Written Answers Nos. 1-9
1. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the number of contacts he has had with the Northern Ireland First Minister or Deputy First Minister since 1 January 2021; and the dates and nature of same. [4678/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI had phone calls with First Minister, Arlene Foster MLA, and the deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA on 25 January. We discussed the latest situation on Covid-19 and the measures being taken in response, including in relation to travel. We discussed the similarity of approach across many of the actions we are each taking in response to Covid. We also discussed the issue of new variants of the virus and the importance of genome sequencing in detecting their presence.
We also discussed the progress being made on resolving Passenger Locator Form issues between the two Health Departments, who have agreed that the Irish side will provide a passenger contact service for people who travel on to Northern Ireland after arrival in Ireland, as an interim measure, pending further work being finalised to facilitate transfer of data.
I also met by videoconference with the First Minister and the deputy First Minister, on Wednesday 13 January, when we also discussed the latest developments on Covid-19.
We also had a very useful discussion on Covid-19 between the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive at the North South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting on 18 December, which was hosted by the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
In addition, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP jointly chair Quad meetings which discuss the ongoing response to Covid-19 and are also attended by the First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.
There is also regular contact between Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly and his Northern Ireland counterpart Minister Robin Swann, and between the Chief Medical Officers North and South. There is also regular engagement at official level more generally, including through a series of meetings of officials from the Irish Government, the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive which are coordinated and jointly chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach and the Cabinet Office.
2. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Taoiseach the expected timeline for and order of citizens' assemblies committed to in the programme for Government. [5207/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe work of the current Citizens’ Assembly on gender equality was interrupted in 2020 and delayed by the impact of Covid-19. The Assembly has adapted its methods to comply with Public Health guidelines and resumed its work with online meetings in October 2020 with the aim of reporting by June 2021. The experience of the current Assembly of operating on an online basis will inform the approach to the other Citizen's Assemblies to be undertaken in line with the Programme for Government.
Under the Programme for Government, the Government aims to establish a Citizens’ Assembly in 2021 to consider the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin. This Assembly will be established with a new Chairperson and new members following completion of the current Assembly.
The Programme for Government provides for establishment of Citizens' Assemblies to consider matters relating to drugs use; biodiversity; and the future of education. Officials from my Department are engaging with officials from the relevant Departments on the approach to be taken with regard to these Assemblies. It is envisaged that they will be established after the Dublin Mayor Citizen's Assembly has completed its work, but the specific timing of each Assembly has yet to be worked out.
3. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a full list of the current Cabinet committees; the frequency of meetings for each; and the membership and function of each. [5869/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has established the following Cabinet Committees -
- COVID-19
- Economic Recovery and Investment
- Housing
- Health
- Environment and Climate Change
- Social Affairs and Equality
- Education
- Europe
- Brexit and Northern Ireland, and
- Government Co-ordination
The Committee on Government Co-ordination meets in advance of Government meetings and last met on Monday of this week, 1 February. The Committee on Education also met on Monday of this week, 1 February. The Cabinet Committee on COVID-19 meets as required, most recently on 25 January. The Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment met on 4 December, 2020 and is scheduled to meet again on 4 February. The Committee on Housing met on 16 November, 2020 and is scheduled to meet again on 8 February. The Committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland met most recently on 29 October, 2020. The Committee on Social Affairs and Equality met most recently on 30 November 2020. The Committee on Environment and Climate Change met most recently on 7 December 2020. The Committee on Europe met most recently on 8 December 2020. The Committee on Health met most recently on 14 December 2020. Further Cabinet Committee meetings are to be scheduled in the coming weeks.
The function and membership of each Cabinet Committee are set out in the tables below. I am a member of all Committees with the Tánaiste and Minister Ryan, In addition to the membership of each Cabinet Committee listed below, other Ministers and Ministers of State may attend meetings as required.
Cabinet Committees
|
Cabinet Committee |
Membership |
|
COVID-19 - to assess the social and economic impacts of the potential spread of COVID-19 and oversee the cross-government response |
Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 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 - to oversee the implementation of Programme for Government commitments aimed at sustainable economic recovery, investment and job creation |
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 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 - to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to housing |
Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 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 Social Protection; and for Rural and Community Development |
|
Cabinet Committee |
Membership |
|
Health - to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to health |
Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 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 - to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment and climate change |
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport, Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 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 Social Protection; and for Rural and Community Development |
|
Cabinet Committee |
Membership |
|
Social Affairs and Equality - to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy, equality and public services |
Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 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 Social Protection; and for Rural and Community Development, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Minister for Health, Minister for Justice, Minister for Education, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
|
Education - to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the area of Education Environment and Climate Change - to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment and climate change |
Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport Minister for Education, 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 |
|
Cabinet Committee |
Membership |
|
Europe - to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union and related issues |
Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 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 - to oversee implementation of relevant Programme for Government commitments and ongoing developments and negotiations |
Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport Minister for Foreign Affairs; and for Defence, Minister for Justice, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Minister for Finance |
|
Cabinet Committee |
Membership |
|
Government Co-ordination - to co-ordinate and oversee the implementation of the Programme for Government |
Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; and for Transport |
4. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a full list of the current functions, units and divisions within his Department. [5870/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of my Department is to assist my work as Taoiseach and the effective operation of Government. My Department is currently structured around six main divisions:
- International, EU and Northern Ireland Division;
- Economic Division;
- Social Policy and Public Service Reform Division;
- Government Secretariat;
- Protocol and Civic Policy; and
- Corporate Affairs Division.
The remainder of staff in my Department include those in Private Offices, Constituency Offices, the Government Information Service and Internal Audit.
Further details of my Department's organisational structure and its senior management team are available on the 'whodoeswhat' website available at the following link: https://whodoeswhat.gov.ie/root/taoiseach/
5. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of pending publications from the NESC. [5871/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Economic and Social Council (NESC) advises the Taoiseach on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Ireland.
The Council published 6 reports during 2020:
- Climate-Change Policy: Getting the Process Right (NESC Report No.147)
- Transport-Orientated Development: Assessing the Opportunity for Ireland (NESC Report No.148)
- The Framing of Climate Action in Ireland: Strategic Considerations (NESC Secretariat Series No.17)
- Urban Structure, Spatial Planning and Climate Emissions (NESC Secretariat Series No.18)
- Advancing the Low-Carbon Transition in Irish Transport (NESC Research Paper No.13)
- Transport-Orientated Development: Assessing Opportunity for Ireland Background Case Studies (NESC Research Paper No.14)
Last month NESC published The Impacts of Covid-19 on Ethnic Minority and Migrant Groups in Ireland, this is the latest report from its Covid-19 working Paper Series contributing to Ireland’s policy response.
The Council’s 2021 work programme is focused on the following themes - Shared Island; Wellbeing Framework; Housing; Sustainable Development, Climate and Biodiversity; Good Jobs & Transition; and Digital Inclusion.
As reports are finalised in the relevant areas they are brought to Government for approval in advance of publication.
6. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consideration will be given to introducing a scheme similar to that devised by the Scottish Government to assist workers in the wedding industry sector (details supplied) whose incomes have been devastated by the lockdowns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5947/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe know the significant effects on business of the current Level 5 restrictions. 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.
My Department and its agencies have been focused on coming up with solutions to help businesses overcome the difficulties caused by COVID-19. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
We are providing for an extension of the tax warehousing scheme to include repayments of Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme funds owed by employers and preliminary tax obligations for adversely affected businesses.
These measures are in addition to the July Stimulus €7bn package of enterprise measures, which includes the Wage Subsidy Scheme extended through 2021, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst self-employed.
As announced in the July Stimulus, the Enterprise Support Grant was extended to assist eligible self-employed, including sole traders, who exit the PUP or jobseekers schemes to re-start their business. A self-employed person who closes their PUP should send their grant application to their local Intreo Centre to be processed. Further information is available at www.gov.ie.
On the 9th of December, following engagement with the Arts sector and other self-employed sectors my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Social Protection, announced the doubling of the PUP threshold from the current €480 over four weeks to €960 over an eight-week period effective immediately. This measure is to assist those who are trying to restart their businesses and will allow self-employed people to take on intermittent jobs without losing their entitlement to the PUP.
The Government also announced the provision of support of €50m for the live entertainment sector in Budget 2021. This will include measures for the commercial entertainment sector and will support live entertainment across the country. The 2021 supports for the live entertainment sector will be the subject of further consultation with stakeholders. It will also be informed by the pilot live performance scheme in 2020 which is being rolled out now.
I acknowledge the issue whereby businesses might not be eligible for the CRSS or other measures announced in the budget, such as the €50 million fund for live entertainment. I have asked my officials to work with other relevant Departments to identify the type and number of businesses that fall outside the scope of the CRSS, and to report back to me with proposals on how we could devise an amended or new scheme.
My colleagues, Minister Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht and Minister Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine may be able to provide more specific details on a roadmap to recovery for the events and hospitality industry, and details on supports for the food sector respectively.
7. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the sale of children's shoes has been recognised as an essential service; the options available to parents for their children that have outgrown their shoes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4992/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19, only essential retail outlets will remain open. Further information can be found on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/. The decision to move to full scale Level 5 was not taken lightly and all factors were considered. All measures in Level 5 will stay in place until at least March 5 2021.
S.I. No. 701 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 and S.I. No. 4 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/) clearly sets out the temporary restrictions under Level 5. A list of essential services can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/ and the list of essential retail outlets at Level 5 can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-5/
Level 5 does not restrict people from purchasing any product, it does however restrict people from physically going into non-essential stores. This is to stop people making unnecessary journeys, congregating and browsing for non-essential goods, to limit the spread of the virus.
Under the current temporary restrictions click and collect, from non-essential retail outlets is no longer permitted. Click or phone and deliver will continue.
Retailers can and have made arrangements, on compassionate grounds, for individual customers to urgently purchase a non-essential item in store. This is only in exceptional circumstances where it is not possible to plan ahead and avail of remote ordering services such as in emergencies, e.g., admission to hospital.
We are asking retailers to fully get behind the spirit of the regulations. In particular, we are asking retailers with mixed retail offering which have discrete spaces for essential and non-essential retail to make arrangements for the separation of relevant areas.
An Garda Síochána are engaging with retailers and enforcing the regulations where necessary.
We are asking retailers to operate staggered opening and closing hours, as well as facilitating starting and finishing hours, in order to minimise the impact on public transport and to continue to provide dedicated hours for vulnerable customers.
We are also asking retailers to exercise their best judgement and common sense on a case by case basis, to ensure those requiring urgent access to a non-essential item are accommodated.
My colleague Minister English has met regularly with Retail Forum members and representatives from the retail, grocery and distribution sector to continuously assess adherence to the public health restrictions.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) ‘The Work Safely Protocol’ incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces. The Protocol is available on www.gov.ie The HSA is the lead agency in overseeing compliance with the Protocol in the workplace. If employers or employees need further guidance on the Protocol, the HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie
In addition, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) have also produced two guidance documents, one for the retail Sector and one for Shopping Centres. Both documents can be found on www.nsai.ie
I would like to thank retailers and their customers for their efforts at this difficult time. By each of us following the spirit of these new rules and working together we can hopefully return to a lower level of the Living with COVID-19 framework.
8. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount provided to each bank through the future growth loan scheme; the amount loaned out by those banks under the scheme; the banks that are currently at the maximum and not at the maximum, respectively; and the amount banks have yet to loan out in tabular form. [5044/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Future Growth Loan Scheme was established in April 2019 for SMEs and small midcaps (businesses of up to 499 employees) seeking access to finance for long-term strategic investment. It is delivered by the SBCI through participating finance providers on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
From launch, €300m in lending was made available through the scheme. The scheme was then expanded in July of 2020 by a further €500m in lending to help businesses in responding to the challenges of COVID-19 and Brexit.
Specific details on the initial volume of funding made available to each of the participating finance providers under the scheme, as well as the volumes lent by each of those providers to date, cannot be outlined here as it would constitute commercially sensitive information There are no participating providers that have not yet made loans under the scheme.
To date, none of the participating providers have yet reached their maximum allocation under the scheme, however the scheme has seen strong demand. Two of the participating banks (AIB and Bank of Ireland) have currently suspended new loan applications under the scheme while they process a significant pipeline of existing applications. Businesses can still currently apply for lending with other participating providers (KBC, Permanent TSB and Ulster Bank).
The SBCI is also working to bring another finance provider into the scheme, at which point businesses would also be able to apply for lending under the scheme with that provider.
As of 25 January, there have been 7,973 applications for eligibility approved under the scheme. Of those, 2,971 loans have so far progressed to sanction, to a total value of €598.31m. The total volume of funding made available under the scheme is up to €800m
9. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the trading online voucher will be reverted back to 90% of a grant due to the fact that Ireland is in level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5081/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Trading on Line voucher scheme was transferred into my Department from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications at the start of this year under a new sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The new sanction included a revised contribution model at a rate of 50% grant and 50% own resource contribution given budgetary and cost inflation concerns. The remainder of the terms of the scheme, with the exception of the claim timeframe being set at 6 months, were unaltered. Previous voucher recipients may continue to apply for a second voucher where upgrades are required.
To avail of the previous 90/10 contribution model voucher rate, it was essential that applicants would have completed applications submitted to the Local Enterprise Office on or before 5pm on the 31 December, 2020.
The LEO websites and promotional material in respect of the TOVs all contained this information regarding the change in the co-finance rate. Applications after this date are eligible for a 50% voucher rate and this information was also on the LEOs web information.
I would urge business owners to continue to engage with their Local Enterprise Office as they offer a range of mentoring, training, financial assistance and advice.
