Written Answers Nos. 188-202
188. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); the reasons for these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45756/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The system is intended to act as a conduit for key skills which are required to develop enterprise in the State for the benefit of our economy, while simultaneously protecting the balance of the labour market.
The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for an employment permit where there is a surplus of those skills in the domestic and EEA labour market.
In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence, these lists undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews which are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), SOLAS and involves public/stakeholder consultation. 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 Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by the Department and of the relevant policy Departments, in this case the Department of Health.
The most recent review did not recommend removal of the occupation of care worker/home carers from the Ineligible Occupations List as the evidence suggests that other factors, such as the contracts of employment on offer and employment terms and conditions being offered are a factor in the recruitment challenges faced by the sector, rather than a demonstrable labour market shortage. The sector has also previously been advised that a more systematic and structured engagement with the Department of Social Protection needs to be demonstrated.
If a sector wishes to propose a change to the occupations lists, they need to submit a detailed evidence-based business case to substantiate their request. A review is currently underway, with submissions received, including submissions from the Home Care sector, under consideration. It is expected that the review will be finalised in the autumn.
189. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the schemes available for employers looking to recruit outside of the State. [45759/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill skills and labour gaps for the benefit of our economy, in the short to medium term. However, this objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one. The system is, by design, vacancy led and driven by the changing needs of the labour market, expanding and contracting in tandem with its inherent fluctuations.
The employment permit system is managed through the operation of the critical skills and the ineligible occupations lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. These lists undergo twice yearly evidence-based reviews and include a public consultation process and extensive consultation with other Government Departments through the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy.
The State’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of Ireland, the European Union and other EEA states. Employment opportunities which arise in Ireland should, in the main, be offered to suitably skilled Irish and other EEA nationals, and should only be offered to non-EEA nationals who possess those skills and where no suitable candidate emerges from within the EEA to fill the vacancy. This policy also fulfils our obligations under the Community Preference principles of membership of the EU.
There are nine different types of employment permits to facilitate various different employment scenarios. The employment permit type specifically designed to address key skills shortages is the Critical Skills Employment Permit while the General Employment Permit is the primary permit used by the State to attract non-EEA nationals in occupations of a more general nature occupations where it can be demonstrated, following the application of a range of criteria including the Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT), that the employer was unable to fill the position from the Irish and EEA labour market and the occupation does not feature on the ineligible list.
My Department operates a Trusted Partner Initiative to ease the administrative burden on employers/connected persons/EEA contractors in expansion mode/start-ups and high-volume users of the employment permits regime. A Trusted partner employer will have reduced paperwork for permit applications and a faster turnaround in processing permit applications.
Employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits which exist and are likely to continue into the medium term, but it is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of up-skilling the State’s resident workforce, with an emphasis on the process of lifelong learning, and on maximising the potential of EEA nationals to fill our skills deficits.
190. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the stakeholder consultation of his Department on the International Labour Organisation Convention 190, Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work is due to commence. [45777/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ratification of ILO Convention C190 is a matter of priority for Ireland and my Department officials continue to work towards being amongst the first ILO member States to ratify, with plans to progress the ratification this year.
The issue of ratification by Ireland of International Labour Organisation Convention 190, Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, is being considered in the context of our standard approach to the ratification of international instruments. Ireland does not ratify international conventions until it has been determined that national law is in line with the provisions of the international instrument.
Convention 190 is the first ever international instrument on the very important issues of eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work. Ireland already has very strong protections in law to combat violence and harassment in the world of work and has ratified the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).
My officials are engaging with relevant Departments and offices to establish the extent to which domestic legislative provisions already provide for the rights and entitlements enunciated in the Convention, as well as legislative amendments, if any, that may be required to enable ratification.
Following this consideration, as part of the ratification process, my officials will undertake a stakeholder consultation with the social partners and other interested parties. It is anticipated that this will take place in the coming months.
I can assure you of Ireland’s commitment to work towards being amongst the first ILO member States to ratify Convention 190.
191. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of engagements the IDA has had with companies regarding data centres in the past 24 months. [45854/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra192. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the IDA has ever provided funding or support for businesses to open data centres in the State. [45855/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together.
IDA Ireland has had, over the past 24 months, discussions and ongoing engagement with overseas companies, interested in investing, expanding or establishing in Ireland. These engagements may have included discussions with companies looking to establish a data centre in Ireland. Since 2020, IDA has been advised by clients about two data centre investments.
The IDA supports and facilitates companies to expand and establish in Ireland, and any company with an FDI mandate can receive financial support within the EU State Aid guidelines. Due to their capital intensity, and their location to date in the greater Dublin area, data centres have not benefitted from IDA Ireland financial assistance towards their construction or employment activities.
193. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way the redundancy loan scheme for businesses announced during summer 2021 will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45856/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn situations where employers are genuinely unable to meet their financial obligations in paying statutory redundancy to their employees, the State can fund statutory redundancy payments from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) on their behalf.
In such situations and in order to support employers, a flexible and discretionary approach will be taken in relation to recovery of the redundancy debt. The Department of Social Protection will engage with employers directly and each case is assessed on its own merits. A mutually agreed repayment plan can be put in place, including repayments by instalment to ensure financial hardship is minimised. In many cases the debt can be repaid over a number of years.
During 2020 and 2021, €38 billion has been provided for COVID-19 related supports for businesses. These have been vital in sustaining workers and businesses through the various levels of restrictions. The Economic Recovery Plan sets out the Government’s intention to invest in businesses and workers; help people get back into work, training, or education; provide enhanced and more targeted support for sectors that may lag behind and invest in infrastructure and reforms that enhance our capability and long-term capacity for growth.
194. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the significant environmental and biodiversity impact on the Ardee bog if the current plans for the proposed N52 Ardee bypass proceed; the reason it has taken 21 years after initiating the project to retroactively undertake an environmental impact assessment; if his attention has been further drawn the destruction of the endangered curlew’s habitat as a result of illegal fencing installed as part of the project in 2019; his plans to protect the Ardee bog and the biodiversity in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45801/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you in relation to this proposed scheme.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
195. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport when Kishogue rail station will open resulting in a local train service for commuters in Lucan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45752/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the development and implementation of rail infrastructure.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
196. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport if he will urgently examine creating a DART station at Kilcock, County Kildare within the new DART+West plans (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45784/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the development and implementation of the DART+ Programme of which DART+ West is one element.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply to the specific questions asked. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
In the interim and noting the ongoing public consultation for DART+ West, I encourage all interested parties to engage in this process.
197. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if an exception can be given regarding declaring a vehicle off the road after the fact and a waiver of motor tax arrears for a person (details supplied) who was seriously ill and out of the country for a long period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45786/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a facility in place to declare a vehicle off the road where it is not going to be in use in a public place. This is underpinned by the provisions of the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013. The primary purpose of the Act is to replace the system whereby a vehicle was declared off the road retrospectively with a system under which the vehicle must be declared off the road in advance.
The current procedures, only allowing for a future declaration of non-use, have been fully in force since 1st October 2013. Under the revised procedures, an owner can indicate that a vehicle is going to be off the road by making a declaration of non-use at any time in the last month of an existing motor tax disc or previously made declaration of non-use. The declaration can be made for any number of calendar months between 3 and 12 months i.e. it cannot be made for a period of 1 or 2 months. However, if a vehicle is subsequently required to be put back on the road, the declaration can be broken at any time simply by taxing the vehicle, either online or through a motor tax office.
Where a declaration is not made in advance, motor tax must be paid for a minimum of 3 months, along with any arrears of motor tax, where applicable.
Motor tax legislation does not provide for exemptions from the requirement to make a Declaration of Non-Use in individual cases, or for the waiving of arrears. You will appreciate the difficulties in providing for such exemptions or waivers in particular cases, given that other people have had to pay arrears in motor tax where the Declaration of Non-Use of a Motor Vehicle was not made on time, and the necessity generally of maintaining a consistent approach in the application of the legislation.
198. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) cannot renew a driver licence; the reason they must sit all their driving lessons and test again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45812/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to individual applications.
I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If she has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that she contact my office directly.
199. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to provide for the use of helmet camera footage in the implementation and enforcement of the rules of the road particularly as it relates to the safety of cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45844/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe prosecution of offences arising from breaches of road traffic law fall under the responsibility of An Garda Síochána, as, ultimately, would any decision to accept helmet camera footage as the basis for such a prosecution. Questions relating to law enforcement come primarily under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice.
As Minister for Transport I have, however, requested that video evidence such as that mentioned by the Deputy be considered in the broader context of camera-based enforcement as part of the forthcoming Road Safety Strategy.
200. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to introduce a bus service from Moylough and Mountbellew to University Hospital Portiuncula, Ballinasloe (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45909/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters. Given the NTA's statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
201. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the way he plans to facilitate rail users who have purchased commuter rail tickets to travel to work and who are now returning to the workplace on a two to three day basis; if he has discussed this issue with Irish Rail and with the Minister for Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45914/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares.
Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In relation to the possible introduction of alternative tax saver commuter ticket options following the Covid pandemic, the NTA is currently evaluating such a proposal and my Department has commenced discussions with the NTA and the Department of Finance on the matter. The NTA is proceeding with the detailed technical work associated with introduction of a more flexible Taxsaver product, whilst discussions with the Department of Finance continue.
202. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 3 March 2021, the reason there are no plans to change the 46a bus services at this time in view of the advantage it would offer to those accessing the bus service from Heuston Station; if routes from main transport hubs to hospitals in Dublin are regularly reviewed with regard to ease of connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45916/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
As explained to the Deputy in my response to Dáil Question No. 129 of the 3 March 2021, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the actual routes of these services. Therefore, any decision in relation to a possible change to the 46A bus route would be a matter for the Authority to make and not one that I would have any role in. In view of this, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
