Written Answers Nos. 181-200
182. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach if his Department has commissioned any polling of the general public related to possible or existing policies within the remit of his Department for the period 1 January 2021 to date; if so, if he will provide details of the policies; and the costs incurred for each individual poll. [4054/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of the Taoiseach funds the Social Activity Measure (SAM) which is a behavioural study that records the public response to the risk of COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 guidelines. Designed by the Economic and Social Research Institute's Behavioural Research Unit, SAM is an anonymous, interactive, online study that surveys people about their recent activity. The study seeks to ascertain how risks of COVID-19 transmission arise and what factors are influencing how people are responding to restrictions and the risk of COVID-19. The survey is conducted fortnightly, with each survey costing €15,837.
183. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Taoiseach the status of the actions as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021 in the areas of just transition, carbon pricing, electricity, enterprise, built environment, the National Retrofit Plan, transport, agriculture, land use, circular economy and adaptation. [4307/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2021 sets a roadmap for taking decisive action across society to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% below 2018 levels by 2030, achieve climate resilience and a climate neutral economy no later than 2050, as committed to in the Programme for Government.
The Plan and associated Annex of Actions identify where necessary emissions reductions can be achieved and set out a series of actions and measures to reach these targets. Departments and Agencies are given responsibility to lead in executing these measures and timelines for their delivery have been set.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 was published on 4 November 2021 and was followed by the publication of the Annex of Actions on 14 December 2021.
My Department has responsibility for periodic reporting on the implementation of measures committed to under the Plan and its Annex. The first such report under the Climate Action Plan 2021 will address measures due to be completed in Quarter 1 2022, the first full quarter since the Plan’s publication in December, and will also report on measures that were due to be completed in Quarter 4 of 2021.
My Department’s most recently compiled quarterly report of the delivery of climate actions, based on interim actions agreed pending the publication of Climate Action Plan 2021, was published in December 2021 and is available on my Department’s website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/55fde-climate-action-important-publications/.
This report contains the most recently compiled updates from Departments on climate action measures, including in those areas listed in the Deputy’s question, that they were tasked with delivering in the period up to the end of September 2021.
Any request for updates on the areas listed in the Deputy’s question outside the reporting intervals outlined above should be directed to the responsible Minister.
184. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Taoiseach if all Departments have established a climate action unit; and if all units are currently operational. [4317/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Interim Climate Actions 2021 committed to “Establish an appropriately resourced Climate Action Unit in every Government Department to ensure Climate considerations are at the core of policy development” (Action 22).
The latest progress report on the Interim Climate Actions, covering the period up to the end of September 2021confirmed that 16 of 18 (89%) Government Departments had established Climate Action Units. These units vary in structure and size according to the individual needs of Departments.
Details of each Departmental Unit can be found in the Q2 2021 and Q3 2021 Progress Reports under the Interim Climate Actions (available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/55fde-climate-action-important-publications/).
The final two outstanding Departments (The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth) demonstrated good progress on establishing their Climate Action Units in 2021 and this was highlighted in the Q3 2021 Interim Actions Progress Report.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 re-commits to this action to ensure remaining Departments establish their Climate Action Units (Action 62). An update will be sought from these Departments on their progress for the upcoming combined Q4 2021 and Q1 2022 Climate Action Plan 2021 Progress Report.
To further the effectiveness of Climate Action Units, the Climate Action Plan 2021 includes an action to establish a Climate Action Unit Network across Departments in Q1 2022.
A work programme for the network will also be established in Q1 2022, with the intention of hosting training and information events within the network to facilitate collaboration and peer learning across all Units.
185. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach the number of persons who live in County Monaghan whose place of employment is in another county. [4378/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing Census 2016, the Central Statistics Office reported that there were 25,203 persons 15 years and over at work who usually resided in Monaghan. Of these, 5,007 worked outside County Monaghan representing 19.9% of all workers. Table 1 below lists the place of work of those who were 15 years and over at work who were usually resident in Monaghan.
Table 1: Population aged 15 years and over, usually resident and present in Monaghan by county of place of work 2016.
|
Place of work - all locations |
25,203 |
|
Monaghan |
14,950 |
|
Carlow |
<6 |
|
Dublin City |
468 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
56 |
|
Fingal |
194 |
|
South Dublin |
63 |
|
Kildare |
49 |
|
Kilkenny |
21 |
|
Laois |
<6 |
|
Longford |
11 |
|
Louth |
1,517 |
|
Meath |
319 |
|
Offaly |
6 |
|
Westmeath |
23 |
|
Wexford |
38 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
|
Clare |
<6 |
|
Cork City |
<6 |
|
Cork County |
6 |
|
Kerry |
<6 |
|
Limerick |
11 |
|
Tipperary |
<6 |
|
Waterford |
12 |
|
Galway City |
10 |
|
Galway County |
<6 |
|
Leitrim |
<6 |
|
Mayo |
9 |
|
Roscommon |
<6 |
|
Sligo |
11 |
|
Cavan |
1,205 |
|
Donegal |
12 |
|
Antrim |
68 |
|
Armagh |
428 |
|
Derry |
13 |
|
Down |
81 |
|
Fermanagh |
134 |
|
Tyrone |
187 |
|
No fixed place of work |
2,418 |
|
Place of work - not stated |
2,828 |
|
Place of work - overseas |
24 |
Source: data.cso.ie/table/E6045.
186. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 154 of 25 January 2021, the terms of reference of the investigation and examination of arrangements for the management of documents for Government meetings and their confidentiality. [4750/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 154 of 25 January 2022 and 1 to 4 of 26 January 2022 which set out the position in this regard. The terms of reference of the investigation are framed broadly in order to facilitate whatever inquiries are considered necessary and to encompass the IT system used to support Government meetings and the provisions of the Cabinet Handbook.
187. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the well-being indicators referred to in the Programme for Government to point out inequalities and help ensure that policies are driven by a desire to do better by persons. [5148/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA First Report on the development of the Well-Being Framework for Ireland was published by Government in July last year and was informed by consultation facilitated by the National Economic and Social Research Council. This work is being led by the Department of the Taoiseach, and its joint sponsors the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform and supported by a broader Inter-departmental Working Group. A second phase of consultation and research on the Framework, as committed to in the first report, commenced in October and is now coming to an end.
A follow up report is currently being prepared and will be submitted to Government in the coming months informed by the second phase of consultation and the ongoing research.
There has been close collaboration with the CSO in identifying relevant indicators in the First Report, and developing an interactive version of this dashboard which was launched in October 2021. The dashboard – called the Well-being Information Hub – allows investigation of the 34 chosen indicators over time and Ireland’s relative performance compared to other countries. Each indicator is disaggregated to explore inequality across groups. The cohorts chosen for disaggregation are based on existing research, consultation across Government and with experts in the field, and data availability.
Further material on the Framework is available at www.gov.ie/wellbeing-framework.
188. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Government’s position on the proposed TRIPS waiver on mRNA Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4591/22]
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 and in exercising that competence, the European Commission engages fully with the Member States, including Ireland, through a variety of Committees and Working Parties/Groups, including on Intellectual Property.
The EU proposed an alternative to the TRIPS waiver that relates to the use of the flexibilities in the TRIPS Agreement. The proposal is targeted and pragmatic and aims at ensuring that governments can resort to compulsory licences, including to export to countries with no or limited manufacturing capacities, in the most effective manner adapted to the circumstances of a pandemic.
The EU is of the view that there is no single solution and that a multi-pronged approach is needed and that discussions should concentrate on how the Intellectual Property system can contribute towards increasing the manufacturing capacity and the equitable access to vaccines around the world.
Despite the postponement of the WTO Ministerial Conference, WTO members will continue to engage in a solution-oriented manner to find an outcome on how the WTO can contribute to an effective response to any pandemic, not just the current one.
Ireland will engage with the European Commission and other member states on the EU position for the WTO discussions including discussions on how the flexibilities within the TRIPS Agreement can contribute towards increasing the manufacturing capacity and the equitable access to vaccines around the world.
The global production of COVID vaccines is increasing rapidly, with more than 11 billion vaccine doses produced by the end of 2021. This figure is predicted to rise to 18-19 billion doses by mid-2022. The EU considers that the COVAX Facility 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. COVAX has so far shipped over 1 billion COVID-19 vaccines to 144 countries.
Team Europe has committed 200 million doses to reach low and middle-income countries by the end of this year, mainly through the COVAX initiative and is investing €1 billion to ramp up mRNA production capacity in Africa.
The Irish Government has committed to donate up to five million vaccine doses. To date, 2.9 million dose offers have been formally accepted, primarily via the COVAX facility. Of the accepted offers, 1,511,500 have already been delivered to Uganda, Nigeria, Indonesia and Ghana.
The WHO recently stated that it sees a very positive outlook for supply of vaccines for 2022, that this is predicated on the continuation of dose sharing and manufacturers honouring deals brokered under COVAX, and that unequal distribution, rather than supply, could compromise global access to vaccines.
189. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the date on which he expects the heads of the right to request remote work Bill to be finalised; and if it will be ensured that the Bill undergoes pre-legislative scrutiny. [4263/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe right to request remote work is part of the Government vision to make remote working a permanent feature of Ireland’s workforce in a way that can benefit all – economically, socially and environmentally. The commitment to introduce legislation to underpin employees' right to request remote work was made in the national Remote Work Strategy.
On 25 January the Government approved the priority drafting of the Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2021 and the submission of the General Scheme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment to seek early commencement of pre-legislative scrutiny.
I look forward to discussing this important proposal with the Joint Oireachtas Committee as soon as possible and the Bill will be progressed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible thereafter.
190. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA supported companies based in County Monaghan; the year that each was established in County Monaghan; the number of employees employed in each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4369/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland recorded its highest increase in FDI employment in a single year in 2021. 53% - 133 of the 249 of investments won went to regional locations – with employment growth in every region of the country
The Border Region consists of the counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, and Monaghan. IDA Ireland supports 67 client companies in this region who collectively directly employ 8,721 people. In Monaghan, IDA Ireland supports 8 client companies who employ 430 people in total.
The FDI performance in the region has been strong over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 18% as traditional strengths in sectors such as Engineering & Industrial Technologies and Medical Technologies were complemented by new investments from the Technology, International Financial Services and Life Sciences sectors.
The following is a table of companies located in Monaghan and year of establishment. It is not possible to provide individual employment data for each company as this information is confidential to each company.
|
IDA Companies in Co. Monaghan |
Year Established |
|
Murray Design & Engineering Limited (MDS) / Terex Corporation |
2021 |
|
Entekra Ireland |
2018 |
|
Ex-cel Plastics Ltd |
2015 |
|
Computershare Governance Services |
2007 |
|
Windhoist Ireland |
2005 |
|
Norbrook Manufacturing |
1988 |
|
European Chemicals Industries |
1987 |
|
Gernord Ltd |
1969 |
In its new strategy, IDA Ireland will build on the strengths and competencies of the Border region. Additionally, IDA Ireland has recently completed the construction of an Advance Building Solution in Monaghan which the agency is actively marketing to potential FDI clients. In addition, and as part of its new strategy “Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021 to 2024”, IDA Ireland plans to deliver Advance Building Solutions in Letterkenny, Cavan, and Sligo over the strategy period of 2021-2024.
IDA will target 25 investments for the Border region in the period 2021 to 2024 and will continue to actively promote Monaghan as part of the wider Border Region value proposition.
191. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits in each county in each of the years 2012 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4372/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary responsibility of the IDA is to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland and to retain, transform and expand the existing base of FDI companies that have already invested and located here. When it comes to foreign direct investment, site visits represent a valuable tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas. However, site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as a significant percentage of all new FDI comes from existing IDA client companies.
In response to COVID, IDA migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms. IDA Ireland has developed a suite of digital content which can be accessed by potential investors. The Agency has developed this further and has put in place an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors. The use of digital platforms by IDA staff has contributed to an enhanced digital engagement with existing clients and also in hosting E-Site visits with potential new investors.
Regional development is at the centre of IDA’s new strategy, Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024. IDA is committed to the pursuit of more balanced, compact regional development which can deliver complementary efficiency and equity gains, with the overall impact of helping to advance national development. IDA will target half of all investments (400) from 2021- 2024 to regional locations and maintain the same high level of investment as targeted in IDA’s previous strategy for each region of the country.
The IDA recorded its highest increase in FDI employment in a single year in 2021. 53% - 133 of the 249 of investments won went to regional locations – with employment growth in every region of the country.
The table below details the number of IDA in person site visits per county in the years 2012 through to 2019, and both in person and e-Site visits for 2020 and 2021;
** includes both in person and E-Site visits per county
|
County |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020** |
2021** |
|
Carlow |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
9 |
2 |
4 |
|
Cavan |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
|
Clare |
14 |
5 |
9 |
12 |
18 |
22 |
13 |
28 |
16 |
20 |
|
Cork |
38 |
31 |
30 |
48 |
49 |
51 |
61 |
68 |
30 |
44 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
8 |
12 |
1 |
7 |
|
Dublin |
196 |
180 |
205 |
242 |
284 |
327 |
269 |
284 |
121 |
153 |
|
Galway |
18 |
15 |
19 |
41 |
42 |
62 |
54 |
46 |
21 |
31 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
9 |
10 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
14 |
8 |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
3 |
4 |
10 |
10 |
6 |
5 |
13 |
8 |
6 |
|
Laois |
0 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
30 |
23 |
22 |
40 |
49 |
42 |
35 |
57 |
26 |
37 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
Louth |
12 |
4 |
10 |
20 |
24 |
22 |
20 |
40 |
14 |
10 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Meath |
0 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
8 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
3 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
10 |
7 |
15 |
20 |
18 |
15 |
29 |
9 |
6 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
4 |
3 |
12 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
7 |
12 |
12 |
|
Waterford |
26 |
14 |
11 |
31 |
17 |
11 |
21 |
18 |
9 |
8 |
|
Westmeath |
7 |
9 |
12 |
28 |
36 |
42 |
22 |
22 |
14 |
20 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
6 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
192. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to facilitate remote working particularly taking into account the childcare challenges faced by many working parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4375/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe right to request remote work is part of the Government vision to make remote working a permanent feature of Ireland’s workforce in a way that can benefit all – economically, socially and environmentally. The commitment to introduce legislation to underpin employees' right to request remote work was made in the national Remote Work Strategy.
On 25 January the Government approved the priority drafting of the Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2021 and the submission of the General Scheme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment to seek early commencement of pre-legislative scrutiny.
I look forward to discussing this important proposal with the Joint Oireachtas Committee as soon as possible and the Bill will be progressed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible thereafter.
In addition, Directive 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council on work-life balance for parents and carers contains provisions in relation to flexible working arrangements. As the right to request flexible working arrangements under the Directive extends only to parents and those with caring responsibilities, the required amendments will relate to the Parental Leave Act 1998 and the Carer’s Leave Act 2001 which are not under my policy remit. Responsibility for transposition of the Directive rests with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman TD.
193. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the full range of business supports in place for persons starting a business other than in those sectors supported by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA. [4419/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would encourage any person looking to start, expand or pivot their business to contact their Local Enterprise Office as they provide a ‘first stop shop’ for all available Government business supports.
Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. In particular, the LEOs offer Feasibility Grants, which help start-up companies or individual entrepreneurs with the cost of researching their proposed business or new business idea to see if it could be viable and sustainable, and Priming Grants, which aim to help with the associated costs of start-up.
However, it should be noted that the LEOs do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services, or local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses.
The LEOs provide a wide range of high-quality business and management development programmes that are tailored to meet specific business requirements. Whether it is starting a business or growing a business there is something suitable for anyone exploring self-employment as an option.
Any person considering starting a business should enquire about the LEO’s Start Your Own Business Programme. The objective of this programme is to assist clients in assessing their business idea, its viability and helps them decide if they should proceed or take a step back. The programme covers topics such as Starting up / getting started, Identifying, understanding, and researching your target market, Developing your Business Plan amongst other vital areas of interest to a new business.
I would also suggest seeking the advice of a LEO Business Mentor; the Mentor programme is open to both new and existing businesses located within the LEO region and is designed to match up the knowledge, skills, insights and entrepreneurial capability of experienced business practitioners with small business owner/ managers who need practical and strategic one to one advice and guidance. The mentor contributes independent, informed observation and advice to aid decision making.
Mentors can also advise on finance options available to entrepreneurs and can assist with applications and referrals to Micro-Finance Ireland, which provides vital support to eligible microenterprises by lending to businesses that cannot obtain loans from other commercial lenders and who do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by commercial lenders. It offers loan funding, including Start-up Loans, from €5,000 to €25,000.
The above supports along with a host of others can also be found on the supportingsmes.gov.ie website. This is a cross-governmental guide to help small businesses know which of the over 170 Government supports could fit their business.
By completing the questionnaire, a small business will, in one location:
- be able to find out which of the over 170 Government business supports from 27 different Government Departments, Agencies and Initiatives are available.
- be able to get information on the range of Government supports for accessing credit.
- be given contact details for their nearest Local Enterprise Office.
- be able to download filtered results into a document for their further use.
The Department of Social Protection offers the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme, which encourages people currently receiving certain social welfare payments to become self-employed. The scheme is a payment made by the Department of Social Protection to people aged under 66, who are in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment 3 out of the last 5 years. Participants in the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme can keep a percentage of their social welfare payment for up to 2 years.
The Department of Social Protection also offer the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance scheme, which supports those who have lost their job and want to start their own business. The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance is paid instead of your Jobseeker’s Benefit for a maximum of 9 months and ends when your entitlement to Jobseeker's Benefit ends.
194. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the Government Enterprise Statement on Data Centres will be updated. [4421/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department plans to complete the review of the 'Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy' in the first half of 2022. It is clear that the Statement needs revision to align enterprise policy with the programme for government renewable energy and climate targets.
My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and engage with stakeholders such as Eirgrid, the CRU, IDA Ireland and the data centre sector in developing this revised Statement. It will set out the existing policy context, and any additional measures required to ensure that the demand for data centre development can be managed prudently to drive the decarbonisation of our electricity system and deliver regional economic opportunities.
Regulatory measures to manage the impact of demand growth from the technology sector on our electricity system, such as through connection policy or sustainability reporting, may also be required though they are independent of enterprise policy. We will need to ensure that new electricity demands, and the growth of existing demand, are sustainable and use our infrastructure efficiently. The transformation of our electricity and wider energy system, will require innovative and world leading technological and operational solutions on both the supply and demand sides of our energy markets.
The role of data centres in our economy should be assessed in the context of the total economic value they provide, and not as an isolated economic activity. The important economic and societal role of data services such as video calls, streaming services, and other remote work technology became ever more apparent during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data centres securely store and manage the data which keeps much of our information-based economy and society moving. These investments underpin the digital economy in which data is the key asset.
195. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when remote working legislation will be introduced; if he will ensure that employees have the right to work from home in circumstances in which it is possible in this legislation rather than just the right to request same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4430/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe right to request remote work is part of the Government vision to make remote working a permanent feature of Ireland’s workforce in a way that can benefit all – economically, socially and environmentally. The commitment to introduce legislation to underpin employees' right to request remote work was made in the national Remote Work Strategy.
On 25 January the Government approved the priority drafting of the Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2022 and the submission of the General Scheme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment to seek early commencement of pre-legislative scrutiny.
I look forward to discussing this important proposal with the Joint Oireachtas Committee as soon as possible and the Bill will be progressed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible thereafter.
Of course this is only the General Scheme and we will be drafting the Bill over the coming months, so I am happy to take feedback and suggestions on the legislation.
This is one of many measures the Government has introduced to incentivise remote working. Others include the right to disconnect and investment in remote working hubs across the country as part of our Remote Working Strategy published last year.
We recognise that not all occupations, industries, or particular roles within an enterprise, will be appropriate or suitable for remote working, e.g. construction workers, nurses, doctors, waste collectors. Calls to introduce a blanket right to remote working are not realistic.
This legislation will provide employees with a right to request remote work and will provide a legal framework around which requesting, approving or refusing such a request can be based. It will also provide legal clarity to employers on their obligations for dealing with such requests.
196. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department is considering the promotion of appropriate corporate governance standards by adopting codes of conduct for a wider range of businesses and relevant professions; and if he will outline the work of his Department on improving corporate governance standards to date. [4470/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere exist comprehensive corporate governance standards as set out in the Companies Act 2014. This was a landmark legislative project which was the result of many years of detailed and comprehensive work. The Act which was commenced in May 2015 consolidated, simplified and reformed company law to provide a modern framework for all companies regardless of the type of business being operated. The Act strikes a balance between simplifying the day to day running of a business, maintaining the necessary protections for those dealing with companies, such as creditors and investors, and putting in place an effective corporate governance regime to ensure compliance.
In particular, Part 4 deals with corporate governance and provides for the duties and responsibilities of directors and other officers as regards their appointment, their proceedings in regard to the company and its members and the ways in which the activities of the company on a day-to-day basis are conducted. Part 5 contains the duties of directors and other officers of the company which prior to the 2014 Act were to be found in the common law and in various statutory provisions. Part 6 contains provisions regarding the accounting records to be kept by companies, the financial statements to be prepared by them, the periodic returns to be made to the Registrar of Companies, and the auditing of financial statements. Part 27, inserted in 2018, sets out the rules for the conduct of statutory auditors and audit firms as required by EU law.
Broader governance duties and best practices also arise in other areas for which my Department has responsibility for. Indeed, other Departments can have a role especially in respect to sectoral matters. Examples in relation to my Department might include consumer rights, employment rights, occupational health and safety, etc. I would be happy to answer any further questions that the Deputy may have in relation to specific areas under my Department’s remit.
197. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated full-year cost of recruiting three additional whole-time equivalent digital content executives for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4553/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated full-year cost of recruiting three additional whole-time equivalent digital content executives for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is €150,820.
198. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of plans for the development of seasonal work permits. [4574/22]
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 over the short to medium term, 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, by design, vacancy led and managed through the use of the occupations lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations. The lists are reviewed twice a year to ensure their ongoing relevance to the State’s human capital requirements.
The 2018 Review of Economic Migration Policy found that there is a clear role for time limited work permissions for seasonal contracts for typically 6-9 months. Ireland is an outlier in not having this form of permission. To meet this demand, the development of a seasonal employment permit is proposed in the Employment Permit (Consolidation and Amendment) Bill.
Work is progressing on drafting the Bill and is currently scheduled for publication in the Spring.
199. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the fees and costs paid to a company (details supplied) for its report on the impact of the Mercosur trade deal on Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4587/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 2 December 2019, a request for tender for an Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement was published by my Department. The tender was placed on the Ireland e-tenders website and the Official Journal of the European Union.
The tender specified that the budget for the contract, including all costs, would not exceed EUR 200,000 plus VAT for its total duration and the contract award criteria included scoring the most economically advantageous tender. Five tenders were received and Implement Consulting were selected by a Steering Committee comprising representatives of my Department together with a representative of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine and the contract was signed by the Consultants on 7 April 2020. The total cost of the contract was €199,500 plus VAT in line with the bid received by Implement Consulting.
The final report was published on my Department's website on 21 July 2021 after the Report was noted by Government.
200. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a new company registration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4747/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Registrar of Companies is a statutory role and the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of this function.
Applications to incorporate a company can be submitted to the CRO under one of two schemes, Fé Phráinn, which is an expedited process, and the ordinary online process. Applications received by the CRO are processed in date order and the operational target is to process correctly completed applications under the former scheme within 5 working days and the latter within 10 working days. The CRO provides regular updates of the daily processing times via twitter and on its website and, I understand, is operating well within these targets at present.
I have been informed by the Registrar that the application referred to by the Deputy was initially made under the ordinary online scheme on January 18th and the application was subsequently returned to the presenter by the CRO on January 21st and again on January 26th as amendments were required to the material submitted. Once these issues are addressed, the application can be resubmitted to the CRO for processing.
