Richard Bruton
Ceist:81. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the innovations he plans for the upcoming statement of strategy of his Department. [34554/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Strategies
Ceisteanna (81)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department is currently in the process of developing a new Statement of Strategy for the period 2020 - 2023. This new Strategy will set out the key goals and objectives that the Department will work to achieve in the coming years. It will take account of the many Programme for Government commitments that fall within the Department's remit and will reflect the changes in responsibility that have come about following the restructuring of Government departments. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department is now officially renamed Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The Statement of Strategy will outline priority measures to facilitate remote working, reduce the cost of insurance, introduce a living wage, help fight white collar crime, strengthen employment rights and ensure balanced regional development.
Of critical importance in the Statement of Strategy will be economic recovery and job creation – assisting indigenous businesses to sustain and adapt their business models, support them to keep their employees during this difficult period of time through measures such as increased access to finance, wage subsidies and grants. Complementing this will be a determination to maintain and grow our FDI base. It was critical to our economic recovery previously and will be again.
I hope that by setting out the Department’s priorities for the period to 2023, along with timelines in which to achieve them, it will provide confidence to businesses and workers that the Department has their interests to the fore.
Small and Medium Enterprises
Ceisteanna (82)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will put in place the necessary supports to keep small to medium enterprises open. [34717/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am keenly aware that businesses 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. 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 Budget 2021 are in addition to those announced in the July Stimulus, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), cash for businesses, low cost loans, commercial rates waivers and deferred tax liabilities. Details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes are available on my Department’s website.
As a result of the fact that businesses have to close, we are making changes to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment 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, a new COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), became operational from 13th October 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%.
I am working with my colleagues across Government to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19 and we will continue to keep the supports provided for SMEs under review with the goal of setting our country towards economic recovery, protecting the lives and livelihoods of our people.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (83)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections by the HSA of meat plants since level 5 Covid-19 restrictions were put in place; the measures taken to ensure the safety of workers in this sector and that there is no renewed outbreak or clusters in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35082/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since the introduction of level 5 restrictions on the 21 October 2020 the Health and Safety Authority has carried out 13 inspections of meat processing plants, with 146 inspections since the 18th of May 2020. Of the 146 inspections, 116 were unannounced and 30 were announced. There have been no announced inspections since early August.
In addition, Inspectors for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have completed over 476 Return to Work Safely Protocol inspections on behalf of the HSA, including unannounced inspections and these inspections are ongoing.
Inspections by the Health and Safety Authority involve engagement with on-site personnel including management, health and safety advisors, COVID-19 Lead Worker Representatives, safety representatives and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine officials.
The Health and Safety Authority is also a member of the National Outbreak Control Team dealing with the COVID-19 outbreaks at meat processing plants. Local Outbreak Control Teams have been working with the employers and employees of affected facilities to control and reduce the spread of infection. These multi-agency teams are led by HSE Public Health departments. HSA Inspectors also liaised pre- and post-inspection with the Chair of the relevant Local Outbreak Control Team to ensure effective planning and feedback.
The Health and Safety Authority has reported good engagement from and co-operation with plant management during inspections while responding to outbreaks.
NPHET, the HSE and other Government agencies continue to closely monitor the situation regarding outbreaks in meat processing plants. I am advised that improvements have been made, where needed, in the sector.
IDA Ireland
Ceisteanna (84)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:84. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional incentives the IDA has in place to encourage foreign direct investment outside Dublin and adjacent counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35054/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is strongly committed to regional development and this Department and its agencies - including IDA Ireland - are working towards ambitious targets to ensure that employment and investment are as evenly distributed as possible across the country. This includes actively marketing potential investment sites outside of our main cities and working to develop recognised industry clusters that will attract overseas investors to regional locations.
Every region in Ireland witnessed foreign direct investment (FDI) employment gains and by the end of 2019, there were 138,000 people employed in 724 IDA client companies located outside of Dublin, with 57% of all IDA client-supported jobs located outside the capital. With respect to 2020, the Agency has secured over 130 investments to date, which have the potential to create almost 10,000 jobs. Almost half of these new projects were secured for locations outside Dublin.
The Agency has a number of incentives in place to encourage companies to invest in regional locations. In addition to the general support that it provides to client firms through advice and expertise on investing in Ireland, the Agency is authorised by my Department to provide a range of particular financial supports in the form of employment, capital, research and development, environmental and training grants. These grants represent an important means of encouraging companies to invest in Ireland, particularly to regional locations and this includes counties adjacent to Dublin.
The IDA's Regional Property Programme (RPP) also remains an important tool through which investors can be encouraged to locate in areas outside of Dublin. The RPP is targeted at ensuring the ready availability of an adequate supply of marketable serviced land, office and industrial buildings in advance of demand by both existing and potential client companies.
The impact of the IDA’s Regional Property Programme is reflected in the transformative nature of some of the key investments secured for the regions through it. Over €100m in capital investment and over 1,000 high-quality jobs have been secured through this programme for towns including Waterford, Athlone, Castlebar, Limerick, Sligo and Tralee.
Balanced regional development will remain a top priority for this Government and will be a key objective in the IDA's new strategy which will be launched in the coming months.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (85)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:85. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work being carried out by his Department during the current level 5 restrictions to better equip sectors under his guidance to be resilient in the face of any future resurgence of Covid-19 cases in order that they can remain open safely in the face of a step-up in restrictions on social interaction. [34555/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has put enterprise measures in place for businesses that require finance as they develop a response to their exposure to impacts arising from COVID-19. The uptake of these supports has been robust and indicates that businesses are taking action in response to this period of disruption.
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 (EWSS), cash for businesses, low cost loans, commercial rates waivers and deferred tax liabilities.
Digitalisation of the retail sector is an important policy agenda of my Department and the pandemic has accelerated the drive to digitalisation. The Government has helped thousands of businesses, through the Trading Online Voucher Scheme of €2,500 (9,919 companies supported across all sectors) and the Online Retail Scheme which provides grants of up to €40,000 to get online.
Trading online has been a lifeline during the pandemic and is a very important route for businesses to grow and improve their business and will be an important element in their recovery over the longer term. While under Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions people cannot physically enter certain stores, they can continue to buy from them through ‘remote ordering’. Customers can place orders online or over the phone, and fulfil those orders for all products including non-essential items, by online or by phone, for home delivery and for collection.
The new €5.5m COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme launched as part of the July Stimulus supports indigenous Irish retailers to sustain their business by strengthening their online offering, increasing their customer base, and building a more resilient business in the domestic and global marketplace both online and offline. As part of the first call for proposals under the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme announced in July 2020, 185 companies were supported. Yesterday, Minister English announced that 145 retailers had been approved under the second call.
The NSAI’s COVID-19 Workplace Protection and Improvement Guide, COVID-19 Retail Protection and Improvement Guide, and COVID-19 Shopping Centre Recovery and Protection Guide have been updated to take into account current level 5. They consolidate practical guidance available at time of writing on how to manage business continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing risks to both workers and the public, and guidance on how businesses can continue to trade in a manner that is safe for both employees and the public.
As the Deputy may be aware, intense work is underway on the development of the National Economic Plan. My Department is leading with other colleagues on the creation of an economic framework for the next five years to drive economic recovery. It will include measures to increase the resilience of businesses in the face of challenges such as Covid-19. This will include, for example,
- Increasing adaptability and productivity in our SMEs - a National SME Taskforce is currently working on the development of a National SME Growth Plan to be published by year end;
- Supporting the move to remote working and accelerated digitalisation - a Remote Working strategy to be published by my Department shortly;
In addition, work is currently being finalised on an updated Return to Work Safely Protocol. It is designed to support employers and workers to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace when the economy is re-opening. All workplaces should comply fully with the Covid-19 related public health measures.
Brexit Preparations
Ceisteanna (86)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:86. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his assessment on the preparedness of Irish businesses for the end of the Brexit transition period on 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34983/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The U.K. will leave the single market & customs union in less than 60 days. No matter what happens between now and then, there will be changes. If you are a business owner, now is the time to get ready.
The Government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan sets out a broad range of changes that will occur from 31 December 2020, regardless of the outcome of ongoing EU-UK negotiations. It provides clear and concise advice on steps to be taken now by businesses and individuals in order to prepare for the end of the Transition Period. All Government Departments, agencies, and regulatory bodies are preparing for the end of the transition period. Measures to help businesses to get ready for the introduction of new customs arrangements from 1 January 2021 have been put in place, in addition to supports in place already to help with COVID-19 and Brexit.
Enterprise measures in place include a €20 million ‘Ready for Customs’ support scheme (part of the Government’s €5 billion July Stimulus package). Enterprise Ireland's ‘Ready for Customs’ scheme is available to help businesses recruit and build staff expertise in customs declarations and provide for related investment in relevant ICT. This financial incentive of up to €9,000 will help businesses meet the challenge that will become very real on 1st January next.
We have designed an easy to use Brexit Readiness Checker to make it easier for businesses to see what needs to be done - https://www.prepareforbrexit.com/brexitreadinesschecker/. The Checker allows you to answer questions and get a unique report setting out what needs to be done for your business. It’s a really difficult time for business owners and we hope this helps make getting ready a bit more straightforward.
Skillnet Ireland offers a free online customs training programme, ‘Clear Customs’, to support the customs intermediary sector and businesses that moves goods frequently to, from, or through Great Britain.
Other advisory tools, direct grants and funding supports include:
- Enterprise Ireland online Customs Insights course, and Brexit Readiness Checker which produces a report assessing a company’s readiness for Brexit.
- Local Enterprise Offices one-to-one Brexit mentoring and training “Prepare Your Business for Customs” workshops, and grants to business responding to Brexit challenges including the Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) grant of €2,500 and LEAN for Micro grants to assist productivity improvements.
- The new €2 billion Credit Guarantee Scheme, which is the largest guarantee scheme that has ever been provided for Irish businesses to date, to ensure there is financing available for Irish businesses as they reboot and rebuild both through Covid-19 and Brexit.
- Further funding to MFI to ensure it can meet the needs of microenterprises that can not avail of bank funding over the coming period.
- Expansion of the SBCI Future Growth Loan Scheme up to €800m in lending.
Supports and advice are also available from the National Standards Authority of Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority, IDA Ireland, Revenue, Skillnet Ireland, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, Bord Bia and Fáilte Ireland. Full details on Brexit supports are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/EU-Internal-Market/Brexit/Getting-Brexit-Ready/.
I will continue to engage with and encourage business to examine their Brexit readiness and take action where they need to.
Question No. 87 answered with Question No. 52.
Question No. 88 answered with Question No. 59.
Sick Pay Scheme
Ceisteanna (89)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:89. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of his engagement with unions on the introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35177/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am committed to bringing in a statutory sick pay scheme for Ireland and it is my intention that this scheme will be designed in consultation with unions and employer groups. Work is well underway.
As a starting point I presented a draft issues paper on statutory sick pay to the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) sub-group on employment legislation and regulation on Wednesday, 30 September, with a view to commencing a consultation process. Following an initial discussion, I asked the union and employer groups to consider the range of issues and policy options set out in the paper and submit their views to the Department. Submissions have now been received and reviewed and we will take their comments into consideration. Further engagement with the union and employer groups will take place at an upcoming meeting of the LEEF sub-group this month.
To complement this input, I will be launching a full public consultation very shortly on the introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme in Ireland which will run for six weeks. I encourage employers, employees and unions to engage with this consultation and make their views known.
There are various cross-departmental matters to consider and to iron out. But the Government is committed to moving through the process and settling issues as quickly as possible and to publish the General Scheme of a Bill by March 2021, with a view to having the Bill enacted as soon as possible after that.
Health and Safety Inspections
Ceisteanna (90)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:90. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason to date the Health and Safety Authority has only carried out two return to work safely protocol inspections in educational facilities. [34919/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ensuring that the education sector is a safe learning and working environment for all is a priority for this Government.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the lead agency in relation to checking compliance with the Return to Work Safely Protocol. However, inspectors from other Government Departments and State Bodies, including the Department of Education, are also carrying out Protocol compliance inspections in their own particular sectors.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding between HSA and the Department of Education inspectors from the Department of Education are the main inspectorate body carrying out Protocol compliance inspections across the education sector, having received training from the HSA in relation to such inspections.
I have been informed that the Department of Education Inspectorate is currently carrying out a programme of SSPS (Safe and Sustainable Provision of Schooling) visits, initially in a trial phase, in primary, post-primary and special schools. In addition, I understand that the Department of Education has also issued detailed guidance to educational settings to support the provision of a safe learning and working environment for both students and staff. The guidance is based on the advice provided by public health authorities, including the NPHET, and the HSA and provides key messages to minimise the risk of COVID –19.
From the 18th May to the 30th October 2020 over 18,500 inspections assessing compliance with the COVID-19 RTWSP have been carried out by the various Government Departments and State Bodies.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (91)
Mick Barry
Ceist:91. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures in place to ensure that companies availing of Covid-19 subsidies and schemes are using the funds to protect the income and rights of their employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35071/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The level of support now being provided to businesses to remain viable and sustain employment across all sectors is unprecedented. I am satisfied that we have an appropriate mix of supports in place to support workers and businesses in moving to Level 5, in particular, so businesses can reopen and restore employment as we suppress the virus.
Under Enterprise Ireland's Sustaining Enterprise Fund, for example, all funding is subject to the submission of a sustaining enterprise plan including targets for sustaining and growing employment.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment includes an increase in the top rate to €350 for those who were earning in excess of €400 per week. The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme is also being aligned with this amendment, with the top payment increasing to €350 for those earning over €400.
The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), available through Revenue offers assistance to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID - 19 of up to €5,000 per week.
We are also providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme.
There is a six-month reduction in VAT, down from 23% to 21%, and reduction in the 13.5% rate to 9%, together with a range of additional public capital investment measures to support the domestic economy.
Question No. 92 answered with Question No. 59.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (93)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:93. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the provisions which will be made available to ensure pubs, restaurants and nightclubs will be able to survive in the likely scenario that they will not be able to open over the Christmas period. [35130/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
We know the move to Level 5 has a significant impact on businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector. In order to reduce transmission of this disease quickly we have made this decision now so we can return to a lower level of the Living with Covid-19 framework.
As part of the Restart Grant and Restart Grant Plus schemes, several top-up payments were approved by Government to deal with additional financial pressures caused by necessary Covid-19 restrictions. These included a top-up for ‘wet’ pubs, top-ups for Level 3 restrictions and most recently a top-up of 30% for all eligible businesses nationally in recognition of Level 5. Businesses in the hospitality sector and other vulnerable sectors who previously benefited from the Restart Grant were eligible to re-apply for these top-ups.
The Restart Grant Plus Scheme closed to new application on 31st Oct and a new Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), operated by the Revenue Commission, was introduced in Budget 2021 from 13th October. It 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.
Budget 2021 provides a significant package of tax and fiscal measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors.
As a result of the fact that businesses had to close, we have made changes to the PUP and the EWSS. The new payment structure for the PUP includes increase in the top rate to €350 for those who were earning in excess of €400 per week. The EWSS is also amended to align with the PUP amendment, with the top payment increasing to €350 for those earning over €400.
We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme. Amendments to Planning and Development Regulations temporarily allow restaurants to operate as takeaways - food may be ordered for collection or delivery for consumption off-premises - without being required to obtain change of use planning permission to operate as takeaways. Bord Bia's 'Navigating Change' COVID-19 Response programme also offers a suite of supports for food, drink and horticulture businesses affected by COVID-19.
In addition to extension of commercial waivers, we have introduced a six-month reduction in VAT, going down from 23% to 21%, and from 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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (94)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:94. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports in place for casual traders that pay a casual trading fee and remain closed due to restrictions to ensure they have a business to reopen once restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35121/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has put a range of enterprise measures in place for businesses that require finance as they develop a response to their exposure to impacts arising from COVID-19. The uptake of these supports has been robust and indicates that businesses are taking action in response to this period of disruption.
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 (EWSS), cash for businesses, low cost loans, commercial rates waivers and deferred tax liabilities.
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.
As a result of the fact that businesses have to close, we are making changes to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (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.
We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme.
We have implemented a six-month reduction in the VAT, going down from 23% to 21%, a reduction in the 13.5% VAT rate to 9%, together with a range of additional public capital investment measures to support the domestic economy.
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.
Questions Nos. 95 to 100, inclusive, answered orally.