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Tuesday, 21 May 2024

Written Answers Nos. 245-264

Public Sector Pay

Ceisteanna (245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253)

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

245. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the provisions and steps that have been made and taken by the Government to unwind the FEMPI measures; the categories of people, whether professional service providers or otherwise (including public servants), who have and have not had the FEMPI reductions in their salaries, pensions and payments reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22821/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

246. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline, in relation to the category of workers, professional service providers or otherwise, including public servants, who have not had the FEMPI reductions reversed; when the reversals will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22822/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

247. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to specify if FEMPI reductions in salaries, pensions and payments applied to medical doctors, veterinary surgeons, dentists, solicitors, barristers, coroners, Revenue sheriffs, State solicitors, pharmacists or other professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22823/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

248. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the FEMPI reductions in salaries, pensions and payments been reversed for medical doctors, veterinary surgeons, dentists, solicitors, barristers, coroners, Revenue sheriffs, State solicitors, pharmacists opticians, office holders, and other professions; the estimated timeframe as to when those from the list that have not had the FEMPI reduction reversed will have it reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22824/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

249. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the reason for the delay in reversing the FEMPI reductions in salaries, pensions and payments for medical doctors, veterinary surgeons, dentists, solicitors, barristers, coroners, Revenue sheriffs, State solicitors, pharmacists opticians, office holders, and other professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22825/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

250. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the required review of the operations, effectiveness and impact of the amounts and rate reductions fixed by regulation been carried out in the years since 2010 for medical doctors, veterinary surgeons, dentists, solicitors, barristers, coroners, Revenue sheriffs, State solicitors, pharmacists opticians, office holders, and other professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22826/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

251. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the reason Section 20 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 has not yet been fully implemented and completed such that all of the reductions made in and to salaries, pensions and payments to all persons have not yet been unwound; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22827/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

252. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will publish the Attorney Generals advice where he states his opinion that the Minister must in law make restorations of pay and remuneration to all persons whom the FEMPI reductions applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22828/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

253. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is compliant with Section 13 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest ACT 2009, where it requires the Minister to review on an annual basis and consider whether deductions continue to be necessary having regard to the purpose of the Act and lay a report each year before the Houses of the Oireachtas; the conclusions he has drawn regarding the residual groups who have not yet had their pay restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22829/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 to 253, inclusive, together.

The process of unwinding the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation commenced under the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016-2018. This was underpinned by the FEMPI 2015 Act. The provisions of the 2015 Act also allowed for the amelioration of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR). The remainder of the process continued under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (PSSA) and the previous public service agreement, Building Momentum. This was underpinned by the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, implementation of which would complete the unwinding of the FEMPI legislation in relation to reductions in remuneration. The 2017 Act also provided for the complete unwinding of PSPR.

At the end of the PSSA 2018 - 2020, FEMPI pay reductions were reversed for all public servants earning up to €70,000 per annum, which equated to almost 90% of public servants. Allowances reduced under FEMPI were fully restored from 1st October 2020. Section 19 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 provided for the complete unwinding of remaining FEMPI measures on public servants paid an annual basic salary of up to €150,000 on 1 July 2021. Section 20 of the 2017 Act provided for the complete unwinding of remaining FEMPI measures on public servants paid an annual basic salary of more than €150,000, on 1 July 2022. This completed the process of unwinding FEMPI reductions for public servants.

Section 21 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act provides for the exclusion of certain officeholders from the restorations provided for in Section 19 and 20 of that Act.

Sections 9 and 10 of the FEMPI 2009 Act contained measures allowing public service bodies to reduce the professional fees paid by them to external service providers. Section 9(13) of the Act provided that the Minister for Health may review the operation, effectiveness and impact of the amounts and rates of payments to health professionals fixed by regulation under the Act and consider the appropriateness of same. This requirement to review has now been repealed under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017.

Section 42 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 sets out the arrangements in relation to professional fees. It provides that regulations made under sections 9 or 10 of the FEMPI Act 2009 were to remain in operation for a transitional period after the repeal of those sections. The Act provides relevant Ministers with the authority to set and vary fees, where contracts permit, following appropriate consultation with relevant parties. The Act provided a pathway for putting in place a new multi-annual approach to fees in return for service improvement and contractual reform.

It is the responsibility of the relevant sector to ensure measures in relation to pay, pensions and fees provided for under the relevant legislation has been correctly administered.

Section 12 the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2013 obliges the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform to carry out an annual review of the FEMPI Acts and lay a report each year before the Houses of the Oireachtas. A report has been published each year since 2011. The 2023 annual report was published in June 2023 and can be found on the DPENDPR website. The 2024 report will be published by the 30th of June this year.

As the Deputy is aware, advice provided by the Attorney General to Government is subject to legal professional privilege.

Question No. 246 answered with Question No. 245.
Question No. 247 answered with Question No. 245.
Question No. 248 answered with Question No. 245.
Question No. 249 answered with Question No. 245.
Question No. 250 answered with Question No. 245.
Question No. 251 answered with Question No. 245.
Question No. 252 answered with Question No. 245.
Question No. 253 answered with Question No. 245.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ceisteanna (254)

Ged Nash

Ceist:

254. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update from the OPW on the progress made on the provision of a planned new Garda Station in Laytown, County Meath; if he will provide a timeline for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22937/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

AGS are currently preparing a brief of requirements and a business case for a new Garda Station in the Laytown area. The OPW will seek a suitable site for a new Garda Station in the Laytown area when the Business Case process is complete and the long term requirements of An Garda Síochána in the area are confirmed.

A Business Case is required to comply with the provisions of Public Spending Code where it is considered that the acquisition of a property is required. It is the responsibility of the Sponsoring Agency, in this case An Garda Síochána, to prepare this Business Case. An Garda Síochána are preparing an initial Business Case for nine sites throughout the country, including Laytown. The Office of Public Works are actively engaging with An Garda Síochána in respect to this.

It is not possible, at this early stage, to provide a timeframe for the project

State Properties

Ceisteanna (255)

Steven Matthews

Ceist:

255. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the position regarding the OPW-led assessment of a building (details supplied); if this project can be expedited to bring these buildings back into community use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23000/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Wicklow Town Courthouse and the ancillary buildings on site are the property of the Courts Service. The Office of Public Works carried out an assessment on Wicklow Town Courthouse last year. This did not include the ancillary buildings behind the Courthouse. However, a visual inspection was carried out on the buildings behind Wicklow Town Courthouse, and the Courts Service were advised that these buildings were in a serious state of disrepair.

The responsibility for the maintenance of the buildings behind Wicklow Town Courthouse remains with the Courts Service, with OPW providing professional services as required.

EU Regulations

Ceisteanna (256)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

256. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if own-resource income generated by IDA Ireland, and spent by IDA Ireland, is excluded from EU state aid rules. [22919/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will appreciate, State Aid generally refers to forms of State-controlled financial resources given to undertakings on a discretionary basis and with the potential to distort competition and affect trade between Member States of the EU. As such, State Aid is prohibited under the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU because of its anti-competitive effects. However, various categories of schemes are considered compatible, as their positive effects are considered to outweigh their negative impact. As such, the State Aid Framework performs a balancing act of economic policy to prevent distortion of fair competition, while also achieving worthy policy objectives, such as Regional Development, Environmental Protection or to promotion of Research and Development and Innovation (RDI) in Industry.

EU State Aid rules apply where a Member State is conferring benefit on selected economic undertakings e.g. a company. State Aid considerations apply when the Member State has discretion as to allocation of funds regardless of the source of the funds. Consequently, State aid rules apply as usual to all IDA supports, including where the funding in question is generated through own resource income. All IDA Ireland supports to industry are operated in accordance with EU State aid rules.

Finally, I might add that Agencies, through their parent Departments, are required to secure sanction to retain, and utilise, own resource income to support various activities.

EU Regulations

Ceisteanna (257)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

257. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the scope for the State to utilise the EU Chips Act Regulation 2023 to allow Ireland to provide State subsidies for chip factories and fab manufacturing and avoid EU state aid implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22922/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will appreciate, State Aid generally refers to forms of State-controlled financial resources given to undertakings on a discretionary basis and with the potential to distort competition and affect trade between Member States of the EU. As such, State Aid is prohibited under the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU because of its anti-competitive effects. However, various categories of schemes are considered compatible, as their positive effects are considered to outweigh their negative impact. As such, the State Aid Framework performs a balancing act of economic policy to prevent distortion of fair competition, while also achieving worthy policy objectives, such as Regional Development, Environmental Protection or to promotion of Research and Development and Innovation (RDI) in Industry.

In this context, Pillar 2 of the EU Chips Act creates a framework to ensure security of semiconductor supply by attracting increased investment and production capacity in semiconductor manufacturing as well as in packaging and advanced testing and assembly. Under this pillar, undertakings granted the status of Integrated Production Facility or Open EU Foundry by the European Commission are considered to be in the public interest, and Member States may apply support measures including State Aid. In that context, Ireland will consider the provision of State Aid where appropriate to support the sector, after careful consideration of the appropriateness of providing such Aid in the context of our overall Enterprise Policy priorities while, of course, remaining conscious of competing demands on State finances. Under the EU Chips Act, projects would need to meet a set of criteria, including qualifying as 'first of a kind' in Europe and that the project could be lost to Europe if not supported. Any State supports for projects would also, of course, have to meet with our own national appraisal models applied by our enterprise development agencies.

Ireland has built an extensive and technology-rich semiconductor industry comprising of over 130 indigenous and foreign subsidiary companies across the microelectronics value chain. In this regard, the EU Chips Act offers a significant opportunity for Ireland to further foster this important, already strong, sector and much work is underway to facilitate this.

This includes participation in the Chips for Europe Initiative, which provides for the establishment of European pilot lines to test, experiment and validate semiconductor technologies and system design concepts, while reducing environmental impacts as much as possible. Furthermore, in April, my Department announced a call for expressions of interest for candidate Competence Centres under the Chips for Europe Initiative. The Irish Competence Centre will work closely with industry, research and technology organisations, universities, and the public sector to contribute to skills development and provide access to joint programmes, pilot lines and design services and tools. The successful candidate will facilitate the development of skills, talent and training and will act as a hub for the ecosystem.

Following a stakeholder consultation in March, my Department is progressing the formulation of a National Semiconductor Strategy which will be published in the coming months. The Strategy aims to ensure Ireland can play its proportionate part in reaching the EU Chips Act and Digital Europe target to double its current global market share of semiconductors to 20% by 2030. It will signpost actions for the sector and coordinate activity across stakeholders; provide a clear message to industry; focus on opportunities at EU level; and set an ambition and direction for activity in the sector to 2030.

Flexible Work Practices

Ceisteanna (258)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

258. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will request the Workplace Relations Commission to update its website as a matter of urgency to allow workers to lodge a complaint about an employer who is ignoring a remote working request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22523/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act commenced on 7 March 2024 and provides the right to request remote working arrangements for all employees and the right to request flexible working arrangements for parents and carers. The Code of Practice for Employers and Employees Right to Request Flexible Working and Right to Request Remote Working was also published on that date.

Employers and employees are obliged to have regard to the Code of Practice when considering applications for remote working arrangements. The legislation provides that an employee may refer a dispute to the Workplace Relation Commission (WRC) where an employer fails to fulfil their obligations under the Act and the Code will be admissible in evidence in proceedings before a court, the Labour Court or the WRC.

On 7 March 2024, the WRC updated the online complaint form on the home page of its website (www.workplacerelation.ie) to allow for the submission of complaints in relation to contraventions of, and disputes as to entitlements under the above mentioned legislation and Code, including a complaint about an employer who is ignoring a remote working request.

The WRC operates an information service (Tel: 0818 80 80 90) which can provide information on the completion of the online complaint form.

Work Permits

Ceisteanna (259)

Brian Leddin

Ceist:

259. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permit renewal applications received in each of the past six months; the number of renewal applications completed; the number of renewal applications awaiting processing; the number of renewal applications in the processing stage, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22547/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Details regarding renewal applications in respect of each of the past six months are set out in the three tables below. The first table shows the number of renewal applications received during the requested period, the second table outlines the number of renewal applications processed in each of the last six months, and the third table shows the number of renewal applications at various stages of processing and those awaiting processing.

Received Date

Nov-23

Dec-23

Jan-24

Feb-24

Mar-24

Apr-24

Grand Total

Renewals received

326

242

1302

433

579

720

3602

Processed

Nov-23

Dec-23

Jan-24

Feb-24

Mar-24

Apr-24

Grand Total

Renewals processed

256

207

454

840

285

322

2364

Renewal

Applications awaiting processing (as of 15th May)

1151

Applications being processed (as of 15th May)

44

In order to be considered, a renewal application must be submitted within the period of 4 months ending on the day of expiry of the period for which the permit has been granted or within the period of one month after the expiry of that period. Once the renewal application is submitted within the prescribed period, the permit holder may continue in their employment pending the outcome of the application.

A permit can only be renewed where the permit holder will be working in the same role as stated on the existing permit and was in receipt, at a minimum, the annual remuneration specified on the permit. All of the other legislative criteria in relation to the permit type must also be met.

Information is provided on the Department’s website in respect of employment permits including information regarding each permit type, the requirement to undertake a Labour Market Needs Test, list of occupations ineligible for an employment permit, Checklist documents for a General and Critical Skills Employment Permit and an FAQ document which answers the majority of the most common questions, all of which are available through this link: enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/

Business Supports

Ceisteanna (260)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

260. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a late increased cost-of-living business grant application will be taken from a business in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22583/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is very aware that SMEs have faced a number of economic shocks in recent years which have resulted in cost increases.

On May 15th, I, along with my Government colleagues, announced a substantial range of measures to reduce costs for small and medium sized businesses.

Included in these measures was the reopening of the ICOB portal from 15th May to 29th May, in order to allow rate paying business owners who have not registered to do so. We have received feedback that the process of registering is simple and quick.

As part of re-opening the ICOB scheme and given the greater impact that increased costs are having on the hospitality and retail sector, as noted in the DETE-DSP joint working paper titled ‘An Assessment of the Cumulative Impact of Proposed Measures to Improve Working Conditions in Ireland’, it has been agreed that business operating in these sectors will receive a second payment for approved businesses or a double payment for new registrations under this scheme.

Business Supports

Ceisteanna (261)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

261. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications made by county to the increased cost-of-business scheme; the funding allocated to each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22604/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is very aware that SMEs have faced a number of economic shocks in recent years which have resulted in cost increases.

On May 15th, I, along with my Government colleagues, announced a substantial range of measures to reduce costs for small and medium sized businesses.

Included in these measures was the reopening of the ICOB portal from 15th May to 29th May, in order to allow rate paying business owners who have not registered to do so. We have received feedback that the process of registering is simple and quick.

As part of re-opening the ICOB scheme and given the greater impact that increased costs are having on the hospitality and retail sector, as noted in the DETE-DSP joint working paper titled ‘An Assessment of the Cumulative Impact of Proposed Measures to Improve Working Conditions in Ireland’, it has been agreed that business operating in these sectors will receive a second payment for approved businesses or a double payment for new registrations under this scheme.

The funding allocated to each county is as follows:

Local Authority

Grant Funding Allocation

Carlow

€2,807,775

Cavan

€2,978,631

Clare

€5,477,444

Cork City

€14,147,830

Cork County

€14,644,334

Donegal

€7,165,063

Dublin City

€39,150,032

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

€11,754,019

Fingal

€11,773,751

Galway City

€6,547,729

Galway County

€6,751,126

Kerry

€6,771,769

Kildare

€7,654,623

Kilkenny

€4,219,626

Laois

€2,407,570

Leitrim

€1,131,070

Limerick

€7,811,700

Longford

€1,565,263

Louth

€6,041,709

Mayo

€5,829,286

Meath

€5,983,903

Monaghan

€2,402,897

Offaly

€2,255,939

Roscommon

€2,020,961

Sligo

€2,690,467

South Dublin

€16,225,033

Tipperary

€6,150,005

Waterford

€6,144,183

Westmeath

€3,449,715

Wexford

€7,379,529

Wicklow

€5,643,782

LA GRANT TOTALS

€226,976,762

The latest available ICOB figures as at 20th May are as follows:

Local Authority

Total Submissions

Total Properties

Carlow County Council (101)

958

1107

Cavan County Council (102)

1123

1254

Clare County Council (103)

1856

2187

Cork City Council (104)

3865

4181

Cork County Council (105)

4770

5160

Donegal County Council (107)

2338

2689

Dublin City Council (108)

7547

8308

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (109)

2497

2627

Fingal County Council (110)

2833

3045

Galway City Council (111)

1887

2072

Galway County Council (112)

1850

2106

Kerry County Council (113)

2320

2537

Kildare County Council (114)

2908

3010

Kilkenny County Council (115)

1222

1377

Laois County Council (116)

914

1019

Leitrim County Council (117)

471

525

Limerick City and County Council (118)

2767

3455

Longford County Council (119)

758

896

Louth County Council (120)

1922

2338

Mayo County Council (121)

2483

2647

Meath County Council (106)

2333

2472

Monaghan County Council (122)

1203

1385

Offaly County Council (123)

957

1068

Roscommon County Council (124)

967

998

Sligo County Council (125)

1000

1099

South Dublin County Council (126)

2971

3554

Tipperary County Council (127)

2383

2858

Waterford City and County Council (128)

1910

2180

Westmeath County Council (129)

1375

1551

Wexford County Council (130)

2693

2918

Wicklow County Council (131)

2024

2316

Total

67105

74939

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (262)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

262. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of Irish SMEs using cloud, big data and AI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22721/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland's digitalisation goals and actions to achieve them are set out in the National Digital Strategy, Harnessing Digital. Our target is to reach 90% of SMEs at basic digital intensity by 2030.

The EU's Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), published as part of the Report on the State of the Digital Decade on 27 September 2023, shows that Ireland holds a leading position in the EU with 85% of SMEs with at least a basic level of digital intensity.

The 2023 DESI also shows that 22.7% of businesses with over 10 employees are using big data (5th in EU); 47% are using cloud (8th in EU), and 7.9% are using AI (13th in EU). These results draw on data from 2020.

I am determined that we will achieve the targets set out in Harnessing Digital for use of big data, the cloud, and AI in advance of the 2030 strategy due date.

Funding for digitalisation is available through the €58 million Digital Transition Fund, and almost 300 companies have been approved for funding to date under this fund.

Digitalisation support, including advice, consultancy and grants, is also available through the Local Enterprise Offices, and the SME support package, launched last week, widened the eligibility for the Trading Online Voucher, by extending it to all sectors up to 50 employees, expanding the eligible expenditure, and doubling the grant to €5,000.

A new Digital Portal will shortly be launched to help businesses on the digitalisation journey, and the National Enterprise Hub will also be launched for SMEs to access information on the wide range of Government business supports, including those related to the digitalisation of business.

Government has also established four European Digital Innovation Hubs to help businesses, and SMEs in particular, in evaluating and adopting digital tools. The Hubs serve as 'one-stop shops' with research organisation at the core, providing access to technical expertise and experimentation, as well as innovation services, and the training and skills development necessary for successful digital transformation.

Business Regulation

Ceisteanna (263)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

263. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware that directors of a company (details supplied) have 37 directorships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22727/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There is a responsibility on company directors to ensure that they adhere to the requirements of company law. In this regard, section 142 of the Companies Act 2014 (the 2014 Act) limits the number of directorships that an individual can hold at a particular time to 25.

There are exceptions to this general rule and section 142 provides that in reckoning whether an individual has 25 directorships, the following directorships are not included : public liability companies; companies in respect of which a certificate under section 140 of the 2014 Act is in force; companies that hold licences under section 9 of the Central Bank Act 1971 or fall within any provision (in so far as applicable to a private company limited by shares) of Schedule 5 of the 2014 Act. Finally, if an individual is a director of a holding company and a director of a subsidiary of the holding company, then those two directorships count as one.

An individual not adhering to the limitation requirements of the number of directorships is committing an offence and is liable to prosecution. Furthermore, any appointment of an individual as a director in breach of these requirements is void.

Identifying situations where a director may be in breach of this requirement has been problematic due to variations in director information provided to the Registrar of Companies (e.g. where individuals register as directors using different versions of their name or with different addresses). This potential for duplication has been addressed with the requirement for directors to provide PPSN details on filings with the CRO from June 2023 onwards.

Employment Rights

Ceisteanna (264)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

264. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the delays in bringing forward the employment regulation order for security officers in 2024; if he is aware that these delays are impacting the wages of thousands of low-paid security officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22740/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On the 25th August 2023, the then Minister for Business, Employment and Retail, signed the Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the Security Sector which came into force on 4th September 2023. The ERO provided for a wage increase to €12.90 per hour from that date. The full details of the ERO are available here: enterprise.gov.ie/en/legislation/si-no-424-of-2023.html

Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) are independent in their functions. If a JLC adopts proposals for an ERO for a sector, it will submit them to the Labour Court for consideration. The Labour Court will then make a decision on the adoption of the proposals. If the Court decides to adopt the proposals, a copy will be presented to me and, if I consider it appropriate to do so, I will make an ERO giving effect to the proposals.

I have not received a proposal from the Labour Court in relation to a new ERO for the Security Sector. Should the Labour Court submit such a proposal, I will give it due and timely consideration.

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