Written Answers Nos. 145-155
145. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when it is intended for Ireland to ratify International Labour Organisation Convention 183 on maternity care. [58545/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra146. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when it is intended for Ireland to ratify International Labour Organisation Convention 156 on work life balance. [58546/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.
Policy matters related to Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156) and Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) are predominantly for my colleagues the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Minister for Social Protection.
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland only ratifies Conventions as a matter of policy when it is satisfied that Irish legislation fully complies with the obligations set out in the convention. Confirmation that Irish legislation fully complies with a Convention would be a matter for the Minister with the policy lead and responsibility for the subject matter within the Convention.
Ratification is considered when the Department with the Policy lead indicates that ratification of an ILO Convention can take place.
147. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Ireland's position on the proposed new corporate sustainability due diligence directive; if he will negotiate to strengthen this proposed directive to make it more effective with regard to the inclusion of many more companies, the obligations of the financial sector, coverage for full value overseas chains, reducing carbon emissions, and legal redress for citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58501/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD) was published by the European Commission on 23rd February 2022 and addresses corporate behaviour and due diligence processes for the companies within its scope. The proposal focuses on establishing a system within company law and corporate governance to address adverse human rights and environmental impacts arising from companies' own operations, their subsidiaries' operations and their value chains.
The proposal relates to large companies, both EU and non-EU. SMEs are not directly within scope but may be indirectly impacted under the proposal – for example, if they are part of a large company’s supply chain. The proposal will apply to companies across all sectors of the economy, including regulated financial undertakings in the financial sector.
Ireland is supportive of the objective of the proposed Directive which is intended to promote responsible business conduct by companies. The proposal has the potential to be far reaching and it is vital that the text of proposal strikes the right balance by providing effective protections for stakeholders whilst ensuring that the measures to be implemented by companies are clear, proportionate, and enforceable.
Discussions have been ongoing since March of this year and good progress has been made. However, there are a number of issues yet to be resolved including in relation to definitions and scope. Discussions are ongoing on these matters.
148. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline his plans to relax the rules on work visas for certain categories of qualified persons where there is a shortage in the economy such as HGV drivers, mechanics, chefs, medical professionals, specialist hair stylists and so on; the number of visas issued in the past three years to date; the categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58575/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for an employment permit where there is a surplus of those skills in the domestic and EEA labour market.
In order to maintain the relevance of the lists to the needs of the economy and to ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence, these lists undergo evidence-based reviews which are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) of my Department, SOLAS and by a public consultation.
Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives 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 represented on the IDG. The timing of the next Review of the Occupational Lists is being kept under consideration.
Outside of the full review process my Department continues to be in contact with other relevant policy departments to address particular labour market challenges as they arise. My Department continues to keep the employment permits system under review in light of changing labour market circumstances.
Information on Employment Permits issued in the past three years is provided in tabular form attached.
149. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any further routes of appeal open to a person (details supplied) to obtain an employment permit. [58580/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that on the 3rd of November 2022 the appeal in respect of this application (details supplied) was refused by the appeals officer. The refusal reasons were explained in detail in the refusal letter that issued to the applicant. The applicant was also advised that a 90% refund of the fee paid would be refunded on receipt of the completed electronic funds transfer mandate form which was issued with the refusal decision.
Once the reviewing officer has made a decision in respect of an appeal, it is not possible for this decision to be revisited.
150. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures being put in place to ensure that Travellers who pay their rent directly to local authorities have access to the electricity costs emergency benefit scheme; if Travellers who missed out on phase one of the scheme will be refunded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58520/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures being put in place to ensure that Travellers who live on unauthorised sites, without meter point reference numbers, have access to the electricity costs emergency benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58521/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.
Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households. That is why the €2.4 billion package of supports implemented in 2022 has been followed by a further package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion and as part of Budget 2023. This includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - November/December 2022, January/February 2023, and March/April 2023. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion.The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2). This includesaccounts with pre-pay meters. The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN)to ensure payments are made directly and automatically to those accounts, without application or means testing. Under the first scheme, operated in quarter 2 of this year, over 99% of eligible accounts received the payment.
Despite this advantage, the scheme does have limitations. As a result there are cohorts that did not receive the payment.
A particular cohort, identified since the first scheme, includes approximately 1,000 traveller households who use Local Authority accommodations and who were unable to access the credit as, in this situation, the MPRN is registered to the Local Authority and supplies multiple households. However, this group is identifiable through their use of Local Authority accommodation. Therefore, in approving the second Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme, Government also approved funding for this group. DECC is working with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) to provide this benefit to Traveller families through Local Authorities. I understand that there are a number of unauthorised sites in various locations throughout the country, however, these sites are not included in this scheme.
152. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has interim plans to regulate heating costs for district heating customers who pay for domestic energy at a commercial rate this winter, in advance of receiving the recommendations of the new steering group on district heating. [58536/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities has been appointed as regulator for district heating networks and will be responsible for development of appropriate regulation of the sector going forward. Central to the regulation of the sector will be the recommendations of the District Heating Steering Group. This Steering Group has been examining, among other things, the economic regulation and consumer protection needs of the district heating sector and smaller scale group heating schemes. The Group is working to have its initial report prepared by year end.
In addition, to identify alternative heat sources for group heating schemes in particular, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has initiated a programme of pilot feasibility studies to examine the technical potential of moving those schemes fuelled by natural gas to a renewable energy source. It is anticipated that initial results will be available in the New Year.
More broadly, to help alleviate the impact of the rising cost of living, the Government has already put in place a series of measures, with funding of €2.4 billion available.
A further package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion was announced in Budget 2023, including the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme II. Primary and secondary enabling legislation has since been put in place, with the first of three €200 electricity credits (inclusive of VAT) being paid directly to over 2.2 million domestic electricity accounts from November 2022. While not all consumers use gas, electricity is supplied to all households. The Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit payment is, therefore, not being applied to domestic gas accounts on the basis that it is intended to be a universal support to all households.
153. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way and when the monetary credits to assist with household energy bills over the winter will be made payable to occupants of houseboats on the Grand and Royal canals, who purchase credits from Waterways Ireland for a meter system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58566/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households and throughout 2022 introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 has introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - November/December 2022, January/February 2023, and March/April 2023. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion. The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2). This includesaccounts with pre-pay meters. The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN)to ensure that payment can be made to those accounts automatically and without application or means testing. Despite this advantage, the scheme does have limitations. As a result there are cohorts that did not receive the payment, which includes people with accommodation arrangements such as houseboats or mobile homes. Along with the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme Budget 2023 also introduced measures including: - €400 lump sum payment to Fuel Allowance recipients - €200 lump sum payment for pensioners and people with a disability getting the Living Alone Increase - €500 cost of living lump sum payment to all families getting Working Family Payment - Double payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children - €500 cost of living payment for people receiving Carer's Support Grant will be paid in November - €500 lump sum cost of living disability support grant will be paid to all people receiving a long term disability payment Government continues to monitor the situation in light of the ongoing volatility and uncertainty in energy markets.
154. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a schedule by local authority, heading and amount of the funding and grants returned and-or unspent in part or in full to his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. [58597/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to local authorities for a large range of programmes, schemes and initiatives across its remit. This includes funding which contributes to the achievement of our climate and energy goals such as community energy projects, retrofitting, community climate action, and environmental projects such as a range of waste, dumping and anti-litter initiatives. Details of funding unspent or unclaimed by local authorities for the years requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
155. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding taxi drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58483/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Since August, a series of global circumstances has, in the NTA’s view, considerably worsened the capability of taxi and hackney licence holders to secure new vehicles, with lead times of one year not uncommon already. Therefore, the NTA proposed to temporarily extend the maximum permissible age for taxis and hackneys so that no current vehicle licence holder is forced out of the industry because a replacement vehicle cannot be purchased.
I have been informed that, on 18 November last, the NTA Board approved Regulations permitting an extension to the final operation date of vehicles due to reach their final date of operation/maximum permissible age between 13 March 2020 and 31 December 2024. SPSV licence holders will receive communications from the NTA in the coming weeks, confirming the new final operation date of their current licensed vehicle.
