Written Answers Nos. 133-152
133. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach the quantity of horticulture peat that was exported from Ireland in each of the years 2016-2020 and to date in 2021; the countries of destination and the quantity for each; the proportion of that quantity that was cultivated by Bord na Móna in tabular form. [58845/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. Data in relation to the proportion that was cultivated by Bord na Móna cannot be provided as CSO cannot publish identifiable information about any person or entity under its legislation (Statistics Act, 1993). The data for 2021 to date is not included in the table as some of the data relating to this product which has been received by CSO is inconsistent with previous returns received. CSO has contacted the traders involved, via the VIMA branch of the Revenue Commissioners, to ascertain the accuracy of this data. Once a reply is received from these traders, and the data is either validated or corrected, it will be available for publication.
Table A : Exports of peat 2016 - 2020.
134. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if the roll-out will be expedited of an enhanced media campaign and or public health messaging in respect of ventilation as a mitigation measure for Covid-19. [58252/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe importance of ventilation as a measure to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is embedded in Government communications on the pandemic. This will continue to be the case in upcoming campaigns.
For example, the current #ProtectOurProgress campaign from the Government Information Service (GIS) which is running on the MerrionStreet.ie social channels emphasises the importance of fresh air. In addition, the most recent national and local press and radio campaign conducted by GIS (which ran over 10 days from 19th October 2021) referred to the importance of well-ventilated indoor spaces.
Ventilation is also embedded as a key measure in the current #LayerUp campaign from the Department of Health. As part of this campaign, the Department of Health have updated and refreshed the public health COVID-19 signage and this collateral has been disseminated widely to Government Departments, agencies and stakeholders for public display.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) have a range of multi-channel COVID-19 communications campaigns ongoing, covering both COVID-19 Protection and COVID-19 Vaccines. The COVID-19 Protection campaign features strong visual reminders of the behaviours that prevent COVID-19’s spread and is live on TV, digital video and social media. The first advert is live at the moment and covers wearing a mask, cleaning hands and giving space. The HSE is developing a second TV advert as part of this campaign which will focus on ventilation, the COVID pass and other measures. This is due to be complete in the coming weeks.
In mid-May of this year, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment highlighted the importance of both natural and mechanical ventilation as part of the broader Work Safely social media campaign on Twitter and LinkedIn.
The social media messages, which included a short video and images, stressed the importance of ventilation as a method for both employers and employees to work safely. The social media messages also highlighted the ventilation advice within the Work Safely Protocol.
The Department ran a paid advertising campaign on Facebook and Instagram promoting Work Safely from June to September 2021 and an organic campaign is ongoing on Twitter and LinkedIn platforms.
The Department also engaged directly with representative bodies on ventilation, circulating information posters for employers and employees, including a ventilation dos and don’ts poster. In addition, the Department promoted each updating of the Work Safe Protocol, including the ventilation section within, and also promoted a new Health and Safety Authority ventilation checklist.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has developed guidance for youth services in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Guidance for Youth Work Organisations references the significance of ventilation and how it will remain a core component of our COVID-19 response. The Department hosts a Youth Sector COVID-19 Oversight Group where key stakeholders meet with the Department to discuss the Guidance. The use of ventilation was discussed and emphasised at these meetings. In June 2021 the Department launched a capital programme for Early Learning and Care and School-Aged Childcare services which provided €4.6 million in funding for services to enhance their outdoor facilities, improve ventilation indoors and purchase Carbon Dioxide (CO2) monitors. The purpose of the capital programme was to support infection control by supporting services to increase the time children spent outdoors, and to improve ventilation in services when the children were indoors.
The Department of Education has issued clear and practical guidance for schools on the steps to be taken by all schools to manage ventilation levels.
Managing ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May 2021, updating guidance previously issued, following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19. A copy of the guidance is published on gov.ie.
The over-arching approach in the guidance is for schools to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use and partially open when classrooms are in use.
The guidance outlines that CO2 monitors can play a part in providing a useful general indication that areas/rooms may not be adequately ventilated. They can enable occupants to become familiar with the impacts of activities, outdoor weather and window openings on levels of good ventilation. The provision of portable CO2 monitors provides schools with the flexibility to focus their use to those rooms where most beneficial, to inform strategies for optimising ventilation in the school. In excess of 35,400 monitors were delivered to primary (18,262) and post-primary (17,215) schools nationwide at a cost of circa €4 million.
A dedicated team has been established in the Department to support schools that may have concerns about ventilation. Officers are also available to contact schools where required, walking through the steps the schools should take to deploy good ventilation practices, etc. Where it is not possible for a school to access the expertise of an engineer or architect, and where necessary, a technical assessment to assist the school can be facilitated through the Department.
Schools that identify inadequate ventilation in a room can utilise their minor work grant (for minor improvements) or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements on a permanent basis.
Where the above measures have been undertaken, and poor ventilation continues to exist in a particular room/area, air cleaners may be considered as an additional measure in conjunction with other methods of ventilation that are available. There is no one solution that fits all scenarios, each application requires bespoke analysis and selection of the appropriate unit(s) matched to the specific room size and volume. If, following consultation with a supplier a school feels that its individual space may require specific technical specialist advice then the assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect can be sought.
The Department continues to advise schools on these measures through guidance issued to all schools, regular meetings with management bodies and the education partners and support of individual schools through its COVID-19 helpline for schools.
Through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, the Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, the Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme provided grants for capital projects and works to address challenges associated with COVID-19 and that supported the recovery of the commercial creative, cultural, entertainment and events sector. Funding up to €25,000 was offered to facilitate capital works that assisted organisations in reopening and continue to operate safely for staff and audiences. The list of types of expenditure that was eligible for funding included the installation or modification of ventilation systems.
Transport operators have added signage on the windows of vehicles where windows can be opened asking customers to leave them open.
Lastly, it should be noted that the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has updated and published its guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation as recently as 18th November 2021.
135. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach the cost to date of the State’s defence in a case (details supplied); to list all external law firms and counsel retained on behalf of the State in the defence of that action and the amounts paid to them to date; the estimated total cost of defending the action; if the State will be required to pay the costs of the plaintiffs in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58399/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Court of Human Rights judgment in the case to which the Deputy refers was delivered on 18 November 2021. The Court declared the application to be inadmissible. No external law firm or counsel was retained by the State. The overall cost to the State is not yet assessed but is likely to be modest. The question of the applicants’ costs is a matter for the applicants to address.
136. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Taoiseach if he will ensure that the freedom of information unit of his Department deal with the freedom of information requests in a consistent manner (details supplied). [58811/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to providing a professional and consistent service in relation to the processing of all requests received under the Freedom of Information Act. The procedures for dealing with FOI requests used by my Department meet the legislative requirements contained in the Act and are in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Code of Practice.
My Department regularly organises training seminars for staff in the FOI Unit and the officials in the Department who are FOI decision makers to help ensure they understand the requirements of the Act and the Code when processing requests and issuing their decisions. The training includes details of the requirements to provide details of the searches completed when processing requests and the provision of a schedule of the records found with details of the decision on each record as to whether it is being granted, part granted or refused, as well as details of the exemption grounds applicable to records which it is decided to part grant or refuse. The training also includes details of the scenarios arising where the payment of fees may be required and the Department’s facility to receive fees electronically to its bank account.
137. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if complaints regarding the health and safety of workers working in a warehousing company (details supplied) were received in November 2021; and the action that was taken to ensure that the dangers posed to workers was addressed. [59032/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the statutory agency tasked with the enforcement of workplace health and safety legislation in Ireland. It acts independently in carrying out its functions as set out in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 200, to ensure compliance with workplace health and Safety legislation.
The HSA does not comment on individual employers/workplaces nor does it provide detail on inspections or investigations that are undertaken or underway.
All complaints that has been received by the HSA are reviewed and followed up in the appropriate manner.
138. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the further supports being developed to enable the hospitality sector to function effectively while the pandemic persists; if he will consider supports for the implementation of an affordable ventilation scheme for this and other high-risk environments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58322/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe hospitality sector falls within the remit of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The funding for Tourism in Budget 2022 amounting to €288.5m represents an increase of €67.6m over the 2021 allocation. This includes €50m funding for further Tourism Business Continuity Supports to assist strategic tourism businesses with their survival and recovery. This funding will assist vulnerable tourism businesses to survive until summer 2022 when it is expected that inbound tourism will recover. Fáilte Ireland is finalising its detailed plans for 2022 which will include the allocation of Tourism Business Continuity Funding.
The 2022 funding is in addition to the €55m in Tourism Business Continuity supports which were made available in 2021. Five phases of this Scheme have been launched since the beginning of 2021. Phases 4 and 5 closed for applications on 24 September 2021. By the end of 2021 hundreds of tourism businesses will have received vital funding to help them survive the impacts of the pandemic. Hundreds more will again receive support in 2022.
In addition to the €50m for the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, the budget measures include a €35m increase in the Tourism Marketing Fund in 2022 to enable Tourism Ireland to support the delivery of a marketing strategy to help restore inbound tourism to Ireland. Funding is also being provided for a range of initiatives including domestic marketing and festivals, supporting the digitalisation of tourism businesses as well as skills development and staff retention. €36.5m is also being provided in capital funding for tourism product development for the delivery of enhanced visitor experiences in line with the objectives of the National Development Plan 2021-2030.
The supports for Tourism also include a range of cross-Government measures which will assist the sector in its recovery and growth. Tourism enterprises continue to benefit from measures such as the continuation of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to April 2022, tax warehousing and a commercial rates waiver while the 9% VAT rate for hospitality remains in place until September 2022.
The Expert Group on Ventilation, under the Department of Health, has completed its initial programme of work and, to allow for greater integration and collaboration with relevant government departments and stakeholders on the further development of sector specific ventilation guidance, the group now works with the Senior Officials Group to further inform sectoral guidance and public information regarding ventilation. Specific supports for ventilation have not been set up but as you are aware, the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.
The Government has worked to ensure that there is a range of assistance in place for COVID-19-impacted businesses including the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the Brexit Loan Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Future Growth Loan Scheme. For further information, businesses are advised to view my Department’s website at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/Government-supports-to-COVID-19-impacted-businesses.html.
It is important to note that all businesses supports are being kept under review to ensure that they are timely and target those that need them the most.
139. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a decision on their application for a work permit. [58332/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that a standard application for a Critical Skills Employment Permit for the person concerned (details supplied) was received on 22 November 2021.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. Employment Permits Section are currently processing standard applications received on 3 August 2021.
Applicants can keep track of Employment Permit applications current processing dates at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates/Current-Processing-Dates-for-Employment-Permits.html
140. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Health and Safety Authority audits and inspections that have been carried out in respect of Casement Aerodrome since 2015; if the audits and or visits have identified issues of non-compliance in that time period; and if the Authority has instructed the Department of Defence to remedy issues of concern. [58337/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the statutory agency tasked with the enforcement of workplace health and safety legislation in Ireland. It acts independently in carrying out its functions as set out in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 200, to ensure compliance with workplace health and Safety legislation.
I have been advised by the HSA that since 2015, they have carried out a significant programme of inspections and investigations across a wide range of sectors including Public Administration and Defence sector.
In relation to inspections, the appropriate level of follow up on the findings of the inspections and investigations is determined by the inspector on a case by case basis.
As a matter of policy, the HSA does not comment on individual employers/workplaces nor does it provide detail on inspections or investigations that are undertaken.
In regard to any correspondence with the Department of Defence this is a matter for the HSA.
141. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has plans to issue work visas to non-EU nationals to take up employment driving buses for private bus operators considering the labour shortages at present are severely impacting this industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58373/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.
The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations. In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure their ongoing relevance to the State’s human capital requirements, they undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews. The reviews 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 my Department and of the relevant policy Departments.
Bus and Coach drivers are included on the Ineligible Occupations List. In order to add or remove an occupation from the lists, evidence is sought demonstrating that recruitment difficulties are solely due to genuine shortages across the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and/or employment conditions. The review process invites stakeholders, through the public consultation, to provide data to substantiate claims of lack of skills or labour availability in a detailed evidence-based business case. Sectors are also advised to engage in a systematic and structured manner with the public employment service of the Department of Social Protection.
The most recent review of the Occupations Lists concluded on 27th October. In response to the public consultation, 29 submissions were received from a range of bodies including the Agri/Food, Hospitality and Transport/Logistics sectors. The Economic Migration Policy Unit of my Department informs me that no submissions were received for the occupation of Bus or Coach Drivers. While consideration of the impact of COVID-19 on the labour market had a significant influence on the outcome of the review, changes were announced to address the more immediate skills and labour shortages across key sectors.
The next review will commence with a public consultation in the coming months with commencement announced on the Department's website. Contact details may also be forwarded to the Department for those who wish to receive email notification of the consultation phase.
142. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a trade mission to Australia is planned for early in 2022. [58522/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year, Enterprise Ireland offers a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment.
In recent years, the majority of Ministerial-led trade missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represented the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These trade missions focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and lifesciences.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ministerial-led trade missions and events took place virtually throughout Quarters 1 to 3 of 2021. There were no physical Ministerial-led trade missions planned for Australia in 2021 due to travel restrictions, therefore the focus of Enterprise Ireland teams on the ground remained on working one to one with the 300+ companies doing business in Australia.
Physical Ministerial-led trade missions recommenced in September 2021 with missions taking place to the UK, France and Germany and to the UAE and Qatar in October 2021and to Canada and the USA and to Saudi Arabia and Dubai in November 2021. A further trade mission to Finland and Liverpool is taking place this December.
There are no plans at present for a Ministerial-led trade mission to Australia in early 2022. My Department is currently in contact with Enterprise Ireland with a view to developing a Ministerial-led Trade Mission Programme for 2022 and no decisions have yet been made in relation to the final Programme. While the 2022 Programme is being developed, Enterprise Ireland is also making plans for a robust programme of in-market events for 2022 as Covid-19 restrictions begin to lift globally.
My Department will continue to work closely with its agencies to assess opportunities to help Irish companies to access new markets and to increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland, including in markets in the Asia-Pacific region such as Australia.
143. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update with regard to the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021 particularly with regard to the consultation process as outlined in June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58533/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has agreed to a timed amendment to the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021.
This will allow time, as I outlined on the floor of the Dáil, to examine the issues carefully and to ensure that all stakeholders are consulted.
This process will commence as soon as possible and will involve engagement with organisations representing retired workers.
144. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consideration has been given to provide direct and easily accessed financial supports for small and medium businesses that are currently impacted by the absence of employees who have to restrict movements as close contacts, notwithstanding the significant number of supports already available to the business community.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58565/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this month the Government announced new measures to protect the public and reduce the spread of COVID 19 including "household close contacts who are fully vaccinated and showing no symptoms should restrict their movements until they have 3 negative antigen test results taken within a 5-day period." This was done to interrupt the spread of the virus in the community.
The Government has worked to ensure that there is a wide range of easily accessed financial assistance for SMEs affected by the changing impacts of COVID-19, these include the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the Brexit Loan Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Future Growth Loan Scheme. For further information, businesses are advised to view my Department’s website at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/Government-supports-to-COVID-19-impacted-businesses.html.
In Budget 2022, my Department was allocated €17m in once-off funding for COVID-19 impacted businesses, ensuring that our Enterprise Agencies can continue to fund important projects aimed at fast track expanded production of COVID-19 relevant products, as well as meeting the cost of any claims under the COVID Credit Guarantee Scheme. In addition, some €79m from savings in 2021 will be used to meet commitments on various COVID Schemes arising in 2022 and as a result almost €100m of discrete COVID funding will be available to assist businesses as they emerge from the grip of the pandemic in 2022.
Individual businesses are also advised to contact their Local Enterprise Office (contact details are available on their network website www.localenterprise.ie) who act as a signpost to information on business supports.
The full range of Government supports to business are available on my Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie. It is important to note that all business supports are being kept under review to ensure that they are timely and target those that need them the most.
145. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of non-EEA employment permits issued on a monthly basis by sector during the period January 2019 to October 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58673/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes statistics in relation to employment permits issued on its website at: enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Statistics/. These include statistics relating to the number of employment permits issued on a monthly basis by economic sector requested by the Deputy.
The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that a total of 45,274 Employment Permits issued in the years 2019 to the 31 October 2021. A breakdown of this is provided in the tables below.
146. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions he or his Department have had with the Companies Registration Office in relation to extending the deadline for the submission of company returns from 25 November 2021 in view of the recent upsurge in Covid-19 cases and the disruption this is causing to accountancy businesses; the result of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58796/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Registrar of Companies is a statutory role and the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of this function. However, my Department is in ongoing contact with the Companies Registration Office in relation to a range of matters.
Throughout the Covid-19 period, the Registrar has shown considerable flexibility in relation to the arrangements for filing annual returns, in recognition of the additional challenges facing companies as well as their professional advisers in meeting filing obligations. This includes extending the filing deadlines in respect of annual returns due during 2020 and also earlier this year in February and May, and suspending prosecutions and involuntary strike-offs for failure to file annual returns.
The Registrar is mindful of the particular problems raised by some small accountancy firms in meeting the current filing deadline for Annual Returns on behalf of their clients. Following consultation with stakeholders, the Registrar has taken the decision to extend the deadline for filing for a period of two weeks until 9th December in order to assist those firms who have found themselves in serious difficulties.
147. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider extending the date for filing returns to the Companies Registration Office to the end of February 2022; if this request will take into account the current increased in Covid-19 cases and recent advice from Government that persons should again work from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58855/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Registrar of Companies is a statutory role and the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of this function.
Throughout the Covid-19 period, the Registrar has shown considerable flexibility in relation to the arrangements for filing annual returns, in recognition of the additional challenges facing companies as well as their professional advisers in meeting filing obligations. This includes extending the filing deadlines in respect of annual returns due during 2020 and also earlier this year in February and May, and suspending prosecutions and involuntary strike-offs for failure to file annual returns.
The Registrar is mindful of the particular problems raised by some small accountancy firms in meeting the current filing deadline for Annual Returns on behalf of their clients. Following consultation with stakeholders, the Registrar has taken the decision that a two week extension is appropriate and the deadline for filing has been extended to 9th December in order to assist those firms who have found themselves in serious difficulties.
148. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consultations in respect of proposed legislation have taken place with relevant parties (details provided) as previously committed to. [58925/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has agreed to a timed amendment to the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021.
This will allow time, as I outlined on the floor of the Dáil, to examine the issues carefully and to ensure that all stakeholders are consulted.
This process will commence as soon as possible and will involve engagement with organisations representing retired workers.
149. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a critical skills employment permit application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58964/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a critical skills employment permit application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58965/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together.
The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that Trusted Partner applications for Critical Skills Employment Permits in respect of the individuals (details supplied) have been submitted.
In respect of application no: EP-JVU001/21, this application was received on 30 August 2021. In respect of application no: EP-JXW062/2, this application was received on 18 October 2021.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. Employment Permits Section are currently processing Trusted Partner applications received on 25 August 2021.
Applicants can keep track of current processing dates for Employment Permit applications at:
enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates/Current-Processing-Dates-for-Employment-Permits.html
151. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if assistance can be provided to the businesses affected by a company (details supplied) that have been unable to access alternative cover and attractions remain closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59080/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the key achievements of the Government’s reform agenda is the new Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market within the Department of Finance. This Office, which is chaired by the Minister for State, Seán Fleming has held meetings with a wide range of stakeholders including insurance companies, representative bodies, civil society groups and state regulators on the issues surrounding competition. Its aim is to help expand the risk appetite of existing insurers and explore opportunities for new market entrants in order to increase the availability of insurance.
Minister of State Séan Fleming recently met with CEOs of the major insurance providers in Ireland to discuss a variety of issues with them including expanding their risk appetite. The Office (which can be contacted at insurancecompetition@finance.gov.ie) is also working closely with the IDA to advertise the reform agenda to potential new market entrants.
Government provides an extensive package of supports to business and my Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie sets out a range of information, including details of COVID-19 business supports. It is important to note that all businesses supports are being kept under review to ensure that they are timely and target those that need them the most.
Individual businesses are also advised to contact their Local Enterprise Office (contact details are available on their network website www.localenterprise.ie) who act as a signpost to information on business supports.
152. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional supports that will be introduced to assist small businesses that are impacted severely and disproportionately due to supply chain issues, shipping delays, resulting in additional costs for business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59136/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government continues to provide an extensive package of supports for COVID-19-impacted businesses including the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the Brexit Loan Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Future Growth Loan Scheme. For further information, businesses are advised to view my Department’s website at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/Government-supports-to-COVID-19-impacted-businesses.html.
It is important to note that all businesses supports are being kept under review to ensure that they are timely and target those that need them the most.
Individual businesses are also advised to contact their Local Enterprise Office (contact details are available on their network website www.localenterprise.ie) who act as a signpost to information on business supports.
The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD., may be best placed to assist you further with regards to assistance with supply chain issues and shipping delays as these are issues under the remit of the Department of Transport.
