Alan Kelly
Ceist:121. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he officially invited the President of the United States of America to visit Ireland during his conversation with him on 17 March 2021. [23535/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraState Visits
Ceisteanna (121)
Freagraí scríofa
High-level visits between Ireland and the United States of America are an important part of the relationship between both countries, including in strengthening the ties between us.
During my phone call with President-elect Biden in November last year, I extended an open invitation for him to visit Ireland. In my letter of congratulations to him on his inauguration in January, I added a formal invitation to visit as he took up his role as President of the United States.
As the Deputy will be aware, President Biden is very strongly attached to his Irish roots and, in his remarks during the presentation of the Shamrock Bowl, he reiterated his strong wish to visit Ireland during his term-in-office.
Departmental Properties
Ceisteanna (122)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:122. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach the details of property owned by the Chief State Solicitors Office; the current use and date acquired of each in tabular form. [23699/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Chief States Solicitors Office (CSSO) does not own any property.
The CSSO occupies two buildings, Osmond House which is State owned and managed by OPW and 3 Chancery Lane, which is a privately owned property and part is rented by OPW to meet CSSO additional accommodation needs.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (123)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:123. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach the number of advisers working in his office; and the name, title, salaries, commencement and exit date if applicable of their employment in tabular form. [23793/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the table below.
|
Name |
Role |
Salary Scale |
Start Date |
Exit Date |
|
Deirdre Gillane |
Chief of Staff |
Deputy Secretary |
27.06.2020 |
N/A |
|
Pat McParland |
Deputy Chief of Staff |
Assistant Secretary |
27.06.2020 |
N/A |
|
Alan Ahearne |
Economic Adviser to the Taoiseach |
Assistant Secretary equivalent (part-time) |
21.07.2020 |
N/A |
|
Diarmuid Lynch |
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
Principal Officer |
27.06.2020 |
N/A |
|
Grainne Weld |
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
Principal Officer |
27.06.2020 |
N/A |
|
Kevin Dillon |
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
Principal Officer |
27.06.2020 |
23.10.2020 |
|
Lisa-Dee Collery |
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
Principal Officer |
30.11.2020 |
N/A |
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (124)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:124. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the groups chaired or attended by the Secretary General of his Department in tabular form. [23891/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The groups currently chaired by the Secretary General of my Department are listed below:
- Secretary General Post-Cabinet Briefing;
- Secretary General Brexit Group:
- COVID-19 Oversight Group;
- Civil Service Management Board;
- High Level Steering Board on Policing Reform;
- North East Inner City Oversight Group;
- Senior Officials Group on Commemoration;
- Climate Action Delivery Board (co-chaired with the Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications); and
- National Security Committee.
In carrying out the responsibilities associated with his role, the Secretary General of my Department may also attend a range of cross-government groups including the ten Cabinet Committees established by the Government to advance the Government’s priorities as set out in the Programme for Government.
The Secretary General also chairs regular meetings of the Department’s Management Board.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (125)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:125. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when he will publish his diary for quarter 1 of 2021 on the website of his Department. [24072/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My diary for quarter 1 of 2021 has been published and is available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/87c7c-taoiseachs-diary-2021/.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (126)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:126. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach the funding allocated by his Department or agencies under his remit to An Taisce in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and the expected allocations to An Taisce for 2021. [24112/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department, has not allocated any funding to An Taisce in the years in question and there is no budget allocation for An Taisce in 2021. The National Economic and Social Development Office, which is under the aegis of my Department, have confirmed that they have also not provided funding to An Taisce.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (127)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:127. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach the non-governmental organisations in receipt of funding from his Department; and the amount of funding allocated to same in 2020. [24382/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of the Taoiseach does not provide funding to any non-governmental organisations.
Intellectual Property
Ceisteanna (128)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:128. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the issues at WTO governing intellectual property rights in Covid-19 vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24146/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Universal and equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines, diagnostics and treatments is crucial in the global fight against COVID-19.
International Trade is a competence of the EU under the Treaties. In exercising that competence at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the European Commission engages with Member States, including Ireland, through a variety of Committee and Working Parties/Groups, including on intellectual property (IP).
The announcement by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai regarding the U.S. Government’s support for a waiver of IP protections for COVID-19 vaccines, is significant. However, the statement acknowledged that reaching agreement on this at the WTO will take time given the consensus-based nature of the institution and the complexity of the issues involved.
The President of the EU Commission has responded to the U.S. announcement by indicating its readiness to discuss the U.S. proposal at the WTO. Ireland will engage with the European Commission and other member states on the EU position for the WTO discussions including discussions on how the U.S. proposal for a waiver on intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines can help to resolve the crisis.
The EU continues to be committed to an open and comprehensive dialogue with all WTO members to explore how the multilateral rules-based trading system can best support universal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
The EU believes that the WTO international agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (The TRIPS Agreement), allows countries the flexibility to respond to the concerns raised by proponents of the wavier. Specifically, the TRIPS Agreement allows compulsory licensing which is when a government permits an entity to produce the patented product or process without the consent of the patent owner.
The EU also believes that voluntary licensing and the dissemination of technology and know-how is the more effective way of quickly scaling up manufacturing globally. To this end, at the EU level, the Commission has set-up a Task Force for Industrial Scale-up of COVID-19 vaccine production which aims to support the ramp-up of production capacity and resolve supply chain bottlenecks.
The EU considers that the COVAX Facility, the international initiative to ensure global supply and access to COVID vaccines, is the mechanism that is best placed to ensure that high-income countries finance the vaccines and support the developing countries to secure their share of global supply.
Legislative Programme
Ceisteanna (129)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:129. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consideration is being given to having an extra bank holiday in 2021 or 2022. [24505/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The legislation which provides for public holidays is the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. This Act provides that certain days may be prescribed as public holidays. At present, there are nine public holidays.
An extra holiday has implications of a broad nature in terms of costs and productivity and has cross-government issues to be explored.
Any proposal for the provision of an additional public holiday would require careful consideration and wide-ranging consultations with relevant stakeholders. Not least we would need to consider the implications and impact of any new public holiday on employment and for the economy at large, in particular the extra costs it would impose on employers already dealing with the Covid-19 crisis and Brexit.
Job Losses
Ceisteanna (130)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:130. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of plans to replace jobs lost at a company (details supplied); the efforts being made in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23674/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The closure of the Aptar plant in Ballinasloe was a very disappointing development for the region and I am keenly aware of the blow this has been for the affected employees and their families.
IDA Ireland has been working with the company to market the plant to potential investors, using the employee skills audit in their efforts to attract new investment to Ballinasloe. The IDA has introduced a number of companies who are interested in the Ballinasloe facility to the Aptar management team and has also arranged visits to the site. These discussions are ongoing. In the meantime, IDA Ireland continues to market the site to both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland clients.
IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices continue to work with stakeholders in the region to secure sustainable employment opportunities in the West, including in Ballinasloe. IDA has engaged with Ballinasloe Area Community Development (BACD) and is utilising local video content promoting Ballinasloe produced by BACD. While the process is still under way, I was encouraged to hear that 60 former Aptar employees had already secured alternative employment by the end of 2020.
My Department’s Regional Enterprise Plans, including for the West, are focused on strengthening the regional ecosystem to enable job creation. I met with the West Regional Enterprise Steering Committee in December 2020, which comprises representatives of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Local Authorities, LEOs, private sector, and Western Development Commission amongst others, to discuss enterprise potential in the West. I requested that they refresh the Plan for the West to cover the period to 2024. I have asked Minister of State Robert Troy to work closely with the Committee in this task and he has since met with the Committee (on 2nd March last) to get this work underway.
I have also appointed a new Chairperson to the West Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee, Ms. Evelyn O’Toole of Complete Laboratory Solutions Galway. In addition, the Local Authorities and the Western Development Commission have begun a recruitment process to appoint a full-time Programme Manager to support the development and implementation of the Regional Enterprise Plan in the West. While this activity is continuing, the Western Development Commission has made available a Programme Manager on a temporary basis.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (131)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:131. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided by the State for the Covid-19 loan guarantee scheme operated though the banks; the number of loans approved to date; the amount guaranteed by the State to date; the money drawn under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23764/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has introduced a range of business supports in response to the COVID-19 pandemic including loan guarantee facilities for businesses of different sizes. This query may be in reference to either the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme or the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, both of which offer state guaranteed lending to businesses impacted by the pandemic.
The COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme was introduced at the initial onset of the pandemic (in March 2020) to help businesses seeking to innovate, change or adapt to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Loans under the scheme range from €25,000 to €1.5m, for terms of up to three years. Loans of up to €500,000 are available unsecured. This scheme was made available by adapting and expanding the Brexit Loan Scheme. In total across both these schemes, €337.5 million in lending has been made available at a cost to the Exchequer that is capped at €29.7 million.
The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) delivers the scheme on behalf of the Ministers for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The SBCI provide for an 80% guarantee to lenders participating in the scheme, and this is in turn supported by a counter-guarantee from the European Investment Fund [EIF] through its InnovFin SME guarantee facility. The risk for the scheme is shared as 40% EIF: 40% SBCI: 20% lenders.
As of 30 April 2021, there has been 1,016 loans sanctioned under the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme to a total value of €138.33m.
Figures for loans drawn are provided as part of the quarterly reporting on the scheme. As of the most recent quarterly report (31st December 2020), 794 loans had been drawn down through the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme to a value of €93.3m.
The COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS) makes up to €2 billion in lending available for Irish businesses and is the largest guarantee scheme in the history of the State. Its function is to add certainty to businesses that funding is available for working capital and investment purposes. Loans of up to €1 million are available for up to five and a half years at reduced interest rates. Loans under €250,000 do not require collateral or personal guarantees. The Scheme is available to SMEs and small mid-caps (including primary producers), and will run until 31 December 2021 in accordance with the European Commission’s State Aid Temporary Framework implemented in response to COVID-19.
Guarantee schemes operating under the Credit Guarantee Act, which includes the COVID-19 CGS, are based on contingent liability. In such schemes there is no upfront cost to the state in the allocations to finance providers. The finance providers issue loans utilising their own funds. Allocations under the scheme were assessed in depth by the agency with the relevant market knowledge, the SBCI, in accordance with the finance providers market share and ability to manage a suitably sized loan book.
For the COVID-19 CGS there is no cost to the State unless a participating enterprise is unable to pay back the loan for more than 90 days, whereupon the loan enters a default stage and the finance provider can claim on the guarantee for 80 percent of the outstanding balance. To date, there have been no claims under the guarantee. €25.5 million has been provided in Estimates 2021 for potential calls on the guarantee by finance providers and to cover operational costs.
There were 4,551 loans approved and drawn for a value of €283.6 million up to 22 April 2021. The maximum contingent liability on these loans with an 80% guarantee is €227 million.
In order to provide the public with relevant data on the performance of the scheme, my Department publishes weekly and monthly reports on its website. These reports provide data on loans drawn under a wide variety of themes and are available at: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/COVID-19-Credit-Guarantee-Scheme-Performance-Reports.html.
Electricity Supply Board
Ceisteanna (132)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:132. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the ESB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24082/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland's system of Industrial Relations is based in voluntarism. While the right of workers to form associations and join a trade union is enshrined in Article 40 of the Irish Constitution, under Irish law there is no obligation on employers to recognise any union for the purposes of collective bargaining.
This dispute is essentially a matter for the company and its employees to resolve. I have no role in these matters.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (133)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:133. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding allocated by his Department or agencies under his remit to An Taisce in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the expected respective allocations to An Taisce for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24101/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
No funding has been allocated by my Department or the agencies under its remit to An Taisce during the years in question.
IDA Ireland have informed me that they made a payment to An Taisce in 2019 in the amount of €500 as part of their Green Schools Cycle Training in Mervue Business Park, Galway.
Trade Agreements
Ceisteanna (134)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:134. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the economic and sustainability impact assessment for Ireland of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement will be published given that he indicated it would be due at the end of quarter 1 2021 and this date has now passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24128/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will recall that this particular Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment consists of two important and complementary components, namely a comprehensive analysis of the potential economic benefits as well as a robust sustainability impact assessment including social, human rights and environmental impacts that the trade Agreement could have in Ireland and the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. As such, it is a considerable undertaking, which, unfortunately, has necessitated us running beyond the Q1 2021 deadline by which we had hoped to have the finalised report considered by Government and published.
As previously reported to the House, the detailed research and stakeholder consultations are concluded, and I have been informed that drafting of the actual Report itself is well advanced such that the Report is expected to be received by my Department in the coming weeks. It will be published as soon as possible after consideration by Government.
Trade Agreements
Ceisteanna (135)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Ceist:135. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the economic and sustainability impact assessment of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement which is being conducted by his Department; the expected publication date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24152/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will recall that this Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment consists of two important and complementary components, namely a comprehensive analysis of the potential economic benefits as well as a robust sustainability impact assessment including social, human rights and environmental impacts that the trade Agreement could have in Ireland and the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. As such, it is a considerable undertaking, which, unfortunately, has necessitated us running beyond the Q1 2021 deadline by which we had hoped to have the finalised report considered by Government and published.
Regarding the status of the report, as previously reported to the House, the detailed research and stakeholder consultations are concluded, and I have been informed that drafting of the actual Report itself is well advanced such that the Report is expected to be received by my Department in the coming weeks. It will be published as soon as possible after consideration by Government.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (136)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:136. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the non-governmental organisations in receipt of funding from his Department; the amount of funding allocated to same in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24371/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While my Department does not generally provide direct funding to non-governmental organisations, it does fund the costs of Ireland’s membership of a number of international organisations (e.g. World Trade Organisation, International Labour Organisation, European Space Agency). The total funding provided to support these memberships in 2020 was €26.355 million.
My Department also provides funding to a number of discrete committees and enquiries (e.g. Company Law Review Group, Balance for Better Business) which assist the Department in the exercise of its mandate. In 2020 a total of €186,000 was allocated to these committees.
In addition my Department provides funding for ad hoc humanitarian flood relief schemes to assist eligible undertakings whose premises have been affected by severe flooding and who have not be able to secure insurance against such events. Such schemes, which currently are administered on behalf of the Department by the Red Cross, were allocated a total of €251,000 in 2020.
Finally my Department provides discrete consumer support funding to the European Consumer Centre to assist in the provision of information regarding such things as online dispute resolution bodies, geo blocking rules etc. A total of €70,000 was provided in respect of such consumer support in 2020.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (137)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:137. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons employed by his Department; and the collective total salary received by employees of his Department. [24440/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Data captured as at 12 April 2021 provides for 930 employees with an annual salary cost of approximately €48M.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (138)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:138. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he or his Department employ persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by his Department to deal with public relations; the names of any firms involved; and the total amount spent on public relations by his Department. [24441/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Within my Department’s Communications Unit, there are currently seven staff employed to deal with press and public relations. A breakdown of staff by grade is set out below.
My Department has not engaged any third-party companies to deal with public relations and, therefore, no costs have been incurred.
|
Grade |
Number |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
Covid-19 Tests
Ceisteanna (139)
Gerald Nash
Ceist:139. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of plans by his Department and or the agencies under his aegis to roll-out pilot programmes with businesses and in workplaces as a consequence of the report and suggestions by the Covid-19 Rapid Testing Group and in respect of the use of rapid antigen testing in workplaces and in other environments; the way in which firms will be selected to participate in any pilot programme under consideration; if firms will be enabled to make expressions of interest in terms of participation in any such programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24556/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in a workplace or any setting is to follow public health advice and practice physical distancing, adopt proper hand hygiene and follow respiratory etiquette.
However, some employers, with the agreement of their workers, have sought to implement additional checks as a way of strengthening their COVID-19 response and providing reassurance to their workers and customers, this could include antigen testing. In response to this development an updated Work Safely Protocol will be published shortly by Government, with a section on Rapid Antigen Diagnostic Tests (RADTs). The revised Protocol will set out the pros and cons on the use of antigen testing in workplace and contain guidance on the engagement required between an employer and the employees in setting up a RADT testing regime in a workplace.
Where employers incur COVID-19 related costs of a revenue nature, and where those costs were incurred to allow the business to carry on its trade or profession, they will be deductible in computing taxable profits.
In addition, no benefit-in-kind (BIK) charge will arise where, due to health and safety concerns, an employer:
a. performs COVID-19 testing on an employee at the workplace,
b. engages a third party to do such testing on behalf of the employer, or
c. provides a COVID-19 test kit to an employee for self-administration.
Any sectoral based pilot roll-out of RADTs, as a public health measure, would be led and subsequently evaluated by Public Health. Public Health has been involved in pilot RADT programme in the meat processing sector, the HSE also recently confirmed that officials are considering a pilot scheme of antigen testing in secondary schools and universities. Any sectoral based pilot roll-out of RADT’s, as a public health measure would be led and require an evaluation by Public Health.
The key reason for an employer to use such tests is as an aid to public health in “finding” cases of COVID-19. More importantly, if such tests are being used in any setting, be it the workplace or other location, public health advice regarding hand washing, mask wearing, respiratory etiquette, physical distancing and ventilation, all still need to be adhered to in full.
Departmental Programmes
Ceisteanna (140)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:140. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of jobs either directly or indirectly created by the just transition programme which has been introduced to compensate for the closure of peat production and sale in the midlands. [24506/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to a just transition in the Midlands region and has dedicated significant funding to supporting workers, companies and communities affected by the closure of the peat-fired power stations and the end of peat harvesting by Bord na Mona. The Government approved funding of €108 million for Bord na Móna’s large-scale peatlands restoration project, which will see Bord na Mona reassign employees from peat harvesting activities into rehabilitation operations while supporting the natural environment and biodiversity of the peatlands. This plan and the National Parks & Wildlife Service Peatland Scheme will support 350 jobs; taking seasonality into account, this equates to 230 full-time equivalent roles.
The Just Transition Fund has finalised grant agreements totalling €1.2m with 16 "strand 1" projects. These projects have reported that they will create 28 full-time jobs and support a further 175 indirect jobs in the region. A further 47 projects through Strand 2, with a total funding value of €27.8m, have received provisional offers from my Department. It is expected a significant number of additional jobs will be supported by these projects and I will be in a position to provide a further update on this once these projects have grant agreements in place in the coming weeks.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is delivering the €20m Midlands Retrofit Programme, through which at least 750 local authority homes will benefit from retrofitting works by the end of 2021. Home retrofits are highly labour-intensive so this investment will drive expansion of labour activity in the construction/ retrofit sector, leading to preservation of existing and creation of new jobs.
A Territorial Just Transition Plan is being prepared by the department to avail of up to €77m EU funding from the EU Just Transition Fund with a similar level of match funding from the exchequer. It is expected that a significant element of this will be committed to eligible projects in the Midlands supporting employment in the region.