Written Answers Nos. 16-30
16. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made on the Programme for Government commitment to advance a living wage over the lifetime of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7044/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have spoken before about how the pandemic has caused many of us to reconsider and re-evaluate what an essential worker is. We now understand that it is a much broader group of workers than people would have originally described, many of whom are on low pay and in the private sector.
The Government has been clear that a legacy of the pandemic must be better pay, terms and conditions for everyone, but particularly for those on low pay. We are committed, therefore, to honouring the Government commitment to progressing to a living wage over the lifetime of this Government. In doing so, we need to recognise that many businesses have been badly affected by the pandemic and are struggling to pay existing wages. We need to make sure that we proceed in a way that does not cause jobs to be lost in terms of the numbers of people employed, or would see employees having their hours cut. To do so would be counterproductive.
In 2021, I asked the Low Pay Commission to examine the Programme for Government commitment to progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government and to make recommendations on the best approach to achieving this commitment.
Following this request, the Low Pay Commission commissioned a team of researchers at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth to conduct research on the living wage.
This research was to consider the policy, social and economic implications of a move to a living wage and the process by which Ireland could progress towards it. The research was to examine international evidence on living wages, examining different calculation methods, examining the policy implications and outlining options for moving to a living wage in Ireland.
I understand that in January of this year, the Low Pay Commission received the Living Wage supporting research report from the researchers at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. The Low Pay Commission is currently evaluating this research. The Commission is meeting with experts and stakeholders in this area, such as the Eurofound, the UK Low Pay Commission, business and employer representatives and representatives of the Living Wage Technical Group.
I expect to receive the Low Pay Commission’s report and recommendations when the analysis is complete and I expect that to be next month. The Government will respond to these recommendations in due course and we will publish the Commission's report, and the associated supporting research.
17. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the Programme for Government commitment to promote higher female labour market participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7022/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government committed to promoting higher female labour market participation, as well as less commuting and greater regional balance, through increased remote, flexible and hub-working arrangements, to support families in their parenting and childcare choices.
According to the latest available data from the Central Statistics Office’s Labour Force Survey, female labour force participation is at a record high. This is in the context of a significant labour market recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, which started in Q2 2021.
In Q3 2021, the female participation rate stood at 60.1 percent, a 5 percent increase on Q3 2020, and a 3.8 percent increase over Q3 2019. The female participation rate has grown significantly more than the male rate since Q3 2019, just prior to the pandemic, closing the gender gap in the workforce. The male rate has increased by 1.3 percentage points during this time, to 69.8 percent.
The number of women in the labour force is now 105,000 higher than in Q3 2019, compared with growth in the male labour force of 60,500. The total number of women in the labour force is now over 1.2 million, of which 1.16 million are in employment, with women representing 46.8 percent of the labour force.
As well as continued funding increases for early learning and childcare, Making Remote Work, Ireland’s National Remote Work strategy, seeks to address obstacles to labour market inclusion, and female participation in particular, due to the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work undertaken by women. It is enabling improved access to the workplace through greater flexibility in terms of time management, childcare and commuting options.
The Government’s labour market activation strategy Pathways to Work 2021-2025 is also working to support greater female labour market participation. Its commitments include development and implementation of a new ‘Returners’ programme, to help integrate those who left or have been outside the workforce for some time, increasing the number of children in receipt of State supports for Early Learning and Care and School Age Funding Programmes, and ensuring that the particular circumstances of lone parents are considered in the assessment of a Working Age Payment.
18. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on workers who seek above inflation pay rises given the stagnation in real wages over the past decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7068/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is understandable that households and businesses are concerned about the higher rates of inflation they are seeing at the moment. I know that people are feeling pressure as the cost-of-living increases and that people on lower incomes are being disproportionately affected.
Ministers across Government, along with their officials, have been tasked with developing proposals for a package to help families with the cost of living and the Government plans to finalise this package shortly.
However, it is important to keep in mind that these higher rates of inflation are expected to be temporary, and we should avoid a situation where wages start to chase up prices, which could in turn lead to more inflation and a harmful spiral.
The annual rate of inflation in Ireland reached its highest level in over twenty years in December 2021. Prices on average, as measured by the CPI, were 5.5% higher in December 2021 compared with December 2020.
The European Central Bank is closely monitoring price developments in the euro area and continue to believe recent price pressures are the result of temporary factors related to the pandemic, which are expected to fade over time. The impact of rising prices is not unique to Ireland, but an issue facing all major economies around the world as the effects of the pandemic unwind with the rapid resumption of economic activity.
Real wages have not stagnated in Ireland over the past decade. Ireland has some of the highest wages in the EU. Median gross hourly earnings in Ireland were €17.97 in 2018, well above the EU27 average of €13.18. The latest Eurostat data, from 2018, shows that Ireland has the 7th highest mean annual earnings in Europe, of €49,790. This is well above the average of €31,492. Ireland has the 8th highest median annual earnings in the EU 27, at €40,074.
Ireland has one of the highest minimum wages in the EU. Recently released data from Eurostat shows that as of 1 January 2022, 21 of 27 EU Member States have national minimum wages. In terms of gross monthly rates of the National Minimum Wage, Ireland has the second highest National Minimum Wage of these 21 Member States. When adjusted for purchasing power standards (PPS) Ireland ranks in sixth place.
Since the establishment of the Low Pay Commission, the National Minimum Wage has increased from €8.65 per hour to €10.50 per hour between 2016 and 2022, a 21.4% increase. This compares with an increase in consumer prices of 7% in the 6 years to December 2021, so the Minimum Wage has increased substantially in real terms in recent years.
There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to “progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government”. The Tánaiste has asked the Low Pay Commission to examine and make recommendations on the best approach to achieving this commitment. Its report will provide an overview of the different calculation methods for determining an appropriate rate for the living wage and will set out the policy implications of moving to a living wage in Ireland.
19. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the new IDA facility in County Carlow will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6717/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegional development remains a top priority for my Department and IDA Ireland. The IDA has made great strides in boosting investment in regional locations. Of the 246 investments won in 2020, more than half went to regional locations. Similarly for 2021, of the 249 investments secured by the IDA, 133 were for locations outside Dublin.
The IDA’s Regional Property Programme, supported by my Department, provides property and strategic site solutions to address market failures in regional locations. This encourages and facilitates regional investment by ensuring there are suitable properties in place to meet the needs of multinational companies.
The timely provision of appropriate and cost-effective property and infrastructure solutions remains essential to winning foreign direct investment. Over the past 5 years, the IDA’s Regional Property Programme has enabled the winning of capital-intensive projects of significant scale to regional locations.
The IDA Ireland will deliver 19 Advanced Building Solutions in 15 regional locations throughout Ireland over the lifetime of their strategy: Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024.
In relation to the building in Carlow, the 'Advanced Building Solution' commenced construction on site in Quarter 2 2021 and is currently forecast for completion in July 2022.
The property is currently included as part of IDA marketing material for FDI and Enterprise Ireland clients.
20. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will be bringing forward new policy proposals in the wake of the case of a company (details supplied). [6807/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing extensive engagement with the social partners the “Plan for Action on Collective Redundancies following Insolvency” was published in June 2021. This sets out several commitments to safeguard further the rights of workers in these circumstances including;
1. amendments to company law and employment law,
2. a new Employment Law Review Group, and
3. the provision of an accessible guidance document.
The Guidance Document was published on 20th December and provides clear and accessible information in relation to the rights and remedies available to employees facing a collective redundancy situation following a company insolvency.
Drafting of the amendments to the Protection of Employment Act 1977 has now commenced with a view to seeking Cabinet approval for the drafting of Heads of a Bill as soon as possible.
Work has also commenced on the drafting of the Terms of Reference for the Employment Law Review Group and organising suitable membership. Our immediate focus is to get the Group established initially on a non-statutory basis, in Q2 of 2022. We will then work on drafting the appropriate legislation to have the Group placed on a statutory footing as soon as possible thereafter.
The 'Plan of Action' on company law proposed 9 amendments, 3 of which were progressed under the Rescue Process for Small and Micro Companies Act 2021, which was commenced on 8th December 2021. The remaining company law recommendations will be progressed this year by way of regulations or amendment to the Companies Act 2014.
These complementary range of measures will promote the provision of quality information, enhance participation and transparency for those workers facing a collective redundancy following company insolvency, and will also provide for continued development of employment law in general.
21. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being taken to address the serious shortage of labour in many sectors currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7028/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe period since early 2020 has been a difficult one for many businesses, and some sectors have been more severely impacted by public health restrictions and for a more prolonged period. Throughout the pandemic my Department and its enterprise agencies have engaged with and supported businesses within their remit, and from last year there has been a recovery in employment across the economy.
According to the latest available figures, employment increased by 221,300 in the year to the third quarter of 2021, a ten percent annual increase, with employment standing at 2.47 million. This employment recovery coincided with the easing of public health restrictions and the roll out of Ireland’s vaccination programmes, highlighting the importance of the Government’s efforts to assist workers and businesses, especially through those wage supports which helped businesses maintain a link to their staff.
In its ongoing engagement with enterprise, my Department and its agencies have nevertheless been made aware of labour shortages in certain sectors. My Department has worked to signpost businesses towards the training and labour market activation programmes and supports, available through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, its agencies, and the Department of Social Protection, in order to address their staffing needs.
Ireland’s economic migration policy also continues to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill skills and labour gaps in the short to medium term. My Department recently announced a series of changes to the permit system in light of identified gaps across the economy, and will continue to maintain a watching brief in order to address labour market needs as they emerge.
22. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he will take to cut the high-level of low pay in the State; if he will support a system in which the rise in the minimum wage will at a minimum track increases in the cost of living for persons on low incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7067/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have acknowledged the pressures people are feeling as the cost of living increases. I know that many costs have increased sharply and that those on lower incomes are being disproportionately affected.
Relevant Government Departments have been tasked with developing proposals for a package to help families with the cost of living and my Government plans to finalise this package shortly.
In relation to the minimum wage, since its establishment in 2015, the Low Pay Commission has been responsible for making annual recommendations to Government on the appropriate rate of the National Minimum Wage. Since then, the national minimum wage has increased from €8.65 per hour to €10.50 per hour between 2016 and 2022, a 21.4% increase. This compares with an increase in consumer prices of 7% in the 6 years to December 2021. The Minimum Wage has increased substantially in real terms over recent years.
The share of workers on the minimum wage in Ireland has also fallen consistently since the establishment of the Low Pay Commission from 9.3% of the labour force in Q4, 2016 to 6.8% in Q4, 2020.
The Low Pay Commission is made up of an equal number of employer representatives, employee representatives, and independent members which helps to provide a balanced view when determining an appropriate rate for the National Minimum Wage. In addition, the establishing legislation requires the Low Pay Commission to give consideration to a range of issues when arriving at a recommendation for the appropriate National Minimum Wage rate. These issues include the cost of living, competitiveness and the likely effect that any proposed recommendation will have on future levels of employment.
When considering increases in the National Minimum Wage during a period of inflation, Government must be conscious of the need to avoid second round effects or a wage-price spiral.
That being said, I have been clear in my commitment to improving pay and terms and conditions for everyone, but particularly for those on low pay.
In 2021, I asked the Low Pay Commission to examine and make recommendations on the best approach to achieving the Programme for Government commitment to progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government.
The Low Pay Commission commissioned and received a background technical research report on the concept of a living wage. The Commission is currently evaluating this research and is due to report their findings and recommendations shortly. These recommendations will inform Government on the best approach to progressing to a living wage.
I am committed to progressing to a living wage over the lifetime of this Government. In doing so, we need to recognise that many businesses have been badly affected by the pandemic and are also facing rising costs. We need to make sure that we proceed in a way that does not adversely affect inflation or cause jobs to be lost, either in terms of the numbers of people employed, or the numbers of hours worked. To do so would be counterproductive.
23. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his Department’s strategy for creation of unicorn start-ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6551/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key priority for Enterprise Ireland, is to develop new High Potential Start Ups and to help make Ireland a world-leading location to start and scale a business. Under its new 2022-2024 Corporate Strategy, Enterprise Ireland proposes to increase start-up and scaling activity by as much as 20%. Management skills and leadership capability will be a key underpinning objective in this area.
My Department also recognises the need for more investment in innovation and has committed funding to create and enhance a thriving equity investment ecosystem in Ireland through a number of Schemes and funding Programmes such as:
- The Seed and Venture Capital Scheme operated by Enterprise Ireland which in the current cycle of the scheme (2019 to 2024) has a total budget of €185 million and has benefited 750 companies to date.
- The Irish Innovation Seed Fund Programme, a collaboration between Enterprise Ireland, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and the European Investment Fund which was launched earlier this week. In total, €90 million will be available to invest in innovative Irish organisations at the earliest stage of their development.
Enterprise Ireland also works closely with applicants to prepare them for the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, which provides significant equity and grant funding in a very competitive process with strong international competition. In a recent Call in 2021, five Enterprise Ireland-backed start-ups have been recommended for more than €20.5 million in funding and mentorship from the first final-stage European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator call.
The Government established the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) in 2018. It is aimed at encouraging collaboration and innovation in the development of disruptive technologies on a commercial basis. My department through Enterprise Ireland has allocated €235 million to 72 projects and 270 partners which are working together in collaborative, disruptive, industrial research projects, with strong commercialisation potential. A new Call for projects is currently open and will close on 10 February 2022. If successful, the innovations emerging from the DTIF will offer Irish companies a route to compete in and potentially disrupt global markets, leading to increased employment, increased exports and which potentially could lead to companies that meet the definition of a unicorn start-up.
24. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the funding commitment to supporting decarbonisation of the SME sector; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6936/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has recently been awarded funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Fund to grant aid projects to accelerate decarbonisation of the enterprise sector. The details of the fund and how it will operate are currently being agreed and it is expected to launch mid-year.
This initiative will have two components:
1. The Climate Enterprise Action Fund which will provide incentives for the early stages of the carbon transition pathway for clients of Enterprise Ireland, Údarás and the LEOs. It will include assistance to undertake feasibility studies and develop detailed decarbonisation plans.
2. The Carbon Reduction Fund which is for investment in carbon measurement and abatement technologies for manufacturing enterprises (indigenous- and foreign-owned). The programme will also assist with capital investment and promote capacity building with a focus on abating their high CO2 emissions.
In addition and in conjunction with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I recently launched the Climate Toolkit for Business. I would encourage all SMEs to start their decarbonisation journey by engaging with the Climate Toolkit 4 Business. The Toolkit provides an estimate of the carbon footprint of the business based on some simple information input and then generates a tailored action plan and points to relevant state programmes and funding that can assist in implementing the recommended actions, including:
- The Green for Micro programme from the Local Enterprise Offices which helps prepare small businesses for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future.
- Enterprise Ireland's range of assistance programme for client companies to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance, including the Climate Action Voucher which helps companies to develop an initial action plan, and the GreenStart/Plus which assists them in developing internal capabilities.
- IDA Ireland's external advice and feasibility assessments for foreign-owned manufacturing companies operating in Ireland. This includes the Go Green Offer that is designed to encourage IDA clients to adopt green business principles in their organisation to increase competitiveness and achieve international environmental best practices.
25. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of goods and services imported into Ireland from China which is believed to be linked to forced labour camps for Uighur Muslims by goods and services and the corresponding value in tabular form. [6409/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office compiles statistical data in relation to Goods Exports and Imports. These statistics can be found on the website www.cso.ie. Trade data is collected by the Central Statistics Office at a country level, in this case for China as a whole, and so the more detailed breakdown requested by the Deputy is not available.
As regards the substantive human rights issue to which the Deputy refers, Ireland remains deeply concerned about the evidence-based reports regarding the treatment of ethnic Uyghurs in Xinjiang. We have raised these concerns, along with our partners in the EU and the wider international community, on a number of occasions, including most recently at the 48th UN Human Rights Council in September and in the UN Third Committee on Human Rights in October. We have consistently called on China to allow unrestricted and meaningful access to the region for independent observers, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We look forward to her upcoming report on human rights in Xinjiang.
26. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will be introducing new measures to enhance consumer protections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6829/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI intend, subject to Government approval, to introduce new and enhanced consumer protections measures shortly with the publication of the Consumer Rights Bill 2022 and its introduction into the Houses.
The purpose of this Bill is to give effect to a number of EU consumer rights Directives, including:
1. Directive 2019/770 on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services;
2. Directive 2019/771 on certain aspects concerning contracts for the sale of goods; and
3. the main provisions of Directive 2019/2161 on the better enforcement and modernisation of Union consumer protection rules.
The Bill will also consolidate, modernise and enhance domestic consumer contract law by bringing existing provisions together in a single enactment and represents the biggest overhaul of consumer rights legislation in over 40 years..
The main provisions of the Bill will include:
- rights and remedies in consumer contracts for the sale of goods;
- rights and remedies in consumer contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services;
- rights and remedies in consumer contracts for non-digital services;
- consumer information and cancellation rights;
- unfair terms in consumer contracts;
- unfair commercial practices; and
- enhanced enforcement measures available to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
Services account for an increasingly large part of consumer activity and expenditure. The rights of consumers in respect of service contracts will be expanded and a scheme of statutory remedies will be established to apply where a service does not conform to these rights.
Consumer contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services have not previously been the subject of specific statutory regulation. While digital content supplied in tangible form such as a cd or dvd is subject to the rights and remedies in current legislation, digital content supplied, as is now mainly the case, in intangible form, through downloads, streaming or other means is not currently subject to similar statutory regulation.
Substantial amendments will be made to the existing provisions on consumer information and cancellation rights due to the transposition of Directive 2019/2161.
Changes will be made to the current unfair terms in consumer contracts legislation, to include:
- extending the scope of the unfair terms provisions;
- strengthening the transparency requirements that apply to contract terms;
- narrowing the exemption from assessment for unfairness of core contract terms, and
- expanding the ‘grey list’ of consumer contract terms presumed unfair and introducing a ‘blacklist’ of terms that are automatically unfair.
Various amendments will be made to the Consumer Protection Act 2007 required to update the law on unfair commercial practices as included in Directive 2019/2161. These amendments will extend and enhance the enforcement measures available to the CCPC and ComReg.
27. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the South-West Regional Enterprise Plan. [6818/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegional enterprise development and sustainable local job creation is a key policy priority of mine and this Government.
Throughout 2021, my Department has overseen the development of nine new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024. These are ‘bottom-up’ plans, developed by regional stakeholders which identify growth opportunities, recognise vulnerabilities, and enable job creation across the nine regions.
The Regional Steering Committees are chaired by senior industry figures and include the Enterprise Agencies, LEOs, Regional Assemblies, Local Authorities, Higher Education bodies, and others, all of whom are focused on creating and sustaining employment opportunities in the region.
Following in-depth consultation and engagement across the regions, each plan will contain a set of objectives and related actions to be delivered by end 2024. These objectives are complementary to and support existing Government and agency initiatives.
The Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024 are currently being finalised by my Department. They will be published and launched across the country over February and March this year.
My Department has approved over €126 million in funding to 79 enterprise strengthening projects in every region over a series of competitive calls since 2017. This has been provided through Enterprise Ireland via the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, the Border Enterprise Development Fund and the Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme. Together, these funds assisted the development of collaborative regional projects that drive delivery of the objectives developed in the previous Regional Enterprise Plans.
I can advise the Deputy that in addition to the €5 million allocation for regional enterprise funding in Budget 2022, my officials are in the process of exploring new significant sources of funding to drive implementation of the nine new Regional Enterprise Plans. I expect to announce details on new regional funding shortly.
28. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will be making changes to the operation of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. [6811/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to enhance and reform the role of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB). This commitment is being given effect under Action 19 of the Government’s ‘Action Plan for Insurance Reform’.
In 2022, I intend to enhance and strengthen the PIAB to facilitate an increase in the number of personal injury claims PIAB resolves. It is clear that claims which are finalised through PIAB are less costly and faster compared to those that end up in litigation. Yesterday, I published the General Scheme of the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Bill 2022. This is an important deliverable of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform, through which, Government is working to reduce the cost of personal injury claims and increase the affordability and availability of insurance for all.
The Scheme proposes to amend the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003-2019 in a number of ways including:
- PIAB will be given a new function – to offer mediation as a means of resolving a claim.
- PIAB will retain claims of a wholly psychological nature.
- PIAB will deepen its analysis and public information roles.
- PIAB will have additional time to assess claims where an injury is yet to settle rather than releasing to litigation.
- The Court’s discretion regarding costs in litigation will be more defined.
I am determined to progress this legislation to enactment in 2022 and am confident that these reforms will increase the number of personal injury claims resolved through the PIAB process.
29. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to concerns from trade unions representing employment service staff in relation to their engagement with a company (details supplied) which was awarded employment service contracts and with regard also to the recent Workplace Relations Commission recommendation on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6946/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, it is worth stating that Ireland’s system of industrial relations is, essentially, voluntary in nature. The responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers, rests with the employer, the workers and their representatives. It is important that the autonomy of both employee and employer bodies and their respective members in such matters is respected by the State.
For its part, the State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement mechanisms i.e. the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court, to support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences.
However, I would like to emphasise the need for workers and employers to make every effort to reach a resolution. The dispute handling mechanisms of the State are of course willing, where possible, to assist the parties in coming to a resolution.
In this case, I understand that the Workplace Relations Commission invited all interested parties to an exploratory talks process in late December 2021. At the time, consensus was not reached for talks to commence. The WRC's confidential conciliation services remain open to both parties.
30. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications that have been received for the restart fund for micro and small businesses by county and city council; the amount allocated to each local authority; the number of businesses that have received funding under the fund; and the amount these businesses have received. [6411/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Restart Grant Scheme was launched in May 2020 and was succeeded by an enhanced Restart Grant Plus, which closed for applications on 31st October 2020. The 31 local authorities who operated the scheme received a total of 123,185 applications, of which 108,489 were successful.
An overall allocation of €652m was made available by Government for the Scheme, with local authorities issuing payment of €632.3m to successful applications. In line with public sector financial procedures funding unused by the local authorities has been returned to the Exchequer.
The details requested by the Deputy are set out by local authority area in tabular format in the attached table.
