Patricia Ryan
Ceist:66. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will enable the early release of the 1926 census returns as soon as possible. [18743/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCensus of Population
Ceisteanna (66)
Freagraí scríofa
The Censuses of Population held between 1926 and 1991 inclusive were carried out under the 1926 Statistics Act which did not permit any access to Census records, at any time. However, the 1993 Statistics Act repealed the 1926 and 1946 Statistics Acts and provided for the release of Census forms for these Censuses 100 years after the date of the relevant Census. This retrospective introduction of the 100 years exemption was seen by some as undermining the original guarantee of confidentiality given to householders. However, it was generally accepted that 100 years was a reasonable compromise in all the circumstances, including having regard to increasing life expectancy.
Accordingly, planning is underway between the Central Statistics Office and the National Archives to facilitate the release of the 1926 Census returns in 2026 after the expiry of the 100-year rule.
Ministerial Advisers
Ceisteanna (67, 70)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:67. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a schedule of special advisers working in his Department, including a breakdown of those assigned to the offices of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in his role as leader of the Green Party; the roles, responsibilities and salary scale of each. [18843/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:70. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a schedule of all special advisers working in his Department; and the role, responsibilities and salary scale of each. [18845/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 70 together.
The persons currently assigned to me to work as Special Advisers are detailed in the table below.
As outlined in the Programme for Government, a number of reforms will be implemented in order to ensure openness and constructive cooperation within government. These include the establishment of an Office of the Tánaiste and an Office of the Leader of the Green Party within the Department of the Taoiseach, located in Government Buildings. The purpose of these offices is to support both the Tánaiste and the Leader of the Green Party in the coordination and implementation of policy within Government.
While the details of the roles and staffing of these offices have not been finalised, it is anticipated that, in addition to civil service support, the Office of the Tánaiste will consist of approximately 5 or 6 Special Advisers and the Office of the Leader of the Green Party will consist of approximately 4 or 5 Special Advisers. Appointments to these offices will be made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997.
It should be noted that all appointments are subject to formal Government approval and relevant contracts will be laid before the Oireachtas in due course. All appointments will be made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997.
Office of the Taoiseach
|
Name |
Position |
Salary Scale |
|
Deirdre Gillane |
Chief of Staff |
Deputy Secretary |
|
Pat McParland |
Deputy Chief of Staff |
Assistant Secretary |
|
Alan Ahearne |
Economic Adviser to the Taoiseach |
Assistant Secretary equivalent (part-time) |
|
Kevin Dillon |
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
Principal Officer |
|
Grainne Weld |
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
Principal Officer |
|
Diarmuid Lynch |
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
Principal Officer |
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (68, 71)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:68. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the timeline, stages and deadline here for the development of the national recovery plan and associated application for grant funding under the EU recovery and resilience facility; and the proportion of such funding that will be used to support public expenditure on public employment, public services, capital projects and national infrastructure. [18874/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Gerald Nash
Ceist:71. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach the timeline, stages and deadline for the development of Ireland's national recovery plan and associated application for grant funding under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility; and the proportion of such funding that will be used to support public employment, public services, capital projects and national infrastructure. [18878/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 71 together.
On 21 July the European Council agreed an ambitious recovery package, Next Generation EU, and the EU’s next seven year budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), comprising €672.5 billion, made up of €360 billion in loans and €312.5 billion in grants, is the largest part of Next Generation EU package of €750 billion. Under the RRF, Member States will prepare national Recovery and Resilience Plans setting out their agenda of reform and investment for the years 2021-23 for consideration by the Commission and subsequent approval by the Council.
It is anticipated that submission of National Recovery and Resilience Plans will be aligned with the European Semester process, with the precise timelines applying to be confirmed in the coming months.
Cabinet Committees
Ceisteanna (69)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:69. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social policy will meet next. [18259/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality was established by Government decision on 6 July last.
The first meeting will take place on 31 July.
It will oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy, equality and public services, including matters relating to justice and public service reform. It will receive detailed reports on identified policy areas and consider the implementation of commitments and reforms.
Notwithstanding, the Minster for Justice and Equality has overall responsibility for justice issues and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has overall responsibility for public service reform.
Its membership comprises –
-the Taoiseach;
- Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment;
- Minister for Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport;
- Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform;
- Minister for Finance;
- Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht;
- Minister for Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands;
- Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration;
- Minister for Health;
- Minister for Justice;
- Minister for Education;
- Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; and
- Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Other Ministers or Ministers of State will participate as required.
In addition to the meetings of the full Cabinet and of Cabinet Committees, I meet with Ministers on an individual basis to focus on particular issues.
Question No. 70 answered with Question No. 67.
Question No. 71 answered with Question No. 68.
Departmental Policy Functions
Ceisteanna (72)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:72. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach the status of the plan to establish a shared island unit in his Department. [19137/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As set out in the Programme for Government, a new Shared Island Unit will be established within the Department of the Taoiseach which will use the potential of the Good Friday Agreement to deliver sustained progress for all communities.
This unit will work towards a consensus on a shared island and will examine the political, social, economic and cultural considerations underpinning a future in which all traditions are mutually respected.
Work on its structure, staffing and work programme is underway and I hope that the unit will start its work over the coming weeks.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (73)
Chris Andrews
Ceist:73. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of claims for the restart grant that have been received from businesses in Dublin 4, 6 and 8; the number of claims that have been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18513/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Restart Grant scheme is just one part of the wider suite of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs.
This package is a significant step-up in assistance available for all businesses in all sectors at this very difficult time. The measures have been developed to meet the varying needs of Irish enterprise and they are very specifically targeted by size, sector and need and are targeted at vulnerable but viable companies.
As of 24 July 2020, Dublin City Council has received a total of 5,496 applications from businesses seeking Restart Grant funding.
Of this amount, 3,619 applications have been approved and have received payment, with a further 205 businesses currently awaiting payment.
In response to the Deputy’s request for a specific breakdown of businesses across Dublin 4, 6 and 8 please be advised this information is not available as Local Authorities have not been instructed to collect and collate information for this purpose as per the Service Level Agreement agreed with my Department.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (74)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:74. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider extending the cap on the restart grant to €25,000 for the licensed trade in view of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18866/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the new Restart Grant scheme, which was launched as part of the July Stimulus package on 23 July 2020, pubs will be eligible for the grant if they operate from rateable premises.
The grant will be based on the amount of the rates assessment for the premises for 2019 (excluding arrears) with a new minimum grant of €4,000 and a maximum grant of €25,000.
The revised Scheme and online application forms will be available from local authorities from end of July. The current Restart Grant closed for applicants on 22 July 2020. Applicants under the first Restart Grant can apply again for a second grant as part of the revised Restart Grant.
Health and Safety Inspections
Ceisteanna (75)
David Cullinane
Ceist:75. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of HSA inspectors available for work place inspections; the number of inspections carried out for each of the last six weeks; the number which were announced or unannounced, respectively; the rate of compliance and non-compliance, respectively; the number of enforcement orders made for non-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18256/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health and Safety Authority currently has 175.5 whole-time equivalent staff in administration and inspector grades. The total current inspector headcount is 105.3 whole-time equivalents. These inspectors operate across all of the Health and Safety Authority’s statutory mandates covering occupational health and safety, chemicals and market surveillance of products and can be involved in either general inspection, specialist inspection or policy implementation at national, European and international level.
In relation to Covid-19 and the Return to Work Safely Protocol, there are 67 Health and Safety Authority inspectors and an additional 500 inspectors checking compliance with the Protocol as part of their normal inspection programme. These additional resources are being drawn from the Workplace Relations Commission, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the cohort of Environmental Health Officers.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to HSA inspections only is attached below;
|
Week Ending |
Inspections Investigations |
Improvement Notices |
Prohibition Notices |
Report of Inspection |
|
19 June |
428 |
7 |
8 |
245 |
|
26 June |
259 |
8 |
9 |
155 |
|
3 July |
214 |
5 |
10 |
125 |
|
10 July |
207 |
5 |
8 |
112 |
|
17 July |
261 |
14 |
10 |
155 |
|
24 July ** |
Not Yet Available |
Not Yet Available |
Not Yet Available |
Not Yet Available |
** Please note this number will not be available until the week beginning July 27th
Please note the following explanation for the specific enforcement actions;
- Improvement Notice applies to any breach of occupational safety and health legislation;
- Prohibition Notice applies to a breach of occupational safety and health legislation where there exists a risk of serious personal injury to workers;
- Report of Inspection is written advice from an inspector on how to further improve health and safety practices;
The majority of HSA inspections are unannounced. However, in a small number of cases, an inspector may need to announce an inspection to ensure the appropriate individuals are available at a workplace.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (76)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:76. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which the public sector equality and human rights duty will be reflected in the July stimulus package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18271/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty - public bodies’ statutory duty to eliminate discrimination, promote equality, and protect human rights of staff and service users - is the responsibility of all Departments and other public bodies individually.
COVID-19 has had an enormous impact on communities, businesses, families and individuals across the country. The priority of the Government remains the wellbeing of our people and communities and repairing the damage wrought on the economy – and keeping the virus contained – is vital for the wellbeing of our people.
As such, the July Stimulus package is the next step in our national recovery effort and will build on the very significant Exchequer funding, through wage subsidies, the PUP, grants for businesses, low cost loans and commercial rates waivers during the crisis.
The commitments within the July Stimulus are designed to do four things:
- Back our businesses
- Help our people, especially our young people, get back to work
- Build confidence and invest in our communities
- Prepare Ireland for the Economy of the Future
The National Economic Plan, to be developed in parallel with the next Budget, will be the next step in our recovery journey and I expect it will set out a range of actions across Government to support economic recovery over the coming years.
In addition to this, over the next five years, this Government, through commitments in the new Programme for Government, will seek to deliver a better quality of life for all, equality within society and a deeper sense of connection to the natural world around us, and each other. The Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty will have an important role to play in this.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (77)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:77. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which the commitment to gender and equality proofing will be reflected in the July stimulus package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18272/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, while gender and equality are important to the work of all Departments, my colleague, Minister Roderic O’Gorman T.D., will have responsibility for policy in this area going forward following the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice and Equality to the new Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration.
However, I can inform the Deputy that the Programme for Government acknowledges that some of the biggest challenges we are facing include achieving social solidarity and equality of opportunity, reaching ecological harmony and economic equity and embracing our cultural diversity. Over the course of the next five years, this Government will take steps to develop the strategies and the policies required to achieve this. At the heart of all of this will, of course, be creating new jobs, preparing for the jobs of the future, driving our economic recovery, and improving the quality of life for all our people.
Significant Exchequer support, through wage subsidies, the PUP, grants for businesses, low cost loans and commercial rates waivers. The July Stimulus is the next step in our recovery. We have listened to businesses and responded with a package of scale and speed to meet their most immediate needs. The July Stimulus is designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of Covid-19. It backs businesses and workers so that together we can return to prosperity and growth.
The full list of actions within the July Stimulus and how to avail of them can be found at www.gov.ie/jobsstimulus .
Government analysis, that is available online, showed that the most-heavily impacted sectors are accommodation and food, construction, administrative and support services, wholesale and retail trade, and other personal services. Evidence for this includes the numbers of employees in these sectors availing of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and Pandemic Unemployment Payment. A number of these sectors have pay levels below average and employ a high share of women and young people.
Moreover, Ireland is not alone in this. Recent international research from Eurofound, the OECD and the IMF have come to similar conclusions highlighting that women have been more adversely affected than man by the crisis and that the risk of young workers (up to age 35) being the victim of new economic fallout is very high.
I expect the measures in the July Stimulus package will particularly help these sectors thus offsetting the impacts on inequality resulting from the crisis.
The July Stimulus will be followed in October by the National Economic Plan, our longer-term economic roadmap, to be published alongside the next Budget.
Careful consideration will need to be given to gender and equality during the recovery as I know different people have been impacted in different ways by the crisis. This will require a whole-of-Government effort.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (78)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:78. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will review a case (details supplied); his plans to include travel agents in the July stimulus package; if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18510/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Repairing the damage wrought on the economy – and keeping the Covid-19 virus contained – is vital for the wellbeing of our people. As such, the July Stimulus package is the next step in our national recovery story. It is designed to help businesses which have not reopened yet and those struggling to do so. We have listened to businesses and responded with a package of scale and speed to meet their most immediate needs. Our main objective is to save jobs and create new ones.
COVID-19 has had an enormous impact on communities, businesses, families and individuals across the country. The priority of the Government remains the wellbeing of our people and communities. We are now increasing our focus on business and on getting as many people as possible back to work.
Travel agents, as well as other businesses, will be able to benefit from many aspects of the July Stimulus including:
- A new Employment Wage Support Scheme that will succeed the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and run until April 2021;
- An enhanced Restart Grant for Enterprises that will be open to more businesses with the maximum amount available increasing to €25,000 and the minimum payment doubled to €4,000. Businesses that have already accessed the Restart Grant will be eligible to apply for a top up payment;
- A waiver of commercial rates for the six months to end-Sept 2020;
- The €2 billion COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme that will see Government provide an 80% guarantee for a wide range of credit products from €10,000 up to €1 million up to a maximum term of 6 years;
- A package of liquidity and enterprise investment measures to help small and micro companies through additional resources for MicroFinance Ireland (MFI) and the Local Enterprise Offices including reduced interest rates on lending for micro and small businesses.
- To provide immediate cash-flow support to previously profitable companies, the early carryback of trading losses will be allowed, leading to an immediate refund of some or all of corporation tax paid;
- There will be a 6-month reduction in the standard rate of VAT from 23% to 21%, effective from the beginning of September;
- Businesses affected by Covid-19 will be able to delay payment of their PAYE and VAT debts in part of in full for a set period with no interest or penalties;
- The interest rate applying to agreed repayments of all tax debt (where agreement has been reached prior to 30 September 2020) will be reduced to 3%; and
- Businesses will also be supported to develop their online presence through a further funding call of the Online Retail Scheme of €5.5 million through Enterprise Ireland and an expansion of the Online Trading Voucher Scheme from the Local Enterprise Offices of €20 million.
Further information on these, along with the full list of actions within the July Stimulus and how to avail of them can be found at www.gov.ie/jobsstimulus .
I have underlined that in developing the stimulus package, we must look ahead to ensuring economic recovery. The National Economic Plan, to be developed in parallel with the next Budget, will be crucial in this respect. It will go beyond the issue of business supports and set out a range of actions to be developed across Government to realise economic recovery.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (79)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:79. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will review correspondence and outline the measures being put in place as part of the July stimulus package to assist a business sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18514/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
COVID-19 has had an enormous impact on communities, businesses, families and individuals across the country. The priority of the Government remains the wellbeing of our people and communities. We are now increasing our focus on business and on getting as many people as possible back to work.
The Jobs Stimulus will help get Ireland’s businesses back on their feet and get as many people as possible back to work quickly. It is the next stage in Ireland’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, building on the extensive enterprise and labour supports already deployed. The Jobs Stimulus will build economic confidence, within public health constraints, and deliver immediate effective supports to get people back to work.
Businesses, including those in the those in the tourism and hospitality sector will be able to benefit from many of the actions within the July Stimulus including:
- A new Employment Wage Support Scheme that will succeed the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and run until April 2021;
- An enhanced Restart Grant for Enterprises that will be open to more businesses with the maximum amount available increasing to €25,000 and the minimum payment doubled to €4,000. Businesses that have already accessed the Restart Grant will be eligible to apply for a top up payment. Some businesses not previously included in the scheme, such as B&Bs, will now be eligible.;
- A waiver of commercial rates for the six months to end-Sept 2020;
- The €2 billion COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme that will see Government provide an 80% guarantee for a wide range of credit products from €10,000 up to €1 million up to a maximum term of 6 years;
- A package of liquidity and enterprise investment measures to help small and micro companies through additional resources for MicroFinance Ireland (MFI) and the Local Enterprise Offices including reduced interest rates on lending for micro and small businesses.
- To provide immediate cash-flow support to previously profitable companies, the early carryback of trading losses will be allowed, leading to an immediate refund of some or all of corporation tax paid;
- There will be a 6-month reduction in the standard rate of VAT from 23% to 21%, effective from the beginning of September;
- Businesses affected by Covid-19 will be able to delay payment of their PAYE and VAT debts in part of in full for a set period with no interest or penalties; and
- The interest rate applying to agreed repayments of all tax debt (where agreement has been reached prior to 30 September 2020) will be reduced to 3%.
In addition to the above, and to specifically support the badly impacted hospitality and tourism sectors, a new Stay and Spend Incentive will see any taxpayer spending over €625 on accommodation, food and non-alcoholic drinks, between October 2020 and April 2021, able to claim back €125 through a tax credit. A €10 million Restart Fund for the Tourism sector is also being introduced.
Further information on these, along with the full list of actions within the July Stimulus and how to avail of them can be found at www.gov.ie/jobsstimulus .
I have underlined that in developing the stimulus package, we must look ahead to ensuring economic recovery. The National Economic Plan, to be developed in parallel with the next Budget, will be crucial in this respect. It will go beyond the issue of business supports and set out a range of actions to be developed across Government to realise economic recovery.
Workplace Relations Commission
Ceisteanna (80)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:80. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the Workplace Relations Commission received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; if so, when they will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18526/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent statutory office under the aegis of my Department. The WRC’s core services include the provision of early resolution, mediation, conciliation, facilitation and advisory services, adjudication on employment and equality complaints, the monitoring of employment conditions to ensure the compliance and enforcement of employment rights legislation, the provision of information, and the processing of employment agency and protection of young persons (employment) licences.
In line with Government advice, the administrative staff of the WRC were required to work from home from 13 March and the office remained closed for a number of weeks. As staff were enabled to work from home, all electronically received correspondence was processed during this period. However, physical post was not. While the office remains largely closed, a small number of staff has returned and I am informed that the large quantity of physical post received over that period has been fully processed and the issues raised in the correspondence is being dealt with.
The correspondence mentioned by the Deputy was received by the Information and Customer Service Unit in its Carlow office on 11 March 2020 and I understand that a reply issued to the person in question on 21 July in which the WRC apologised for the delay in responding and informed the person of the appropriate channels to follow should the person wish to pursue the matter further.
Similarly, the letter from the Deputy was received by the WRC in Carlow in early June. I understand that a reply to the letter has issued and the delay is very much regretted.
The WRC has informed me that it has no record on its file of an email sent two years ago. The matter in question relates to a collective dispute in which the person concerned was a party. The WRC's practice in such cases is to contact the person and to redirect them to their representative in terms of any issues they might have with the outcome of the collective case.
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
Ceisteanna (81)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:81. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the grant funding allocated to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for 2015 to 2020. [18620/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The CCPC receives both Exchequer funding and Levy funding. The CCPC collects a levy from the financial sector to fund its Financial Information and Education functions. The combined allocations from 2015 to 2020 are set out in the attached table.
|
Year |
Rev Allocation (Exchequer and Levy) Pay and non-pay’000s |
|
2015 |
€12,230 |
|
2016 |
€12,141 |
|
2017 |
€12,138 |
|
2018 |
€12,226 |
|
2019 |
€12,577 |
|
2020 |
€13,836 |
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
Ceisteanna (82)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:82. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount by which the grant requested by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission increased; if correspondence, reports, briefings or materials relating to the reason such requests were granted or not for the period 2015 to 2020 will be provided. [18621/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission receives Exchequer funding and Levy funding. The combined amounts requested by the CCPC and allocated from 2015 to 2020 are set out in the attached table.
Amount by which the grant requested by the CCPC 2015 to 2020 increased
Rev Allocation (Exchequer and Levy) Pay and non-pay
|
Resources Request |
CCPC Grant (REV) |
Actual difference between Resources Request and Grant |
% difference between grant and Resources ask |
Difference in (REV) Grant over previous year |
|
|
Year |
’000s |
’000s |
’000s |
’000s |
’000s |
|
2015 |
€11,856 |
€12,230 |
374 |
3.2% |
-0.5% |
|
2016 |
€12,171 |
€12,141 |
-30 |
-0.2% |
-0.7% |
|
2017 |
€13,935 |
€12,138 |
-1,797 |
-12.9% |
0.0% |
|
2018 |
€14,349 |
€12,226 |
-2,123 |
-14.8% |
0.7% |
|
2019 |
€13,416 |
€12,577 |
-839 |
-6.3% |
2.9% |
|
2020 |
€14,140 |
€13,836 |
-304 |
-2.1% |
10.0% |
It is not possible to provide the various reports, briefings or material relating to such requests in response to a Parliamentary Question. My officials will contact the Deputy's office to explore what information he is looking for with a view to furnishing same if possible. Of course, a request for all records pertaining to grant increase requests from the CCPC could be submitted by the Deputy to my Department as an FOI request.
Trade Data
Ceisteanna (83)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:83. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the level of trade between Ireland and Singapore in the years 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18634/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The total value of trade in both directions between Ireland and Singapore reached over €6.5 billion in 2018. Singapore is a highly developed market which demands goods and services of the highest quality and Irish companies have traditionally been able to meet these requirements and flourish in this market.
Ireland’s services trade with Singapore is particularly strong and in 2018, the latest year for which CSO data is available, Ireland’s services exports to Singapore were worth €5.4 billion. For confidentiality reasons, CSO data on the value of Services imports in 2018 is not available.
Goods exports from Ireland to Singapore in 2018 were valued at €700 million. In 2019 this value fell by 17% to €579 million. Imports of goods from Singapore in 2018 were valued at €464 million and at €368 million in 2019. Ireland’s principal goods exports to Singapore in 2019 were computers, computer parts and storage devices, medical devices and medical and pharmaceutical products. Ireland’s principal goods imports from Singapore in 2019 were medical and pharmaceutical products, organic chemicals and medical devices.
The latest data available for goods trade with Singapore shows that in the period January to May 2020, the value of goods exports to Singapore rose by 7% to €238 million, compared to a value of €223 million in the same period in 2019. For imports, the value increased by 110% from €134 million in January to May 2019 to €282 million in the same period in 2020.
Strong export growth is essential to the continued growth of the Irish economy, especially in the context of Brexit and COVID-19 recovery. The entry into force of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement in November 2019 makes it easier for Irish businesses to access new opportunities in this market and will eliminate nearly all import duties on EU-Singapore trade within five years of its entry into force. The Agreement will also address non-tariff barriers to trade through measures such as better facilitation of exports of EU animal products. It will benefit Irish companies producing electronics, certain green technologies, and pharmaceuticals, by enabling their goods to be recognised and approved more swiftly and easily while also providing opportunities for Irish-based service providers, in particular providers of financial services, through greater market access.
Ministerial Advisers
Ceisteanna (84)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:84. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a schedule of all special advisers working in his Department; and the roles and responsibilities and salary scale of each. [18844/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
Farm Safety
Ceisteanna (85)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:85. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding provided by his Department or via bodies it funds for farm safety week in each of the years 2015 to 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18846/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has statutory responsibility for the promotion, regulation and enforcement of all workplace safety and health matters, including safety in the farming sector.
The farming sector continues to be the most dangerous sector in which to work, and each year the HSA carries out specific actions across the sector such as targeted media and awareness raising campaigns, participation at agricultural events, farm safety promotion in schools, focused inspection campaigns on issues such as livestock handling etc. This is in addition to routine unannounced inspections all year round. On average, over the last number of years, annual expenditure by the HSA in relation to these actions is approximately €500,000.
The Deputy’s question relates specifically to funding towards Farm Safety Week for the years 2015 to 2019. Farm Safety Week is an initiative across Ireland and the UK led by Yellow Wellies UK and the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA). The HSA is supportive of this initiative through safety promotion activities such as the undertaking of targeted inspections within the sector during this period and the sharing of relevant material on its social media platforms to coincide with the event.
As the promotion of this initiative in Ireland is led by the IFA, there are no directly attributable costs to the HSA or the Department arising from the promotion of Farm Safety Week.