Written Answers Nos. 45-64
45. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to reports that an organisation (details supplied) is refusing to engage with unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24654/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, I must emphasise that Ireland’s system of industrial relations is essentially voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers rests with the employer, the workers and their representatives.
Whilst the right of workers to form associations and join a trade union is enshrined in Article 40 of the Irish Constitution, there is no mechanism whereby employers can be prevailed upon to engage with unions on any issue.
In cases where there is a dispute that the parties have been unable to resolve either between themselves or with the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission, such disputes can be voluntarily referred to the Labour Court for an ‘opinion’ in the form of a ‘Recommendation of the Court’. While such a Recommendation is not binding, the vast majority of industrial relations recommendations are accepted voluntarily by the parties.
It has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to promote collective bargaining through legislation and by the development of an institutional framework that supports our voluntary industrial relations system. There is an extensive range of statutory provisions underpinning this system. The freedom of association and the right to organise and bargain collectively are also guaranteed in a number of international instruments which the State has ratified and which it is, therefore, bound to uphold under international law.
Bearing this in mind, I would urge both sides to engage constructively with each other to resolve any issues in dispute.
46. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of times the IDA has visited County Wexford within the past four years; the number of jobs that resulted from these visitations; and the IDA’s plan and projection for new jobs in County Wexford. [24528/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCounty Wexford has witnessed a year on year increase in employment by IDA client companies in the past four years with over 420 net new jobs added since 2016. There are now almost 3,200 people employed across 21 IDA client companies in the County. I am determined, together with IDA Ireland, to increase these numbers further as best we can.
The table below details the number of IDA site visits to County Wexford from 2016 to the first quarter of 2020. I have been informed by the IDA that site visit data for Q2 will be released at the end of this month.
The reduced number of site visits in 2020, as the Deputy will appreciate, is mainly attributable to the introduction of international travel restrictions related to Covid-19. Those restrictions have, amongst other things, led to the cancellation or postponement of scheduled IDA site visits and client meetings in every region of the country, including Wexford and the South-East. As an alternative to site visits, the IDA has migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms. The Agency has developed new digital content and has also put in place an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors.
Notwithstanding the difficulties presented by the pandemic, site visits do remain an important means by which the IDA can showcase regional locations – including Wexford – to prospective investors. At the same time, we must recognise that the final decision as to where to invest rests solely with the company concerned. It is also the case that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential or job creation, as a significant proportion of all new FDI comes from existing IDA clients already present in the country.
Looking to the future, IDA Ireland will continue to draw the attention of multinationals looking to invest or expand in County Wexford. The IDA continues to engage with key stakeholders on the ground in Wexford including local authorities, the education sector, Enterprise Ireland, Wexford's Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and both overseas and indigenous companies with a view to generating new employment opportunities. Regional development, including for the South-East, will also be at the heart of the forthcoming new IDA strategy. I look forward to working closely with the IDA on the formulation of this new strategy that will guide the Agency's work in the time ahead.
|
County |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
Q1 2020 |
|
Wexford |
7 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
47. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and his response to the proposal. [24593/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have seen the correspondence referred to.
ICTU has made proposals concerning the treatment of collective agreements when companies are undergoing liquidation.
Minister English responded to ICTU on 10th September welcoming the submission and confirming that the Government is committed to ensuring the proposals are considered. I understand that Minister English invited further details concerning the proposal and undertook that its consideration would include meaningful engagement with stakeholders.
48. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the meetings held by him and or his officials from assistant principal level upwards with businesses and or banking representative groups and organisations since his appointment as Minister; the dates, attendees and matters that were discussed at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24597/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of meetings that I or officals in my Department have had with businesses or banking representative organisations since my appointment as Minister are set out in the attached table.
It should be noted that officials in my Department would have regular telephone contact with business organisations but only formal meetings are included.
49. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the size of the MFI loan book; the State-wide breakdown of current creditors by county; and the number of creditors that have contacted the organisation expressing an inability to meet payments in October 2020. [24600/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Microfinance Ireland (MFI) Loan Fund assists businesses with fewer than ten employees. It provides much-needed funding to help microenterprises meet payments for stock, working capital requirements and other overhead expenses through the provision of low-cost lending facilities.
The MFI Covid-19 Loan Scheme assists businesses which have been impacted negatively by Covid-19 and includes a six-month repayment free moratorium and the equivalent of one-year interest free (subject to terms and conditions), with rates as low as 4.5% for the remaining period of the loan.
I recently introduced the Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill to provide for increased funding.
The Covid-19 Loan scheme has seen a very strong uptake in recent months, with €16.3 million in loans drawn by 615 businesses up to 31st August 2020 from phase 1 of the scheme. This represents three years of normal lending volumes for MFI in a period of just over five months. Importantly, with 77% of MFI’s lending to businesses outside Dublin, MFI provides an essential support for businesses who are hoping to reboot their economic activity over the coming weeks and months in every county in Ireland. I was pleased to announce the opening of phase two of the Covid-19 Loan Scheme on the 31 August.
The total value of loans drawn under the Microenterprise Loan Fund up to 31st August was €48.26 million by 2,958 businesses.
Breakdown on a county basis
|
Region |
Number of Drawdowns |
|
Value of Drawdowns |
|
|
Carlow |
51 |
2% |
€890,495 |
2% |
|
Cavan |
72 |
2% |
€882,736 |
2% |
|
Clare |
86 |
3% |
€1,397,423 |
3% |
|
Cork |
240 |
8% |
€3,837,630 |
8% |
|
Donegal |
81 |
3% |
€1,338,392 |
3% |
|
Dublin |
669 |
23% |
€11,739,477 |
24% |
|
Galway |
168 |
6% |
€2,572,314 |
5% |
|
Kerry |
90 |
3% |
€1,647,245 |
3% |
|
Kildare |
122 |
4% |
€2,161,060 |
4% |
|
Kilkenny |
51 |
2% |
€986,363 |
2% |
|
Laois |
63 |
2% |
€896,187 |
2% |
|
Leitrim |
42 |
1% |
€699,711 |
1% |
|
Limerick |
116 |
4% |
€1,955,939 |
4% |
|
Longford |
41 |
1% |
€633,749 |
1% |
|
Louth |
69 |
2% |
€1,269,194 |
3% |
|
Mayo |
90 |
3% |
€1,399,109 |
3% |
|
Meath |
124 |
4% |
€1,852,629 |
4% |
|
Monaghan |
32 |
1% |
€539,847 |
1% |
|
Offaly |
59 |
2% |
€942,913 |
2% |
|
Roscommon |
62 |
2% |
€841,995 |
2% |
|
Sligo |
56 |
2% |
€812,645 |
2% |
|
Tipperary |
122 |
4% |
€1,847,116 |
4% |
|
Waterford |
113 |
4% |
€1,648,413 |
3% |
|
Westmeath |
80 |
3% |
€1,262,495 |
3% |
|
Wexford |
157 |
5% |
€2,598,629 |
5% |
|
Wicklow |
102 |
3% |
€1,602,082 |
3% |
|
Totals |
2958 |
100% |
€48,255,788 |
100% |
As at end August MFI has loans totalling €29.88m outstanding representing 1,905 loan records. Of these, 84 borrowers have been in contact with MFI to say they need to discuss October repayments.
Breakdown of creditors on a county basis
|
Region |
Number of Creditors |
|
Current Balance Outstanding |
|
|
Carlow |
28 |
1% |
€618,129 |
2% |
|
Cavan |
36 |
2% |
€499,205 |
2% |
|
Clare |
55 |
3% |
€878,567 |
3% |
|
Cork |
161 |
8% |
€2,326,198 |
8% |
|
Donegal |
60 |
3% |
€820,132 |
3% |
|
Dublin |
418 |
22% |
€7,535,305 |
25% |
|
Galway |
107 |
6% |
€1,575,260 |
5% |
|
Kerry |
67 |
4% |
€1,178,744 |
4% |
|
Kildare |
75 |
4% |
€1,294,035 |
4% |
|
Kilkenny |
32 |
2% |
€599,454 |
2% |
|
Laois |
45 |
2% |
€631,206 |
2% |
|
Leitrim |
24 |
1% |
€386,996 |
1% |
|
Limerick |
69 |
4% |
€1,023,635 |
3% |
|
Longford |
29 |
2% |
€345,920 |
1% |
|
Louth |
49 |
3% |
€813,961 |
3% |
|
Mayo |
55 |
3% |
€830,896 |
3% |
|
Meath |
73 |
4% |
€1,088,144 |
4% |
|
Monaghan |
20 |
1% |
€376,372 |
1% |
|
Offaly |
39 |
2% |
€630,375 |
2% |
|
Roscommon |
35 |
2% |
€343,862 |
1% |
|
Sligo |
31 |
2% |
€265,481 |
1% |
|
Tipperary |
73 |
4% |
€1,034,759 |
3% |
|
Waterford |
83 |
4% |
€1,127,778 |
4% |
|
Westmeath |
59 |
3% |
€816,142 |
3% |
|
Wexford |
108 |
6% |
€1,680,195 |
6% |
|
Wicklow |
74 |
4% |
€1,159,252 |
4% |
|
Totals |
1905 |
100% |
€29,880,003 |
100% |
50. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cyclists killed while cycling as part of their job in each of the years from 1 Jan 2010 to 31 Dec 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24650/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health and Safety Authority advises that during the years 2011 to 2019 the following numbers of fatalities were reporting involving persons killed while cycling as part of their job.
|
Year |
Fatalities Reported to HSA involving Cycling for Work |
|
2010 |
0 |
|
2011 |
1 |
|
2012 |
0 |
|
2013 |
0 |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
2015 |
0 |
|
2016 |
0 |
|
2017 |
0 |
|
2018 |
0 |
|
2019 |
0 |
|
Total |
1 |
All employers should be mindful of their obligations, and duty of care, to their employees under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
51. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he will work as a matter of urgency to ensure all nursing homes are broadband enabled in view of the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24688/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra59. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans to ensure that broadband is provided to all nursing homes as a matter of urgency given the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24687/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 59 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract.
Under the NBP deployment plan premises will be passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. Nursing homes, within the intervention area, will be among the many premises which will benefit from the roll out of the National Broadband Plan which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the nearly 540,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.
Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 20 counties and steady progress is being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed to date. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and laying fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December this year. While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network. The extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible. The Covid 19 pandemic has also highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. This is reflected in the commitments in the Programme for Government where delivery of the National Broadband Plan will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working.
The Programme for Government has committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19.
52. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he will address the need for a retrofit scheme in section 38 and 39 charities and small and medium approved housing bodies and other items (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24468/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets for the number and depth of residential retrofits to be completed by 2030. The targets are to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 year. These targets are expected to achieve the Climate Action Plan target of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from the residential sector.
A cross-Departmental Retrofit Taskforce has been established to develop a new retrofit delivery plan capable of achieving these targets. The plan being formulated aims to address barriers to energy efficiency investments across all sections of our housing stock. The recent announcement of an additional €100 million for retrofit as part of the July Stimulus package will result in the biggest ever budget for retrofit in 2021.
The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. The Scheme has been in existence since 2002 and has provided upgrades to over 142,000 homes, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The aim of the scheme is to deliver a range of energy efficiency measures in a way which represents the best possible use of Exchequer funding, focusing eligibility to those in receipt of certain payments from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Eligibility for Fuel Allowance is a matter for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (www.deasp.ie). At present a Person Supported by the Service (PSS) is not entitled to Fuel Allowance, which is one of the criteria for eligibility for the Warmer Homes scheme. However, the Climate Action Plan includes a commitment to review ways to improve how current energy poverty schemes target those most in need, including eligibility criteria. Recommendations in relation to the implementation of changes to the scheme will be finalised shortly.
The Deputy may also note that the properties referred to in his question may be eligible to receive support for upgrade works under the Better Energy Communities Scheme which is another scheme administered by SEAI. The Scheme funds community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area – homes, including those at risk of energy poverty, community facilities and businesses. These partnerships can be between the public and private sectors, domestic and non-domestic sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations and energy suppliers. The Scheme will reopen for applications in the coming weeks. Further information on the Communities Scheme is available on www.seai.ie.
Eligibility for capital allowances and VAT rules more generally are matters for the Department of Finance and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners (www.revenue.ie).
53. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 8 September 2020, the types of biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems eligible under the support scheme for renewable heat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24473/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra54. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 8 September 2020, the targets outlined for the support scheme for renewable heat in 2020 and for each future year under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24477/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 8 September 2020, the reason so few applications to the support scheme for renewable heat have been made and are being processed to date; his plans to review the operation of the scheme to ensure more applications are processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24479/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 to 55, inclusive, together.
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat, was developed to financially support the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users. The scheme is operated by the SEAI and the eligibility criteria that apply to projects are set out in the scheme Terms and Conditions, which can be found at: https://www.seai.ie/publications/Terms-and-Conditions.pdf
The scheme is designed to support up to 1,300 GWh of renewable heat use annually which is equivalent to circa 3% of national heat use. A target of 100 GWh of renewable heat use was set for 2020. Annual targets for future years have not yet been set.
Projects that have been approved to date total over 30 GWh of renewable heat use. While the uptake is less than expected, it is a demand-led scheme which will take time to build market confidence. The scheme is reviewed on an annual basis with recommendations made to improve the scheme. SEAI are currently working to reduce the processing time for applications.
It is noted that Covid-19 is also likely to have impacted the uptake of the scheme. SEAI are working with applicants whose applications and projects have been impacted.
Finally it is important to acknowledge the Renewable Heat Incentive (a similar scheme in Northern Ireland) had significant issues. The lessons learned from that scheme have informed the design of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat. Nonetheless, it is important that a prudent approach is taken in relation to the scheme to ensure value for money to the taxpayer.
56. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status in relation to an area (details supplied) on the roll out of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24483/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). All premises within the AMBER Area will be surveyed as part of the national fibre network rollout. These surveys are required to produce a detailed network design for the high speed fibre broadband network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose, and is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. To date over 91,000 premises have been surveyed across 20 counties and detailed designs for laying fibre are also in process for areas throughout the country. NBI provides a facility for any premises within the AMBER area to register its interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/). Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP, providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the high speed fibre network. Approximately 300 broadband connections points (BCPs) were identified by local authorities to be connected to high-speed broadband this year. The BCPs will help communities to quickly access free public high-speed broadband in advance of the main deployment under the National Broadband Plan. The planned BCP locations, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities, and other public places are available to view on the High-Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie. Over 100 BCP sites, including two within 10 kilometres of the location referred to in Question, have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network. The extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible. The Covid 19 pandemic has also highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. This is reflected in the commitments in the Programme for Government where delivery of the National Broadband Plan will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working. The Programme for Government has committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19.
57. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the process for granting foreshore fishing licences in Bantry and Kenmare Bay; the number of licences sought; the number of licences granted; the entitlements accompanying a licence and the permissions granted or not granted in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24664/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the State Agency responsible for issuing licences for recreational and commercial salmon and sea trout fishing. There is no specific “foreshore fishing licence” among the categories of fishing licence issued by IFI.
Angling licences are normally valid for all rivers on a national basis or in the case of district licences relate to all of the rivers in any one of the 17 Fishery Districts. Commercial licences are also issued on a fishery district basis.
Licence holders may only fish on rivers where a sustainable surplus above the individual river’s conservation limit has been confirmed, conveying a status on the river of open for exploitation. In addition, commercial exploitation is limited to those rivers or estuaries where a commercial fishery exists. Rivers which have a catch and release status may only be fished by anglers but fish cannot be retained. A licence does not entitle a person to fish the stock of any river which is closed to exploitation..
The status of a river is determined via the annual scientific assessments carried out by the independent Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) and the management advice of IFI. Licence conditions are set out in annual legislation: the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations (angling and commercial) and the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order (commercial). Local regulations or bye-laws may also apply.
An angling permit from a fishery owner may be required in addition to a State licence for waters which are in private rather than public ownership. Private fishery owners wishing to catch fish commercially must also have a state commercial fishing licence to engage in this activity.
58. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if his attention has been drawn to the UNEP report Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for Food Systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24667/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis report published by the World Wildlife Fund, the United Nations Environment Programme, the non-profit 'EAT' and Climate Focus highlights the role that national food systems can play in helping countries meet their climate goals. These climate goals are submitted via Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The report also links the impact of our food systems on other environmental areas such as biodiversity loss, conversion of land, depletion of freshwater resources, and pollution of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
Preventing waste arising across food production, distribution and consumption is key to improving the sustainability of the food chain. 'A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy', which I recently published, recognises food waste prevention as a priority intervention. Amongst a broad range of actions, the Plan commits my Department to working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to pursue ambitious food waste reductions and other measures that contribute towards a sustainable food chain in the Agri-Food sector.
Ireland contributes to the Paris Agreement via the NDC submitted by the European Union (EU) on behalf of its Member States. The EU’s updated NDC will be informed by increased ambition as committed to under the European Green Deal. This includes the EU’s ambition to increase the EU-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction target at least 55% by 2030, a target that the Government welcomes. It will be important for the EU as a global leader on climate efforts to submit its NDC before the end of 2020 to build momentum and encourage other major economies to take similar action.
60. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport the management structure of the Irish Coast Guard; and the status of employment or secondment of each senior official in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020. [24516/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management structure of the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is set out below, in tabular format:
|
Grade |
Number |
Reports to |
|
Director, IRCG* |
1 |
Assistant Secretary General, Management Board |
|
Acting Director IRCG |
1 |
Assistant Secretary General, Management Board |
|
Assistant Director* |
2 |
Director, IRCG |
|
Coastguard Manager |
3 |
Assistant Director, IRCG |
|
Operations & Training Officer |
8 |
IRCG Manager |
|
Divisional Controller |
3 |
IRCG Manager |
*The Director of the IRCG is currently serving on a Special European Union Mission and has been on special leave for this purpose since January 2019. He had previously served on a Special European Union Mission to Somalia from July 2016 to September 2017.
As a consequence of these EU postings, the role of Director of the IRCG has been filled in an Acting capacity by one of two Assistant Directors for the initial period in 2016/2017 and from January 2019 to date. To fill the consequential vacancy at Assistant Director level and further consequential vacancies, the following "Acting up" positions were awarded following competitive processes:
- 1 Coastguard Manager acting up to Assistant Director Level since April 2019;
- 1 Divisional Controller acting up to Coastguard Manager July 2019 to February 2020; and
- 1 Station Officer acting up to Divisional Controller since September 2019.
61. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the plans of An Garda Síochána to prioritise and complete the building of its API programme to enable gardaí at roadside checkpoints access to the driver file record database in view of the fact it is crucial that the data which underpins the new Garda mobility devices is up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24636/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the proposed automated system of sharing information between the Courts Service, the Road Safety Authority, his Department and An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24624/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his plans to allow access to the driver file database to An Garda Síochána to ascertain whether a driver has a full licence, is a novice or professional driver or is the holder of a learner permit in cases in which a driver licence is not produced at a checkpoint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24626/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra74. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on his plans to complete the API programme to share information with An Garda Síochána from the driver file record database to data pertaining to driving licences and learner permits as it is crucial that the data which underpins the new Garda mobility devices is up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24627/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 71, 73 and 74 together.
My Department, through the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF), currently transfer data daily to An Garda Síochána’s (AGS) Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. This dataset contains details of untaxed and untested vehicles (private and commercial) only.
The data extracts to AGS and other relevant stakeholders are provided by legacy systems which do not support easy implementation of 24x7 high availability real-time data.
My officials in the Driver Vehicle and Computer Services Division (DVCSD), who manage the NVDF, have now developed an Application Program Interface (API) solution which allows for specific real-time data to be shared with requestors in a controlled fashion, and which provides for increased access security and data protection requirements. This will cater for many of the interface requirements for the NVDF in the future such as the Garda Mobility Project, as referenced here.
My Department are currently working with An Garda Síochána with regard to the use of this API to enable their handheld devices access real-time driver and vehicle data. AGS and my officials are currently in the process of determining the data that is required, and ensuring all the relevant legal and data protection provisions are in place. To facilitate improved road traffic enforcement, AGS has requested key additional driver and vehicle data elements that are not currently available via existing data-sharing arrangements.
Some elements of driver data being proposed, including the driver records referenced here, will be made available. In addition, where no drivers licence is produced at the roadside, it is proposed that AGS will have the ability to search the driver record with additional search criteria such as name, address, date of birth etc
While rollout of the handheld devices is ultimately a matter for the Garda Commissioner, my Department recognise the significant role it will have in the enforcement of driver and vehicle regulation, and are very supportive of the initiative.
62. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24665/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for her question in relation to Cork Airport. I am aware of the challenges that Cork Airport and indeed that all of our airports are currently facing and will continue to face over the coming months as the country adjusts to the new reality of living alongside Covid-19.
As the Deputy is aware, Cork Airport is an autonomous business unit within the daa. I have met with the daa and have been updated on the challenges facing daa Group, including Cork Airport. Minister of State Naughton has also recently met with the Managing Director of Cork Airport.
In order to assist businesses in facing the challenges of Covid-19 and further protect employment, the Government has put in place a comprehensive suite of supports for companies of all sizes, including those in the aviation sector, which includes the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) (and its predecessor the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme), commercial rates waiver and deferred tax liabilities. daa is availing of these supports which are designed to assist businesses, including our airports in terms of the management of their companies during this unprecedented time.
The Aviation Recovery Taskforce set out recommendations for consideration by Ministers and Government on what needs to be done to assist the Irish aviation sector to recover from the COVID-19 crisis. The taskforce report contains a number of recommendations on how to support Irish aviation, which has been badly affected by the almost complete shutdown of international air travel. The recommendations include measures to sustain the industry for so long as travel restrictions are in place and also measures to help stimulate a return to growth, when the time is right. The Government has already implemented several recommendations, including the publication of safe air travel protocols. We have progressed a European slot rule waiver for airlines in consultation with the European Commission. The wage subsidy scheme was extended to April 2021.
The other recommendations, including further targeted financial supports to help reinstate connectivity (including for Cork Airport), regional development and sustainability in the Sector are being examined. Work is required to develop these recommendations into effective interventions, and that work is underway by my Department. It will feed into the Government’s further plans to aid broader economic recovery, including in the aviation sector.
The Government’s recently published Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19 specifically addresses the approach to international travel and proposes that Ireland will broadly support the European Commission’s recently published proposal to promote a common approach to travel restrictions and movement within the EU/EEA. This proposal will now be considered by the Council of Ministers.
I want to assure you Deputy that my Department is in continuous contact with the daa, in terms of both Dublin and Cork airports and it is my intention that Cork Airport will be well positioned operationally to contribute to the economic recovery.
63. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide investment for covered bus stops in towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24666/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
64. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if the position regarding the provision of emergency driver tests will be reviewed (details supplied). [24472/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile this is an operational matter for the RSA, it is my understanding that only those who are frontline healthcare workers will be deemed eligible for an urgent test slot. It must be borne in mind that, due to social distancing guidelines, fewer daily tests will be conducted by each driver tester. As a result, while there will be some availability for urgent tests, the RSA's capacity to make these available in all cases will be limited. The RSA therefore, have deemed it necessary to prioritise frontline healthcare workers for the limited number of urgent test slots available. This approach for prioritising customers will be kept under review as the RSA moves through the service resumption.
My Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA, which is exploring how further to manage backlogs while prioritizing public health, and this process is being informed by lessons learned as centres operate under the new health restrictions.
