Thursday, 14 Jan 2021

Written Answers Nos. 30-50

Motor Tax

Ceisteanna (30)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

30. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport if there has been a delay in the administering of tax books for cars; and if this has affected tax renewals. [2018/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

On receipt of a notification of change of vehicle ownership, a new Vehicle Registration Certificate is generally issued to the new owner of a vehicle within 2 working days.

Queries in relation to the status of transfers of ownership can be directed to [e-mail].

National Car Test

Ceisteanna (31)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

31. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if, in the context of the need to stop the spread of Covid-19 infection, he will immediately instruct the RSA to close the NCT test centres as was done from 28 March to 8 June 2020 and similarly extend the validity of NCT certs by four months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2037/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

As provided for under Part 2, Item 14(x) of the Schedule to the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 701 of 2020), the National Car Test (NCT) has been classified as an essential service.  This is in light of its role in protecting public safety on our roads, including the safety of essential workers. 

Accordingly I do not intend to interrupt or suspend the NCT service at present or to issue extensions to test due dates.

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (32)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

32. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport his plans to make legal the use of electric scooters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2070/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy may be aware, electric scooters are a type of powered personal transporter (PPT). PPTs are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the use of which requires a valid licence, tax and appropriate insurance in accordance with Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. As PPTs do not fall under any existing vehicle category, it is not currently possible to tax and insure them and there is no separate licence category for them. Therefore they may not be used on public roads and in public places.  However, their use is permitted on private land with the permission of the landowner.

I intend to legislate for e-scooters in accordance with the Programme for Government this year. This involves identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary legislation across a range of complex areas. The work must be carried out in such a way that it does not undermine the overall framework of Road Traffic Law or Road Safety in general.

My officials are currently working on drafting the necessary changes to primary legislation. Subject to satisfactory resolution of the necessary issues, I intend to bring forward amendments to the relevant enabling primary legislation when the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is before the Oireachtas.

Experience overseas has shown that a change of regime may have consequences for road safety, the management of roads and footpaths, the movement of traffic, public transport and goods, public health and the environment. These are all factors which must be taken into consideration when legislating.

Until new legislation is in place, the use of electric scooters will remain illegal.

Departmental Strategies

Ceisteanna (33)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Ceist:

33. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the main policy initiatives undertaken by his Department since 27 June 2020; and his main priorities for 2021. [2095/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The Programme for Government (Our Shared Future) outlines the goals of this Government within its lifetime. My Department has responsibility for 54 commitments under the current Programme and is committed to working on their delivery.

These commitments form the backbone of my Department’s new Statement of Strategy (to be published shortly) and the business planning cycle for 2021 (and subsequent years) across all sectors of the Department.  

The €360m committed to cycling and walking in the Programme for Government is being administered on behalf of my Department by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and funding to develop walking and cycling strategies has been offered by the NTA to all Local Authorities (outside of the 5 metropolitan areas).

In relation to the development of Regional Cycle Design Offices, the NTA have submitted a report on proposed institutional arrangements. My Department is engaging with the NTA on the report and with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the proposal.

Increases to the thresholds for the Cycle to Work Scheme were announced with the general threshold increased to €1,250 and a newly introduced threshold of €1,500 for ebikes, while the period between eligible claims has been reduced from 5 to 4 years.

€3.3m was ring fenced in 2020 to renew and replace life-expired lifts and lifts in poor condition at rail stations, to ensure the reliability and availability of lift access. A major part of this programme was the complete lift renewal in 12 stations in the Dublin Surburban area.

In response to the urgent requirement to quickly decarbonise the transport sector, and in line with Action 79 of the Climate Action Plan, the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group was established in early 2020. The work of the Group has involved a detailed consideration of the optimum mix of regulatory, taxation and subsidy policies available to Government to significantly accelerate EV sales. Drafting of the final report from the Group is at an advanced stage, and I will bring policy recommendations arising from the work of the Group to Government in 2021.

My Department introduced a new motor tax table to take account of carbon dioxide emission levels based on the Worldwide Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).

Grant support levels were increased to offer up to €10,000 towards the purchase of an eSmall Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV), with a further €2,500 available to convert the vehicle to a wheelchair accessible model. Available support for the purchase of PHEV eSPSVs was also increased to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new PHEV. The eSPSV Grant Scheme can also be used in conjunction with other incentives for EV drivers, including VRT relief, lower rates of motor tax, and a reduction in road toll charges. €15 million was allocated to support up to 750 taxi and hackney drivers in making the transition to fully electric vehicles through an enhanced EV scrappage scheme. This Scheme is targeted at eligible drivers scrapping older (8 years or more) or high mileage (over 300,000km) vehicles and replacing them with zero-emission electric alternatives.

The NTA has commenced an engagement with relevant Advisory Committee members and others regarding a re-ignition of the previous outreach and learning plan specific to the needs of people with disabilities to access SPSVs. A research project is underway to learn of the experiences of those users to inform future policy making decisions.

The report on the future of the Western Rail Corridor was presented to Government in December 2020. The Government was informed of a proposed Strategic Rail Review of the inter-urban and inter-regional rail network taking cognisance of the need for balanced regional development and cross-border connectivity.

 A link to the Programme for Government is available here:  https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7e05d-programme-for-government-our-shared-future/

Airport Passenger Data

Ceisteanna (34)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

34. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers arriving into Ireland on a weekly basis since 7 December 2020, by country of departure including seaports and airports in tabular form. [2112/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

Statistics on passengers arriving into Ireland through State Airports by country of departure are compiled on a weekly basis.

Statistics on the countries of departure for passengers arriving into Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports from overseas destinations from the 7th December – 10th January 2020 inclusive are set out in the tables below.   Transfer passengers are not included in the arrivals statistics for airports as Ireland is not the final destination for these passengers who do not leave the airport before travelling onwards.   All statistics set out below are provisional figures provided by the airports and are subject to change:       

Dublin Airport: Country of Departure	7 Dec - 13 Dec 2020	14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020	21 Dec - 27th Dec 2020	28th Dec - 3rd Jan 2020	4th Jan - 10th Jan 2020
Austria	0	197	0	158	158
Belgium	319	871	391	486	292
Bulgaria	309	413	391	246	405
Canada	473	465	181	301	346
Denmark	0	267	264	222	147
Finland	53	108	84	72	116
France	801	1,832	2,033	2,892	2,257
Germany	388	2,620	1,681	2,036	1,777
Greece	110	114	45	163	173
Hungary	256	304	286	484	565
Italy	247	895	515	1,316	1,267
Latvia	111	367	396	287	703
Lithuania	245	438	584	669	714
Luxembourg	89	173	107	133	75
Malta	0	120	125	117	101
Moldova	129	255	366	445	705
Netherlands	3,261	4,053	1,982	2,320	2,810
Poland	1,257	2,166	3,250	4,884	4,486
Portugal	970	1,182	1,256	2,059	2,259
Qatar	359	402	78	338	304
Republic of Ireland	208	262	179	391	260
Romania	570	798	738	1,182	1,912
Slovakia	0	302	216	373	468
Spain	2,510	2,958	2,860	5,128	5,121
Sweden	209	410	118	173	111
Switzerland	0	835	489	567	481
Turkey	538	553	439	706	679
UAE	1,657	1,134	476	1,106	850
United Kingdom	8,823	17,451	586	574	2,122
USA	1,599	2,660	1,419	1,275	1,036
Total	25,491	44,605	21,535	31,103	32,700

Cork Airport: Country of Departure	7 Dec - 13 Dec 2020	14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020	21 Dec - 27th Dec 2020	28th Dec - 3rd Jan 2020	4th Jan - 10th Jan 2020
Netherlands	439	495	286	292	287
Poland	0	260	231	289	454
United Kingdom	467	1,336	0	0	188
Total	906	2,091	517	581	929

Shannon Airport: Country of Departure	7 Dec - 13 Dec 2020	14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020	21 Dec - 27th Dec 2020	28th Dec - 3rd Jan 2020	4th Jan - 10th Jan 2020
Cook Islands	1	0	0	0	0
Barbados	0	0	0	9	0
France	38	0	1	0	0
Germany	0	0	2	0	0
Republic of Ireland	0	0	3	7	0
Poland	0	0	119	94	130
Spain	4	0	0	0	0
United Kingdom	57	973	2	0	49
UAE	0	9	0	0	0
USA	0	7	9	7	0
Total	100	989	136	117	179

In relation to ports, passenger numbers by specific country of departure through Ireland’s ports are not currently available. The Department does not have the level of detail requested by the Deputy with regard to passengers departing and arriving by Sea. The Irish Maritime Development Office has been providing statistics since the start of the COVID crisis in April on the number of Passengers arriving and Departing on a weekly basis by Corridor. The latest figures available for passengers from 7 December through to 27 December are detailed in the following table. Please note that these figures account for passengers both arriving in and departing from Ireland’s ports:

	7-13 Dec	14-20 Dec	21-27 Dec
Central	11,332	18,236	3,527
Southern	2,319	3,217	825
Continental	1,209	1,999	794
Total Weekly Pax	14,860	23,453	5,126

The Central corridor accounts for services to/from the port of Dublin to Great Britain. This includes sailings to Holyhead by Irish Ferries and Stena Line; to Liverpool by P&O Ferries and Seatruck Ferries; and to Heysham by Seatruck. The Southern corridor includes routes to/from Rosslare- to Fishguard by Stena Line and to Pembroke by Irish Ferries. The Continental corridor covers all direct services to/from Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Spain from Dublin, Rosslare and Cork. Passenger services go to/from Rosslare to France and Spain and from Cork to France.

Transport Policy

Ceisteanna (35)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to monitor progress towards decarbonisation of the transport sector; the extent to which the progress here is line with that in other jurisdictions throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2168/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

Responsibility for monitoring Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions falls to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who prepare our national emissions inventories and projections allowing Government to assess progress towards decarbonisation targets across a range of sectors. As the Deputy is aware, our Programme for Government commits us to a 7% average annual emissions reduction and the new Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill will, critically, give effect to that commitment by establishing 5-year carbon budgets.

Emissions reductions in the transport sector in Ireland are being effected through:

- Significant investment in sustainable mobility - to increase capacity and enhance services in our public transport system as well as fostering more walking and cycling trips;

- Promoting a strong transition away from fossil fuels to lower emitting alternatives, both in public (bus, coach, taxi and rail vehicles) and private fleets (passenger and commercial); and

- Sustainably increasing the blend of biofuels in the conventional fuel mix.

Across the globe, decarbonising the transport sector is challenging, with decarbonisation efforts proving difficult and expensive. Growing travel demand often negates emission mitigation measures and concerns are emerging regarding the slower than anticipated pace of some technological advancements. Despite considerable efforts across all Member States, EU transport emissions are continuing to rise. Urgent, deep and widespread reform is needed as we work towards achieving the European Green Deal ambition of climate neutrality by 2050. In recognition of this, the EU has prioritised several climate-focused transport files to reduce transport’s dependence on fossil fuels, to make more alternative choices available, to reflect the environmental impact of transport, and ultimately help reduce emissions.

Over the coming months, my Department will actively engage at EU level on the development of these key files which include the review of CO2 emission standards for cars and vans, the recasting of the  Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive, the development of the Euro 7 emissions standards, and consideration of extending Emissions Trading to the Aviation and Maritime sectors. Collectively these files will support more sustainable mobility and ultimately place Europe and Ireland on the right trajectory to achieve our long-term climate goals.

Aviation Industry

Ceisteanna (36)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

36. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the degree to which the air passenger and cargo transport sectors can be facilitated notwithstanding the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2169/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

Air passenger and cargo air services, both scheduled and non-scheduled, continue to operate and support essential passenger travel and cargo movements. The measures that have been put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID 19 have been introduced in accordance with public health advice.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (37, 40)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects progress to take place in the public transport sector in the next four years with particular reference to the commuter belt in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2170/21]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

40. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he can encourage the electrification of the commuter rail sector affecting County Kildare with particular reference to the need, in the course of the current review, to extend the service to facilitate development in the future and to avail of lower costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2173/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 40 together.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).  This includes the DART+ Programme and also, in consultation with the relevant Operators, the augmentation of bus and rail services throughout north County Kildare. 

The NTA also has responsibility for the recently commenced review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area which will establish a framework for investment over the next 10 years.  In consideration of these responsibilities, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply.  Please notify my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days. 

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (38, 39, 41, 42)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

38. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects to encourage increased capacity on the commuter rail sector in north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2171/21]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

39. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the steps he plans to take in the short-term to improve the frequency and capacity of the rail sector affecting commuters throughout north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2172/21]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to monitor the throughput of passengers at the various stations on the Maynooth line; the extent to which demand has grown; his plans to accommodate the demand in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2174/21]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

42. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he plans to alleviate overcrowding on commuter trains serving north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2175/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 39, 41 and 42 together.

As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport services and for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), which comprising 7 local authority areas, including Kildare.

The DART+ Programme is a multi-billion euro programme to upgrade rail services in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).  DART+ will provide frequent, modern, electrified services to Drogheda on the Northern Commuter Line, the Kildare Line (between Hazelhatch and Celbridge), Maynooth and M3 Parkway on the Maynooth / Sligo Line, while improving DART services on the South-East Line as far south as Greystones.  The DART+ Programme includes both the upgrade of the railway infrastructure and the purchase of new fleet and will effectively double the capacity of the existing network and DART level services.

DART+ West, Maynooth/M3 Line, is the first element of the DART+ Programme to be progressed.  It will significantly increase the number of trains operating on the Maynooth/M3 Parkway rail corridor and upon completion will allow for a potential doubling of the services per hour, tripling passenger capacity. A first round of non-statutory public consultations for DART+ West  concluded last October. Consideration of submissions made is underway and further design development and assessment of options is being undertaken.  The next round of consultation is expected to take place sometime in Q1, 2021.

DART+ South West, the current Kildare Line, is the next element. Iarnród Éireann are currently progressing the options selection process and it is anticipated that a public consultation on the emerging preferred route will be undertaken in Q1 2021.  This will provide an opportunity for all members of the public to comment on the emerging preferred route.

Separately the Deputy will also be aware of Government's approval last year of the proposed purchase of 41 additional carriages to the ICR fleet, which will increase capacity across both the Maynooth and Kildare Lines, thus benefitting commuters of North Kildare in advance of the delivery of DART+. 

In light of the NTA's responsibility in the area, I have forwarded the Deputies questions to the Authority for further information on the issues raised.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Question No. 40 answered with Question No. 37.

Questions Nos. 41 and 42 answered with Question No. 38.

Railway Stations

Ceisteanna (43)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

43. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects parking facilities to be provided in conjunction with upgrading the Maynooth and Sallins rail services with particular reference to the need to ensure that commuters can park with ease without creating further congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2176/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area.  Iarnród Éireann receive Exchequer funding via the NTA in relation to the provision of car parking at train stations on the heavy rail network in the GDA, including Maynooth and Sallins railway stations.

Noting its responsibility in the matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Road Network

Ceisteanna (44, 45)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport when noise reduction improvements will be completed on the M4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2179/21]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

45. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport when he expects traffic capacity improvements to take place on the M4 with particular reference to those areas currently regularly affected by congestion at peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2180/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.  Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation, maintenance and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.  This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you in relation to your query in relation to the M4.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Transport Policy

Ceisteanna (46)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he recognises the need to ensure that improvements in the road and rail traffic sector are likely to entail benefits at least 50 years into the future rather than merely addressing current problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2181/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The Deputy is right to highlight the fact that when making decisions on what improvements should be made in the road and rail traffic sectors, consideration is required with regard to both climate adaptation and climate mitigation measures. There is a need to ensure that transport infrastructure is as resilient as possible and that it can withstand any unforeseen climatic conditions over the next 50 years and well beyond.

In relation to emissions, the Deputy is likely aware that the European Commission, through its Green Deal, and my Department, through the Climate Action Plan, will be setting binding targets to reduce our emissions by 50% in 2030 and reach climate neutrality by 2050. This will place an obligation upon all stakeholders to embed the type of longer-term perspective the Deputy refers.

I can inform the Deputy that my Department will shortly publish the draft National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland, or NIFTI, for public consultation. 

NIFTI puts in place a strategic framework to ensure that investment in the transport sector in the coming years and decades aligns with overarching Government policy objectives, such as the spatial targets to 2040 set out in the National Planning Framework and the emissions targets set out in the Climate Action Plan.  As part of the supporting analysis for NIFTI, extensive transport modelling exercises have been conducted to identify where there may be potential gaps in our transport provision in 2040, helping to inform our long-term investment  decisions.  Going forward, new investment in the sector will have to align with the NIFTI Investment Priorities.

Moreover, under the Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes — the sectorial business case requirements published by my Department — the benefits of transport projects are typically estimated over a thirty year horizon when cost-benefit analyses are conducted. This ensures that the long-term costs and benefits of a project are considered as part of the investment decision-making process.

Lastly, my Department is now developing a new Sustainable Mobility Policy for the next 10 years that can provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government across the sustainable mobility programme as outlined in the Programme for Government – A Shared Future. The aim is to develop a policy framework that better supports sustainable mobility to provide for increased use of active travel and public transport. 

The Deputy will acknowledge this is a substantive policy area and one which is fundamentally important to this Government’s ambition generally. The Department is currently refining its development of a new policy framework to allow for further engagement with stakeholders in the coming months and I look forward to that engagement in due course.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (47, 48)

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

47. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a forecast of the lockdown levels that will apply from January to June 2021 given that businesses have to forecast whether or not they will experience a drop in turnover of 30% from January to June 2021 in order to qualify for the employment wage subsidy scheme; if he is unable to provide this forecast, if he will modify the qualifying criteria for the scheme that will apply for essential retail businesses to a monthly forecast in reduction in turnover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1989/21]

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

48. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance if he will allow essential retail businesses to retrospectively apply for the employment wage subsidy scheme if their turnover drops by more than 30% between January and June 2021, even though the business owner had not forecast such a drop in turnover due to the fact that they are unable to accurately forecast lockdown levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1990/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.

The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is a demand led economy-wide scheme that focuses primarily on business eligibility, delivering a per-head subsidy on a flat rate basis to the employer.  The level of uptake is contingent on whether an employer meets the eligibility criteria and also on whether they decide to avail of the scheme. 

I would like to assure the Deputy that the EWSS is sufficiently flexible to take account of the changes to the economic conditions that have arisen from the additional public health restrictions, and which may arise again in the future, depending on the prevailing public health advice and the decisions of the Government.

This is because the EWSS “turnover test” has been specifically designed so as to target the subsidy at otherwise viable employers whose businesses continue to be adversely impacted by COVID-19 by requiring a comparison of the firm’s pre-pandemic operations with their current operations.   This is the approach that the scheme has been applied since July 2020 and which, to date, has supported over 40,000 employers in respect of over 446,000 workers. 

The legislation provides that the employer must be able to demonstrate that they are operating at no more than 70% in either the turnover of the employer’s business or the customer orders received by the employer in Q1 and Q2 2021 compared with the same period in 2019.  There is additional flexibility in the application of the turnover test to allow employers to take account of potentially sudden changes in turnover on a month-to-month “opt-in/opt-out” basis.  Under the legislation, an employer is required to carry out a review of their turnover each month and confirm that they are still eligible for the scheme.  At the same time, there is no cut-off deadline for access to the scheme, so if there is a reduction in turnover because of an unexpected reduction in business activity or a sudden change in business circumstances the employer may be entitled to make a claim for that future period. 

Flexibility has also been introduced to the rates of subsidy and on the 6th of January I announced that the current rates of subsidy provided by the EWSS are to remain in place until 31 March 2021, aligned with the extension of the rates of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

I am therefore satisfied that the design of the EWSS fully takes account of the changing environment around living with the COVID-19 pandemic, in line with the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19.

For those businesses who may need additional support, I would draw attention to the comprehensive package of other business and employer supports that have been made available since the July Stimulus Plan and Budget 2021, including the Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS), the Credit Guarantee Scheme, the SBCI Working Capital Scheme, Sustaining Enterprise Fund, and the Covid-19 Business Loans Scheme.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (49)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

49. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance the number of early years education services in Ireland currently availing of the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2075/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

Section 28B of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 provides for the operation of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, which is an economy-wide enterprise support for eligible businesses in respect of eligible employees.  It provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll and also provides for the charging of a reduced rate of employer PRSI of 0.5% on wages paid which are eligible for the subsidy payment.

Eligibility for the scheme by an employer is based on significant economic disruption to their business as a result of COVID-19 including a decline of at least 30% of turnover or customer orders in the second half  of 2020 for pay dates in 2020, and the first half of 2021 for pay dates in 2021. 

Childcare businesses registered in accordance with Section 58C of the Childcare Act 1991 as Prescribed Early Year Service providers are eligible for the EWSS.   I am advised by Revenue that 2,525 registered childcare service providers are registered for the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme. Based on the information currently available, it is not possible to segregate this between those operating in the Early Learning and Care sector (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) sectors.

Primary Medical Certificates

Ceisteanna (50)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

50. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to address the backlog in processing applications for the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40438/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

Following approval of the Finance Act 2020, which provides for the medical criteria for the Disabled Drivers Scheme, the HSE has been informed that medical assessments can recommence from 1st January 2021. This is considered to be an interim solution only. A comprehensive review of the scheme, to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities, will be conducted this year. On foot of that review new proposals will be brought forward for consideration.

Separately, the ability to hold assessments may be impacted on by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place and the role of the HSE Medical Officers in the roll out of the COVID vaccination programme.