Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:119. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a breakdown of his Department’s estimate for salaries, wages and allowances for 2021. [31367/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Data
Ceisteanna (119)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department's gross 2021 Estimate is €51.094 million which represents a decrease of 6.9% or €3.774 million on the 2020 Further Revised Estimate for my Department.
The allocation is divided between administration and programme expenditure. The 2021 administration budget for my Department amounts to €23.477 million. This allocation covers the running cost of my Department.
As part of its 2021 Estimate my Department has allocated €18.1 million to salaries including overtime and allowances. This represents an increase of €1.2 million on the salary allocation in my Department's 2020 Further Revised Estimate and will allow my Department to increase its workforce to deliver on the additional responsibilities set out for the Department in the Programme for Government.
This increase in expenditure on staffing will allow my Department to:
- Support the executive functions of the Taoiseach and Government and advance Government’s priorities and policy development through the Cabinet Committee structure;
- Continue the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19 including communicating public information; • Restore and sustain Ireland’s economy; and
- Plan for the future in relation to Brexit, Climate Change and the work of the new Shared Island Unit.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (120)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:120. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a breakdown of his Department’s 2021 estimate for a specialised sexual offences unit. [31368/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, Section 2 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 explicitly provides that the Director of Public Prosecution shall be independent in the performance of her functions. One of the ways effect is given to this independence is that funding for the Director’s Office is provided through a separate Vote; Vote 5 – Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. While I have a role in presenting Estimates for the DPP’s Vote to the Oireachtas annually, neither I nor my officials exercise any control in relation to how the Director discharges her functions.
I understand that in 2019 the Director of Public Prosecutions proposed to create a Specialised Sexual Offences Unit within her Office as work being undertaken in Ireland, and the experience of neighbouring jurisdictions, pointed to better outcomes being delivered for victims when sexual offences are dealt with by the prosecution service in specialised sexual offences units. The Director recognised that a dedicated unit would produce better outcomes for victims, and that it would involve additional costs.
The Director’s officials engaged in discussions with officials of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with regard to the additional funding required. The cost of the 10 additional staff sought by the Director to create the unit was €800,000 a year. It was agreed to provide funding for these additional staff in two phases. €300,000 was provided in the 2020 Estimates to enable the unit to be established and a commitment was given that the remaining funding of €500,000 be provided in the 2021 Estimates. I can confirm for the Deputy that in the 2021 Estimates for the DPP’s Office, published recently, the additional €500,00 committed to in 2019 has been provided. Therefore, the 2021 Estimates for the DPP’s Office contains provision of €800,000 to fully meet the salary costs of the 10 additional staff sought by the Director for the Sexual Offences Unit.
Cabinet Committees
Ceisteanna (121)
Noel Grealish
Ceist:121. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Taoiseach the detail of each Cabinet Committee; the membership of the committees; the committees that have met to date; and the committees that have not met. [30841/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government has established ten Cabinet Committees with membership as set out in the table below.
The Cabinet Committees on COVID-19; Economic Recovery and Investment; Housing; Health; Environment and Climate Change; Europe; and Government Co-ordination have all held meetings. The Committees on Social Affairs and Equality; Education; and Brexit and Northern Ireland are expected to hold their first meetings shortly.
|
Cabinet Committee |
Membership |
|
COVID-19 |
Taoiseach Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport Minister for Health Minister for Finance Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Minister for Foreign Affairs; and for Defence |
|
Economic Recovery and Investment |
Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Taoiseach Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport Minister for Finance Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
|
Housing |
Taoiseach Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Minister for Finance Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection; and for Rural and Community Development |
|
Health |
Taoiseach Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport Minister for Health Minister for Finance Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform |
|
Environment and Climate Change |
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport Taoiseach Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Minister for Finance Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection; and for Rural and Community Development Minister of State Hackett is invited to the Cabinet Committee |
|
Social Affairs and Equality |
Taoiseach Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Minister for Finance Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection; and for Rural and Community Development Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Minister for Health Minister for Justice and Equality Minister for Education and Skills Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
|
Education |
Taoiseach Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport Minister for Education and Skills Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Minister for Finance Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
|
Europe |
Taoiseach Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport Minister for Foreign Affairs; and for Defence Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Minister for Finance |
|
Brexit and Northern Ireland |
Taoiseach Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport Minister for Foreign Affairs; and for Defence Minister for Justice and Equality Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Minister for Finance |
|
Government Co-ordination |
Taoiseach Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport |
Regional Aid
Ceisteanna (122)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:122. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department in each of the past seven years; and the value by county or lowest possible NUTS level over the period. [30906/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
No grants were made under the EU Regional Aid Guidelines by my Department, or agencies under the remit of my Department, in the years in question.
Appointments to State Boards
Ceisteanna (123)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:123. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach if a member of a union (details supplied) will be appointed to the Commission on the Future of Media. [30706/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Future of Media Commission has been constituted as an independent body whose members have been appointed on the basis of their expertise in broadcast, print and online media. The composition of the Commission represents a balanced mix of experts in public service media, independent journalism, social media, new technology platforms, media economics, culture, language, creative content, governance and best international practice.
The Commission itself is not intended to be a stakeholder representative forum, and as such none of its members have been appointed in an ex-officio capacity.
It is envisaged that the Commission will engage comprehensively with key stakeholders, including journalists and their representatives, publishers, regional media, and the wider public.
Departmental Offices
Ceisteanna (124)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:124. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Taoiseach the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces assigned to his Department in percentage and absolute terms. [31752/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department takes active steps to support staff returning to the workplace from maternity leave.
In line with Circular 31/06 Implementation of the Regulations of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, staff returning to my Department from maternity leave who are breastfeeding are entitled to paid breaks from work (one hour per day), or reduced daily working time (one hour per day) to facilitate breastfeeding or lactation until the child is two years of age.
At present my Department is solely located in Government Buildings. Within the building there is a private room with en-suite facilities which is available to staff requiring private space for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk. Access to refrigeration units for the purpose of storing breast milk is provided on request.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (125)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:125. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No, 189 of 6 October 2020, if he will consider legislative measures so that workers are not at a loss in terms of light, heat and waste bills due to having to work and study at home in view of such a scheme in Spain (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30949/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is no statutory employment right to a refund of expenses in respect of light, heat and waste incurred by employees working from home. Expenses/ allowances are not covered in Irish employment legislation and would be a matter for negotiation between employer/employee except where provided for in collective agreements.
In cases where an employer makes payments towards the expenses of working from home, up to €3.20 per day may be paid to employees without a Benefit-In-Kind arising.
Where an employer does not make a contribution, the worker may claim a tax deduction for utility expenses such as heat and light - and, new for 2020, the Revenue Commissioners have now confirmed that this may include the cost of broadband. Details will be set out in the Revenue guidance on the matter. Claims may also be made for any other vouched expenses incurred “wholly, exclusively and necessarily” in the performance of the duties of their employment.
Grant supports for students are the responsibility of the Minister for Education and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The Government has no current plans to legislate on this particular issue.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (126)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:126. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the financial supports available to persons that are pub owners and the sole employee of the pub in view of the increase to level three Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31037/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am keenly aware that publicans are making a massive sacrifice to protect their communities and I am committed to ensuring that the Government will offer as much assistance and support as possible.
We know the move to Level 5 will have a significant impact on businesses. In order to reduce transmission of this disease quickly we are making this decision now so we can return to a lower level of the Living with Covid-19 framework.
Budget 2021 provides a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors.
The measures in the Budget are in addition to those announced in the July Stimulus, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Restart Grant Plus, cash for businesses, low cost loans and commercial rates waivers.
As a result of the fact that businesses have to close, we are making changes to the PUP and the EWSS. The new payment structure for the PUP includes the increase in the top rate to €350 for those who were earning in excess of €400 per week. This change to payment rates will apply in respect of all existing and new applicants.
The EWSS is also being amended to align with the amendment to PUP, with the top payment increasing to €350 for those earning over €400.
As part of Budget 2021, the New Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), is now operational through Revenue and offers a targeted, timely and temporary sector-specific support to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID of up to €5,000 per week.
We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme.
We have also announced a six-month reduction in the VAT, going down from 23% to 21%, a reduction in the 13.5% VAT rate to 9% which will benefit the hospitality sector, together with a range of additional public capital investment measures to support the domestic economy.
On 28th August 2020, the Government announced a further €16m support package to help pubs, bars and nightclubs, recognising the economic impact of Covid-19 on their businesses and to assist planning and adaptation for their re-opening. This package contained measures including:
- Restart Grant Plus 40% Top Up: Those businesses remaining closed and planning their re-opening can now receive a minimum of €5,600 and a maximum of €35,000 under the Restart Grant Plus. This can be used to help additional expense and adaptations associated with re-opening when the time comes.
- Waiver of court fees and associated excise and stamp duties relating to the renewal of pub and other liquor licences in 2020.
- Waiver of excise duty on on-trade liquor licences on renewal in 2020.
The Restart Grant Plus provides direct grant aid to businesses with up to 250 employees to help them with the costs associated with reopening and re-employing workers following COVID-19 closures. Top-ups were previously made available for eligible businesses in Kildare, Laois, Offaly, Dublin and Donegal in respect of a further period of restrictions, for ‘wet’ pubs, bars and nightclubs nationwide that re-opened on 21 September, and for ‘wet’ pubs, bars and nightclubs in Dublin that remain closed.
Businesses in Dublin and Donegal were generally eligible for a grant top-up due to the restrictions imposed at that time. Donegal pubs remained partially open, so the pubs were entitled to an additional top-up in recognition of the restrictions imposed. Meanwhile, Dublin pubs that were forced to remain closed were entitled to a further enhanced top-up.
These supports are supplementary to the wide range of existing loan and voucher schemes available to assist businesses affected by COVID-19 provided through the July Jobs Stimulus and other Government initiatives. Further information on top-up payments and application forms for the Restart Grant Plus Scheme are available on the websites of all Local Authorities. The closing date for receipt of applications to the scheme has been extended to 31st October 2020 to ensure the scheme is accessible to as many businesses as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (127)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:127. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has received a submission from a body (details supplied) seeking relaxation on deadlines and compliance rules due to the exceptional pressures created by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31113/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I received a representation from Chartered Accountants Ireland on 22 July 2020 regarding the question of a legislative amendment to extend the six year rule for the cycle of quality assurance reviews of statutory auditors and audit firms and a response has issued from my office.
In summary, in view of the importance of the review function in terms of safeguarding small businesses, the length of the review cycle as it stands, the number of auditors and audit firms impacted and the mitigating measures already available it is not considered that a legislative amendment is appropriate at this time.
I have also recently received further representations from Chartered Accountants Ireland on a range of matters including the extension of company filing deadlines and the loss of the audit exemption and these are being considered and responses to the representations will issue in due course.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (128)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:128. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court are bringing parties from other counties to Dublin during level 3 restrictions for face-to-face hearings in view of the fact that these bodies have the facilities to convene such hearings remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31116/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court are offices under the aegis of my Department. Both the WRC and the Labour Court are statutorily independent in the exercise of their quasi-judicial functions and I as Minister cannot intervene when they exercise those functions.
In common with the Courts Service and other quasi-judicial bodies the offices of the WRC and Labour Court, currently remain open and operational during level 3 restrictions.
However, in light of the decision to move the country to Level 5 from midnight on Wednesday 21st, the WRC and Labour Court must now consider if it is appropriate to postpone all in person hearings for the period of Level 5.
In this scenario, it is expected that a virtual alternative will be offered in all instances, in so far as possible, where a hearing has been scheduled during the period of level 5 restrictions.
Thus far, in circumstances where parties have been unable to attend in person, where such a hearing is proffered, the WRC is in a position to offer remote hearings to parties where the matters may be disposed of virtually. The Labour Court also schedules hearings for a virtual Court room wherever possible.
While it is desirable that hearings which can be heard in a virtual Court room are conducted through that medium, cases may be assigned to a physical Court room when necessary for practical or fair procedure reasons.
Where hearings are held in a physical Court room, both the WRC and Labour Court provide for social distancing at all times, the wearing of face masks, strict movement protocols within the building, strict entry and exit protocols, comprehensive signage including directional signage, strict recording of attendee identity and contact details, personal sanitisation facilities and Court room sanitisation following hearings and during breaks in proceedings.
Both the WRC and the Labour Court will continue to provide their services in line with public health guidelines.
Tax Rebates
Ceisteanna (129)
John Brady
Ceist:129. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to restore the employer statutory redundancy rebate, which was abolished in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31118/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Up to 2011, the Redundancy Payments Scheme provided a rebate of 60% to employers who made statutory redundancy payments to their employees. In Budgets 2012 and 2013, the Government first reduced and then abolished the rebate payment. The rebate to employers was paid regardless of a company’s financial situation and ability to pay, and ongoing commitment to the Irish economy, thus benefiting viable and profitable companies, including multinational companies. At the time the rebate was ceased, Ireland was the only OECD country that offered a rebate mechanism for viable businesses with payments made of approximately €300m each year. At the time, it was not deemed a targeted use of the resources of the social insurance fund.
In situations where an employer cannot sustain the cost of redundancy payments due to financial difficulties, the Department of Social Protection can make the statutory redundancy payment to eligible employees from the Social Insurance Fund on behalf of the employer. When such a redundancy payment is made, a debt is raised against the employer. The Department will engage with employers to establish their financial situation on a case by case basis and will seek to recover the debt on a mutually agreed basis.
The Redundancy Payments Scheme as it now operates benefits employees whose employers are unable to make statutory redundancy payments. The Scheme takes into account both an employer’s ability to pay and that the Social Insurance Fund can be reimbursed in the future, through debt repayment if an employer’s financial position improves.
Since March, the Government has put in place a major expansion of targeted measures in response to the Covid-19 crisis which will provide employers with the security of continued support for the rest of this year and well into 2021. Budget 2021 will help companies deal with both Brexit and Covid-19 and provides for additional significant measures tailored to those sectors who are most in need, thereby sustaining jobs. This week the EWSS was enhanced and aligned with PUP rates with the intention of retaining the link between employee and employer.
Appointments to State Boards
Ceisteanna (130)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the post of head of administration at the Labour Court will be filled; and the length of time this post has been vacant. [31178/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Labour Court is an independent statutory office under the aegis of my Department. The Court is the court of last resort in industrial relations disputes and since the enactment of the Workplace Relations Act 2015, is the appellate body for appeals arising from decisions of Adjudication Officers of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) under employment rights legislation.
The Labour Court’s statutory structure provides for thirteen office holders, i.e. the Chairman, four Deputy Chairmen and eight Ordinary Members. In addition, the Court has a Registrar and an administrative team of 18.1 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs), who are civil servants of my Department.
The post of Head of Administration has been vacant since the 7 September 2020. This post will be filled shortly.
Workplace Relations Commission
Ceisteanna (131)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:131. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost in 2021 of recruiting seven additional HEO inspectors and 35 EO inspectors for Workplace Relations Commission. [31179/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent statutory office under the aegis of my Department. The WRC’s broad mandate includes the inspection of employment rights compliance, the provision of information, adjudicating on complaints under employment protection, equality and industrial relations legislation and the provision of mediation, conciliation, facilitation and advisory services.
The WRC Inspectorate is staffed by civil servants of my Department. As at 30 September 2020, there are a total of 48 WRC Labour Inspectors. In addition, there are panels in place for the assignment of 5 further inspector grades and, working with the Public Appointments Service, new regional panels will shortly be established. It is estimated that the recruitment of 7 additional HEO inspectors and 35 additional EO inspectors to the WRC, would cost €1,921,500 in 2021, excluding allowances and employers PSRI.
While the WRC allocation for 2021 will not be finalised until the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume in December, it is anticipated that the allocation will be consistent with the funding provided in 2020. My Department will continue to work closely with the WRC in monitoring its staffing and budgetary requirements, including anticipating future resource requirements, to ensure that it is supported and adequately resourced to fulfil its role.
Health and Safety Authority
Ceisteanna (132)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:132. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the allocation of €4 million in budget 2021 for Health and Safety Authority pay is for pay restoration; if it is additional and new moneys; if so, the measures the funding will be used for; the number of additional HSA inspectors it will be used to take on; and the permanent standing HSA workforce expected after the funds have been used by grade group and category. [31292/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The additional budget allocation of €4m to the Health and Safety Authority is an additional pay allocation to increase the staff available to the Authority, including the recruitment of additional inspectors, to deliver on its mandate.
The 2021 funding being made available to the Health and Safety Authority will enable the Authority to assist businesses to comply with workplace health and safety obligations as well as assisting businesses to plan for a changed regulatory landscape post-Brexit especially in relation to chemical usage, product safety, market surveillance and accreditation.
The Health and Safety Authority will use the additional funding to establish a new Occupational Health Division to support occupational health responses to COVID-19. However, the determination of the potential number, grades and roles of new staff which can be best utilised with this additional funding is an operational matter, in the first instance, for the Health and Safety Authority.
Officials of my Department will discuss this further with the Health and Safety Authority to establish their preferences for the utilisation of the additional funding.
The establishment of an Occupational Health Division will ensure that the Health and Safety Authority will be in a stronger position to meet the demands being placed on it for increased inspections and to provide a suite of supports to businesses, workers and public health officials in the context of COVID-19. Any investment in a new Occupational Health Division would also represent a long-term investment by the State in worker health leading to a reduction in workplace injuries and absences which contributes, in turn, to an improvement in the productivity and competitiveness of Irish businesses and a reduction in the cost to the State of illness benefits.
While the Health and Safety Authority will continue to be to the forefront in helping employers and employees to deal with the challenges of COVID-19 in the workplace it is also important to bear in mind that other workplace health and safety risks across many sectors of the economy, including high-risk sectors of construction and farming, will remain a priority for the Health and Safety Authority.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (133)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:133. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 28 of 13 October 2020, if he will provide a breakdown of each NACE sector compliance with Covid-19 protocols, in the manner in which the CSO or EUROSTAT further break down these sectors into more detailed individual subsections (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31324/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Return to Work Safely Protocol (Protocol) was launched on 9 May 2020 and came into effect on the 18 May 2020 to coincide with Phase 1 of the Government roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions and commence the reopening of the economy. Between 18th May 2020, and 7th October 2020 the Health and Safety Authority carried out 3,855 COVID-19 compliance checks.
The table below shows the number of COVID-19 compliance checks per NACE sector and the percentage level of compliance with the main provisions contained in the Protocol namely;
- Covid Plan in place
- Covid training provided
- Covid control measures in place
- Lead worker representative in place
As the Deputy is aware the main NACE sectors detailed in the table below have sub sectors (in some cases multiple sub sectors). The Health and Safety Authority has indicated that to carry out the necessary interrogation of its reporting systems to produce an individual report on every sub sector of every NACE sector would take an excessive amount of time and would not, in their view, provide any additional value regarding the level of compliance to that available in the table below.
However, I have asked my officials to engage further with the Health and Safety Authority to ascertain what greater level of sectoral and sub-sectoral detail that they could reasonably provide directly to the Deputy.
The Deputy should note that other inspectorates from across Government are also carrying out Return to Work Safely Protocol compliance inspections, including inspectors from the Department of Education and Skills.
H.S.A Protocol Compliance checks Per Sector Between The 17th May 2020 - 7th Oct 2020
|
NACE Sectors |
Total No. of Protocol Compliance Checks |
% With Covid Plan In Place |
% Where Covid Training Was Completed |
% With Covid Control Measures in place |
% Where Lead Worker Selected |
|
|
A |
AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING |
83 |
65 |
75 |
89 |
57 |
|
B |
MINING AND QUARRYING |
47 |
77 |
100 |
96 |
68 |
|
C |
MANUFACTURING |
500 |
82 |
89 |
97 |
72 |
|
D |
ELECTRICITY, GAS, STEAM AND AIR CONDITIONING SUPPLY |
10 |
100 |
100 |
90 |
100 |
|
E |
WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE, WASTE MANAGMENT AND REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES |
45 |
78 |
78 |
96 |
69 |
|
F |
CONSTRUCTION |
1774 |
81 |
92 |
89 |
77 |
|
G |
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE; REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES |
941 |
68 |
79 |
93 |
57 |
|
H |
TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE |
172 |
67 |
64 |
90 |
60 |
|
I |
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICE ACTIVITIES |
43 |
74 |
81 |
91 |
79 |
|
J |
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION |
9 |
78 |
78 |
100 |
56 |
|
K |
FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE ACTIVITIES |
4 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
75 |
|
L |
REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES |
4 |
100 |
75 |
100 |
75 |
|
M |
PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES |
67 |
69 |
57 |
97 |
58 |
|
N |
ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICE ACTIVITIES |
30 |
80 |
83 |
90 |
70 |
|
O |
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DEFENCE; COMPULSORY SOCIAL SECURITY |
27 |
96 |
89 |
96 |
78 |
|
P |
EDUCATION |
2 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
|
Q |
HUMAN HEALTH AND SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES |
26 |
81 |
85 |
96 |
54 |
|
R |
ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION |
29 |
86 |
97 |
100 |
83 |
|
S |
OTHER SERVICE ACTIVITIES |
41 |
54 |
76 |
88 |
54 |
|
T |
ACTIVITIES OF HOUSEHOLDS AS EMPLOYERS; UNDIFFERENTIATED GOODS- AND SERVICES-PRODUCING ACTIVITIES OF HOUSEHOLDS FOR OWN USE |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
U |
ACTIVITIES OF EXTRATERRITORIAL ORGANISATIONS AND BODIES |
1 |
0 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
Apprenticeship Programmes
Ceisteanna (134)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:134. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to incentivise construction companies to engage apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31446/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department supports the development of the apprenticeship system on an ongoing basis as a means of providing for the broad range of skills needed for the growing economy.
As part of a longer term vision for apprenticeships, the Government has committed to the publication of an updated Apprenticeship Action Plan to look at new ways of structuring, funding and promoting apprenticeships, including construction apprenticeships.
The objective is to grow the number of apprenticeships significantly between now and 2025, increasing the total number of new registrations to at least 10,000 per annum. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science launched a consultation process to help develop this new Action Plan in early August.
While this future vision for apprenticeships is being developed, and in the shorter term, the July Jobs Stimulus included provision for the introduction of an Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme for employers of apprentices across all sectors. This is in recognition of the Government's commitment to the value of apprenticeships and their continued expansion, as well as an acknowledgement of the real financial difficulties faced by employers in these challenging times.
The scheme provides a grant of €3,000 to employers for each new apprentice registered between the 1st March and 31st December of this year, and it has been extended under the recent Budget into 2021. Further details are available from SOLAS or through www.apprenticehsip.ie.
I would encourage the Deputy to contact the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Apprenticeship Council if she has further queries. Operational responsibility in this area lies with SOLAS, Ireland's further education and training authority.
Health and Safety Authority
Ceisteanna (135)
Gerald Nash
Ceist:135. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of HSA inspectors hired since the beginning of July 2020; the additional resources that have been provided to the HSA from budget 2021; his plans to hire additional HSA inspectors in 2020 and 2021 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31487/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The staff of the Health and Safety Authority is comprised of both administration and inspector grades. The inspector grades comprise of Grade I (senior inspectors) as well as GII and GIII inspectors. Inspectors operate across all mandates of the Health and Safety Authority including occupational health and safety and market surveillance of products and chemicals.
At the end of August 2020, the Health and Safety Authority employed 181 staff, including inspectors, professional and technical specialists, administrators and clerical staff. Of the 181 staff, 109 are employed in inspector grades with 67 of these inspectors available for field work in relation to checking compliance with the Return to Work Safely Protocol.
The Authority has not hired new inspectors in the period since July 2020 to date. However, the Health and Safety Authority inspectorate is being supplemented significantly by deploying other inspectors from across the system who already have an environmental health, agriculture or other workplace/business inspection responsibilities to carry out Protocol compliance checks. These resources are drawn from the Workplace Relations Commission, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the cohort of Environmental Health Officers, the Department of Education as well as the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency. This has resulted in up to an additional 700 inspectors checking compliance with the Protocol as part of their normal inspection programme.
The 2021 funding being made available to the Health and Safety Authority will enable the Authority to assist businesses to comply with workplace health and safety obligations as well as assisting businesses to plan for a changed regulatory landscape post-Brexit especially in relation to chemical usage, product safety, market surveillance and accreditation.
The additional Budget allocation of €4m to the Health and Safety Authority is primarily an additional pay allocation to increase the staff available to the Authority, including the recruitment of additional inspectors, to deliver on its mandate.
The Health and Safety Authority will use the additional funding to establish a new Occupational Health Division that will initially support occupational health responses to COVID-19. However, the determination of the potential number, grades and roles of new staff which can be best utilised with this additional funding is an operational matter, in the first instance, for the Health and Safety Authority.
Officials of my Department will discuss this further with the Health and Safety Authority to establish their preferences for the utilisation of the additional funding.
The establishment of an Occupational Health Division will ensure that the Health and Safety Authority will be in a stronger position to meet the demands being placed on it for increased inspections and to provide a suite of supports to businesses, workers and public health officials in the context of COVID-19. Any investment in a new Occupational Health Division would also represent a long-term investment by the State in worker health leading to a reduction in workplace injuries and absences which contributes, in turn, to an improvement in the productivity and competitiveness of Irish businesses and a reduction in the cost to the State of illness benefits.
While the Health and Safety Authority will continue to be to the forefront in helping employers and employees to deal with the challenges of COVID-19 in the workplace it is also important to bear in mind that other workplace health and safety risks across many sectors of the economy, including high-risk sectors of construction and farming, will remain a priority for the Health and Safety Authority.
Departmental Offices
Ceisteanna (136)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:136. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces assigned to his Department in percentage and absolute terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31746/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Accommodation for my Department and its Offices is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by the OPW on our behalf. The Department and its Offices are located in 11 locations across the country, six of which are in Dublin and five regionally. Typically, the Department and its Offices are in shared accommodation, either with other Government Departments, public bodies or the private sector. The Department works closely with OPW colleagues to ensure the provision of appropriate, fit-for-purpose accommodation for our staff.
In line with Section 9 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 and Part 9 of Department of Finance Circular 2006/31, staff may avail of breastfeeding breaks or paid reduction in their working hours from 26 to 104 weeks for children up to the age of two years.
In adherence to Regulations of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007 my Department provides Rest Rooms in all 11 (100%), of its locations which, while not solely dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing of breast milk, may be used by staff for these purposes during working hours.
Also in respect of the Offices of my Department, in locations where they may be tenants of a managed service company or in a building managed by a major tenant, they have identified private rooms that can be used by staff for the purpose of breastfeeding and expressing breast milk. All Offices are satisfied that they are in a position to make suitable facilities available to staff for this purpose whenever such a need arises.
Cybersecurity Policy
Ceisteanna (137)
Gerald Nash
Ceist:137. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if a hybrid warfare self-assessment to identify critical State functions and find vulnerabilities within and between critical State functions has been conducted; if so, if effective mechanisms to anticipate, avoid defeat or recover from hybrid attacks have been developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30997/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is part of my Department, plays a central role in defending critical infrastructure and services in the State against cyber attack. The NCSC does this by means of its response function, housed in the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), as well as a series of measures to improve the resilience of this infrastructure. These measures include advanced threat intelligence gathering and information sharing, the provision of advice, support and guidance to entities, as well as a formal statutory regime for key critical infrastructure operators under the European Network and Information Security Directive (NIS Directive).
In 2016 and 2017 the NCSC conducted a detailed review of critical infrastructure in the State, including key national and international interdependencies within and between sectors. The results of this were used to inform the process by which key infrastructure operators were designated as Operators of Essential Services under the NIS Directive, in 2018. Since that time, these Operators have been bound to meet a set of cyber security requirements, and to report incidents to the NCSC. The NCSC also audits these entities against compliance with their requirements under European and National law.
The 2019 National Cyber Security Strategy included a commitment to conduct a further risk assessment of critical infrastructure in the State. This assessment has commenced, and will draw on the operational experience garnered by the NCSC in the compliance work on the NIS Directive, and in incident response, as well the experience of international partners. The outcomes of this Risk Assessment process will feed into the national position on the review of the NIS Directive, and will also be used to inform future designations of OES.
Defective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (138)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:138. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the requirements of the defective blocks scheme (details supplied) that limits scheme participants that as a consequence of defective blocks must entirely rebuild their homes and to out-of-date standards in that rebuilding; and if he will consult with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to allow persons that qualify for the defective blocks scheme to receive automatic access to SEAI supports. [30965/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The SEAI operates a number of energy efficiency upgrade schemes on behalf of my Department. These schemes include partial grants for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as schemes that provide free energy efficiency improvements for people who are in receipt of certain welfare payments. Full details on the schemes are available from the SEAI on 1850 250 204 or their website at: https://www.seai.ie/grants/.
The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, including our homes, with targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years.
SEAI grant schemes will be a central element of the Government’s approach to achieving our national retrofit targets. Budget 2021 provided €221.5 million in capital funding for residential and community retrofit programmes next year to be funded by my Department through the SEAI. This represents an additional €100 million, or 82% increase, on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever in the budget for the schemes. A further €65 million has been provided for retrofitting the social housing stock through the Vote of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The defective blocks scheme is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Participants in the defective blocks scheme can also apply for SEAI funding in line with the relevant eligibility criteria.