Written Answers Nos. 54-70
54. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on ensuring that funding schemes are in place, such as the long-term SBCI future growth loan scheme, for businesses in line with the reopening of society as per the announcement of 29 April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26677/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the onset of the pandemic, my Department has worked to ensure that measures are in place to help businesses seeking appropriate financing in response to the impacts of COVID-19. These schemes make financing more accessible to eligible businesses at lower interest rates than would otherwise be available.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme was introduced in 2019 to make lending available to businesses seeking funding for long-term, strategic investment. The scheme was expanded in 2020 in response to the impacts of COVID-19 and since then has continued to see strong demand. Close Brothers continues to accept new applications under the scheme, while other participating lenders are continuing to process their “pipeline” of existing applications.
Other state-backed loan guarantee schemes are also in place and provide financing options for both working capital and investment purposes. These schemes feature optional moratoria, which may offer businesses flexibility as they reopen.
The COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme is the largest such scheme in the history of the State and makes available up to €2 billion in lending to eligible businesses impacted by the pandemic. Loans under this scheme are for terms of up to five-and-a-half years and range from €10,000 to €1m. Loans of up to €250,000 under the scheme are available unsecured (except where this is a requirement of the product feature, as in the case of asset finance, invoice discount facilities, etc). As a result of the high level of the State guarantee, loans are being provided at interest rates lower than the current market rate for similar loans.
Applicants may also avail of an optional interest and/or capital moratorium, depending on the finance provider’s assessment of an application.
For micro-enterprises, the COVID-19 Business Loan from MicroFinance Ireland is open to eligible businesses that have been negatively affected by the pandemic. Loans under this scheme range from €5,000 to €25,000 and are typically for terms of up to three years.
This scheme features a six-month interest and repayment moratorium, with the loan to be repaid over the remaining 30 months of the 36-month loan period. There is also a Government rebate for the interest paid on the loan in months 7-12 of the loan.
Work is also under way on the delivery of a Brexit Impact Loan Scheme, subject to the necessary legislation being in place, which will make up to €330m in lending available to eligible Brexit-impacted businesses, including primary producers. Loans under this scheme will be for terms of up to six years, and will range from €25,000 to €1.5m, with loans of up to €500,000 available unsecured.
As businesses look toward reopening, I am conscious that many will have new and unforeseen liquidity needs after a difficult year. I would encourage eligible businesses to consider the loan guarantee schemes outlined above as they consider both the immediate liquidity required to reopen and investment for the future.
55. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason his Department will not provide for an independent and impartial investigation of allegations of a pro-employer bias in the senior management of the State's labour inspectorate as contained in protected disclosures from person (details supplied) made to the Director General of the WRC in 2015 and to the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation in 2017. [26728/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI'm informed that the individual in question made a protected disclosure to my Department related to alleged wrongdoing in the Labour Inspection services of the WRC. The matter raised was investigated using an external professional company in the succeeding months. This investigation concluded that there was no systemic wrongdoing in the work of the Labour Inspectorate. This conclusion was accepted by the Department and the outcome was communicated to the individual.
56. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will encourage a bank (details supplied) to engage with the trade union representing its workers regarding industrial relations matters which are ongoing at the bank. [26729/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise that this is a most challenging time for employees of KBC Bank. I encourage all sides to make every effort to reach a resolution by agreement and with the help of the industrial relations machinery of the State.
The WRC is available to any interested parties who may require it. As part of its functions, the WRC provides information relating to employment entitlements and obligations, equality and industrial relations matters by means of their telephone service. This service is manned by experienced Information Officers.
Any discussions entered into voluntarily by workers and employers with one of the State’s industrial relations bodies, the WRC or the Labour Court, are confidential to the parties and I, as Minister, have no role in, or knowledge of, these discussions.
57. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if individual hairdressers are responsible for the cost of PPE equipment or their employer or owner of the hairdresser salon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26822/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirement that an employee should use personal protective equipment (PPE) in the carrying out of work activities is determined in the first instance by their employer through the completion of a risk assessment which is then recorded in the workplace safety statement.
The Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 states that the duty is on the employer to supply PPE to employees where risks identified in the risk assessment cannot be eliminated or adequately controlled by other means. The 2005 Act further states that employers may not ask for any form of reimbursement from an employee for the provision of PPE to that employee, although it should be noted that any self-employed persons working within a salon are responsible for providing their own PPE.
I would add that all expenses which are incurred wholly and exclusively for a business are tax deductible and given that it is the employer’s duty to provide a safe working environment, then the provision of PPE would be tax deductible. In addition, there is a wide range of financial supports available for businesses impacted by COVID-19 including supports from Revenue and from my own Department through the Enterprise Agencies. Details are available on www.enterprise.gov.ie or by contacting infobusinesssupport@enterprise.gov.ie
In relation to COVID-19, managing the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace is very important. The Work Safely Protocol incorporates current advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) about appropriate public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and in workplaces. The Protocol sets out specific advice concerning the protection of workers who interact with customers and clients, including the provision of masks to workers who need to interact with customers or others where a physical distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained.
Full details of the updated Work Safely Protocol are available on www.enterprise.gov.ie
The Health and Safety Authority is the lead agency with responsibility for checking compliance with the Work Safely Protocol. Any worker, or employer, with a concern or a query about compliance with the Protocol, or any other aspect of occupational safety and health, should contact the Health and Safety Authority, through their Workplace Contact Unit at 1890 289 389 or atwcu@hsa.ie, for appropriate advice.
58. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is considering a digital gaming sector tax credit similar to section 481, tax credit for film, television and animation; and if so, if he will ensure that the receipt of the tax credit will be based on a signed agreement from the recipient on the provision on quality employment which by definition would focus on eliminating low pay in the sector, providing secure contracts of direct employment, giving proper pension provision and supporting employer engagement with trade unions. [27025/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe responsibility for tax policy lies with my colleague the Minister for Finance. In his Budget speech in October 2020, Minister Donohoe announced his intention to commence work on developing a tax credit for the digital gaming sector with a view to supporting qualifying activity from January 2022 onwards. The ultimate design of the tax credit, the expenditures which will qualify for the credit and any other qualifying requirements will be determined by Minister Donohoe and announced in due course.
It is also worthwhile to note that the introduction of such an incentive was advocated by Olsberg in their review of the Irish Audio Visual Sector in 2018, where they commented that Ireland produces a large number of high-quality games graduates, who arrive into an industry insufficiently large to provide them with employment.
By introducing a credit aimed at expanding our digital games development sector, we are aiming to create high value, long term, sustainable jobs which will allow our graduates to remain in Ireland and further develop our footprint in one of the fastest growing industries globally.
59. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the approved critical work permits available currently for each sector; the process to add a profession or sector onto this list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27112/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s employment permits system is by design, a vacancy led system inclusive of all sectors of the economy, driven by the changing needs of the labour market, expanding and contracting in tandem with its inherent fluctuations.
The system is managed through the operation of the critical skills and the ineligible occupations lists which determine occupations across all sectors that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. The Critical Skills Occupation List is set out in Schedule 3 of the Employment Permits Regulations and can be found on my department’s website at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Highly-Skilled-Eligible-Occupations-List/.
These lists undergo twice yearly evidence-based reviews which is guided by available research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) in SOLAS and includes a public consultation process. Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and known contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID 19 and their impact on the labour market. Consideration is also taken of the views of the relevant policy Department and the Economic Migration Inter-Departmental Group, chaired by my Department.
Changes to the occupation lists are considered where there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available, development opportunities are not undermined, genuine skills shortages exist rather than a recruitment or retention problem and Government education, training and economic development policies are supported.
In order to add or remove an occupation from the lists evidence is sought demonstrating that recruitment difficulties are solely due to shortages across the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and/or employment conditions. The review process invites stakeholders to provide data to substantiate claims of lack of skills or labour available in a detailed evidence-based business case. Consideration of each business case involves input by the lead policy Government Department for the sector as well as the Economic Migration Interdepartmental group.
The findings of the reviews are prepared for my consideration with approved recommendations implemented by amendment to the Employment Permits Regulations.
60. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a fish counter in operation by Inland Fisheries Ireland for recording salmon stock on the rivers Suir, Nore and Barrow; if so, if he will release the data recorded from these counters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26850/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that fish counters are not in use on the Rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir. Each of Ireland’s more than 140 genetically unique salmon stocks is assessed annually by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) to estimate the run of returning fish to each individual river and determine if there is likely to be a surplus above the river’s conservation limit.
TEGOS use a range of data sources, such as rod and commercial catch data and catchment wide electro-fishing in its assessments. Reports from Fishery Inspectors also contribute to knowledge of individual stocks. Fish counters are a component of the assessment process and IFI considers that the 32 salmon counters in operation are a sufficient index, within the array of methodologies available, to support annual assessments.
61. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of salmon drift netting licences that were not bought out under the compulsory buy out scheme introduced in 2007; the details of same by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26851/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommercial Salmon Fishing licences are public licences which must be taken out annually, are entirely permissive in nature and confer no fishing rights on the licensee. In line with the Government decision in 2006 to manage salmon fisheries strictly in line with scientific advice, the Government established a €25m Hardship Scheme for licence holders. The concept of buyout or compensation does not arise.
Records from the administration of the Scheme include those persons who made an application but not persons who did not apply. The details sought by the Deputy in terms of the specific numbers of people who did not apply are therefore not available.
However, on an indicative basis, I am advised that at the time the scheme was opened to application, there were 875 drift net licence holders and the scheme records show that 749 drift net salmon fishermen availed of the hardship payment. This would indicate that some 126 drift net licence holders, for a variety of reasons, did not avail of the hardship scheme.
62. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of fishing licences issued in County Westmeath in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [26815/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) of the following information regarding fishing licences in Co Westmeath.
Table1. Number of salmon angling licences 2019-21 issued to anglers resident in Co Westmeath.
|
YEAR |
Total |
E-licences |
d-licences |
Book sales |
|
2021 |
18 (to date) |
8 |
10 |
0 |
|
2020 |
111 |
17 |
57 |
37 |
|
2019 |
99 |
11 |
36 |
52 |
Table 2. Number of licences sold by Distributors in Co. Westmeath 2019-21
|
YEAR |
Sold by Distributors in Co. Westmeath |
|
2021 |
Data available when returns made by Distributors in September each year |
|
2020 |
28 |
|
2019 |
26 |
Table 3. Number of Commercial Trout Licences (L. Ree) issued to residents in Co Westmeath 2019-21
|
YEAR |
Co Westmeath |
Total licenses all Counties |
|
2021 |
9 |
12 |
|
2020 |
9 |
12 |
|
2019 |
9 |
12 |
63. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if funding will be sought to carry out works (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26838/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that, in response to an enquiry from a local land owner, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) carried out an assessment of the Skirdagh River concentrating on the area near the confluence of the Black Oak River (Newport River). As a result of the assessment IFI concluded that fish passage was not blocked and that the trees do not impact on the river. Consequently, IFI advise that there is no need for IFI to cut the trees back.
IFI are mindful that the Skirdagh river is in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It is a designated salmonid river and IFI’s Senior Fisheries Environmental Officer has advised it is likely to contain pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera. IFI have provided a copy of their Appropriate Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures to the land owner. There is no application for funding on hands, however, the land owner may wish to consider preparing a submission for future funding through the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund.
If the landowner is interested in applying for IFI funding the local IFI Inspector (Bangor District) will be happy to discuss the most appropriate options and provide guidance through the process.
64. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding in each year provided for a just transition; the drawdown in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26842/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra65. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of jobs that have been created in each county using just transition funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26843/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra66. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons who have been provided with upskilling, retraining or further educational opportunities using just transition funding in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26844/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 64 to 66, inclusive, together.
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 Just Transition Fund was established in 2020 to support innovative projects that contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the wider Midlands region and which have employment and enterprise potential. The Department held a competitive call for applications to this Fund, which closed on 17 July 2020, in response to which over 100 applications were received. 16 'Strand 1' projects, announced in September 2020, have concluded grant agreements with the Department, to a total value of €1.2m.
Provisional offers have been issued to a further 47 successful applicants through ‘Strand 2’, with a funding provisional value of €27.8m. There have been no pre-funding or drawdown requests made for strand 2 projects as the Department is currently in the process of finalising grant agreements with these projects. €11 million has been allocated to the Just Transition Fund through my Department's Vote in 2021. I expect that a significant quantum of funding will issue to projects towards late 2021 and early 2022 as projects incur spend and seek reimbursement.Allocations in future years will depend on the total funding requirements for all projects that conclude grant agreements with my Department.
Strand 1 projects have reported to my Department that they intend to create 28 full-time jobs and that 175 indirect jobs will be supported as a result across the eligible eight counties included in the Just Transition Fund: East Galway, Kildare, Laois, Longford, North Tipperary, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath. This funding has also leveraged €383,000 in additional funding in the region. Once grant agreements have been finalised, the Department will report on expected job creation numbers by 'Strand 2' projects.
A number of projects funded under Strand 1 and planned under Strand 2 intend to provide support for up-skilling, retraining and educational opportunities. All projects will be required to report annually to my Department on their implementation and information on the number of individuals supported in this respect will be included in this reporting where relevant.
In addition to the Just Transition Fund, the Government is also investing significant further funding in the Midlands Region to support a just transition. 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 and Wildlife Service Peatland Scheme willsupport350 jobs. Taking seasonality into account, this equates to 230 full-time equivalent roles.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is delivering the €20 million 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 my Department to avail of up to €77 million in EU funding from the EU Just Transition Fund with a similar level of match funding from the Exchequer over the period to 2027. It is expected that a significant element of this will be committed to eligible projects in the Midlands supporting employment in the region.
67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the next just transition progress report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26845/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government appointed Mr Kieran Mulvey as Just Transition Commissioner in November 2019 to facilitate discussions and work with stakeholders to develop, mobilise and deliver opportunities for the Midlands for both the workers directly affected and the wider community. The Commissioner is undertaking his work with administrative support provided by my Department. The Commissioner is also being supported in his engagements with stakeholders in the Midlands, as required by the Secretariat to the Midlands Regional Transition Team.
The Commissioner has prepared three progress reports to date and the first two reports are available on my Department's website at http://www.gov.ie/decc/. I have received and am considering the Commissioner’s third report and I intend to publish it shortly. I anticipate requesting the Commissioner to prepare a further report before the end of 2021, with a view to considering progress to date in implementing the range of interventions that have been put in place by the Government.
I intend that the Climate Action Plan 2021 will contain a specific chapter on just transition which will address the Programme for Government commitment to prepare an implementation plan in response to the recommendations contained in the Commissioner’s reports.
68. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to consider options available to identify those items of Departmental expenditure which support specific sustainable development goals as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26875/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments. The first National Implementation Plan 2018-2020, published in 2018, was developed to oversee and facilitate coherent implementation of the SDGs across Government, and to promote awareness of the SDGs. 19 Actions were included in the first National Implementation Plan, including Action 5 which committed to considering options which would identify Departmental expenditure in support specific SDGs. While Action 5 was not fully achieved during a the period of the first National Implementation Plan, a review of all committed actions is now underway.
The development of the next SDG Implementation Plan has commenced, with the intention of publishing it later this year. A National Progress Report will be incorporated into the Plan and will assess the progress on the 19 Actions, including the commitment set out under Action 5.
69. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the National Broadband Plan will be rolled out for a premises (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27020/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra
The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 13 May 2021, over 215,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys are complete or underway in County Donegal in Milford, Letterkenny, Ramelton, Termon, Ballymacool, Kilmacrennan, Mullaghfin and Tommyscroft. Further details are available on specific areas within County Donegal through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 13 May, 315 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s are connected at Sliabh Liag Ranger Station,Leghowney Community Centre, Rathlin Knitwear,The Gweedore Theatre, Dunree Military Museum, Tory Co-Op, Ray Community Centre, Meenreagh Hostel and Cranford Coole Community Centre. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Drumfad National School, Urbalreagh National School, Scoil Naomh Cholmcille, Scoil Naoimh Colum and Doaghbeg National School have been installed by NBI for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Some 42 primary schools are to be connected in Donegal. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
70. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if the start date for a driving ban can be deferred (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26694/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe penalty point system was designed to improve driver behaviour, thereby making our roads safer for all. A driver who is detected committing a driving offence, and who subsequently has penalty points endorsed on their licence, is expected to change their driving habits for the better. Drivers who have the occasional lapse in judgement receive penalty points, and then can learn from the experience as a reminder to obey road traffic legislation in the future.
However, a driver who has exceeded the penalty point limit has been detected engaging in criminal driving behaviour which puts themselves and other road users in danger on a number of occasions in a three year period. It is therefore appropriate that a period of disqualification is imposed.
It is not possible to defer the start date of a driving disqualification, and I have no plans to amend the current arrangements. If drivers wish to avoid disqualification, they should ensure that they drive safely by obeying the legislation in force.
