Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:21. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Education will next meet. [2243/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWritten Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Education will next meet. [2243/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cabinet Committee on Education oversees implementation of the Programme for Government commitments in the area of Education, including the management of COVID in schools. This Cabinet Committee last met on 13 May 2021 and will meet again shortly.
I have regular engagement with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss priority issues relating to their Departments.
In addition, a number of meetings have been held between my officials and officials from relevant Government Departments since the establishment of the Cabinet Committee in July 2020.
26. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health last met. [2232/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cabinet Committee on Health last met on Thursday, 9 December 2021.
31. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the issue of work permits that businesses paid for in January 2020 prior to the Covid-19 pandemic to bring staff into Ireland but the person did not enter Ireland due to the pandemic and the money was never refunded; if this money is refundable to these businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3829/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State's employment permit system is designed to supplement Ireland's skills and labour supply over the short to medium term by allowing enterprises to recruit nationals from outside the EEA, where such skills or expertise cannot be sourced from within the EEA at that time.
The fees for a General Employment Permit are €500 for a duration of six months or less, and €1,000 for a duration of up to 24 months. The fee levels conform to the cost recovery principle, which provides that the full cost of activities and services are recovered in the medium term.
Since the outset the Covid-19 pandemic my Department has implemented a contingency plan to ensure that the Employment Permit system will continue to operate in all scenarios. Under the Covid-19 Employment Permits Contingency Arrangements, published by my Department on 30th March 2020, a 100% refund of the application fee may be granted in cases where an application is withdrawn in advance of a decision being taken on it. However, the current employment permits legislation does not provide for a refund to be granted after an employment permit has issued, or to offset the fee paid for an issued Employment Permit against a different/new application. The employment permits legislation prescribes that where an application for an employment permit is refused or withdrawn, a portion of 90% of the fee paid is returned to the applicant.
With regard to the additional information provided by the Deputy the individual in question was issued an employment permit on 30 January 2020. A refund was requested in September 2020 as it was claimed the individual was unable to travel due to Covid. The Employment Permits Section informed the applicant on 16 November 2020 that a refund was not possible in this instance.
Furthermore, the employment permits system is run on the principle of cost recovery and while not uniquely, the Employment Permits Acts do not provide that the system reflect the cost of administering the service and enforcing the regime, there is an expectation that there is a nexus between fee income and the expenditure of administrating the service, including enforcement and provision of information, in the medium term.
Further information in relation to the contingency arrangements introduced by Employment Permits Section in response to the pandemic can be accessed on my Department’s website via the following link: enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/COVID-19-Employment-Permits-System-Contingency-Arrangements.pdf.
32. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the statutory sick pay scheme; when the Sick Leave Bill 2021 will be progressed through the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3807/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to introducing a statutory sick pay scheme and work is well underway in this regard.
Any move to introduce a statutory sick pay scheme must be balanced with the need to support the viability of the business and enterprise sector, thereby protecting jobs. My Department undertook a full public consultation, reviewed international best practice, and formed an interdepartmental group – to ensure that all views and issues were properly considered in the development of the scheme. The draft Heads of Bill have been published and are available on my Department’s website.In the first instance, the legislation will provide for a replacement rate of 70% of gross salary for a duration of 3 working days in a calendar year. Coupled with the 70% rate of pay, the application of a daily earnings cut-off point of €110 will ensure that employers do not face excessive costs and that jobs are not jeopardised.
Pre-legislative scrutiny has been completed and I hope to receive the Joint Oireachtas Committee's report in the coming weeks. Once this report has been received I will review their findings and then I will be in a position to seek Government approval to present the Bill to the Houses.
33. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the tendering process used by his Department for State contracts granted in relation to Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic; the name of each company, the services involved; the amount paid to each company in each of the relevant years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4228/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a dedicated Procurement Co-Ordination Unit which assists internal business units and our Offices on a range of procurement matters, as required. We are also guided by various national and international (EU) procurement rules and guidelines.
Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, 55 procurement contracts were awarded in relation to COVID-19 with a total value of €645,591 inclusive of VAT. A breakdown of these procurement contracts, by goods and service type are attached in tabular form below.
The Deputy should be aware that, in the main, the Department and its Offices use the Office of Government Procurement's (OGP) standard tendering and contract templates in our procurement processes.
As can be seen from the data below, and as outlined in the OGP Information Note “COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Public Procurement”, for above threshold procurements a number of contracts were entered into using the Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification.
Amongst the primary reasons for these procurements included a critical and urgent need to purchase of laptops to enable staff to work from home during lockdown restrictions, and also for urgent legal advice and associated resources, in relation to certain COVID-19 specific business support schemes.
Individual breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending since 2020.
Services |
Supplier |
Contract Value (inc VAT) |
Year |
Tendering Process |
Perspex Screens |
Franey Hardwood Ltd |
€2,970 |
2020 |
Request for Quotation (RFQ) |
COVID-19 Signage |
Cloud9 |
€8,085 |
2020 |
RFQ |
Legal advice and resources for the negotiation and amendment/finalisation of Bilateral Guarantee Agreements between the Minister and participating finance providers relating to the Credit Guarantee Scheme |
McCann-Fitzgerald Solicitors |
€160,411 |
2020 |
The COVID Credit Guarantee Scheme was implemented as a rapid response to provide lending facilities to SMEs impacted by the pandemic and was a Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification |
Legal services for the development of legal agreements related to the €500 million expansion of the Future Growth Loan Scheme. The Future Growth Loan Scheme is aimed at supporting strategic investment amongst SMEs, including COVID-19 and Brexit impacted SMEs. |
McCann-Fitzgerald Solicitors |
€24,600 |
2020 |
The procurement was undertaken in May 2020 in line with Office of Government Procurement information note on ‘Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and Public Procurement’ and was a Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication |
Urgent Business Survey - issued from NPHET regarding what measures/assistance the business sector considered necessary to the reopening of their businesses to ensure safety amongst staff and public for the first phase of reopening May 18 2020. |
Behaviour & Attitudes |
€24,200 |
2020 |
It was necessary to engage a provider at short notice and a provider currently used by the Department was selected due to their excellent reputation for timely response and engagement. |
COVID 19 Signage |
Cloud And Graphic Solutions |
€1261 |
2020 |
Utilisation of existing contract |
Photocall Minister/Taoiseach Total Produce Hub COVID-19 |
Julien Behal |
€486 |
2020 |
RFQ |
Photography COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme |
Maxwell Ltd |
€357 |
2020 |
RFQ |
Graphic Design of COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template |
Emagine |
€738 |
2020 |
RFT |
Graphic design work on Supports for Small Businesses Animation |
Long Lost Design |
€1,107 |
2020 |
RFT |
Graphic design work on the Re-Start Grant Animation |
Long Lost Design |
€984 |
2020 |
RFT |
Graphic Design- Employer Checklist + Banner |
Emagine |
€686 |
2020 |
RFT |
PPE Notice to Exporters – Newspaper Advertising |
Irish Independent, Irish Examiner and The Irish Times |
€3,798 |
2020 |
OGP Framework |
PPE Notice to Exporters - Newspaper Advertising |
Irish Independent, Irish Examiner and The Irish Times |
€4,580 |
2020 |
OGP Framework |
Sunday Business Post Notice to Exporters for PPE equipment |
Sunday Business Post |
€1,116 |
2020 |
OGP Framework |
Translation into Irish of COVID-19 Return to Work Safely Protocol |
Ling Translations |
€800 |
2020 |
RFQ |
Translation into Irish of the COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template |
Ling Translations |
€861 |
2020 |
RFQ |
Translation into Irish of Data Protection - Work Safely Protocol |
Ling Translations |
€135 |
2020 |
RFQ |
Translation into Irish of the COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template |
Ling Translations |
€18 |
2020 |
RFQ |
Translation into Irish of the COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template |
Ling Translations |
€284 |
2020 |
RFQ |
Translation into Irish of the COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template |
Ling Translations |
€133 |
2020 |
RFQ |
Translation of Covid-19 Work Safely Protocol |
Ling Translations |
€913 |
2020 |
RFQ |
Social Media CampaignShop Safely |
Twitter and LinkedIn |
€1,861 |
2020 |
Direct Payment to Platform |
Legal advice and drafting assistance Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 |
Conor Feeney BL |
€430 |
2020 |
No Tendering process used as task was follow on from legal services provided in 2020 |
Donncha O CroininLing Language Technology |
Translation to Irish of the Return to Work Safely Protocol and subsequent revisions as Work Safely Protocol |
€799 |
2020 |
Tender competition held and successful tender awarded to Ling Language Technology |
Donncha O CroininLing Language Technology |
Translation to Irish of the Return to Work Safely Protocol and subsequent revisions as Work Safely Protocol |
€912 |
2020 |
No Tendering process used as task was follow on from services already provided in 2020 |
Donncha O CroininLing Language Technology |
Translation of Data Protection Return to Work Protocol |
€135 |
2020 |
No Tendering process used as task was follow on from services already provided in 2020 |
Donncha O CroininLing Language Technology |
Translation/proofing of EU correspondence re COVID-19 workplace protection from English to Irish |
€121 |
2020 |
No Tendering process used as task was follow on from services already provided in 2020 |
Supply of laptops to facilitate urgent staff working from home arrangements |
Evros |
€45,129 |
2020 |
Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification |
Supply of laptops to facilitate urgent staff working from home arrangements |
Evros |
€21,237 |
2020 |
Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification |
Supply of laptops to facilitate urgent staff working from home arrangements |
Evros |
€86,439 |
2020 |
Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification |
DETE Branded Face Masks for staff when onsite |
Q- Flow |
€4,392 |
2021 |
RFQ |
CO2 Monitors |
Jones Business Services |
€2,162 |
2021 |
RFQ |
Legal advice and resources for the negotiation and amendment/finalisation of Bilateral Guarantee Agreements between the Minister and participating finance providers relating to the Credit Guarantee Scheme |
McCann-Fitzgerald Solicitors |
€88,626 |
2021 |
The COVID Credit Guarantee Scheme was implemented as a rapid response to provide lending facilities to SMEs impacted by the pandemic and was a Negotiated Procedure without Prior Notification |
Perspex Screens in Labour Court Offices & Court Rooms |
Franey Hardwood Products Ltd t/a Franey Wood Concepts |
€8,282 |
2021 |
RFT |
Labour Court Face Masks |
QFlow Promotions LTD |
€1n164 |
2021 |
Utilisation of existing contract |
Photography Services COVID-19 Grant Launch |
Maxwell Ltd |
€272 |
2021 |
RFQ |
Infographics for COVID-19 Business Supports |
Emagine |
€290 |
2021 |
RFT |
Infographics for Work Safely Protocol |
Emagine |
€310 |
2021 |
RFT |
Infographics for Work Safely Protocol |
Emagine |
€656 |
2021 |
RFT |
Shop safely – graphic design and storyboard, animation and audio licence |
Long Lost Design |
€615 |
2021 |
RFT |
Infographics for Face Facts Campaign |
Emagine |
€1,648 |
2021 |
RFT |
Updates to the Remote Working Checklist for Employers (July 2021) |
Emagine |
€492 |
2021 |
RFT |
Design of the Remote Working Checklist |
Emagine |
€494 |
2021 |
RFT |
Rescue Process (SCARP) Infographic |
Emagine |
€618 |
2021 |
RFT |
Design and editing the Rescue Process Leaflet |
Fiona Kearns |
€1,024 |
2021 |
RFT |
Vaccines Export Authorisation – Newspaper Advertising |
Irish Independent, Irish Examiner and The Irish Times |
€3,647 |
2021 |
OGP Framework |
Vaccines Export Authorisation – Newspaper Advertising |
Irish Independent, Irish Examiner and The Irish Times |
€5,562 |
2021 |
OGP Framework |
Translation into Irish of the COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Document Template |
Ling Translations |
€605 |
2021 |
RFQ |
Facebook advertising for Work Safely Campaign |
PHD Media |
€917 |
2021 |
GIS Framework |
Facebook and Instagram advertising for Work Safely campaign |
PHD Media |
€888 |
2021 |
GIS Framework |
Legal advice and drafting assistance Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 |
Conor Feeney BL |
€215 |
2021 |
No Tendering process used as task was follow on from legal services provided in 2020 |
Tender process on behalf of the Retail and Transformation Policy Unit for the Restart Grant Audit |
Ernst & Young |
Fixed Contract Amount €120,000 (incl. VAT) |
2021 |
Open competition via OGP Framework Contract (Professional Services) |
Social Media- Shop Safely Campaign |
LinkedIn and Twitter |
€5,270 |
2022 |
Direct Payment to Platform |
Social Media- Rescue Process Campaign |
|
€1,856 |
2022 |
Direct Payment to Platform |
Total |
€645,591 |
Ref No: 3938/22
34. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the tendering process used by his Department for State contracts granted in relation to Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic; the name of each company, the services involved; the amount paid to each company in each of the relevant years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4229/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the beginning of the pandemic, my Department spent €334,601 on Covid-19 related contracts. The details requested are shown in the table below.
- |
Expenditure |
|||||
Description |
Tendering Process Used |
Company providing Goods / Services |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 (To Date) |
Total |
Cleaning services |
OGP Framework |
Five Star Facilities Services |
3,581 |
12,685 |
16,266 |
|
OGP Framework |
Bunzl BCSS |
2,190 |
765 |
2,954 |
||
OGP Framework |
JBS Limited |
925 |
655 |
1,580 |
||
Quotations |
Communicare |
1,124 |
1,124 |
|||
Quotations |
Fire Protection Ireland |
4,754 |
4,754 |
|||
Quotations |
Hunt Office |
598 |
524 |
1,122 |
||
Quotations |
Lyreco |
1,932 |
1,932 |
|||
Quotations |
Office Depot |
218 |
32 |
249 |
||
Cleaning equipment / supplies |
Quotations |
Viking |
951 |
986 |
1,937 |
|
Health & Safety Consultancy |
OGP Framework |
Quadra Consulting |
8,947 |
6,346 |
15,293 |
|
Quotations |
Datapac |
13,393 |
13,393 |
|||
Quotations |
Datapac |
20,111 |
20,111 |
|||
Quotations |
Datapac |
2,007 |
2,007 |
|||
IT Hardware |
Quotations |
MJ Flood |
24,600 |
24,600 |
||
Non-competitive |
Zoom |
12,472 |
18,588 |
31,060 |
||
Quotations |
Bechtle Direct Ltd |
4,130 |
4,130 |
|||
Non-competitive |
Integrity 360 |
74,849 |
74,849 |
|||
IT Software |
Non-competitive |
PFH |
34,315 |
34,315 |
||
Mobile Communications |
Non-competitive |
Vodafone |
9,970 |
29,776 |
39,746 |
|
OGP Framework |
Bunzl BCSS |
1,065 |
1,065 |
|||
OGP Framework |
D.I.D Electrical |
1,042 |
1,042 |
|||
OGP Framework |
JBS Limited |
15,462 |
15,462 |
|||
OGP Framework |
MJ Scannell |
324 |
324 |
|||
Quotations |
Codex |
76 |
76 |
|||
Quotations |
Event Productions Supplies |
46 |
46 |
|||
Quotations |
GH Pittman Limited |
984 |
335 |
1,319 |
||
Quotations |
Hunt Office |
2,461 |
1,482 |
3,943 |
||
Quotations |
Lyreco |
1,469 |
1,469 |
|||
Personal Protective Equipment |
Quotations |
Office Depot |
163 |
163 |
||
Quotations |
Carroll Print |
1,998 |
1,998 |
|||
Quotations |
Codex |
659 |
123 |
782 |
||
Signage |
Quotations |
Hunt Office |
190 |
76 |
266 |
|
Training |
OGP Framework |
Bid & Tender Management Services |
850 |
- |
- |
850 |
Van Hire |
Quotations |
Value Van Rental |
9,844 |
4,528 |
14,372 |
|
244,341 |
85,610 |
4,651 |
334,601 |
Contracts awarded without competitive tendering are reported by my Department in its Annual 40/02 Reports as required under Circular 40/2002 on Public Procurement Guidelines.
35. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has received an application for a strategic road grant for the Port Access Northern Cross route under the strategic grant scheme from Louth County Council; if so, the details of the application including the status of same; if the road is eligible for such a grant as was previously indicated at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts in November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3674/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs indicated previously, Louth County Council is the statutory planning and road authority for its area of responsibility. It is, therefore, a matter for Louth County Council to consider options regarding the development of the proposed Drogheda Northern Cross Route (PANCR) scheme.
My Department met with the Council in 2021 to outline the Public Spending Code project appraisal requirements for any proposed transport scheme, including the need for the preparation of a Strategic Assessment Report.
While no funding application has been submitted to the Department under the Strategic Grant heading in relation to the Drogheda Northern Cross Route project, officials from my Department are available to engage further with Louth County Council if the Council wishes to do so as part of its consideration of options for sharing the cost of the proposed road.
As noted in December, the primary focus for capital investment under the regional and local road grant programme in the period to 2025 will be the maintenance and renewal of the regional and local road network, targeted safety/minor schemes together with the implementation of a number of the larger regional and local road projects under the Strategic Grant category which were included in the original NDP and which are now at construction stage.
36. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the reason that road markings (details supplied) which are painted on the public roads and in public housing estates in the Gaeltacht areas in County Donegal cannot be written in Irish given that Donegal County Council has indicated that it cannot do this due to a Departmental directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3705/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoad markings/symbols such as STOP and YIELD are internationally recognised and are generally accompanied by road signs. It is important for road safety that all traffic, including international traffic, understand the regulatory signage and road markings as displayed, to adequately warn and inform the driver of potential hazards ahead. Regulatory signs are prescribed by the Minister for Transport. The principal regulations are the Road Traffic (Signs) regulations 1997 and the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997. The regulations specify the types of signs which must be used by Road Authorities when providing road traffic regulatory signs and there must be strict compliance with the form and content of these signs.
In relation to regulatory road markings written in the Irish language in Gaeltacht areas, it is accepted that the word STOP exists in both English and Irish languages and therefore is not necessary to alternate. Regarding YIELD, the traffic signs manual does provide for the Irish variant, Géill Slí, to be used as appropriate, in place of the word YIELD on the traffic sign. The YIELD symbol is to be used on road markings.
37. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport his views on introducing an initiative to facilitate the trialling of electric vehicles to improve adoption rates among persons that are car dependent and could contribute to an overall reduction in carbon emissions but have range anxiety. [3719/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraProviding a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; and this is further reinforced through the implementation strategy set out in Climate Action Plan being published this week. Ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. Electrification will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector.
In support of this, preparations are under way to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), as recommended in the EVPP Report; this will play an important role in our transition to zero-emission vehicles. OLEV will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure. This Office will also play an important role in coordinating communications campaigns to encourage EV uptake.
A generous suite of incentives is available to support individuals who wish to purchase an electric vehicle. In addition to this, officials in my Department are actively examining technological innovations which will in time provide more affordable options to the consumer wishing to purchase an EV.
My Department is currently working with the SEAI to develop a commercial fleet trial for companies to trial an electric vehicle. It is anticipated that this program will launch in Q1 2022.
A crucial step in the electrification of Ireland’s national fleet is encouraging the commercial and public sectors to adopt electric vehicles into their fleets. This pilot scheme will afford businesses an opportunity to trial an electric vehicle in real world conditions and showcase the suitability of electric vehicles in the commercial sectors. Businesses will be exposed to the real-life performance, savings and benefits of electric vehicles without the initial capital outlay.
Most vehicles in the commercial sector operate on a 3/4 year service period. Once this service has been completed, the vehicles tend to move into the second-hand market in Ireland and provide a viable, affordable option for consumers who are unable to purchase new electric vehicles.
Overall, the expedition of electric vehicles take up is a key priority for my Department. To this end, electric vehicle policy and expenditure is kept under continuous review to endeavour to make low emission vehicles a realistic option for individuals purchasing a vehicle.
38. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the number of penalties that have been issued for non-compliance of mask wearing by public transport operators, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3786/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra39. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the number of enforcement notices that have been issued for non-compliance of mask wearing by public transport operators, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3787/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport services.
Public health advice tells us that face coverings are an important safety measure, especially in interior spaces; subsequently, regulations for the mandatory wearing of face coverings on public transport were introduced back in July 2020. Failure to comply with these regulations is an offence and there are penalties (on summary conviction) for non-compliance. However, as people understand the importance of protecting their fellow passengers and the staff of the public transport operators, it is not intended that enforcement or penalties will be needed often, but they are available if necessary.
The NTA is engaging regularly with public transport operators regarding implementation of the Regulations, and monitoring compliance levels across the network. The Authority is also responsible for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport. I have, therefore, forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
40. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if a person is entitled to use the Irish language version of their name on their driver licence in cases in which they do not use it on other official documentation. [3799/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.