Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department is drafting plans to tackle youth unemployment in County Donegal with specific focus on those not in education, employment or training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30174/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPillar 2 of the Government’s recently published Economic Recovery Plan commits to helping people integrate into the workforce, through the provision of opportunities to reskill and upskill, minimising long-term unemployment and supporting individuals to secure sustainable and quality employment. The Plan’s overarching ambition is to have 2.5 million people in work by 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Youth unemployment across all regions will be a particular focus of the forthcoming Pathways to Work 2021-2025, which will involve intensive work with young people at greater risk of long-term unemployment, in recognition of the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on young people. As part of a new Government Youth Employment Charter, a new ambitious EU Reinforced Youth Guarantee process will see intensive engagement with young jobseekers, and an expanded Jobs Plus scheme, with 8,000 places overall, will continue to provide a higher incentive for the recruitment of young unemployed people across all regions.
Youth unemployment will also be addressed through measures such as the rollout of an additional 50,000 education and training places, a new Work Placement Experience Programme targeted at reaching 10,000 participants, SOLAS’s Recovery Skills Response Programme, and implementation of the new Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, which will grow new apprentice registrations to 10,000 per annum by 2025.
Ensuring the skills of young people are aligned with the needs of enterprise will complement pillars 3 and 4 of the Economic Recovery Plan, which aims at building sustainable enterprises, through the creation of the right environment for a jobs-led recovery, and at achieving a balanced and inclusive recovery. This will include initiatives to enhance SME productivity, internationalisation, digitalisation and decarbonisation, Ireland’s value proposition for Foreign Direct Investment, and our innovative knowledge economy. The revised National Development Plan, new Housing for All Strategy, retrofit supports, €500m Shared Island Fund and Rural Development Policy will also support a rebalancing of the regions as we recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
At a regional level, the North West Regional Enterprise Plan, which is now being renewed until 2024, will build upon these commitments and play a central role in supporting balanced regional enterprise development across the North West, including Donegal. It will do so by identifying growth opportunities, recognising vulnerabilities, and in response strengthening the regional enterprise ecosystem to enable job creation, including for the benefit of young people.
42. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will introduce a bank holiday in the month of July. [2857/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
43. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will conduct a review of the possible climate impact and specifically the impact on global greenhouse gas emissions and on Ireland's targets for emission reductions nationally of the State endorsing all aspects of the CETA agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13298/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will conduct a review of the implications for the climate goal of Ireland especially targets committed to in the Paris Treaty including the impact on global emissions of GHGs as a result of Ireland endorsing the CETA trade deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1481/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra82. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has examined possible implications for the climate goals of Ireland, especially targets committed to in the Paris Treaty as a result of Ireland endorsing the CETA trade deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1486/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will undertake a full review of the possible impact on climate action and the environment as a result of Ireland accepting the CETA deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1489/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 64, 82 and 105 together.
CETA - the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - includes commitments towards the sustainable management of forests, fisheries and aquaculture. It also reinforces the Parties' commitments to multilateral environmental agreements to which it is a party, including the Paris Agreement, which is an important shared responsibility for the European Union and its Member States and Canada.
Importantly, in CETA, both sides also agree that more trade and investment should not be at the expense of environmental protection and labour rights. On the contrary, the EU and Canada are committed to ensuring that CETA helps ensure that economic growth, social development, and environmental protection go hand in hand.
The EU Commission published a Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment relating to the negotiation of CETA in June 2011. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of trade liberalisation under CETA. The impact analysis assesses the economic, social and environmental impacts in Canada and the European Union, in three main sectors, sixteen sub-sectors and seven cross-cutting issues. In addition to examining potential gains from removing factors affecting the free flow of goods, services and capital, consideration is given to areas such as labour mobility, government procurement, intellectual property rights, telecoms services and e-commerce.
Overall, the sustainability impact assessment found that the impacts to Canada and the European Union would not be significant. The analysis also finds that CETA will lead to overall gains in welfare, real GDP, total exports and real wages in both Canada and the EU over the long-term.
So, I am satisfied that CETA will not negatively impact, in aggregate, on Ireland's, or the EU's capacity to meet our Climate Change goals. Moreover, our respective Climate Change Goals are enhanced when improved trade and investment flows for our people support an ambitious Trade and Sustainability, Green and Digital Transition, as applies in the EU and Canada.
44. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the further supports that are being considered for SMEs to ensure viability into the future for these businesses on reopening and continuing trading due to the financial difficulties experienced by Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29962/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government announced a new Economic Recovery Plan this week, with €4 billion of stimulus to fuel the economy and help businesses to recover and rebuild. Across 2020 and 2021, €38 billion was provided to help weather the pandemic.
There will be a number of changes to the current financial supports as public health restrictions unwind.
- The Covid-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) will remain in place for businesses that have to stay closed. For businesses re-opening in June and July, you will receive a double payment for the first three weeks upon reopening up to a maximum of €30,000. This will help firms with cashflow and to restock and re-engage with staff.
- The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is being extended until the end of 2021. Some adjustments are being made to how it is calculated - it will now be based on your business’ earnings for a full 12-month period relative to 2019, rather than six months to ensure businesses and workers are supported through the earlier part of the recovery.
- The commercial rates waiver will continue in its current form during the third quarter of this year for those availing of it.
- The 9% VAT rate will be extended until the 1 September, 2022.
- Tax warehousing is being extended until the end of the year and will be interest free in 2022.
- The Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be closed for new entrants from 1 July of this year and will be gradually phased out from 7 September, so that by early 2022 it will be back in line with the Jobseekers’ Allowance.
Further information on each of these changes on the gov.ie website.
- We will use €950m in EU Recovery grants to fund additional investment in higher and further education, skills, research, the digital transformation and climate action, like retrofitting homes and commuter rail. There will be a special fund of €85m to help enterprises decarbonise and €55m to help businesses to go digital. Details on this will be made available in the coming months.
- A new additional, more streamlined scheme, the Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) will be introduced in September 2021 for businesses with very significantly reduced turnover as a result of public health restrictions. This will be open to business with and without a rateable premises and will be administered by Revenue in a similar way to the CRSS. Businesses who previously availed of other schemes such as the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) and the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme for example, as well as CRSS will be eligible to apply provided they meet the qualifying criteria. Details on this scheme will be announced closer to the time, but the Government will continue to help those businesses that are particularly challenged through to the end of the year and beyond if needed.
- We are committed to the economic recovery of the country and work is ongoing across Government to ensure the assistance which will be in place is sufficient, targeted and sustainable. The National Recovery Plan charts the pathway forward for our country.
45. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will propose the waiving of intellectual property rights for Covid-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organization; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30226/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUniversal 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 or WTO, the European Commission engages with Member States, including Ireland, through a variety of Committee and Working Parties/Groups, including on intellectual property, or IP.
South Africa and India have amended their original proposal for a waiver by broadening the scope to cover all health products and technologies including diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, medical devices, personal protective equipment, their materials or components, and their methods and means of manufacture for the prevention, treatment or containment of COVID-19. The revised proposal also provides that the waiver shall be in force for at least 3 years and the WTO General Council shall determine the date of termination of the waiver.
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. announcement 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.
The EU also considers that investment in global manufacturing capacity is key to supporting the global vaccination effort and the EU Commission is supporting a number of initiatives to achieve this, such as, the €1 billion Team Europe initiative on manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa.
46. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current level of import and export trade between Ireland and Israeli businesses in the occupied territories of Palestine, in financial terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29735/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office compiles statistical data in relation to Goods Exports and Imports. Statistics are collated in relation to the overall value of trade between Ireland and the Occupied Palestinian Territory; statistics are not available in relation to import and export trade with individual businesses.
In 2020 , the annual value of goods exports from Ireland to the Occupied Palestinian Territory stood at €1.85 million. The main goods exports to Occupied Palestinian Territory from Ireland are Infant formula and Medical & Pharmaceutical Products.
In 2020, the value of goods imports from Occupied Palestinian Territory to Ireland was valued at €65,000, comprising imports of dates and cotton.
47. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports he has put in place to counter the impact of Covid-19 and the public health restrictions on the pub and restaurant sector; and if he will continue the employment wage subsidy scheme and other supports to ensure workers on limited hours in this sector continue to be supported. [30183/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government announced a new Economic Recovery Plan this week, with €4 billion of stimulus to fuel the economy and help businesses to recover and rebuild. Across 2020 and 2021, €38 billion was provided to help weather the pandemic.
There will be a number of changes to the current financial supports as public health restrictions unwind.
- The Covid-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) will remain in place for businesses that have to stay closed. For businesses re-opening in June and July, you will receive a double payment for the first three weeks upon reopening up to a maximum of €30,000. This will help firms with cashflow and to restock and re-engage with staff.
- The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is being extended until the end of 2021. Some adjustments are being made to how it is calculated - it will now be based on your business’ earnings for a full 12-month period relative to 2019, rather than six months to ensure businesses and workers are supported through the earlier part of the recovery.
- The commercial rates waiver will continue in its current form during the third quarter of this year for those availing of it.
- The 9% VAT rate will be extended until the 1 September, 2022.
- Tax warehousing is being extended until the end of the year and will be interest free in 2022.
- The Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be closed for new entrants from 1 July of this year and will be gradually phased out from 7 September, so that by early 2022 it will be back in line with the Jobseekers’ Allowance.
Further information on each of these changes on the gov.ie website.
- We will use €950m in EU Recovery grants to fund additional investment in higher and further education, skills, research, the digital transformation and climate action, like retrofitting homes and commuter rail. There will be a special fund of €85m to help enterprises decarbonise and €55m to help businesses to go digital. Details on this will be made available in the coming months.
- A new additional, more streamlined business support scheme, the Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) will be introduced in September 2021 for businesses with very significantly reduced turnover as a result of public health restrictions. This will be open to business with and without a rateable premises and will be administered by Revenue in a similar way to the CRSS. Businesses who previously availed of other schemes such as the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) and the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme for example, as well as CRSS will be eligible to apply provided they meet the qualifying criteria. Details on this scheme will be announced closer to the time, but the Government will continue to help those businesses that are particularly challenged through to the end of the year and beyond if needed.
We are committed to the economic recovery of the country and work is ongoing across Government to ensure the supports which will be in place are sufficient, targeted and sustainable. The National Recovery Plan charts the pathway forward for our country.
My colleague, Minister Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, may be able to provide more specific details on these supports for the hospitality sector, for which she has lead responsibility.
48. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of legislation to allow Workplace Relations Commission proceedings to take place in public. [30224/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe urgency to amend the Workplace Relations Act 2015 and other acts that make provision for investigations in the Workplace Relations Commission is a result of a Supreme Court ruling and the consequential Orders which resulted in the current statutory framework being declared inconsistent with the Constitution. The Orders concern public hearings and the necessity have a statutory power to administer an oath or affirmation with an associated penalty for giving false evidence.
The Government approved priority drafting and authorised the seeking of a waiver of pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Bill from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment on 19 April 2021.
A drafter was appointed on 20 April 2021 and the Joint Committee granted its waiver on 5 May 2021. It is expected that the Government will approve the Publication of the Bill shortly.
49. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the stakeholders consulted in the preparation of the forthcoming economic and sustainability impact assessment of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement; if the consulted stakeholders represent in a balanced way the economic, social and environmental concerns related to the trade agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30027/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement consists of two important and complementary components, namely 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.
Quantitative modelling of the economic and environmental impacts of the Agreement has been complemented by a comprehensive programme of stakeholder consultations to assess broader economic and sustainability issues.
Stakeholders consulted include agri-food representatives; business representative organisations; human rights and environmental NGOs; union representatives; companies and relevant Government Departments and Agencies. In total, I am informed that over 50 invitations were issued and over 30 consultations were completed. The full list of completed consultations will be published in the final report.
The detailed research and stakeholder consultations are now 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.
50. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost to date of all Covid-19-related payments in his Department to individuals and corporate entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15409/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice is making COVID-19 specific funding available to assist organisations working to support victims of crime, including victims of domestic, sexual and gender based abuse, in response to the increased demand for services during the pandemic.
Additional funding of almost €378,000 was provided to organisations for additional services for Victims of Crime and Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence arising out of the COVID crisis.
My Department has secured an additional €400,000 to continue this COVID-19 specific support in 2021, to provide additional resources, support, enforcement and services to key organisations in the area of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
My Department, An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board, Tusla and other services, including the vital supports provided by the community and voluntary sector, worked collectively to ensure supports were available to address the likely increased risk to victims of DSGBV during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The ‘Still Here’ campaign, which began in April 2020, sends the message that frontline supports and services continue to be available to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. It also communicates the message that travel restrictions do not apply in the case of domestic violence or to escape a risk of harm, whether to the person or to another person. The cost of the ‘Still Here’ campaign to date is €397,944.36
The 'No Excuses' campaign aims to increase awareness of sexual violence and sexual harassment. In October 2020 new advertisements for the campaign, which were suitable for broadcast during Covid19 restrictions were produced, at a cost of €147,123.90.
The Department incurred additional ICT costs of €812,820.03 to facilitate remote working.
Other COVID-19 related costs incurred by the Department include PPE, hand-sanitising stations and supplies, cleaning services, public office and remote-working assessments, and safety signage and screens. These costs amounted to €303,740.55 as outlined in the table below.
|
Company |
Goods/Services |
Total inc VAT |
|
AJ Products Ltd |
Hand Sanitiser containment |
€2,533.66 |
|
Arup |
Public Office Assessments |
€12,177.00 |
|
Bunzl |
PPE |
€10,771.32 |
|
Codex |
Hygiene Products |
€31,482.17 |
|
Derrycourt |
Touchpoint cleaning |
€2,216.37 |
|
Doggett |
COVID Safety Signage and Perspex Screens |
€40,549.41 |
|
Farrells |
Furniture |
€29,315.11 |
|
Grosvenor |
Touchpoint Cleaning |
€37,302.42 |
|
Look Sales Ltd |
PPE |
€65,926.08 |
|
NorthEast Hygiene |
Hand Sanitiser Stations and Supplies |
€58,772.27 |
|
OPW |
Perspex Screen |
€2,349.62 |
|
Pelko |
Home-office chairs |
€1,468.48 |
|
Quadra H+S Consultancy |
Remote Working Assessments |
€3,750.00 |
|
Snap |
Covid Safety Signage |
€460.02 |
|
Stacks Creative |
Covid Safety Signage |
€2,398.50 |
|
Technical Door Solutions |
Freestanding screen |
€2,268.12 |
|
Grand Total |
€303,740.55 |
52. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Cork enterprises that have applied to the small business assistance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30060/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total number of Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) applications for Cork are broken down between the two Local Authorities for Cork.
The total number of applications received for the SBASC grant for Cork City is 297. Of that figure 163 have been approved for payment. 134 applications have been refused.
For Cork County the total number of applications received is 291 with 99 applications rejected.
Refusals have occurred due to eligibility requirements such as businesses not meeting the turnover criteria, turnover was not down 75% during the eligibility period, incomplete application form, the business was in receipt of CRSS or they were not in a rateable premises.
As you may be aware I recently announced an expanded SBASC phase 2 scheme which will be open for applications in early June with a closing date of 21st July. Phase 2 has been expanded to include businesses working from a non rateable premises and those whose turnover is below €50,000.
Businesses who are working from non rateable premises and meet all other eligibility criteria will receive a €4,000 grant and businesses whose turnover is below €50,000 and meet all other eligibility criteria will receive €1,000 grant. These businesses have been ineligible for schemes in the past and it is my intention to ensure that these businesses receive some state support during these difficult time. The purpose of these grants are to help meet fixed costs associated with running a business.
Further details of this expanded SBASC scheme will be available shortly on my Department's website and on Local Authority websites who will once again administer the scheme.
53. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that are being taken to resolve supply issues with imported goods from the UK, namely construction supplies due to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29961/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the issue of the import of construction supplies is not specifically a matter for my Department, I am aware of the disruption to global supply chains due to COVID-19 and volatility in logistics and materials prices since the start of the year.
In relation to Brexit impacts on supply chains, my Department and the enterprise development agencies have worked with other Government Departments and relevant agencies and a range of sectors to ensure our businesses were ready for end of the transition period last year and the impacts of the UK leaving the Single Market and Customs Union.
In the case of the retail sector, for example, while there was some initial inevitable disruption as businesses and supply chains adapted to the new customs rules, for the most part the sector has been resilient and adjusted to these changes and product specific issues have been resolved.
A range of other manufacturing and distribution sectors have similarly adjusted and adapted to the new Brexit related requirements.
My Department and agencies continue to work with impacted businesses and to provide grant assistance, including the Ready for Customs grant of up to €9,000 for the recruitment of additional customs declaration staff.
We are also assisting businesses to find alternative sources of supply internationally and to readjust their supply chains.
As economies reopen across the world following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and manufacturing and construction sector activity resumes it will take time for global production of some materials to return to previous levels to address the increases in demand, for the replenishment of stocks and for additional supply to come on stream.
54. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Carlow that have availed of the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30049/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS) is the largest loan guarantee scheme in the history of the State. The Scheme provides €2 billion in lending, for terms up to five-and-a-half years and offers a range of lending products between €10,000 and €1 million at interest rates below market rates for similar type loans. It is available to SMEs and small mid-caps (business with less than 500 employees), including primary producers (businesses engaged in the farming and seafood sectors). The Scheme is available until 31 December 2021 following a Government decision in March to extend it in line with the extension of the European Commission’s Temporary Framework on State Aid.
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
enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/COVID-19-Credit-Guarantee-Scheme-Performance-Reports.html.
As at 20 May, 68 businesses in County Carlow have availed of the CCGS and have drawn loans with a value of €3,260,348.
The Scheme is currently available through three commercial banks, six non-bank lenders and nineteen credit unions. This long-term policy goal of diversification adds competition in the market and ensures a wide range of loan products are available throughout the regions.
I would strongly encourage businesses to avail of the low-cost lending facilities provided under the scheme as they look towards reopening.
55. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he will take to retain a cluster of digital companies in the Liberties in view of the decision to dissolve the Digital Hub Development Agency; and if his Department played any role in the decision to dissolve same. [30074/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision to transfer properties held by the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) to the Land Development Agency (LDA) in mid-2022 was taken by Government, following a strategic review by Grant Thornton commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, which concluded that the digital tech sector in Dublin has developed significantly in the past twenty years, and that the Agency is no longer required in order to sustain the continued growth of the sector.
I understand that the managed wind down, which is expected to be completed by mid-2022, means that there will be no immediate effect on the client companies, and that they will be in a position to continue trading as normal throughout the wind down period.
The redevelopment of the site by the Land Development Agency will involve engagement with the local community and other stakeholders on other potential civic and community uses in addition to housing, which potentially could be significant.
In the medium term the redevelopment of the lands will lead to the creation of a significant number of jobs in the construction stage and support a major economic and social regeneration in Dublin 8.
In that regard, I have asked my colleague, Eamon Ryan, Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, to ensure that a structured plan be implemented in a timely manner to enable the existing clientele to be accommodated in other similar co-working spaces in Dublin city. I am also keen to ensure every effort be made to sustain the genuine relationships established between the Digital Hub community of businesses and the local community itself and to harness the potential for enterprise development and jobs growth within the complex when transferred to the LDA.
56. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement he has had to date with the Low Pay Commission regarding the review of international pilots of a universal basic income; the terms of reference of the review; the input his Department will have into the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30199/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to ‘Request the Low Pay Commission to examine Universal Basic Income, informed by a review of previous international pilots, and resulting in a universal basic income pilot in the lifetime of the Government’. Earlier this year, I formally requested the Low Pay Commission to examine this issue.
The Low Pay Commission recently finalised terms of reference for research on this issue. The Commission has asked ESRI to conduct this research, under the terms of the Low Pay Commission / ESRI Research Partnership Agreement.
The study will examine universal basic income pilots that have taken place in other countries to identify what was learnt and that could be relevant to a pilot in Ireland. It will also seek to identify what policy objectives a universal basic income pilot could examine and its associated risks and fiscal implications.
It will conclude with recommendations on how a universal basic income pilot in Ireland could be designed.
The terms of reference for this research are provided below.
The Low Pay Commission intends to provide a report to me on this research and their recommendations later this year.
I will then work with my officials to examine the Low Pay Commission’s findings and recommendations.
Universal Basic Income Study Terms of Reference
Question 1: What are the key messages from academic literature on UBI?
a) from the literature, identify the main policy objectives a UBI is expected to deliver
b) from the literature, identify the key risks of introducing a UBI and potential mitigation actions
Question 2: How have other countries run UBI pilots? And what can be learnt from them to guide Ireland’s pilot?
Examine Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilots in other countries, specifically:
a. establish the main policy objectives that each pilot sought to examine;
b. identify any potential policy objectives that were considered but then excluded and why;
c. describe the scope of each pilot;
d. summarise the findings of each pilot and assess their robustness;
e. assess how, in retrospect, each pilot could have been improved, and
f. draw conclusions from all of the above for any UBI pilot in Ireland.
Question 3: How might a UBI in Ireland work? What policy objectives might a UBI aim to achieve in the Irish context?
Consider the implications of the introduction of UBI in Ireland by examining:
a. The different rates at which UBI could be set;
b. the fiscal implications of the different potential rates of UBI (what it would cost in gross and net terms and how it might be funded);
c. the possible interactions between UBI and other policy instruments, such as tax rates, social insurance rates;
d. the labour supply implications of any tax changes needed to finance the introduction of UBI;
e. the distributional consequences of the introduction of a UBI scheme compared to the current contingency-based scheme;
f. depending on the differing UBI rates, what changes to other policy instruments might be considered as part of the introduction of UBI (might part of the state pension, carers allowance etc. be redesignated as a UBI payment?);
g. the impact on recipients (e.g. health, education opportunities, etc.) and
h. on the basis of the above, what research questions might a UBI pilot answer?
Question 4: How might a UBI pilot be designed for Ireland? What question(s) should a UBI pilot aim to answer?
Drawing on questions 1, 2 & 3, make recommendations for a UBI Pilot for Ireland, including areas such as:
a. which policy objectives could be accurately assessed in a pilot;
b. what risks would be associated with the pilot and how would they be mitigated;
c. whether the payments made to participants in any UBI trial should be fixed across participants or based on the net payment they would receive after any anticipated tax/welfare changes.
d. scope/parameters/rules;
e. target population(s);
f. expected expenditure on UBI payments during the course of the study;
g. evaluation methodology;
h. metrics, and
i. data collection procedures.
57. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to recent developments whereby a bank (details supplied) and NUI Galway have rolled out paid domestic violence leave policies. [29938/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision to victims of domestic violence with a view to establishing a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave. My colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., has responsibility in this area and I understand that work is well underway in this regard, with a report due to be submitted to Government this month and legislative proposals to follow.
58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which job replacement or restoration throughout the construction sector has been or is being realised; if any further steps are necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30162/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe construction sector was negatively impacted following the introduction of restrictions late last year. The number of individuals from the construction sector claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) rose steadily in the early weeks of the year and reached a high of 62,902 claimants on the 9th February this year.
The phased reopening of the construction sector, beginning on 12th April with the recommencement of all residential construction projects, saw a sizeable decline in the number of PUP claimants. The full reopening of all construction on 4th May saw further improvements and the number of PUP claimants from the construction sector has now more than halved, with only 28,758 claims related to the construction sector on the 25th May.
This shows that more and more construction workers have seen their jobs restored as the sector re-opens.
A further support for the construction sector that has helped maintain employment has been the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). As was the case with PUP, the number of employees in the construction sector that were supported by the EWSS increased sharply in January 2021.
This vital scheme continues to provide valuable financial assistance to employers and has helped ensure employees remain within the sector, with almost 37,600 employees participating in April 2021. There are also steps being taken to ensure the skills and employment levels required by the construction sector are in place for the future. These are being delivered across Further and Higher Education, through apprenticeship, non-apprenticeship further education and training, mainstream education and training, as well as specific programmes such as Springboard+, the Human Capital Initiative and Skillnet Ireland.
59. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the initiatives his Department is taking in the area of artificial intelligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30042/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraArtificial Intelligence is an important transformational digital technology which has a significant role to play in unlocking productivity, addressing societal challenges and delivering improved public services over the coming years.
My Department is leading on the development of a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which will provide a high-level direction to the design, development and deployment of AI in Ireland. It will serve as a roadmap to how Ireland can leverage the potential offered by AI technologies and ensure the appropriate safeguards are in place so that AI is developed and used in a manner that is fair, transparent and builds public trust.
The vision of the Strategy is that Ireland will be an international leader in using AI to the benefit of our population, through a people-centred, ethical approach to AI development, adoption and use. By delivering on this vision, AI will play its part in making Ireland a better place to work and live – fairer, greener, more prosperous and more successful in the global marketplace.
The strategy will set out an approach to leveraging AI for economic and societal benefit. It will also look at the main enablers for widespread development, adoption and use of AI, including a strong innovation ecosystem, skills and talent, and a supportive data and digital infrastructure. A theme that runs through the entire strategy is Government’s commitment to an ethical approach to AI.
It is anticipated that the Strategy will be launched this summer.
60. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal that have availed of the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30055/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS) is the largest loan guarantee scheme in the history of the State. The Scheme provides €2 billion in lending, for terms up to five-and-a-half years and offers a range of lending products between €10,000 and €1 million at interest rates below market rates for similar type loans. It is available to SMEs and small mid-caps (business with less than 500 employees), including primary producers (businesses engaged in the farming and seafood sectors). The Scheme is available until 31 December 2021 following a Government decision in March to extend it in line with the extension of the European Commission’s Temporary Framework on State Aid.
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 enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/COVID-19-Credit-Guarantee-Scheme-Performance-Reports.html.
As at 20 May:
- 84 businesses in County Sligo have availed of the CCGS and have drawn loans with a value of €3,896,666
- 36 businesses in County Leitrim have availed of the CCGS and have drawn loans with a value of €1,425,497
- 262 businesses in County Donegal have availed of the CCGS and have drawn loans with a value of €12,879,302
The Scheme is currently available through three commercial banks, six non-bank lenders and nineteen credit unions. This long-term policy goal of diversification adds competition in the market and ensures a wide range of loan products are available throughout the regions.
I would strongly encourage businesses to avail of the low-cost lending facilities provided under the scheme as they look towards reopening.
