is designed to rescue firms with acute liquidity or insolvency problems and support them to put a restructuring plan in place to adjust to their new reality with investment support potentially of up to €10 million under state aid rules for firms of all sizes depending on circumstance. It is intended that supports under the scheme would be available to all enterprises, employing 10 people or more (excluding primary agriculture and fisheries, sole traders etc) but only as a last resort. Enterprises seeking to avail of R&R supports will have to demonstrate that they have been unable to access mainstream lending.
The R&R Fund will be delivered by Enterprise Ireland (EI) in two distinct streams. Support will initially be provided by way of acute lending funding to assist enterprises experiencing severe difficulties and subsequently by way of equity funding to assist those firms to develop and implement a restructuring plan. The funding mix and allocation as between instruments will be dependent on individual circumstances of impacted firms.
Funding will be available to eligible EI, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta clients, as well as non-agency clients.
It is important to reiterate that this fund is designed to mitigate the negative impacts of a No Deal Brexit and will only be activated if no agreement is reached between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
143. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation following the announcement in budget 2020 of a transformation fund of €8 million for a no-deal Brexit scenario, the details of the monetary amount that will be provided according to financial instruments (details supplied) in tabular form. [42375/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the Budget last week, the Government is putting in place an additional contingency package of over €1billion for Brexit supports for the coming year. This contingency will ensure that an initial provision of €110m will be available to my Department and our Enterprise and Regulatory Agencies to provide targeted supports to impacted businesses in the immediate aftermath should there be a no deal Brexit outcome. The provision will also allow for additional tranches of supports to be provided to meet actual needs as the impacts of a No Deal develop.
The Transformation Fund is one of the supports announced in Budget 2020. It is contingent on the outcome of negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union and will only come into effect in the event of a No Deal Brexit.
The Transformation Fund will be administered by Enterprise Ireland (EI). It is a grant scheme which is designed to support larger indigenous firms to transform their business to develop new products and processes, to achieve a step-up in levels of competitiveness and innovation and to assist in diversifying to new markets.
There will be initial funding of €5 million for food processing companies and €3million for non-food companies, for example, in traditional engineering sectors.
It is important to reiterate that this fund is designed to mitigate the negative impacts of a No Deal Brexit and will only be activated if no agreement is reached between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
144. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation following the announcement in budget 2020 of a transition fund of €45 million for a no-deal Brexit scenario, the details of the monetary amount that will be provided according to financial instruments (details supplied) in tabular form. [42376/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the Budget last week, the Government is putting in place an additional contingency package of over €1billion for Brexit supports for the coming year. This contingency will ensure that an initial provision of €110m will be available to my Department and our Enterprise and Regulatory Agencies to provide targeted supports to impacted businesses in the immediate aftermath should there be a no deal Brexit outcome. The provision will also allow for additional tranches of supports to be provided to meet actual needs as the impacts of a No Deal develop.
The Transition Fund is one of the supports announced in Budget 2020. It is contingent on the outcome of negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union and will only come into effect in the event of a No Deal Brexit.
This Fund is designed to support businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector, ranging from food and engineering firms to business process outsourcing firms. It will help businesses to adapt their business model as needed and adjust to the new trading reality.
The Transition Fund is targeted at businesses with 10 or more employees, through grants, equity and loan support of up to €1m dependent on the circumstances of individual firms. The funding mix as between grants, loans or equity will be based on the individual circumstances of impacted firms and their individual viability plans.
It is important to reiterate that this fund is designed to mitigate the negative impacts of a No Deal Brexit and will only be activated if no agreement is reached between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
145. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to the announcement in budget 2020 of a €10 million allocation to the disruptive technologies innovation fund, if this allocation will comprise new capital funding; and if not, if there will be a rollover of existing unused capital expenditure from the 2019 allocation to the scheme into 2020. [42377/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe €10 million allocation to the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) announced in Budget 2020 represents additional capital investment in new and emerging innovative technologies. This will bring the allocation for DTIF to €30 million for 2020. This allocation is in line with the commitment to provide a total DTIF Capital funding allocation to end 2022 of €180 million.
The €30 million will be used to fund payments to the project partners in the 27 projects that were successful under Call 1 and to the successful projects under Call 2, which I expect to announce in December. Under the terms of the Fund, projects are funded over a period of three years.
It is expected that the 2019 allocation of €20 million for the DTIF will be fully utilised this year and so I do not expect that there will be any unused capital expenditure to bring forward to 2020.
146. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the allocation in budget 2020 by her Department to the Brexit working capital and future growth loan schemes. [42378/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2020 set out the Current and Capital ceilings for my Department (€339 million and €632 million respectively). However, the allocations for each of the Department’s subheads, including the Future Growth Loan Scheme, will not be finalised until the annual Revised Estimates process is completed. The Revised Estimates Volume is usually published in early December and will set out the final agreed 2020 allocations for each subhead.
The Brexit Loan Scheme was announced as part of Budget 2018. The Brexit Loan Scheme, using a combination of Irish Exchequer and EU guarantees, leveraged up to €300 million of lending at a maximum interest rate 4% at a cost to the Exchequer of €23 million - €14 million provided by my Department (all of which was provided by way of supplementary estimate in 2017) and €9 million provided by Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
As at 10 October, there have been 837 eligibility applications received, of which 758 have been approved and 154 loans progressed to sanction at bank level to a value of €44.654 million.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme was announced in Budget 2019. The scheme provides a longer-term facility, 8 to 10 years, of up to €300m to support strategic capital investment for a post-Brexit environment by business at competitive rates. This Scheme is jointly funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (€37.2 million) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (€24.8 million) at a total cost to the Exchequer of €62 million.
As at 10 October there have been 1,496 eligibility applications received, of which 1,420 have been approved and 336 loans progressed to sanction at bank level to a value of €58.434 million.
Announced as part of Budget 2020, my Department will have immediate access to an emergency support package of €110 million that will be activated and made available in the case of a No Deal Brexit to vulnerable but viable firms with verifiable Brexit exposure. This support package was announced in addition to a total budget allocation to the Department of €973 million.
147. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the fall of the position of Ireland in the 2019 WEF competitiveness rankings. [42379/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report is an annual assessment of the factors driving productivity and prosperity in selected countries. The WEF Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) combines 103 indicators derived from both qualitative surveys and quantitative data to assess the drivers of productivity and long-term prosperity. The findings of the report serve as a critical reminder of the importance of competitiveness in laying the foundation for future prosperity.
In the 2019 Global Competitiveness Index, Ireland is ranked 24th out of 141 countries. Over the 10-year period since 2010, Ireland’s overall ranking has ranged from 29th (2010) to 23rd (2018). Ireland’s 2019 score means that it is currently the 9th most competitive economy in the euro area and the 12th most competitive economy in the EU28, according to the WEF.
Rankings can be useful, but they must be treated with caution, especially when examining year-on-year changes. The WEF’s Global Competitiveness Rankings is one of a number of international competitiveness indicators that my Department uses to assess Ireland’s competitiveness performance. Although Ireland’s ranking fell by one place in the 2019 WEF Competitiveness Rankings, Ireland is ranked 7th in the 2019 IMD World Competitiveness Rankings which measures the performance of countries across four dimensions: Economic Performance; Government Efficiency; Business Efficiency; and Infrastructure. Moreover, 30% of the WEF’s GCI score is derived from survey-based indicators which are subjective in nature, calculated using the WEF annual Executive Opinion Survey.
International rankings should be understood in the much wider context of competitiveness. To assess Ireland’s overall performance, my department looks at several aspects of competitiveness indicators, including those in the National Competitiveness Council's (NCC) annual Cost of Doing Business report, the NCC’s Competitiveness Scorecard, the Central Bank’s Harmonised Competitiveness Indicator, the CSO’s nominal unit labour cost indicator, in addition to Ireland’s performance in other competitiveness indicators. On this basis, the NCC has concluded that Ireland remains a competitive economy.
Competitiveness rankings reflect the interaction of a range of factors that, combined, determine the ability of firms to compete successfully in international markets. Advanced economies, such as Ireland, at the upper end of competitiveness rankings, can find it harder to get high impact from the improvements being made as they are already near the top score. Nonetheless, enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness by investing in areas where deficiencies have been identified is crucial to bolster our resilience to shocks, especially in the context of Brexit.
Improving our competitiveness and ensuring that Ireland is an attractive location to do business remains a key economic priority for this Government. We continue to monitor Ireland's competitiveness and analyse its underlying factors. The NCC will issue recommendations in its forthcoming 2019 Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge report in this regard.
My officials will establish the actions we can take to further improve our competitiveness, particularly in the areas where we are lagging competitors.
148. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to ensure that all public bodies comply with S.I. No. 234/2019 - Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2019 introduced by her Department and previous orders; the steps that can be taken if they have not complied with same; if her Department carries out inspections to see if there is compliance by public sector employers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42411/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is the statutory body charged with the regulation and enforcement of employment law in the State. The WRC carries out inspections of employer records with a view to determining employer compliance and to ensure that employees are receiving their statutory entitlements.
The aim of the WRC is to achieve voluntary compliance with employment law through the provision of education and awareness, inspection of employers employment records and enforcement where necessary.
While every effort is made to secure compliance, some employers either refuse or fail to rectify breaches identified and/or pay money due to their employees. These cases are referred for prosecution where the statutes provide for same.
The pay rates and terms of employment of construction workers engaged under public contracts are governed by the Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the construction sector. Companies who are awarded public contracts are expected to comply with all employment law as part of the terms and conditions of the contract. Notwithstanding this, WRC Inspectors carry out inspections of employers employment records where non-compliance is reported.
Where non-compliance is detected, the employer is notified of the statutory obligations under the SEO and the workers are informed of their statutory right to seek redress through the adjudication services of the WRC.
149. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the most recent occasion on which the IDA visited counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; the number of new jobs that have been created by the IDA in the past 12 months; the steps it is taking to attract companies to the counties; the success it has had with the strategy for the counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42425/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, regional development, not just in the Border area but across Ireland, has been a key priority of mine. That is why my Department and its Agencies have been doing everything we can to increase the level of employment and investment in every county in Ireland. This has included placing a particular emphasis on boosting foreign direct investment (FDI) in regional areas.
In 2018, Monaghan experienced an 8% increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) employment, with 12 jobs added by companies in the County. Similarly, Meath saw a 4.5% increase, with the creation of 67 new jobs. While there were no new FDI-supported jobs created in Cavan in 2018, it is encouraging to note last week's announcement by Liberty Insurance that it will create 120 new roles in the County over the next three years. That expansion is a great vote of confidence in what Cavan and the wider Border region has to offer to multinationals.
With regard to site visits in 2019, data is only yet available for the first six months of this year. Counties Meath and Monaghan each hosted two site visits over that period. County Cavan hosted four site visits over those six months. While the IDA will continue to promote and showcase locations in these Counties to prospective investors, it is important to remember that the decision as to where to invest is always taken by the companies themselves.
My Department and the IDA have taken a number of steps to attract further investment to these Counties. As part of Budget 2019, for example, I allocated an additional €10 million for the next phase of the IDA’s Regional Property Programme (RPP). This includes plans for an Advanced Technology Unit (ATU) at Knockaconny, County Monaghan. I announced the appointment of a design and delivery team for this ATU earlier in 2019 with construction due to commence later this year. These facilities can help to encourage overseas investors to consider regional areas and I am confident that the ATU in Knockaconny, once complete, will lead to further investment and job creation.
In addition to the RPP, the IDA targets further investment for the wider area through its office in the Cavan Innovation and Technology Centre. The Agency has also appointed a new Regional Business Development Manager for the North-East Region. As part of its strategy to promote the area, the IDA is focusing on specific sectors including agri-food, manufacturing, tourism and internationally traded services. The Agency's staff regularly engage with key stakeholders on the ground in Cavan and Monaghan, including with local authorities, public bodies, the education sector and companies from both its own client base but also from the indigenous sector. County Meath, meanwhile, is being actively marketed by the IDA as a location for second sites for multinationals in the Dublin region, with a focus on building clusters in existing sectors like high-value manufacturing and international services.
In addition to the work of the IDA, my Department’s €60 million Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) has supported five projects within the Meath, Cavan and Monaghan area, with a total investment of €8.2 million. These include: the Boyne Valley Food Innovation District in Meath; a food centre of excellence in Ballybay; a networked digital and innovation hub in Cavan (with others located in Leitrim and Longford); an engineering business network across the North East region; and an investment of €4.9 million in a nationally significant bioeconomy innovation centre located in Monaghan.
150. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the introduction of a merchant's incentive scheme to grant small businesses easier access to point of sales terminals will be examined; and when the new digital strategy will be completed and published. [42494/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to support the retail sector, I introduced the pilot Online Retail Scheme in 2018. The Scheme’s purpose was to support Irish retailers to strategically enhance their online sales capabilities to increase competitiveness and subsequently scale their businesses in international markets.
Separately the Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVS) is available to retailers through the Local Enterprise Offices. This is an initiative under the Government’s National Digital Strategy. The initiative is funded through the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and delivered through the Local Enterprise Offices network. The TOVS helps small businesses increase trade online to boost their sales and reach new markets. The Scheme offers the opportunity for businesses to develop their website or digital marketing strategy by availing of vouchers of up to €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure. Funding can be used towards eligible costs such as digital marketing strategies, e- commerce websites or app development.
At this time, I have no plans to introduce a merchant’s incentive scheme.
The process of developing the National Digital Strategy is being led as a shared effort by the Department of the Taoiseach; Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation; and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, reflecting the breadth of areas it will cover. Furthermore, an Inter-Departmental Group has been working to guide the formation of the Strategy. The document is at draft stage and consultations with Departments and stakeholders are ongoing.
It is intended to bring the Strategy to Cabinet in due course and decisions regarding the next steps will be a matter for Government decision.
