Lucinda Creighton
Question:78 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the efforts he is making to reduce State charges for small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36517/10]
Written Answers
The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 11, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 12 to 67, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 68 to 77, inclusive, answered orally.
Economic Competitiveness
Along with my Government colleagues, I will continue to drive the competitiveness agenda across the economy to promote an environment that is conducive to creating jobs and enables all businesses to flourish. The Forfás Annual Competitiveness Report 2010 states that Ireland's regulatory environment is one of the least restrictive in the OECD in relation to product market regulation. The time taken to comply with tax payments is one of the lowest in the OECD across all categories, and Ireland's employment framework is less rigid than the OECD average. However, we are not complacent and my Department is leading the work to reduce red tape.
The High Level Group on Business Regulation works to fast-track simplifications to specific red tape issues identified by business. The High Level Group has processed thirty specific red tape issues brought to its attention by business and continues to drive progress on a further thirty-eight items. To date, the Group has measured over €20m of annual business savings and continues to work with business interests. The Inter-Departmental Group on Regulation coordinates the measurement and reduction of administrative burdens in a systematic manner, based on the internationally recognized Standard Cost Model. It is this second, systematic process that will result in the large-scale reductions in red-tape.
In relation to the fees charged to business by my own Department these have either not increased in the last few years or have been reduced. 33 Local Authorities have either frozen their commercial rates at 2009 prices or reduced them for 2010. I met with the Local Authority Managers in July to discuss what initiatives they can and should take to support business and facilitate training, to foster the business environment in their areas and to ensure that their procurement strategies promote innovation and provide greater SME access to public contracts. I also reinforced the message that competitiveness at local level is as important as it is at national level. Decisions made at local level have a huge role to play in determining the success of enterprise.
More generally, we are seeing lower costs for business, particularly in areas such as energy and rental of prime industrial space and office space. Electricity and gas prices fell for all types of energy consumers in the second half of 2009, and have moved closer to the EU average for most business users. Electricity prices have fallen by 24% in some cases. I will continue to work with my Ministerial colleagues to ensure that State charges for the provision of services to business take account of the impact which such charges can have on the competitiveness of companies and their potential to create jobs in the economy.
Ministerial Appointments
Pat Breen
Question:79 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his views on the method for the appointment of persons to the boards of bodies which are accountable to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36435/10]
Appointments to the boards of bodies accountable to my Department are made in accordance with the legislation under which the body was established. The relevant legislative provisions vary from body to body. For example, in certain cases the legislation provides for the appointment of persons nominated by specified stakeholders, such as employer or trade union representative bodies. In other cases there may be no such provisions. In general, appointments are made having regard to several factors including the expertise and experience of individuals, the balance of skills and attributes in terms of the overall composition of the board, the gender balance of the board and the availability and commitment of people to serve on the board.
Innovation Fund Ireland
Dinny McGinley
Question:80 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his views on the draw down to date on the €125 million contribution by his Department to the innovation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36481/10]
The Deputy may be aware that Minister O'Keeffe announced the first call for expressions of interest in Innovation Fund Ireland on 23 September 2010. Enterprise Ireland and the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) will manage the Fund and investors have until November 26 to signal their interest in establishing a presence here.
Innovation Fund Ireland will have up to €250 million available to make commitments. This funding runs along two parallel tracks.
The first comprises a €125 million pool of funds provided by the exchequer and managed by Enterprise Ireland. Successful applicants who receive an investment from Enterprise Ireland will have to commit to investing an equivalent amount in Irish companies or companies with substantial Irish operations over the lifetime of their fund.
The second is for a similar amount and designed to allow Ireland's National Pension Reserve Fund to make a similar level of commercial investments assuming its criteria are met. The National Pension Reserve Fund announced its first investments under the ‘Innovation Fund Ireland' on 7 October 2010.
The establishment of Innovation Fund Ireland builds on existing enterprise policies including the Government's continued commitment to the Irish venture capital sector through Enterprise Ireland. It is part of a suite of policy initiatives to position Ireland as a Global Innovation Hub. The objective of the Fund is not just to increase the availability of capital but also to transform the market by attracting top tier Fund managers to Ireland.
The Funds will invest in Europe with a focus on Ireland. Over the lifetime of the Funds, the State envisages making a return on its investment and in terms of economic growth where the Funds invest in Irish start-up, scaling companies or companies with operations in Ireland the State can expect to see an increase in employment; an increase in the number of high potential start-ups; the attraction of high potential start up and scaling European technology and life science companies requiring growth capital investment to Ireland; increased commercialisation of the ideas and R&D coming out of the Universities and Institutes of Technology in line with the Government's Strategy for Science and Technology and the persistence of Ireland as a centre for technology, life sciences and venture capital investment within Europe through multiple fund iterations.
The Government is committed to increasing the number and scale of innovation driven and high-growth businesses in Ireland and a dynamic and progressive venture capital market is a pre-requisite in this endeavour. This Fund is further evidence of the Government's continued commitment to generate high quality jobs in Ireland.
Job Creation
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:81 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the extent to which he has examined the various sectors within the portfolio of his Department with a view to identifying at least ten key objectives to assist in a programme for economic recovery; the response expected from each sector; if specific objectives have been or will be set; the degree to which the manufacturing sector is likely to be involved with particular reference to job creation; the extent to which innovation is likely to be utilised with optimum benefits; the extent to which trade is likely to function in a competitive environment; the precise number of jobs likely to be created over a specific period against the backdrop of the national debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36403/10]
Specific objectives for growth are set out in the Government's five year integrated Trade, Tourism and Investment plan which is designed to increase the value of indigenous exports by 33%; to diversify the destination of indigenous exports; to increase overseas visitors to 8 million; to secure an additional 780 inward investment projects through IDA Ireland and create up to 300,000 sustainable jobs across the economy. The Government recognises that a diverse range of enterprises will support both direct and indirect employment requiring a broad range of skills across all sectors of the economy, both internationally and locally traded.
Presently, manufacturing firms' total direct spend in the Irish economy exceeds €26 billion and contributed 25% (or €40bn approx.) to Irish GDP in 2009. Over 180,000 people are employed in manufacturing and in addition to these it is estimated that there are an additional 74 jobs in related services for every 100 directly employed in manufacturing. Not only does manufacturing contribute directly to employment, economic output and exports but it is also a key driver of innovation and technological advance. It increases opportunities for attracting and embedding research and development activities, collaboration with the higher education sector and stimulating networks.
In order to sustain and grow employment in manufacturing, Irish based enterprises will have to continue the progression to high value added sectors and activities, and continue to increase productivity through investments in human capital, technology and innovation.
Our aim is that by 2020, Ireland will have a significant number of large, world-leading, innovation-intensive companies. These companies will provide high quality employment and generate exports and tax receipts. They will vary in scale, type of activity and pattern of company ownership. What will be distinctive about these companies is that they will be ambitious, export focused and, above all, innovative. Manufacturing will have a central role to play in the realisation of this vision.
Many companies in Ireland have built world-class high value-added manufacturing and services capabilities, particularly in food, information and communications technology, software development for manufacturing technology, pharmaceuticals and medical technologies. We envisage that Ireland's manufacturing base will continue to move up the value chain. Programmes such as SFI's Centres for Science Engineering and Technology and Strategic Research Clusters programmes, along with the EI/IDA Competence Centre programme all have the same objective which is to harness the benefits of research collaboration for the benefit of the Irish economy.
We have seen in this recession, that the companies that have invested in R&D and ensured their products or services have a competitive edge, are the same companies that have held or grown market share, held or grown employment. This has reinforced our belief that our R&D Strategy is the right one. Keeping the manufacturing sector strong is based on keeping ahead of the competition through market-focused research and development. Enterprise Ireland and IDA are working closely with companies to strengthen the research and technological base of the enterprise sector in order to drive productivity, competitiveness, exports and jobs.
IDA Ireland offers information, advice and ongoing support to companies setting up or expanding High Value Manufacturing Operations in Ireland. Support is available to companies making the required changes to be at the leading edge in terms of production processes, global business models and organisational structures. In 2009, almost €29 million was approved to industry for 100 manufacturing industry R&D projects under Enterprise Ireland's R&D supports. Further, significant support was made available by IDA to the companies they assist.
The model of manufacturing in developed countries is changing and Irish-based enterprises are adapting to those changes and engaging in higher value added activities in order to compete in the global marketplace. Science Foundation Ireland is playing a critical role in building our human capital — the knowledge, skills and creativity of people — and our ability and effectiveness in translating ideas into valuable processes, products and services.
Proposed Legislation
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:82 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his plans to publish the legislation promised by the Department of Finance in an interview with a newspaper (details supplied) to clamp down on crony capitalism; to restrict cross-directorships and to prevent one person fulfilling the dual role of chair and chief executive of any company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36388/10]
As regards credit institutions and insurance companies, which come within the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Finance, I understand that the Financial Regulator hopes to finalise deliberations on a new corporate governance regime for entities in these sectors over the coming weeks. I also understand that issues relating to cross-directorships and the dual role of Chair and Chief Executive will be among the matters addressed in the new regime. In addition, these issues are also being considered by the European Commission as part of a possible corporate governance initiative at EU level on financial institutions generally.
In relation to Irish listed companies (those trading on the main market of the Irish Stock Exchange), the corporate governance code that applies on a "comply or explain" basis has recently been revised following the financial crisis. Among the changes introduced is a provision recommending that all directors of listed companies should be subject to annual election by shareholders. The revised code continues to provide that the roles of Chairman and CEO should not be exercised by the same individual.
In the area of company law, the Companies Consolidation and Reform Bill currently being drafted will implement the recommendations of the Company Law Review Group in that the fiduciary duties owed by directors to the company will be stated in the new companies code. Currently, company law does not prohibit cross directorships, whereby a person is a director of more than one company at the same time. The general position is that a person may not be a director of more than 25 companies subject to certain specific exceptions. Neither do the Companies Acts prevent a person fulfilling the dual role of chair and chief executive of a company. This would in my opinion be unworkable for smaller companies. The Government is committed to ensuring that our corporate governance regime for the corporate sector generally, accords with best international practice.
Job Creation
Seymour Crawford
Question:83 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of jobs that have been created by the Industrial Development Authority in the past two years; the location at which these jobs have been created on a county basis; the number that have been lost in the same sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36185/10]
The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are supported by the industrial development agencies. Data is compiled on an annualized basis and is aggregated at county level. Data for 2010 will be available in early 2011.Details of the number of new jobs created and lost in IDA supported companies in each of the years 2008 and 2009 are set out in the tabular statement .
In 2009, Foreign Direct Investment decreased globally by 30% and the average scale of investment was smaller than in previous years. Despite these trends, IDA secured 125 projects in 2009. Ireland continues to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) from many of the world's leading companies and, to date 2010 has been promising. There have been 63 announcements in relation to new and expansion investments, with the potential to create over 4,600 jobs.
|
County |
2008 |
2009 |
|
Carlow |
74 |
49 |
|
Cavan |
32 |
18 |
|
Clare |
139 |
116 |
|
Cork |
2,108 |
1,082 |
|
Donegal |
67 |
62 |
|
Dublin |
4,340 |
1,786 |
|
Galway |
610 |
429 |
|
Kerry |
86 |
25 |
|
Kildare |
113 |
29 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
0 |
|
Laois |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
35 |
5 |
|
Limerick |
286 |
169 |
|
Longford |
30 |
8 |
|
Louth |
121 |
34 |
|
Mayo |
132 |
97 |
|
Meath |
83 |
24 |
|
Monaghan |
15 |
19 |
|
Offaly |
24 |
22 |
|
Roscommon |
41 |
9 |
|
Sligo |
103 |
54 |
|
Tipp North |
13 |
0 |
|
Tipp South |
262 |
252 |
|
Waterford |
176 |
71 |
|
Westmeath |
134 |
219 |
|
Wexford |
91 |
8 |
|
Wicklow |
53 |
28 |
|
County |
2008 |
2009 |
|
Carlow |
28 |
75 |
|
Cavan |
26 |
56 |
|
Clare |
16 |
93 |
|
Cork |
1,488 |
2,432 |
|
Donegal |
48 |
29 |
|
Dublin |
4,196 |
6,805 |
|
Galway |
764 |
1,178 |
|
Kerry |
108 |
416 |
|
Kildare |
584 |
1,491 |
|
Kilkenny |
9 |
112 |
|
Laois |
20 |
16 |
|
Leitrim |
43 |
30 |
|
Limerick |
694 |
2,519 |
|
Longford |
88 |
74 |
|
Louth |
433 |
272 |
|
Mayo |
126 |
189 |
|
Meath |
83 |
159 |
|
Monaghan |
14 |
14 |
|
Offaly |
47 |
118 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
89 |
|
Sligo |
64 |
137 |
|
Tipp North |
46 |
188 |
|
Tipp South |
26 |
93 |
|
Waterford |
483 |
569 |
|
Westmeath |
264 |
527 |
|
Wexford |
73 |
89 |
|
Wicklow |
296 |
258 |
Economic Competitiveness
John Deasy
Question:84 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he is satisfied with the cost of legal fees as reported to his Department by the National Competitiveness Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36455/10]
The National Competitiveness Council and Forfás have raised concerns about prices in the domestic non-traded sectors of the Irish economy, particularly in the legal sector. Recently, I met with representatives of the Bar Council and the Law Society to discuss these concerns with them. All parties agreed that further cooperation is necessary to provide more robust statistical data on price trends in the sector. This work is ongoing between my officials and other relevant bodies.
Question No. 85 answered with Question No. 77.
State Agencies
Joe McHugh
Question:86 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his views on the changes in the organisation structures and delivery of back office support which have been made since the announcement of the merger of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority; the values of the savings made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36482/10]
As both the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority were established under statute, it is necessary to give effect to the merger of the bodies by way of primary legislation. As both bodies will be required to continue to carry out their respective important statutory functions until they are formally merged, I do not envisage any significant organisational change to either body prior to the enactment of this legislation.
However, in advance of the merger, both bodies are working together to identify the scope for operational efficiencies. In this context I understand that work on finalising a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between both bodies is almost complete. The SLA will facilitate the payment by the Competition Authority of non-pay related expenses on behalf of the National Consumer Agency.
Departmental Schemes
Noel Coonan
Question:87 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he has the authority to introduce the proposed loan guarantee scheme for the small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36446/10]
As I previously outlined in my replies to Question Number 1742 on 29 September 2010, Question Numbers 296 and 298 on 30 September 2010, and Question Number 312 on 6 October 2010, my officials are working with their colleagues in the Department of Finance, the Credit Review Office, Enterprise Ireland and Forfás to address access to credit issues for viable SMEs including, the option of a loan guarantee scheme. Substantial progress has been made in identifying the critical elements involved in any further initiatives. However, in developing any further initiatives, it would be important that they would complement, rather than substitute, the main banks' lending commitments and activities under the recapitalisation package and that they would represent value for money from the taxpayer's perspective,
The provision of credit to our enterprise sector, especially SME's, should primarily come from a properly functioning banking sector and any additional initiative on the State's part should not relieve the banks from their obligations in this regard. As indicated already, we are looking at options to address known market failures regarding access to credit for SMEs including a loan guarantee scheme.
Public Procurement
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:88 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the plans he has to ensure fuller segmentation of public procurement contracts; the timeframe involved; to clarify if this will apply to capital works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36178/10]
Public Procurement policy is primarily a matter for the Department of Finance, for the National Public Procurement Policy Unit (NPPPU) within that Department and for the National Procurement Service (NPS) within the Office of Public Works (OPW) which comes under the aegis of the Department of Finance. Any plans or proposals to refine Public Procurement policy is, therefore, a matter for the Department of Finance.
My Department also helps to support Irish business in obtaining public contracts. I am acutely aware of the importance of public procurement contracts for the Irish enterprise base. Since the launch by my Department last year of the 10 Step Guide to Smart Procurement and SME Access to Public Contracts, substantial progress has been made in assisting SMEs gain public procurement business. Enterprise Ireland has also established a new Public Procurement Unit to better connect companies with public procurement opportunities both in Ireland and overseas.
The Department of Finance recently issued new guidelines, entitled "Guidance for Contracting Public Authorities: Facilitating Participation of SMEs in Public Procurement", to all public contracting bodies outlining a number of new initiatives being undertaken to facilitate access to public contracts for small and medium sized firms including subdividing contracts into smaller lots which would facilitate participation by small and medium sized companies.
Job Losses
Ciaran Lynch
Question:89 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the announcement by a Cork based pharmaceutical firm (details supplied) of its intention to lay off 121 workers; the discussions he has had with a company with a view to saving these jobs; the steps he is taking to ask the industrial development agencies to source alternative employment in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36369/10]
Ciaran Lynch
Question:126 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the announcement by a Cork based pharmaceutical firm (details supplied) of its intention to lay off 160 workers; the discussions he has had with the company with a view to saving these jobs; the steps he is taking to ask the industrial development agencies to source alternative employment in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36370/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 126 together.
I am very conscious of the implications of the job losses at GlaxoSmithKline and Schering-Plough (Brinny), Co. Cork. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) currently employs over 1,500 people in Ireland, at its various sites in Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan and Sligo. The current job losses are a result of market conditions resulting in a fall in demand for the drugs GSK manufactures in Cork. IDA Ireland consistently engages with the company at both local and corporate level in an effort to secure further new investment to maintain and increase the company's base in Ireland.
Schering-Plough was acquired by Merck Sharpe and Dohme (MSD) in November 2009 and a review of global manufacturing facilities is under way in the new MSD. On 10th September, cost reduction proposals designed to secure the plant's future and to increase its competitiveness were announced by the company. This involves cutting the workforce by 160 people. It is expected that the staff reduction will take place over a three-year period, with management hoping the reduction can be obtained through voluntary redundancies. The site currently employs 497 people.
IDA is continuously working with the company with regard to skills and technology uplifts and the introduction of new products to the facility to strengthen Schering-Plough Brinny's bid to secure its future as a strategic site in MSD and for future investment in upgrading the existing plant. With IDA assistance, Schering-Plough Brinny will continue to make a significant contribution to the regional and national economy. I am acutely aware of the impact of the job losses on employees and their families. I have asked the State development agencies to make their full resources and services available to the employees affected by the company's decision.
FÁS will meet with management and staff representatives at GSK and MSD to formulate a plan of action to deliver FÁS services and supports to the staff due to be made redundant in 2010 and future years. The Cork County Enterprise Boards, together with Enterprise Ireland, will provide a range of supports and services to anyone wishing to start their own business. Cork has been particularly successful in attracting foreign direct investment over the years. Over the past 10 years, direct employment in IDA supported companies in Cork City and County has grown from just under 16,000 in 1999 to 20,000 now.
In 2009, foreign direct investment decreased globally by 30% and the average scale of investment was smaller than in previous years. Despite these trends, since 2009 IDA has announced 9 projects for Cork with a job potential of approximately 1,070. While it is clear that we are operating in a very difficult economic environment, there are still investment opportunities in global markets and IDA will continue to compete vigorously for projects for Ireland. IDA Ireland will continue to actively promote Cork and the advantages of locating in Cork. In addition, since 2008, Enterprise Ireland (EI) has approved €50M approximately to client companies in the Cork area. EI has a client base of over 700 companies in Co. Cork employing about 18,000 people.
Employment Rights
Paul Connaughton
Question:90 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation his plans for changes in the system for setting regulated wages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36445/10]
Proposals for changes in statutory wage setting mechanisms are contained in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2009. The Bill, which has passed all stages in the Seanad and has completed Second Stage in the Dáil, aims to modernise and strengthen the existing arrangements for the making of Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreements and to provide for their more effective operation. The Bill provides for a mechanism whereby the Minister makes the order giving effect to proposals for Employment Regulation Orders.
The Bill provides for a number of amendments to the existing legislative framework surrounding the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) and Registered Employment Agreement (REA) systems, including improved procedures, and clear principles and policies to be taken into account by JLCs when formulating proposals for EROs. The Bill also provides that EROs and REAs will be given legal effect in future by Ministerial Order and that a perceived gap in the scope of parliamentary supervision will be filled by providing for Oireachtas scrutiny of these instruments.
I also announced at the time of the publication of the Bill that I propose to introduce an additional provision in the Bill — to be effected by means of an amendment to the Bill at Committee Stage — to facilitate the inclusion in EROs and REAs of an "inability to pay" mechanism, along the lines of the mechanism provided in the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000 in the interests of further strengthening these mechanisms against future court challenges and to protect employment in situations where employers are faced with severe economic challenges.
Economic Competitiveness
Kieran O'Donnell
Question:91 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation his views on the recommendation that a cross-government implementation structure is needed for the delivery of the competitiveness agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36488/10]
Forfás recently published a report “Making it Happen — Growing Enterprise for Ireland” which sets out a series of recommendations that can help to improve the competitiveness of the economy and facilitate enterprise growth and job creation. The report includes 40 high level recommendations, supplemented by a number of sector-specific recommendations aimed at addressing barriers to growth and accelerating potential in particular sectors.
The Forfás report notes that the Government's role in delivering the optimum environment for business requires a whole of Government response, involving a range of Departments and agencies. I agree that such an approach is appropriate. The whole of Government response is already reflected in existing structures through which Departmental officials and Ministers engage on a regular basis. I am confident that these structures provide the basis to progress the delivery of the competitiveness agenda.
Job Creation
Sean Sherlock
Question:92 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation the steps he is taking to combat the continuing high level of unemployment in view of the fact that the live register figures have now been in excess of 400,000 for 16 successive months and ongoing announcements of job losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36382/10]
The Government's five-year integrated plan for trade, tourism and investment aim to create 300,000 jobs. The new plan, "Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy", is the first integrated strategy to promote overseas trade, tourism and investment. With this new strategy, the Government aims to position Ireland for strong export-led growth to 2015, resulting in high levels of job creation.
The Department of Social Protection has introduced the Employer Jobs (PRSI) Incentive Scheme. Where an employer creates a new job and takes on a person who has been unemployed for 6 months or more, the employer will be fully exempted from the liability to pay PRSI for the first year of that employment. I understand that, to date, there have been 849 applications under the scheme. The Department of Education and Skills offers, through FAS, the Work Placement Programme, which provides up to 9 months work experience to 2,000 unemployed individuals.
The Programme is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. Participants on the programme retain their existing social welfare entitlements for the duration of their placement. At the end of September 2010, 1,916 individuals had commenced their placements under the Work Placement Programme (WPP). A provider of a placement under the WPP can avail of the PRSI Exemption Scheme if they employ a person who has completed 3 months on the WPP. This will give employers an 8%-10% saving on employment costs for each new job created.
The Labour Market Activation Fund was launched by the Tánaiste in March of this year, in order to assist in the creation of training and education provision for specific priority groups among the unemployed, namely the low skilled, and those formerly employed in declining sectors — construction, retail and manufacturing sectors, with particular emphasis on the under 35s and the long-term unemployed. Following an open tender competition, 370 tenders were received. A total of sixty organisations have been successful in securing funding. These organisations encompass the private, not-for-profit and public sectors, providing approximately 12,000 training places for priority groups of the unemployed.
The Fund provides an exciting mix of programmes covering a broad spectrum of activities in potential high growth areas of the economy. These programmes have been selected in order to deliver on Government's objective of strengthening our human capital by enhancing education and skills levels in line with the national Skills Strategy and the needs of the ‘Smart Economy'.
Through the Department of Education and Skills, the Community Employment scheme provides eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. The programme helps unemployed people to progress to the open labour market by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work routine and assists them in enhancing and developing both their technical and personal skills. In Budget 2010, an additional 500 community employment training places were announced bringing the total number of places available to 23,300. The Government will continue to pursue a whole of economy strategy to support Irish firms, win foreign direct investment and increase visitor numbers in order to sustain and create job opportunities and boost economic output.
Business Regulation
Joanna Tuffy
Question:93 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation his response to the report, Mapping the Golden Circle, published by the research body TASC, which showed that the corporate world here was dominated by a small number of interconnected business persons which the report said posed a serious threat to corporate governance; the action he will take to ensure that corporate power does not remain concentrated in the hands of a small number of persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36376/10]
I have noted the findings of this report. As regards listed companies (those on the main market of the Irish Stock Exchange), these have, for many years, been subject to the Combined Code on Corporate Governance, the provisions of which applied on a "comply or explain" basis. The Combined Code has recently been reviewed in the UK and revised in light of the financial crisis. The revised code, now known as the UK Corporate Governance Code, applies to Irish listed companies with effect from 30 September 2010. While the provisions of the new code will continue to apply on a comply or explain basis it will also be necessary for companies to state in their annual report how the main principles of the code (these are separate from provisions) are applied.
The new code re-emphasises the role and responsibilities of the board. It recommends that all directors of such companies should be subject to annual re-election by shareholders. This should give shareholders a regular opportunity to take account, in deciding whether they should be re-elected, of the number of directorships held by an individual director and whether or not they are in a position to give sufficient time to the company to discharge their responsibilities effectively. In addition, the new Code stresses the leadership role of the Chairman and provides that the Chairman report personally on the role and effectiveness of the board in the annual report. Furthermore, in addition to the board undertaking a formal and rigorous annual evaluation of its own performance and that of its committees and individual directors, the new code includes a new provision for external evaluation of the board at least every three years.
The Irish Stock Exchange (ISE) and the Irish Association of Investment Managers (IAIM), who represent institutional investors here, jointly commissioned an independent and detailed review of the level of compliance by Irish listed companies with the Combined Code in Quarter 4 2009. The review showed that while listed companies are meeting disclosure obligations, further steps could be taken by boards to enhance the quality/meaningfulness/usefulness of disclosures contained in annual reports. The ISE and IAIM published a report in the matter in March 2010, which contains a number of recommendations for consideration by the boards of listed companies. The recommendations for enhanced disclosure focus largely on board issues such as board balance and board refreshment.
The ISE has indicated that it proposes to implement these recommendations by including new provisions in their Listing Rules. Consultation on the exact nature of these provisions is ongoing but the ISE's intention is that these provisions will apply to Irish listed companies from the financial year commencing on or after 1 January 2011. Companies will be required to provide a separate statement in their annual reports on a comply or explain basis regarding these provisions.
In relation to financial institutions and insurance companies, which are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Finance and the Financial Regulator, the Regulator published a consultation paper setting out proposals for a Corporate Governance regime for these sectors earlier this year. One of the proposals in this paper is that the number of directorships of credit institutions and insurance companies held by a director should be limited to three.
The consultation paper also proposes certain restrictions on the number of directorships a director of a financial institution or insurance company may hold overall. I understand that the Financial Regulator received over 130 responses to the consultation paper and that it is hoped to finalise deliberations on the new regime in the coming weeks. Finally, the European Commission is actively looking at the question of whether Corporate Governance measures are needed at EU level both as regards financial institutions and listed companies, The Commission's intentions in respect of these matters are unlikely to become clear until 2011.
EU Directives
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:94 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation the position regarding the transposition of the services directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36387/10]
Drafting of the legislation to give effect to the Services Directive (Directive 2006/123/EC) has been completed. A Memorandum for the Government is being prepared with a view to submitting the draft Regulations to the Government for approval. If approved by the Government, the Regulations will be signed into law by me with immediate effect.
Proposed Legislation
Liz McManus
Question:95 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation his plans to publish anti-victimisation legislation, designed to protect workers who choose to join a trade union and which was promised by March 2009 under the review of Towards 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36392/10]
Kathleen Lynch
Question:97 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation his plans to publish legislation to address employee representation at work which was promised by June 2009 under the review of Towards 2016 [36368/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 97 together.
The Towards 2016 Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009 (paras 9.1-9.3) provides for the establishment of a review process to consider the legal and other steps necessary to enable the employee representation mechanisms that had been established under previous agreements — and in legislation — to operate as they had been intended. The Agreement (para 9.4) also commits the Government to bringing forward legislative proposals to prohibit the victimisation of trade union members and to prohibit the incentivisation of persons not to be members of a trade union.
In furtherance to these commitments, two informal meetings took place late last year, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and at which my Department; the Department of Finance; trade unions; and employers were represented. Position papers were prepared by the employer and trade union representatives on the issues which they saw as requiring to be addressed by any new legislation in this area.
While consideration will continue within Government on proposals to address the issues involved, progress in bringing the work to a conclusion will have to take account of other priority legislative commitments to be delivered in the employment area, resource constraints within Departments, and the extent of agreement between the trade union and employer sides in this area.
Business Regulation
Tom Sheahan
Question:96 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation if he is satisfied with the progress to date in delivery to the enterprise sector of the promised €500 million reduction in unnecessary compliance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36500/10]
International benchmarking statistics reveal that Ireland imposes a relatively low burden of regulation on business. The Forfás Annual Competitiveness Report 2010 states that Ireland's regulatory environment is one of the least restrictive in the OECD in relation to product market regulation, the time taken to comply with tax payments is one of the lowest in the OECD across all categories and Ireland's employment framework is less rigid than the OECD average.
The work to reduce red tape in Ireland is being progressed on two fronts. The High Level Group on Business Regulation works to fast-track simplifications to specific red tape issues identified by business; and an Inter-Departmental Group of officials from all Departments, having regulation affecting business, coordinates the measurement and reduction of administrative burdens in a systematic manner, based on the internationally recognized Standard Cost Model. The High Level Group has processed thirty specific red tape issues brought to its attention by business and continues to drive progress on a further thirty-eight items. To date, the Group has measured over €20m of annual business savings and continues to work with business interests.
In addition, further burden reductions achieved and in the process of being measured will contribute to the Government's overall target of 25% administrative burden reduction by 2012.
Question No. 97 answered with Question No. 95.
Seymour Crawford
Question:98 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation steps being taken by him to reduce the red tape being imposed on industry here; his views on whether it is impeding the ability of companies to concentrate on marketing and give increased employment; the amount that could be saved by the removal of red tape; the efforts he has made to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36184/10]
The work to reduce red tape in Ireland is being progressed on two fronts. The High Level Group on Business Regulation works to fast-track simplifications to specific red tape issues identified by business; and an Inter-Departmental Group of officials from all Departments, having regulation affecting business, coordinates the measurement and reduction of administrative burdens in a systematic manner, based on the internationally recognized Standard Cost Model.
International benchmarking statistics reveal that Ireland imposes a relatively low burden of regulation on business. The Forfás Annual Competitiveness Report 2010 states that Ireland's regulatory environment is one of the least restrictive in the OECD in relation to product market regulation, the time taken to comply with tax payments is one of the lowest in the OECD across all categories and Ireland's employment framework is less rigid than the OECD average.
The High Level Group has processed thirty specific red tape issues brought to its attention by business and continues to drive progress on a further thirty-eight items. To date, the Group has measured over €20m of annual business savings and continues to work with business interests. In addition, further burden reductions achieved, and in the process of being measured, will contribute to the Government's overall target of 25% administrative burden reduction by 2012.
The measurement of administrative burdens using the Standard Cost Model is an exercise that was called for by business, as a baseline for the 25% administrative burden reduction programme, and is being carried out across all Departments with any substantive regulation that affects business. My Department and the Central Statistics Office have already measured burdens arising from regulations under their responsibility and all other relevant Departments will shortly measure the current red tape costs on business arising from their regulation. Measurement is expected to be completed in 2011 and, following this, simplification plans will be developed in consultation with stakeholders, for implementation.
The Business Regulation Forum estimated that upwards of €500 million in annual savings for business would result from the 25% administrative burden reduction initiative. A number of projects are already proceeding in Agencies and Departments across Government as part of their continuing drive to improve efficiency and streamline the interface with business and these will also contribute to the Government's overall target to reduce the administrative burden by 25%.
Terence Flanagan
Question:99 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation to reconsider his stance on directors’ compliance statements in light of recent experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36466/10]
Section 45 of the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 dealing with directors' compliance statements was not commenced in the light of concerns expressed about the associated administrative burdens. In 2005, the then Minister for Trade and Commerce asked the Company Law Review Group to consider the matter. The Review Group recommended a revised text which was published as part of the Heads of the General Scheme of the Companies Consolidation and Reform Bill. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
Departmental Programmes
James Bannon
Question:100 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation if he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the strategy pursued by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36432/10]
The strategy pursued by my Department is an integral part of the whole-of-government framework for economic recovery and growth adopted in 2008. We are focused on employment creation through support for Irish firms — large and small — and winning foreign direct investment, to sustain and expand job opportunities and boost our economic output. And they are achieving results. Last month's official figures show strong growth in exports by Irish companies in the first eight months of this year. Exports are up 8% between June and July and our Trade surplus is up 29% to €4 billion.
So far this year Enterprise Ireland, with funding from my Department, has delivered 32 overseas events including trade missions to Russia, Australia and the US. 645 companies participated and significant business has been won. EI brought 395 international buyers into Ireland to meet client companies and write new business. 63 international public procurement contracts for client companies have been won. EI believe that over 70% of exports lost in 2009 will be recovered in 2010.
So far this year, 44 new High Potential Start Ups have been provided funding, 24 of these outside Dublin. And there is a strong pipeline to the end of the year. IDA Ireland has secured 75 investments to date in 2010, which have the potential to create 6,000 jobs. These investments include the world's leading companies such as Stream, IBM and Google in Dublin, and United Healthcare, Lilly, and Electronic Arts. The majority of these companies are already in the process of recruiting staff.
Building on these achievements, the new integrated Trade, Tourism and Investment strategy is global in scope and covers both existing and new high growth potential markets. It sets out ambitious targets to be achieved by 2015 i.e. to create 300,000 new jobs in manufacturing, tourism and traded services, of which 150,000 will be direct new jobs, and another 150,000 will be generated through spin-off benefit. The strategy presents a suite of actions for building on existing strengths and driving trade relations in existing as well as new and emerging economies.
My Department is pursuing a number of other objectives in support of the achievement of the 300,000 jobs target, including a continued commitment to investing in Research, Development and Innovation, reducing Administrative Burdens on business, driving the response to the Innovation Taskforce, and addressing issues of Competitiveness.
Redundancy Payments
Liz McManus
Question:101 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the total number of claims for redundancy payments waiting to be processed at the latest date for which figures are available; the average time taken to process a claim; the steps that are being taken to speed up the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36391/10]
Willie Penrose
Question:245 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in respect of each year from 2002 to 2009, inclusive, and to date in 2010, the number of redundancies notified to his Department; the number of projected redundancies for the full year of 2010; the amount of money paid out in statutory redundancy payment in respect of each year from 2002 to 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36635/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 245 together.
My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. I am circulating with this reply some information in tabular form.
Table 1 sets out the number of statutory redundancy claims received in the years 2002 to 2009 and provisional figures for January to September 2010. These figures reflect the number of employees who actually qualified for statutory redundancy lump sum payments. They do not reflect those who lost their jobs with less than two years service in employment. It is not possible to project the number of redundancies that will arise in 2010 as this will depend on a number of factors, including economic factors and the rate of recovery in the economy. However, it is clear from the statistics available for the first nine months of 2010 that there is a welcome fall off in the level of new claims being lodged at my Department. In the nine month period January to September 2010, an average fall off in claims received of 20% is in evidence over the corresponding nine-month period in 2009 — 47,587 as opposed to 58,202.
Table 2 sets out the monies paid out of the Social Insurance Fund in respect of redundancy claims for the years 2002 — 2009 and up to 30 September, 2010. It should be noted that all figures provided for 2009 and to date in 2010 are provisional figures.
It is not possible to project the amount that will be paid out in 2010 on redundancy claims as this will hinge on a number of variables including the number of claims received, the length of service of individual claimants etc.
The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department is currently processing rebate claims from employers in general dating from March 2010 so that the waiting time is currently between 6 and 7 months. In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, claims dating from March 2010 are currently being processed. Of course in some instances, where the necessary supporting documentation for lump sum claims is not provided to my Department, or where queries arise, processing of claims can be further delayed until the required documentation is provided and/or outstanding queries are resolved.
Efforts continue to be made by my Department to reduce claims processing times. Measures already taken in the Department to alleviate the pressures on the Payments area include:
Almost doubling the number of staff working solely on redundancy payment claims through reassignment to a current level of 52 full time equivalents;
Prioritisation of the Department's overtime budget towards staff in the Section to tackle the backlog outside normal hours;
Establishment of a special call handling facility in NERA to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses concerned about their payments;
Better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;
Engagement with the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate the offset of redundancy rebate payments by employers against existing outstanding tax liabilities which those employers owe to the Revenue Commissioners.
The backlog and waiting times remain at unacceptable levels. However, improvements are evident. In 2009, my Department processed 50,664 claims, up 70% on the previous year. Furthermore, the level of new claims processed in the first nine months of 2010 was 58,202 — up over 81% on the corresponding 9-month period in 2009 (32,127) and surpassing the total amount of claims processed for the full year 2009 which came to 50,644. The backlog of claims is decreasing — reducing from its highest level in November 2009 of 43,608 to a current level of 29,776.
Responsibility for the payment functions arising under the Redundancy and Insolvency payment schemes is due to be transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011. In transferring the functions between Departments, it is the intention that this will operate seamlessly and without any adverse impact on the service levels being experienced by individuals or the business community awaiting payment of redundancy claims.
|
Year |
Number of Redundancy Claims |
|
2002 |
24,432 |
|
2003 |
25,769 |
|
2004 |
25,041 |
|
2005 |
23,156 |
|
2006 |
23,684 |
|
2007 |
25,459 |
|
2008 |
40,607 |
|
2009 |
77,001 |
|
2010 |
47,587* |
*Provisional figures.
|
Year |
Expenditure on Statutory Redundancy |
|
€000 |
|
|
2002 |
53,978 |
|
2003 |
88,933 |
|
2004 |
152,162 |
|
2005 |
149,172 |
|
2006 |
166,483 |
|
2007 |
183,328 |
|
2008 |
193,711 |
|
2009 |
335,861* |
|
2010 |
363,284* |
*All figures for 2009 and 2010 are provisional subject to audit.
EU Directives
Ruairí Quinn
Question:102 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the position regarding the draft consumer rights directive; if he is satisfied the existing rights of consumers here, such as the right to reject, will be retained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36385/10]
The proposal for a Consumer Rights Directive was published in October 2008 and has been drafted on a full harmonisation basis which, if retained, would preclude member states from going beyond its protections in national legislation.
Though some provisions of the proposed Directive would strengthen consumer rights in Ireland, others would potentially have a less positive effect. Concerns about the proposal's impact on Irish consumer rights centre mainly on its provisions on consumer remedies for faulty goods and in particular, as the Deputy's question suggests, on their implications for what is known as the right to reject. By this is meant the right to return faulty goods, obtain a refund of the price, and, in so doing, to terminate the contract. A fully harmonised provision along the lines proposed in the draft Directive would, if adopted, mean that the right to reject would be a remedy of second rather than first resort for faulty goods.
I would like to assure the Deputy that my officials have expressed our reservations about the relevant aspects of the proposed Directive in clear and forthright terms. Those concerns were restated at political level at the Competitiveness Council in December 2009 and May 2010. I also raised our concerns directly with Vice-President Reding who now has responsibility for the proposal at a meeting I had with her on the occasion of the May Competitiveness Council.
It is important to recognise that discussions on the proposed Directive have a considerable way to go at both official and ministerial level and in the European Parliament. The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament is currently finalising its consideration of the proposal, and the proposal is expected to have a first reading in the Parliament before the end of the year.
Consumer Protection
Pat Rabbitte
Question:103 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his views on the recent number of cases highlighted by the National Consumer Agency where some branches of the country’s four largest retailers were charging customers more than the prices displayed; if he is satisfied the law is adequate to deal with such practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36384/10]
Consumer protection law obliges traders offering a product for sale to indicate the selling price and, where appropriate, the unit price of that product and to ensure that the indication of the selling price and of the unit price is clearly visible. Complaints in relation to products being offered for sale where the price or unit price is not clearly visible should be brought to the attention of the National Consumer Agency who have responsibility for enforcing consumer law.
Insofar as instances where a wrong indication of price is concerned, traders who provide false information in relation to the price of a product may be engaging in a misleading commercial practice and may, therefore, be committing an offence under consumer law. Again instances of such practices should be referred to the National Consumer Agency in order that they can be investigated. I understand that the cases referred to by the Deputy follow on from concerted enforcement activity by the Agency in this area in the course of the first half of 2010. This involved the Agency visiting 237 retail premises from which a total of 48 separate enforcement actions have been taken to date, of which 23 were compliance notices issued to traders who charged more for consumer goods than the price displayed. In addition, I understand that a number of other cases will be before the courts in the coming months. As I indicated previously, I very much support the Agency’s proactive approach in this area which I am sure will act as a salutary reminder to those who would seek to mislead consumers through the provision of false information.
I am satisfied that the law provides strong protections against traders who would seek to mislead consumers through the provision of false information, such as by the wrong indication of prices.
Foreign Trade Council
Mary Upton
Question:104 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when the promised Foreign Trade Council will be established; the proposed membership and terms of reference of the council; the staffing and resources that will be allocated to the council; the annual estimated budget for the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36373/10]
Jack Wall
Question:106 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the role his Department will play in the implementation of the recently published plan, Trading and Investment in a Smart Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36372/10]
Arthur Morgan
Question:122 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to provide a breakdown of the jobs that will be created under the trading and investing in a smart economy strategy; the location of the jobs that will be created; the timeline for the creation of these jobs and when they will materialise; the way the strategy will be funded; the way the jobs will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36176/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 106 and 122 together.
Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, a Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015, is an integrated strategy that is global in scope and covers both existing and new high growth potential markets. It has set a number of ambitious targets to be achieved by 2015 i.e. to create 150,000 new jobs (manufacturing, tourism and traded services). The jobs total figure of 150,000 direct new jobs, is from agency estimates based on their growth targets over the strategy period to the end of 2015 i.e. 75,000 (IDA-Ireland), 60,000 (Enterprise Ireland) and 15,000 in the tourism sector. The new strategy also foresees the creation of a similar number of new indirect jobs. This latter figure takes into account the differing impacts from new jobs in manufacturing and services based on the numbers of projects, job intensity, purchase of raw materials and services, re-spending of salaries, and impact of taxation.
The overall objective of the strategy and action plan is to marshal and coordinate the resources of the State in a way that best supports firms, of all sizes, in all parts of the country, which are trying to trade and grow their business overseas. Its implementation will result in the sustained, concentrated and coordinated efforts of all the key Government Departments and agencies, including our embassies and consulates abroad in support for Irish companies in overseas markets. Departments and agencies will implement the strategy and action plan from within their current budgets.
The strategy presents a suite of actions for building on existing strengths and driving trade relations in existing as well as new and emerging economies. These actions are aimed at: strengthening Ireland's international image and brand; strengthening in-country presence and support; developing and internationalising our enterprise base; developing Ireland as a hub for global high-technology enterprises and clusters; aligning visa policy with priorities in the strategy; support for SMEs; continuing to develop international trade agreements; joint actions and partnerships with other countries; effective engagement with the business community.
The new Foreign Trade Council to drive implementation of the strategy and action plan will hold its inaugural meeting on 27 October 2010. The terms of reference and membership will be in line with Section 6.11 of the Strategy. The membership will comprise the relevant Departments and agencies. It will be managed by my Department from within existing resources.
Company Closures
David Stanton
Question:105 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the closure of a factory (details supplied) in Youghal, County Cork; if his further attention has been drawn to the need to provide employment in Youghal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36428/10]
On the 5th November, 2009, Tytex, a Danish owned company, announced its decision to workers to close its operation in Youghal, Co Cork with the loss of 75 jobs. Following the announcement, FÁS contacted the company and has since been heavily engaged in providing its full range of services to the workers being made redundant. This has included 11 days on-site by FÁS and one-to-one interviews with employees. In 2009, foreign direct investment decreased globally by 30% and the average scale of investment was smaller than in previous years. Despite these trends, since 2009 IDA has announced 9 projects for Cork with a job potential of approximately 1,070.
IDA Ireland is actively promoting the greater East Cork region (which includes Cobh, Little Island, Carrigtwohill, Midleton and Youghal) to prospective investors across the full range of IDA targeted sectors, such as Pharmaceuticals, Medical Technologies, Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), Clean Technologies and Global Business Services via its network of overseas offices and project divisions.
While the town of Youghal has experienced a significant loss of employment in recent years, employment in overseas companies in the East Cork area has grown significantly. Cork has been particularly successful in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) over the years. Over the past 10 years, direct employment in IDA supported companies in Cork City and County has grown from just under 16,000 in 1999 to 20,000 now. In addition, since 2008, Enterprise Ireland (EI) has approved €50M approximately to client companies in the Cork area. EI has a client base of over 700 companies in Co. Cork employing about 18,000 people.
Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 104.
Departmental Properties
David Stanton
Question:107 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the role his Department had in the recent reported acquisition by the State of a site (details supplied) in County Cork; the details of any such transaction; the future plans for the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36429/10]
In 2005, IDA Ireland identified a site of approximately 54 hectares of land in Carrigtwohill East as suitable for development and acquired it. Amgen subsequently entered into contracts to purchase the entire holding from IDA and, in 2006, applied for Planning Permission for a Bulk Manufacturing facility and associated works. Site ground works commenced in late 2006. The terms of the agreement, between IDA and Amgen included a provision for the reversion of the beneficial interest in the site to IDA in the event of the project not proceeding and this occurred formally in January 2010.
In October 2007, Amgen announced a postponement of its Cork Project. At that time Amgen gave an undertaking to maintain the site in a good secure manner in order to protect the asset and maintain good local community relations. Amgen subsequently concluded that it no longer wishes to proceed with the project. In keeping with the terms of the agreement, ownership of the Carrigtwohill site has now reverted to IDA Ireland. IDA Ireland will continue to market this Strategic Site and the Cork City Gateway.
Semi-State Bodies
P. J. Sheehan
Question:108 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of new posts that the Industrial Development Agency requested permission for from the Minister of Finance since the introduction of the recruitment embargo; when these requests were made; when they were answered; the number of new posts that have been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36503/10]
Since the introduction at the end of 2008 of the moratorium on the filling of public service vacancies, its impact on the staffing of my Department and all of its offices and agencies has been closely monitored in order to minimise its impact on the delivery of public services. As for other offices and agencies, this has included frequent discussion between my Department and IDA and between myself and the IDA Chairman Mr Liam O'Mahony. My Department has maintained similar contacts with the Department of Finance, as I have with my colleague the Minister for Finance.
The staffing level for the period 2010 to 2012 for IDA has now been determined in the context of the Employment Control Framework currently being finalised with the Department of Finance. In that process, approval has been given to the agency to fill 10 vacant posts which it had requested. The Agency has confirmed to me that the levels of staff agreed will enable it to achieve the industrial employment and other targets set out for the 5 year period 2010 to 2014.
Insurance Industry
Brian Hayes
Question:109 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the fact that insurance companies are unfairly using their dominant position to steer business towards preferred suppliers in the case of an insurance company paying out on a claim; if he believes this to be a restrictive practice as claims are often only released once the preferred supplier has been used, thereby taking out the choice of the insurer and reducing the opportunity of business to small suppliers; if this matter has been brought to his attention and if he is satisfied that this situation represents fair trading; if he will ask the Competition Authority to look at the matter in detail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36401/10]
Regulation of the insurance industry is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance, and is an area in which I have no direct role. I am aware of an arrangement whereby insurance companies actively recommend certain approved repairers to their policyholders with the approved repairers selected on the basis that they meet various qualitative standards and, in return, are guaranteed a minimum flow of work. Service Level Agreements are generally entered into by the insurance company and the approved repairer.
The Competition Authority, which is the independent statutory body responsible for enforcing competition law in the State, has previously advised my Department that such arrangements do not appear to breach competition law but, in fact, appear to result in a more cost effective service being provided to the general public. It is, of course, open to any aggrieved party alleging anti-competitive practices, including abuse of a dominant position, to take a private action under Section 14 of the Competition Act 2002.
Proposed Legislation
Ruairí Quinn
Question:110 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the current status of the work of the Company Law Review Group; the timeframe for the publication of legislation following the reports of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36386/10]
In accordance with Section 70(1) of the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001, the Company Law Review Group's (CLRG) Work Programme is assigned by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation every two years. I have received the Review Group's Report at the conclusion of its 2008-2009 Work Programme and I am considering its recommendations in the context of the drafting by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) of the Companies Consolidation and Reform Bill. The Report is available on the CLRG's website at www.clrg.org.
While there is no obligation on my part to legislate in respect of any recommendation from the CLRG, the main focus of the Group's work to date has been in relation to the General Scheme of the Companies Consolidation and Reform Bill which was published in July 2007. The proposed Bill will consolidate all the existing Irish Companies Acts, dating from 1963 to 2009, as well as other Regulations and common law provisions relating to the incorporation and operation of companies into a single Act, comprising more than 1,300 sections. Given its size and complexity it is envisaged that the Bill will be published in 2012.
Credit Availability
Mary Upton
Question:111 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the latest position regarding his discussions with the main banks to ensure that credit is made available to all businesses and particularly to small and medium sized enterprises; when he last met the banks to discuss these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36374/10]
Access to bank credit for businesses, particularly SMEs, has been central to Government Initiatives in addressing the crisis in the banking sector. Both the 2009 and 2010 Bank Recapitalisation arrangements provided specific commitments from the recapitalised banks to assist SMEs. Under the 2010 Bank Recapitalisation arrangement, AIB and Bank of Ireland have both committed to making available not less than €3 billion each for new or increased credit facilities to SMEs in both 2010 and 2011. This must include funds for working capital for businesses. The Credit Review Office is closely monitoring AIB's and Bank of Ireland's lending policies and their lending commitments in 2010 and 2011. The Credit Review Office is also available to pursue cases where SMEs are refused credit from the recapitalised banks.
Over recent months, I have met separately with Allied Irish Banks, Anglo Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland to discuss the availability of bank credit for businesses, especially SMEs. The last such meeting with Bank of Ireland. took place in early September. On 26 July 2010, my colleagues, Ministers Brian Lenihan and Eamonn Ryan, and I held a further meeting with AIB to discuss that bank's lending practices to SME's. At the various meetings, I raised concerns about the claims of many small businesses that some bankers were stonewalling loan requests and were not providing credit to viable enterprises. I reminded the banks of the purpose of the recapitalisation package and of the huge investment of taxpayers' money into the banks aimed at getting our economy moving again.
The message from the two main banks was that they were open for business and available to provide credit to viable businesses. They assured me that they were fully committed to supporting businesses and would meet the requirements laid down for them in the recapitalisation package of 30 March 2010. I have ongoing contact with the main banks in relation to their lending to businesses and will, together with my colleague the Minister for Finance, and John Trethowan of the Credit Review Office, continue to ensure that they meet their lending commitments under the 2010 Recapitalisation package in terms of providing sufficient credit to the business sector. In this regard, John Trethowan recently indicated that the situation was much more positive for bank customers than it was six to nine months ago.
Job Protection
Róisín Shortall
Question:112 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will report on his latest contacts with executives of a company (details supplied) regarding the future of jobs at the Cadbury plants in Ireland; if he received any assurances regarding security of the jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36377/10]
Enterprise Ireland has been in regular contact with Cadbury Ireland since Kraft Foods acquired Cadbury plc in February this year. Following a very positive meeting in May this year when I met senior Kraft Foods executives, Enterprise Ireland has been in ongoing discussions with Cadbury Ireland in relation to the planned investment programme, the redundancy programme and the Kraft/Cadbury integration process. The redundancy programme announced in June 2009, which will reduce the workforce by 200 people, is progressing following agreement with all key employee groups at Coolock and at its facility at Rathmore.
Kraft Foods has outlined its commitment to planned investments by Cadbury Ireland in its manufacturing facilities, which are currently being implemented. The investment in new chocolate moulding technology for the Coolock plant, which is grant supported by Enterprise Ireland, has been agreed and commissioning is underway. Enterprise Ireland met with management of the Cadbury's facility in Tallaght on the 17 September and support is being provided by the agency to initiate a strategic training and management development programme as well as a research and development programme. Interaction is ongoing to facilitate the plant in its drive to improve competitiveness and to develop new added value products.
The Government has outlined its commitment towards working in partnership with Kraft Foods to explore and to capitalise on strategic opportunities that Cadbury Ireland can deliver. Enterprise Ireland will continue to actively engage with Kraft Foods and Cadbury Ireland on strategic initiatives relating to research and development, improving competitiveness and strengthening manufacturing operations.
Industrial Development
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:113 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the amount of foreign direct investment into Ireland in the past four years; the estimated figure for 2010 and the steps that can be taken to encourage further such investment [36317/10]
In the four year period 2006 to 2009 inclusive, there have been a total number of 494 foreign direct investment projects won by IDA Ireland. The attached tabular statement shows the number of projects won in each of those years.
One of the high level targets set out in IDA's strategy "Horizon 2020" is that 640 investments will be won in the period 2010 to 2014. Ireland continues to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) from many of the world's leading companies and, to date 2010 has been promising. There have been 63 announcements in relation to new and expansion investments, with the potential to create over 4,600 jobs. Of course, some projects go ahead without any announcement.
As the investment Agency charged with the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland, IDA executives are in constant discussion with potential investors throughout the world. In addition, as Minister, I regularly meet with and have discussions with potential foreign investors both here in Ireland and abroad on promotional visits arranged by IDA. These discussions work towards the creation of a pipeline of new business.
|
Year |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
Number of projects won |
125 |
114 |
130 |
125 |
Denis Naughten
Question:114 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the steps he will take to streamline the control of development lands held by State agencies and public bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36397/10]
It is evident from international research that providing suitable property solutions for sale or rent to newly-establishing industrial projects is often a key element in the attraction and facilitation of such projects. In Ireland it has since the late 1950s been an integral part of industrial policy that the State, through the industrial development agencies, will have available land that is suitable, zoned and serviced for industrial purposes, so as to ensure that industrial projects will not be prevented or delayed in setting up operations. When land or buildings are sold or leased to industries the assets are transferred at market prices.
The industrial property scheme is operated by Shannon Development in the Mid West region and part of Offaly, and in the rest of the country by IDA. IDA and Shannon Development provide land and buildings both for their own client companies and for Enterprise Ireland client companies. Shannon's property holdings have a somewhat broader sectoral coverage than IDA's, reflecting the fact that Shannon's remit extends to matters such as regional development, tourism and energy.
Income from property sales is usually retained by the agencies and re-invested in property development activities focused on promoting industrial jobs and exports. The property function exercised by both IDA and Shannon is largely a self-financing operation, although the State has on occasion contributed investment funding. For example, as part of the National Spatial Strategy focus on Gateway development, IDA acquired ‘large scale sites' in the Gateways and some Exchequer funding was provided for that purpose. The Shannon Development property operation, in addition to meeting the ‘self-financing' criterion, also covers the pay and non-pay current costs of running the agency, as Shannon Development has operated a self-financing model since the 1990's.
I am satisfied that there is a justified rationale for the existence of a property programme within the Agencies, and that it operates in a streamlined fashion. The McCarthy Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities is at present reviewing all State assets and liabilities and the Group's conclusions will be considered by Government in due course.
Economic Competitiveness
Pádraic McCormack
Question:115 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will report on the process established by Government for the implementation of recommendations of the Competition Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36476/10]
Róisín Shortall
Question:117 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the progress regarding the commitment given in the renewed programme for Government to act on recommendations contained in reports of the Competition Authority within nine months of their publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36379/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 117 together.
In keeping with the commitment contained in the Renewed Programme for Government , the Government earlier this year reviewed the progress achieved by a number of Government Departments in relation to a list of Competition Authority recommendations which had been prioritised based on their impact on competitiveness. A Government Statement on the progress made issued in April. The Government has decided that it will review, twice-yearly, progress on the implementation of Competition Authority recommendations and, in line with this decision, I will be updating the Government in the coming weeks on the progress achieved to date.
State Agencies
Emmet Stagg
Question:116 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the progress made regarding the commitment given in the renewed programme for Government to undertake an independent review of the effectiveness of State agency support for enterprise, including interaction between the Industrial Development Authority, Enterprise Ireland and county enterprise boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36378/10]
The enterprise development agencies under my Department's remit have, as a matter of course, collaborated extensively on an on-going basis through a range of formal and informal mechanisms. However, in 2009, my Department established a High Level Group comprising representatives of each agency to identify areas for further collaboration. In addition to involving my own Department's agencies, the High Level Group also includes a representative from Údarás na Gaeltachta. The Group has made progress in a number of areas, for example in ensuring that access to supports is defined by business need rather than agency "ownership", in enhanced sharing of information, and in identifying initiatives to maximise potential synergies between foreign and indigenous firms. The Group will to continue to identify areas where agency collaboration can be strengthened and where the effectiveness of support to enterprises can be improved.
The recently published Forfás report Making it Happen — Growing Enterprise for Ireland includes a specific recommendation that programme evaluations should be carried out to ensure that the programmes managed by the enterprise development agencies under my Department’s remit are efficiently and effectively delivered. The report recommends that, as a priority, at least one programme evaluation should be carried out by mid 2011. I am currently considering the most appropriate means of conducting these evaluations as part of my Department’s overall response to the report and its recommendations.
Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 115.
EU Directives
Kathleen Lynch
Question:118 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in respect of the EU directives for which his Department has responsibility, the number remaining to be implemented; the directives that are now overdue; the number of reasoned opinions received from the EU Commission since 2002 regarding delays or non-implementation of such directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36393/10]
There are currently a total of 13 EU Directives due to be transposed by my Department. One of these Directives is currently overdue: Directive 2006/123/EC on services in the internal market. This Directive will be signed into law by me very shortly.
My Department has received 27 Reasoned Opinions from the European Commission relating to Directives since 2002. These issues have all been settled apart from one remaining Reasoned Opinion received on 24 June 2010 regarding the non transposition of the Services Directive 2006/123/EC. Full details of the state of play of all current Directives due for transposition are maintained on the Department's website, www.deti.ie. The transposition of EU Directives is an ongoing priority in my Department and is reported to the Management Board on a regular basis.
Job Creation
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:119 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number and location of job creation and promotion trips abroad undertaken by him directly or by groups, bodies or others under the aegis of his Department in the past 12 months to date in 2010; the number of contacts, contracts or inquiries established or made in the course thereof; the number of contracts secured or foreign direct investment confirmed leading to a specific number of jobs created in the same period; the extent to which the manufacturing and service sectors have grown competitively as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36402/10]
Since I became Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, in March last I have undertaken one marketing trip organised by IDA for the purposes of attracting foreign direct Investment (FDI) to this country, to the US in April 2010, and I am due to undertake another such visit to the US in the last week of October.
During these visits, I meet and have discussions with Chairmen, CEOs and other senior executives of key companies across a range of sectors. Many of the companies already have substantial and valuable activities in Ireland while some are considering major investments here for the first time. In addition, the Taoiseach and other Ministers, when they are abroad on official business, also meet with senior executives of multinational companies to discuss investment in this country. When the Taoiseach went to the United States last St Patrick's Day, he was accompanied by Barry O'Leary, Chief Executive of IDA, and that itinerary included meetings with a number of high level investing companies.
Of course I have also met a number of potential foreign direct investors on many occasions in this country since my appointment. In addition, senior executives of IDA Ireland are in constant discussion with potential investors around the globe. While all these meetings and discussions work towards the creation of a pipeline of new business, it is impossible to link the number of jobs created in any one year to discussions/ marketing undertaken in that year. The business of FDI generation is a complex process that takes place over a period of time and is not necessarily completed in any one year.
There has been a steady stream of job announcements by IDA supported companies and to date in 2010 there have been 63 announcements with the potential to create over 4,600 jobs across a range of sectors. In addition to missions to attract FDI, my predecessor, the Tánaiste, my Ministers of State and I have, in the last 12 months led eighteen Enterprise Ireland organised trade missions to the following locations: London, Paris, Rennes, Moscow, Madrid, Barcelona, Warsaw, Libya, Australia, USA, Dusseldorf, Canada, United Arab Emirates and China.
These Trade Missions are an integral part of the work of both my Department and Enterprise Ireland (EI) to develop and expand Ireland's exports to existing and new markets abroad. They raise Ireland's profile as a world-class supplier of goods and tradeable services, and increase awareness of Ireland as well as projecting Ireland as a competitive source of world-class expertise and products. They win access for EI clients to key decision-makers and influencers in target sectors.
Industrial Development
Sean Sherlock
Question:120 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the progress made regarding the commitment given in the renewed programme for Government to establish community and development agencies as a one-stop-shop for advice on grant supports, business opportunities, training and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36381/10]
The network of County and City Enterprise Boards, which come under the auspices of my Department, are the primary initial contact point for business start-ups in Ireland. The CEBs can assist micro-enterprises i.e. businesses with 10 employees or fewer and are to the forefront in supporting viable business start-ups and in assisting the development of growth-orientated micro-enterprises which can generate job creation at a local level and which, over time, can develop into strong export entities and transfer to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio. The CEBs can provide both direct financial assistance in the form of Priming Grants, Business Expansion Grants and Feasibility Grants and non-financial assistance in the form of Programmes such as Start Your Own Business Programmes, Business Training and Management Programmes, Mentoring Programmes etc. In providing support to the micro-enterprise sector the CEBs must give priority to manufacturing and internationally traded services. The CEBs work closely with other Agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and with other Bodies active in their local area such as LEADER, Partnership Groups etc and where a CEB is not in a position to support a client they will direct them to another appropriate organisation.
Ministerial Travel
Lucinda Creighton
Question:121 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to report on his recent trip to London to investigate the possible business opportunities for Irish firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36516/10]
On Thursday last, 7th October, I undertook an Enterprise Ireland Trade promotion visit to London. The programme included meetings with relevant officials of the London Olympics Development Authority and with Irish companies involved in pursuing contracts on that major project. For a number of these companies, the Olympics has acted as a key driver of internationalisation activity and significant contracts have already been won by them. This was an opportunity to build on that success, as a considerable amount of work on the project remains to be carried out with significant contracts yet to be awarded.
In addition, I officiated at an event for a group of 32 Enterprise Ireland companies in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors. This was organised to help them develop new opportunities in doing business in Britain and I was able to meet senior executives representing their British customers and partners. It was an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of Ireland as a source of high quality energy solutions and services, as illustrated by the wide-ranging capability and experience of the companies attending.
Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 104.
Departmental Programmes
Martin Ferris
Question:123 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the contact he has had with the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in respect of rural development funding, local action groups and county enterprise boards; if funding from the Leader programme will be diverted into his Department; if there is an alternative to diverting funds from the Leader programme by making more funds available to enterprise boards to develop enterprise and job creation at a local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36183/10]
In response to requests from County Enterprise Boards for additional funding to support job creation, I have had discussions with my colleague the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in the context of maximising State support to enterprise through considering all streams of available funding, including funding available under Leader and funding for the CEBs. The capital allocation for the CEBs in 2010 is almost €15m. This allocation represents a strong State investment in the micro-enterprise sector notwithstanding the significant pressure on the Public finances. I expect to be in a position shortly to announce additional capital allocations to the CEBs from within my Departments Vote to meet their demand for funds to support approved job creation requests from clients over the remainder of this year. However, I will be working with my Ministerial Colleagues to ensure we maximise the use of available funding for enterprise including the Leader Programme.
Company Closures
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:124 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he is concerned with the number of small businesses which have closed down over the past two years; his estimate of the numbers involved and the numbers unemployed as a consequence and his plans to reverse this trend. [36316/10]
Statistical information as sought by the Deputy is not collected through my Department. Responsibility for statistical information rests with the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Information is collected by the CSO under a new format under the EU Business Demography Regulation which only came into force in late 2007 and is subsequently published under the CSO Business Demography returns. I understand that some preliminary information covering business cessations, or "enterprise deaths" under the CSO classification, should be released by the CSO in November.
Information relating to company liquidations over the last two years provided by the Companies Registration Office is contained in the table attached below. It should be noted that this information covers companies of all sizes and that members liquidations would involve solvent companies. The Government's priority is to ensure that the business environment continues to be supportive of enterprises. Addressing the needs of SMEs is a particular priority that my Department will continue to support.
Our Enterprise Development Agencies continue to play a key role in stimulating the development of new businesses, facilitating the expansion of existing companies and targeting new foreign direct investment through a broad range of initiatives, including direct financial and non-financial supports to enterprises. These supports are aimed at improving productivity, market knowledge, competitiveness and leadership and management capabilities so that firms can compete successfully and grow their businesses and exports.
The Government have significantly expanded the range of measures and supports specifically targeted to assist unemployed individuals to get back into employment. The Department of Education and Skills have almost doubled the job search support capacity of FÁS this year to over 154,000 referrals from the National Employment Action Plan. From a training and education perspective, this year the Department of Education and Skills will be providing:
Over 160,000 training and employment places for the unemployed. This compares to 66,000 places provided in 2008.
170,000 full time and part-time Further Education places.
156,000 full time Higher Education places. All Higher Education programmes covered by the Free Fees Scheme are open to unemployed people.
These measures are designed to provide the unemployed with upskilling and re-skilling opportunities so that they can increase their employability thereby improving their prospects of securing employment in the future.
|
Members |
Creditors |
Court |
Total |
|
|
2008 |
1,051 |
530 |
83 |
1,664 |
|
2009 |
1,158 |
1,124 |
121 |
2,403 |
|
2010 |
547 |
960 |
86 |
1,593 (to 30.09.10) |
Job Losses
Jack Wall
Question:125 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to reports that up to 10,000 jobs could be lost in the banking sector here over the next six months; his views on the implications for unemployment generally of the loss of such a large number of jobs; if he has sought any information from the banks on the level of job losses planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36371/10]
I am aware of the various reports of potential job losses within the banking sector. The financial crises within the banking sector has had and will continue to have, implications for employment levels within individual banks. It is a commercial matter for the banks concerned to determine their staffing requirements having regard to changes in banking practices and re-structuring arrangements. In the context of job losses arising, banks are required to follow statutory industrial relations procedures including notification and consultation with staff and providing for appropriate redundancy arrangements. The staff complement of the banks represent a highly-skilled resource and I would expect that any bank reducing staff numbers would provide appropriate assistance and guidance for staff leaving.
The full State support mechanisms will be available to any staff let go by the banks, including, in particular, the measures and supports specifically targeted to assist unemployed individuals to get back into employment. The Department of Education and Skills have almost doubled the job search support capacity of FÁS this year to over 154,000 referrals from the National Employment Action Plan. From a training and education perspective, this year the Department of Education and Skills will be providing:
Over 160,000 training and employment places for the unemployed. This compares to 66,000 places provided in 2008.
170,000 full time and part-time Further Education places.
156,000 full time Higher Education places. All Higher Education programmes covered by the Free Fees Scheme are open to unemployed people.
These measures are designed to provide the unemployed with upskilling and re-skilling opportunities so that they can increase their employability thereby improving their prospects of securing employment in the future. In addition, our Enterprise Development Agencies, Enterprise Ireland and the City and County Enterprise Boards are available to provide advice and assistance to anyone who has been made redundant and wishes to explore the possibility of starting their own business.
Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 89.
National Minimum Wage
Brian O'Shea
Question:127 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he has received any report from the Labour Court regarding a possible change in the national minimum wage; if not, when he expects to receive its report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36390/10]
In November 2008, ICTU requested the Labour Court to review the national minimum wage and to make a recommendation concerning its adjustment. The Court subsequently invited submissions on the issue. Various submissions were received, including from IBEC, ICTU and the Department of Finance. The Labour Court also held discussions with these parties.
Under the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000, the Labour Court can seek to establish, in the context of such consultations, whether a general agreement can be reached between the parties. If, however, the Labour Court is satisfied that such a general agreement cannot be reached, it may still make a recommendation. The Labour Court has not made any recommendation to date in relation to the application made under the National Minimum Wage, 2000. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further while the matter is still with the Court.
Credit Availability
Joanna Tuffy
Question:128 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his response to the quarterly report of the Credit Review Office; if he accepts that there is a significant gap between the official positions of the banks and the experience of small and medium sized companies seeking to access credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36375/10]
Access to bank credit for businesses, particularly SMEs, has been central to Government Initiatives in addressing the crisis in the banking sector. Both the 2009 and 2010 Bank Recapitalisation arrangements provided specific commitments from the recapitalised banks to assist SMEs.
Under the 2010 Bank Recapitalisation arrangement, AIB and Bank of Ireland have both committed to making available not less than €3 billion each for new or increased credit facilities to SMEs in both 2010 and 2011. This must include funds for working capital for businesses. Their lending plans were reviewed by the Credit Review Office and the Department of Finance and were found to be credible. Both the Credit Reviewer, Mr. John Trethowan, and the Department of Finance receive monthly progress reports from the two banks which allows them to ensure that they deliver on the strong commitments given in their plans to support viable businesses in all sectors of the economy and in every area of the country. The Credit Review Office is also available to pursue cases where SMEs are refused credit from the recapitalised banks.
The first Quarterly Report published by the Credit Review Office last July outlined that Office's outcome in reviewing the lending policies and guidelines of the banks concerned and also presented the Office's experience emerging from the initial cases reviewed by it. These issues will continue to be reported on in subsequent quarterly reports.
I would urge any viable SME's who have been refused credit by any of the recapitalised banks to make use of the review services of the Credit Review Office. Applicants for bank credit should ensure they submit formal applications to their banks so that outcomes on these applications can be closely monitored and information gaps identified.
I have ongoing contact with the main banks in relation to their lending to businesses and will, together with my colleague the Minister for Finance, and John Trethowan of the Credit Review Office, continue to ensure that they meet their lending commitments under the 2010 Recapitalisation package in terms of providing sufficient credit to the business sector. In this regard, John Trethowan recently indicated that the situation was much more positive for bank customers than it was six to nine months ago.
Banking Sector Regulation
Brian O'Shea
Question:129 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his views on the consultation paper on corporate governance published by the Financial Regulator [36389/10]
The consultation paper referred to in the deputy's question relates specifically to financial institutions and insurance undertakings, responsibility for which rests with my colleague the Minister for Finance. I understand this initiative is part of a wider strategy to update the domestic regulatory framework applying to credit institutions and insurance undertakings and that the Regulator plans to develop corporate governance frameworks for other sectors of the financial services industry such as funds and credit unions.
The Financial Regulator envisages that while the proposed new rules should apply to all credit institutions and insurance undertakings, he has not adopted a one-size-fits-all approach. I welcome the Regulator's openness to implementing the rules proportionately, where appropriate, and to recognise institutions with a lesser economic significance and lower risk activities. I understand the Financial Regulator has received over 130 responses to the consultation paper. I also understand these responses have been considered by the Regulator and that it is hoped to complete deliberations on the new regime in the coming weeks. I look forward to seeing the new corporate governance standards for the financial sector published by the Regulator in due course.
Research Funding
Emmet Stagg
Question:130 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the progress made regarding the commitment given in the renewed programme for Government to expand the role of innovation vouchers in allowing growing local enterprises bridge the innovation gap in getting their products or services to the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36380/10]
The objective of the Innovation Voucher Initiative is to facilitate and encourage enterprises, in particular small enterprises, to engage in research or development by availing of the services available from research institutions. The programme provides vouchers worth €5,000 to enable a small business to seek assistance, whether skill or knowledge, from publicly funded researchers to address problems or proposals in relation to the business activity.
The Initiative aims to drive an innovation cultural shift within small enterprise by promoting and encouraging a transfer of knowledge between Ireland's public knowledge providers and the small business community and in the process creating on-going and lasting synergies between the two. Small companies across the Irish economy are eligible to apply for an Innovation Voucher, apart from enterprises in the transportation and agricultural sectors which are excluded in accordance with EU State Aid guidelines. Companies can apply for more than one voucher and up to 10 companies may pool their vouchers for a single project.
Innovation Vouchers can be used for any kind of innovation such as:
new business model development;
new service delivery and customer interface;
new service development; or
tailored training in innovation management.
Through this initiative Irish companies are being supported to rapidly and effectively develop and commercialise new processes, products and services, profitably. They are helped to acquire, develop and integrate the technologies and supporting knowledge required. They are also supported in developing the leadership skills and capability of company management necessary to drive innovation.
The level of interest and engagement by companies speaks for itself — 1098 Vouchers worth almost €5 million have been redeemed by small companies since the programme was launched in mid-2007. The initiative is clearly both successful and popular with small Irish business. It is playing an important role by opening up access for small companies to a wide source of innovative acumen. It has also encouraged a transfer of knowledge between Third Level educational institutions or research providers to the business community, very often at local level.
Feedback from companies has been positive, confirming that the application procedures, level of funding, the low level of bureaucracy and the frequency of calls are welcome features of the initiative. Since the programme was introduced, Enterprise Ireland has continued to improved the support and assistance that is provided to assist the engagement of companies with the third level sector. A web site was introduced to assist companies in identifying the location of the various areas of skills and knowledge in academic and research institutions.
Companies can avail of two standard Innovation Vouchers totalling €10,000. After that they can avail of co-funded vouchers, a new initiative introduced in 2010. The Co-Funded Vouchers are awarded to companies who are willing to pay half the cost of the research project and to date 30 companies have availed of these new vouchers.
This year, discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food led to an expansion of the scheme to target Food Companies, and a new Innovation Voucher call was introduced for the Food Sector. The call took place in July/August 2010 and resulted in the award of 114 (€570,000) vouchers aimed particularly at encouraging small food companies to begin collaborating with colleges. This is part of a new approach directed at building on the current success of the scheme and it is planned that other specific sectors will be targeted. Improvements will continue to be put in place, to make participation easier as experience is gained, and to help business people identify the key researcher who is best placed to address their proposal.
Small and Medium Enterprises
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:131 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will permit Enterprise Ireland to support small and medium enterprises in the purchase of good quality second-hand equipment which is deemed necessary to achieve efficiency and improve cost structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36179/10]
A key objective for Enterprise Ireland is to assist its client companies to drive sustained efficiency and achieve continued improvements in their cost structure, as well as capacity development through investment in capital equipment. EI may financially support the purchase of both new and second hand equipment through some R&D programmes and more specifically through the Job Expansion Fund. The funding of equipment purchase is subject to state aid rules.
The Job Expansion Fund is designed to assist Enterprise Ireland client companies achieve increased employment. This Fund offers support of up to €150,000 to Irish based manufacturing and internationally traded services companies. It is designed to support business plans that demonstrate increases in employment, outputs, international trade and activities that are an integral part of the strategic development plans of the company. While second-hand equipment is eligible to be considered for support, the equipment must be less than seven years old to ensure quality.
Industrial Development
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:132 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the progress that has been made to date by the Industrial Development Authority in ensuring that 50% of new or expansion investments are located outside of Dublin and Cork; the geographic location of new or expansion investments to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36177/10]
One of the high level goals of IDA's strategy "Horizon 2020” is that in the period 2014, 50% of new FDI projects will be located outside of Dublin and Cork. To date in 2010, 16 of the 63 investments announced are located outside of Dublin and Cork. Of the remaining 47 projects announced, 39 are located in Dublin and 8 are located in Cork. The locations of the 16 projects located outside of Dublin and Cork are set out in the attached tabular statement.
IDA is fully committed to securing a balance in regional development including winning investment for the Border Region. The challenge in achieving an even spread of investment is intensified as the sophistication of investments increases. A key aspect of the high value, knowledge intensive FDI, for which Ireland now competes, is that it increasingly favours locations in or near centres of urban scale, where it has access to the concentrations of infrastructure, skills and services it needs.
Frequently, competition for Foreign Direct Investment comes from city regions with populations in excess of one million people. Dublin is the only recognised city region of scale in Ireland. If FDI is to continue to contribute to balanced regional development the other regions of the country must be promoted as regions of scale with urban centres that provide the range of infrastructure and services that high value investment projects demand. IDA continues to vigorously promote such regions to potential investors.
While IDA Ireland continues its focus on winning investment for locations outside of Dublin and Cork, it must be remembered that in the final analysis it is the investor who decides where to locate.
|
Date |
Company |
Location |
Origin |
Invest. |
Jobs |
|
19/01/10 |
StreamServe |
Galway |
US |
N/A |
20 |
|
26/01/10 |
Freund Corporation |
Tullamore, Co. Offaly |
Japan |
N/A |
25 |
|
11/02/10 |
Generali |
Navan, Co. Meath |
Italy |
N/A |
N/A |
|
24/02/10 |
Warner Chilcott |
Dundalk |
US |
N/A |
200 |
|
01/03/10 |
PPD |
Athlone |
US |
N/A |
250 |
|
10/03/10 |
Competency Centres (EI/IDA) |
Nationwide |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
31/03/10 |
Dell |
Dublin/Limerick |
US |
N/A |
100 |
|
28/4/10 |
Trill Technology Research |
Kildare |
US |
$3m |
N/A |
|
26.05.10 |
EA Games |
Galway |
USA |
N/A |
200 |
|
09.06.10 |
MFG.com |
Drogheda |
USA |
N/A |
50 |
|
28.06.10 |
Analog Devices |
Limerick |
USA |
23m |
N/A |
|
15.07.10 |
UnitedHealth Group |
Letterkenny |
USA |
N/A |
200 |
|
19.07.10 |
Lumension |
Galway |
USA |
N/A |
30 |
|
17.09.10 |
Freund Pharmatec |
Tullamore |
Japan |
N/A |
25 |
|
21.09.10 |
Intel |
Collaboration with Tyndall |
USA |
N/A |
N/A |
Vocational Education Committees
Ciaran Lynch
Question:133 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the discussions or communications she has had with the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes concerning the possible reduction in the number of vocational education committees from 33 to 22; the way the reduction will be achieved; if, at any time, or in any form, the VECs to be affected were identified or indicated; the VECs that were affected; if she has accepted this particular recommendation of the review group; the way she intends to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36570/10]
The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes considered that the number of VECs should be reduced to 22 and be aligned with the functional areas of the local authorities. I am satisfied that a greater reduction than suggested by the Group is desirable in order to deal with the issues of scale and taking into account the current and prospective requirements of the education sector.
The Government has decided to reduce the overall number of VECs from 33 to 16 and has decided on the merger of particular counties in order to arrive at the new configuration. Many of the detailed aspects of the restructuring will fall to be considered and worked through by my Department in conjunction with the VECs involved in any one merger before decisions are taken. Details of the sixteen revised VEC areas are as follows:
Co. Dublin and Dún Laoghaire;
City of Dublin;
City of Galway and Co. Galway;
City of Cork;
Co. Cork;
City of Limerick, Co. Limerick and Co. Kerry;
City of Waterford, Co. Waterford and Tipperary South Riding;
Donegal;
Wexford and Wicklow;
Carlow, Kilkenny and Kildare;
Laois, Offaly and Westmeath;
Louth and Meath;
Cavan and Monaghan;
Mayo and Sligo;
Leitrim, Roscommon and Longford;
Clare and Tipperary North Riding.
My Department will now commence discussions with the relevant stakeholders, including trade unions representing staff in the VEC sector, in relation to the detailed implementation of this Government's decision.
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Leo Varadkar
Question:134 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of classes within each school with 30 to 35 pupils, 36 to 40 pupils and 40 pupils plus for each primary school in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36552/10]
The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains information relating to class size ranges for each mainstream primary school. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is also published annually on my Department's website. While the staffing schedule allocates on the basis of an average number of pupils each individual school decides on how to arrange its classes.
Special Educational Needs
Ruairí Quinn
Question:135 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the autistic children who attend a school (details supplied) in County Dublin will continue to have their necessary educational provision assured in future, with particular regard to the provision of applied behaviour analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36553/10]
The Deputy will be aware that the 2007 Programme for Government committed to the long-term funding for the centres in the ABA pilot scheme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable them to be supported as primary schools for children with autism. Agreement on transitional arrangements for the pilot centres was reached following a long process of discussions and engagement with the representative body of the pilot centres. Each of the centres has now applied for special school status. I am pleased to advise you that I have been able to respond positively to applications and all, but one, of the centres have now been granted recognition as special schools for children with autism. The application from the remaining centre is currently being processed.
The Department is committed to ensuring that all children with autism can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers who may draw from a range of autism-specific interventions, including ABA, special needs assistants, and the appropriate school curriculum.
I fully appreciate that change in any organisation can cause concern and anxiety. This is particularly true when the organisation is a centre catering for children with special educational needs. However, I understand that each of the centres engaged with parents and staff before applying for special school status.
Managers have been appointed by the Patrons to manage the transitional process from centre to special school. As part of this process, my Department is arranging for training in a range of autism-specific interventions for the new Principals and Teachers once they have been appointed. In addition, training is being provided for the Managers and the new Boards of Management. It is my intention to continue to support the transitional process.
School Transport
John O'Mahony
Question:136 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when a reply will issue in response to correspondence (details supplied) [36564/10]
Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, pupils who reside 3.2 kilometres or more from, and are attending their nearest suitable national school, as determined by my Department, are eligible for free school transport. The safety and welfare of pupils travelling on school transport services are of paramount importance to my Department and Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport services on behalf of my Department.
Bus Éireann is responsible for matters such as the planning of bus routes, the timetabling of services and the designation of pick up and set down points in such a way as to ensure that, as far as possible, pupils have a reasonable level of service consistent with school transport policy while at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in an efficient and cost effective manner. Parents/Guardians have a responsibility to ensure that their children are brought safely to and collected safely from designated pick up and set down points. There is no provision within the scheme to facilitate pupils with pick up or set down points on existing bus routes other than those designated by Bus Éireann.
Schools Building Projects
Billy Timmins
Question:137 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36571/10]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of a project at the school in question at this time. In the meantime, it is open to the school management to apply to my Department for funding for temporary accommodation to meet its immediate needs.
School Staffing
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:138 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) has a duty to continue paying stamps or make financial provision for an employee (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36572/10]
The matter referred to by the Deputy is being raised with the Board of Management of the school in question. I will advise the Deputy of the position.
Schools Building Projects
Ulick Burke
Question:139 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the progress, if any, that has been made for the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Galway which has been at planning stage for over ten years, is seriously overcrowded, lacks proper facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36584/10]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for major capital funding. All applications for large scale capital funding are assessed against published prioritisation criteria which were introduced in 2004 following consultation with the Education Partners. Under the criteria, each project is assigned a Band Rating which reflects the type of works required and the urgency attaching to them. There are four Band Ratings in all, with Band 1 being the highest and Band 4 the lowest. Projects are progressed in accordance with the Band rating assigned to them and the availability of funding. The application from this school has been assessed in accordance with the criteria and assigned a band 1.1 rating.
In 2005, the school was selected as one which was suitable for delivery of its building project under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2005 and the school authority was offered funding of €300,000 to build an extension. The school authority accepted this offer and proceeded with the planning of this project while, at the same time, appealing the amount allocated to the project under the scheme. Subsequently, the school authority notified the Department that they had decided to withdraw from the scheme and requested that they be progressed to delivery by the traditional method.
In January 2007, the school was notified that the long term projected staffing would be Principal plus 8 assistant mainstream class teachers. As the existing school site could not accommodate a new 8 classroom school, the Patron offered adjacent parish land to accommodate the provision of a new 8 classroom school building.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. The Department is committed to providing suitable high quality accommodation for St. Catherine's National School. However, in light of current tight economic circumstances, and with competing demands on the capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
In the meantime the Department is in receipt of an application for additional accommodation to accommodate additional Special Education Resource hours. I am pleased to advise you that the application has been approved and my Department will be in contact with the school authority in this regard in the coming days.
School Enrolments
Martin Ferris
Question:140 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will intervene in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36624/10]
The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.
Under section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of a Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) school to the VEC in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB will be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement. I understand the NEWB have been in contact with the parents of the student in question on the matter. The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and also to provide early educational intervention for pre-school children with autism.
Community Employment Schemes
Brian O'Shea
Question:141 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the changes envisaged for the social employment scheme in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36839/10]
I understand that the Deputy's question is intended to relate to the operation of the Community Employment Scheme. In that regard, I wish to inform the Deputy that there are no specific proposals at present to make changes to the Community Employment Scheme in Waterford. The Employment Programmes and Services and Skills Training (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order of 2010, which came into force on 1 May 2010, provided for the reallocation of responsibility for FÁS as an Agency and its funding related to training and skills from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to my Department. Responsibility for the employment service and community service activities of FÁS and its related funding has also transferred to my Department. However, following the enactment of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 in July, the Department of Social Protection will, following commencement of the relevant sections of the Act, assume funding and overall responsibility of FÁS employment services and community services which would include the Community Employment Programme.
Illicit Trade in Tobacco
Joan Burton
Question:142 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who have been brought to court, convicted, imprisoned and fined for tobacco smuggling in each of the past five years and to date in 2010; the average fine for tobacco smuggling in each of the past five years including 2010; the extent to which the increased fines allowable for tobacco smuggling, as set out in the 2010 Finance Bill, have been utilised; if there has been any increase or decrease in the resources in terms of manpower, financial or other resources, dedicated to tackling tobacco smuggling in 2008, 2009 and 2010; his plans to introduce new measures, legislative or otherwise, to combat tobacco smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36567/10]
Joan Burton
Question:148 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue lost to the Exchequer annually through tobacco smuggling; if there has been any increase or decrease in the resources in terms of manpower, financial or other resources, dedicated to tackling tobacco smuggling in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36566/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 148 together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax, and for tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products, that there is no internationally recognised method for precisely determining the amount of tax lost as a result of the illicit trade in cigarettes. However, on the basis of a 2009 survey carried out independently on behalf of Revenue and the Office of Tobacco Control, Revenue estimates that approximately 20% of cigarettes consumed in the State had not been taxed in this jurisdiction. It is important to emphasise that this estimate includes both illicit cigarettes and legal cross-border purchases brought into the State for personal consumption. Revenue would further tentatively estimate that this figure of 20% comprises 14% illicit product and 6% legal cross-border purchases. Based on an estimate of 14%, the loss of excise duty to the exchequer from illicit cigarette consumption during 2009 would be in the region of €200m.
The strategy of the Revenue Commissioners for tackling this illicit trade is multi-faceted. It includes ongoing analysis of the nature and extent of the problem, developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, ongoing review of operational policies, development of analytics and deployment of detection technologies, optimum deployment of resources at point of importation and internally to intercept the contraband product and to prosecute those involved.
Interception at the point of importation is achieved through a combination of risk analysis, profiling, intelligence, and the screening of cargo, vehicles, baggage and postal packages. Revenue enforcement officers also target this illicit trade at the post-importation level by carrying out intelligence-based operations and random checks at retail outlets, markets and private and commercial premises. Revenue and An Garda Síochána also carry out regular multi-agency operations, particularly in relation to large maritime importations and in checks at inland markets.
In relation to the staff resources available to combat cigarette smuggling, enforcement officers are deployed at all key ports and airports. While staffing levels have generally remained static during the period in question, they are subject to continuous review, and staff numbers deployed at these locations are often augmented by additional staff from other areas when specific operations are organised. Although Revenue's overall staff numbers have been reduced over the past two years in the context of Government policy on civil service numbers, Revenue has ensured that the resources deployed in this work have been maintained.
In terms of detection equipment resources, a second mobile X-ray container scanner, to augment the one first deployed in 2006, was commissioned by Revenue in January 2010 and is now fully operational. Container scanning is one of a number of detection technology applications used to detect contraband. However, its deployment must take into account the principle of free movement of goods within the Community as well as the objective of minimal disruption to legitimate trade. Revenue also uses a tobacco detection dog in addition to the smaller baggage/ parcel scanners which are deployed at all major ports, airports and postal depots. Two new X-ray scanners were also purchased within the last 12 months for use in postal depots.
Revenue's approach in relation to the detection of tobacco-related offences is under continuous review. For example, in July of this year Revenue launched a nationwide tobacco operation, which concentrated additional Revenue resources at ports, airports and at various retail points for the purpose of identifying illicit tobacco products. This resulted in 561 seizures totalling 13.7m cigarettes and 195 kgs tobacco in the course of the two-week period of the operation. Further such intensive operations are planned, to supplement the normal ongoing level of detection and enforcement activities.
The Revenue Commissioners have also established a high level internal group, chaired at Commissioner level to examine the risks related to tobacco excise, and to monitor and optimise performance in relation to detection of counterfeit and contraband tobacco products. This group has promoted a number of initiatives aimed at counteracting the illicit trade in tobacco. These include improved profiling of passengers and freight to identify tobacco smugglers, the recent establishment of a tobacco hotline, coordinating national blitz style operations, evaluation and acquisition of scanning and other detection technologies and learning from best practice internationally.
In relation to legislative measures, Revenue reviews the relevant legislation on an annual basis in the context of the Finance Act requirements and submits proposals to my department as necessary. As regards the provision in the 2010 Finance Act which increased fines relating to tobacco smuggling, I am advised that due to the timeline involved in bringing indictable cases to court stage, it is too early as yet to assess the impact of the new penalties.
The multi-faceted approach that Revenue has adopted has resulted in the seizure of 150m cigarettes and more than 2,400 kgs of tobacco to date this year. The details of the number of persons brought to court, convicted, imprisoned and fined for tobacco smuggling and the average fine for tobacco smuggling in each of the past five years and to date in 2010 are set out in the tables below.
|
Offence Category |
No. of Convictions |
Fines Total |
No. of Prison Sentences Imposed |
Of which sentences were Suspended |
No. of Community Service Orders & Total Hours |
Average Fines Imposed |
|
€ |
€ |
|||||
|
Cigarette Smuggling |
105 |
41,850 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
400 |
|
Cigarette Selling (Unstamped Tobacco Products) |
3 |
2,235 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
745 |
|
Offence Category |
No. of Convictions |
Fines Total |
No. of Prison Sentences Imposed |
Of which sentences were Suspended |
No. of Community Service Orders & Total Hours |
Average Fines Imposed |
|
€ |
€ |
|||||
|
Cigarette Smuggling |
140 |
56,875 |
10 |
10 |
3,380 hours in total |
405 |
|
Cigarette Selling (Unstamped Tobacco Products) |
6 |
5,775 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
965 |
|
Offence Category |
No. of Convictions |
Fines Total |
No. of Prison Sentences Imposed |
Of which sentences were Suspended |
No. of Community Service Orders & Total Hours |
Average Fines Imposed |
|
€ |
€ |
|||||
|
Cigarette Smuggling |
118 |
47,760 |
15 |
13 |
1,180 Hours in total |
405 |
|
Cigarette Selling (Unstamped Tobacco Products) |
3 |
3,450 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,150 |
|
Offence Category |
No. of Convictions |
Fines Total |
No. of Prison Sentences Imposed |
Of which sentences were Suspended |
No. of Community Service Orders & Total Hours |
Average Fines Imposed |
|
€ |
€ |
|||||
|
Cigarette Smuggling |
81 |
34,529 |
8 |
4 |
2,360 hours in total |
425 |
|
Cigarette Selling (Unstamped Tobacco Products) |
4 |
7,000 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1,750 |
|
Offence Category |
No. of Convictions |
Fines Total |
No. of Prison Sentences Imposed |
Of which sentences were Suspended |
No. of Community Service Orders & Total Hours |
Average Fines Imposed |
|
€ |
€ |
|||||
|
Cigarette Smuggling |
146 |
60,360 |
27 |
17 |
71,360 hours in total |
413 |
|
Cigarette Selling (Unstamped Tobacco Products) |
19 |
33,150 |
6 |
2 |
1,200 hours in total |
1,750 |
|
Offence Category |
No. of Convictions |
Fines Total |
No. of Prison Sentences Imposed |
Of which sentences were Suspended |
No. of Community Service Orders & Total Hours |
Average Fines Imposed |
|
€ |
€ |
|||||
|
Cigarette Smuggling |
63 |
28,775 |
10 |
7 |
0 |
423 |
|
Cigarette Selling (Unstamped Tobacco Products) |
30 |
74,300 |
9 (2 cases under appeal) |
5 |
2,350 months in total |
2,477 |
Budget Statement
Terence Flanagan
Question:143 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36592/10]
This question relates to potential Budgetary measures. It is the usual practice for the Minister for Finance not to speculate or comment in advance of the Budget what it will contain and I do not propose to deviate from that practice.
Proposed Legislation
Mattie McGrath
Question:144 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on the possibility of amending the Valuation Act 2001, to include the bypassing of a property as a material change of circumstances in section 3 of the Act [36602/10]
The Valuation Act 2001 provides for the valuation of all commercial and industrial property and the Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his functions under the Act and the making of valuations for rating is his sole prerogative. Under section 28(4) of the Act, a Revision Officer of the Commissioner may carry out a revision of valuation in relation to a particular property only if a material change of circumstances (MCC) has occurred since the property was last revised. MCC is defined in section 3 of the Act as a change of circumstances, which consist of a new building, a change in value due to structural alterations of an existing building, total or partial demolition of a building or a sub-division or amalgamation of relevant property. The definition does not allow for a revision of valuation where the change in value is due to economic factors, differential movements in property values or other external factors such as roads or other infrastructural development in the vicinity of a property. The valuation of commercial property is determined by reference to the values of comparable properties on the same valuation list.
I have no plans at present to introduce amendments to the legislation; however, my officials are reviewing various provisions of the Valuation Act 2001 to achieve greater efficiencies, including streamlining the appeal process and I will ask them to include this issue in their deliberations.
Tax Code
John Cregan
Question:145 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that VAT is refundable to farmers who install individual electricity wind turbines on their farms and if these turbines are considered a fixed asset for the purposes of a VAT refund [36534/10]
Farmers who are registered for VAT are accountable persons for VAT in respect of all their taxable activities, whether those activities consist solely of farming or both farming and other activities such as the generation of electricity for provision to the national grid. As accountable persons for VAT, they would be entitled to claim input credit for VAT charged on the installation of an alternative energy generator, such as a wind turbine, for use in their taxable activities. In so far as farmers who are not registered for VAT are concerned, they are not in the normal course entitled to credit for, or repayment of, VAT incurred by them on their business inputs. The Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No 25) Order, 1993 provides for refunds to unregistered farmers for tax borne on the "construction, extension, alteration or reconstruction of any building or structure which is designed for use solely or mainly for the purposes of a farming business". However, while the installation of an alternative energy generator may be the construction of a structure, such a structure is not "designed for use solely or mainly for the purposes of a farming business". It is designed rather to generate electricity for wherever required. Consequently, the installation of alternative energy generators does not come within the scope of the VAT refund order.
Róisín Shortall
Question:146 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if a person in receipt of partial rent supplement but making rental contributions can qualify for rent relief [36538/10]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that where an individual, who is in receipt of partial rent supplement in respect of the rent due on a property, pays an additional amount of qualifying rent from their own funds for that property, then a claim can be made by that individual under Section 473 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 for rent credit in respect of the additional sum paid subject to the normal specified limits. Qualifying rent for the purposes of Section 473 is rent paid for the bare right to use, occupy or enjoy the premises. Accordingly any payments in respect of the provision of goods and services are not eligible for relief. In addition, rent paid to local authorities, government departments or the Office of Public works does not qualify for tax relief. Currently, a single person aged under 55 can claim a credit on rent paid of up to €2,000 per annum. For married or widowed persons under 55, the limit is €4,000. For individuals aged 55 or over, the specified limits are doubled.
Tax Yield
Martin Ferris
Question:147 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Finance the return to the Exchequer if the profits from offshore exploration companies were taxed at 48% and subject to a 7% royalty [36544/10]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information furnished on corporation tax returns does not generally require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of economic activity to be identified. In these circumstances the amount of tax revenues collected in respect of the activities specified in the question cannot be readily identified from the overall corporation tax yield. There is, therefore, no statistical basis on which the Exchequer impact of the changes mentioned in the question could be estimated. I am further informed by Revenue that even if the basic information was available the obligation on the Revenue Commissioners to observe confidentiality for taxpayers and small groups of taxpayers might preclude them from disclosing it.
Section 45 of Finance Act 2008 introduced new tax provisions in relation to profits derived from petroleum exploration and production activities. A new tax called a "profit resource rent tax" will apply at rates of 5%, 10% or 15% in addition to the corporation tax rate of 25% that currently applies to profits from petroleum activities. It will apply when profits exceed certain defined levels. This will be worked out by a formula that relates the profits from a petroleum field to the capital investment in the field. The new tax provisions give effect to the Government Decision of 30 July 2007 that a new regime would apply in relation to petroleum profits from discoveries made from 2007 onwards.
Question No. 148 answered with Question No. 142.
Flood Relief
Billy Timmins
Question:149 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36574/10]
The Office of Public Works has not received any applications from Wicklow County Council in relation to the funding of flood mitigation works or studies at Baltinglass, other than those referred to in the previous reply in this matter. The Council did however make a general enquiry in late September as to the operation of the minor works scheme, and was advised that it was possible to make further applications this year.
Central Bank Reserve
Joan Burton
Question:150 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the total reserves held by the Central Bank in gold and in cash; to set out the total cash in hand held by the National Treasury Management Agency and by the National Pensions Reserve Fund, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36595/10]
At end-September 2010, the NTMA held some €22 billion, and the National Pensions Reserve Fund €3.3 billion, in cash. The Central Bank reported in its Money and Banking Statistics published on 24 September 2010 that the balance for gold and receivables was €195 million. I am informed by the Bank that it does not hold any reserves in cash.
Disabled Drivers
Bobby Aylward
Question:151 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance if he will grant an exemption from vehicle registration tax and taxes on a vehicle being purchased by a charity (details supplied) [36615/10]
Section 131 of the Finance Act 1992 requires that vehicles used by State residents must be registered. However, there are a number of occasions where an exemption from the payment of VRT tax may apply. One such exemption in respect of VRT and VAT, subject to certain conditions, is provided for in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations. Statutory Instrument No. 353 of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994 (Regulation 12) provides the requirements for Organisations to apply under this Scheme. The named organisation may wish to examine whether it may be eligible under this Scheme. In that regard, it should contact the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Central Repayments Office, Freepost, M: TEK II Building, Armagh Road, Monaghan (Telephone 047 62100).
Departmental Properties
Brian Hayes
Question:152 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 200 and 278 of 29 September 2010, the person who has special responsibility for the Office of Public Works to answer questions submitted to the Minister for Education and Skills which looked for detailed information regarding rental properties within the Department of Education and Skills and to which the Minister replied that the property management service of the OPW is directly responsible for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36628/10]
In response to a similar question to the Minister for Finance on 29 September, I stated that the information requested would involve considerable analysis and correlation and that OPW will revert directly to the Deputy as soon as the relevant data has been compiled. Work on compiling the data, which will cover properties rented for all Government Departments, is proceeding and will be available to the Deputy on 22nd October 2010.
Tax Code
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:153 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the savings to the Exchequer if all tax exemptions for private hospitals were terminated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36665/10]
The scheme of capital allowances for the construction or refurbishment of buildings used as private hospitals was introduced in Finance Act 2001 and came into effect in May 2002. As announced in the 2009 Supplementary Budget in April 2009 and reflected in section 8 of Finance Act 2009, the scheme of capital allowances for private hospitals was terminated from 31 December 2009 along with certain other health-related capital allowances schemes, subject to transitional arrangements for pipeline projects. Under the transitional arrangements, if certain qualifying criteria are met, the termination date for qualifying expenditure is extended. For example, where planning permission is required for the project involved and a valid application for full planning permission is submitted on or before 31 December 2009 (and acknowledged by the relevant planning authority), the termination date for qualifying expenditure is 31 December 2013.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, based on the information that has been received and collated for the tax year 2008, (the latest year for which full data is available) there were 339 claims for €30.1 million capital allowances for the construction of private hospitals. This figure would correspond to a maximum Exchequer cost of the order of €12.3 million for these returns in terms of income tax foregone. The information required in tax returns on the annual amounts of claims for this tax relief would not be sufficiently detailed to provide a basis for deriving an estimate of the remaining legacy cost to the Exchequer. I am not therefore in a position to provide the information requested by the Deputy.
I should also point out that the provisions of section 23 Finance Act 2010 severely curtails the amount of tax reliefs that can be used to reduce the income tax liability of those on high incomes. These provisions ensure that, in addition to PRSI and levies, those with high incomes and using reliefs will have an effective income tax rate of about 30%. This measure applies to a list of specified reliefs, including property-based tax reliefs, the use of all of which has been curtailed as a result of this change.
Redundancy Payments
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:154 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he has been briefed by the Revenue Commissioners on the leave and return scheme in respect of an airline (details supplied); if he is considering any legislation in the context of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36669/10]
For reasons of taxpayer confidentiality the Revenue Commissioners do not comment on or provide information on individual cases in relation to either businesses or personal taxpayers. However, by way of general information, the following is the position:
The tax code provides for full Income Tax exemption for any statutory redundancy payment made under the 1967 Redundancy Payments Act (the 1967 Act).
The question of whether a payment comes within the 1967 Act is a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation and the Revenue Commissioners will follow their determination as regards the tax treatment of any payment made under that Act.
For non-statutory lump sums, there is a basic exemption of €10,160 plus €765 for each full year of service. For employees who are not members of an occupational pension scheme, this basic exemption is increased by a further €10,000.
There is an alternative exemption, called the "Standard Capital Superannuation Benefit", which generally gives a more favourable tax exemption for employees with long service and higher-than-average earnings.
If any part of the lump sum is not exempt, there is a further relief, called "top slicing" relief, which ensures that the lump sum is not taxed at a rate higher than the employee's average rate of tax for the three years prior to termination
The question of whether tax relief is available on non-statutory lump sums is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. Whether a lump sum qualifies on the basis that it is made in connection with a genuine termination, change of function or commutation of pay will depend on all of the particular facts and circumstances of an individual case.
There is no "template" for such arrangements. If the Revenue Commissioners are asked to approve the proposed tax treatment of redundancy or change of function arrangements, or if the tax treatment of such arrangements is audited by Revenue, all of the facts, not just the contractual arrangements, will be looked at to determine the true nature of the payments.
In some instances, businesses do approach the Revenue Commissioners in advance about particular redundancy packages, but there is no obligation to do so. Where they do, the Revenue Commissioners will give a view based on the facts as disclosed, which is open to review when all the facts are known.
Tax Evasion
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:155 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of his investigations into the role of a company (details supplied) for alleged offshore tax evasion purposes in the employment of airline pilots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36670/10]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that due to their policy of confidentiality as regard taxpayers' affairs it is not possible to supply the information requested.
Tax Collection
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:156 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to address the ongoing problem of Irish tax fugitives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36671/10]
I am assuming that by ‘tax fugitives' the Deputy means Irish domiciled individuals or Irish citizens claiming to be non-resident for tax purposes. The taxation of individuals in the State is in line with that prevailing in most other OECD jurisdictions, that is to say:
individuals who are resident in the State for tax purposes (based on the number of days of presence in the State) are taxable here on their worldwide income; and
individuals who are not resident here for tax purposes pay tax here only on income arising in the State and on income derived from working here.
A person is regarded as resident in the State for tax purposes in a tax year if he or she spends:
183 days in the State in that year, or
280 days in aggregate in that tax year and the preceding tax year.
An individual who is present in the State for 30 days or less in a tax year will not be treated as resident for that year unless s/he elects to be resident. As with other areas of taxation, these rules are constantly kept under review.
The Deputy may be aware I made two significant changes in recent years which affected Irish domiciled individuals and Irish citizens claiming to be non-resident. Firstly, I abolished the so-called "Cinderella rule. From tax year 2009 onwards, an individual is regarded as present in the State for a day for tax residence purposes if s/he is in the State at any time during the day. This change makes it harder for individuals to arrange their affairs to become non-resident for tax purposes. Previously, for years up to and including 2008, an individual was treated as present in the State on a day for tax residence purposes only if s/he was in the State at the end of that day.
Secondly, in Finance Bill 2010 I introduced the Domicile Levy, which applies for the tax year 2010 and subsequent years. The levy is payable by an individual who:
is domiciled in and is a citizen of the State in the tax year (regardless of her/his residence status);
has worldwide income for the tax year of more than €1,000,000;
has a liability to income tax in the State for the tax year of less than €200,000; and
the market value of whose Irish property on the valuation date, 31 December in the tax year, is greater than €5,000,000.
The Domicile Levy will ensure that wealthy citizens make a contribution to the national finances at this time of difficulty.
National Debt
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:157 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the total cost of interest repayments on the national debt in 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; given the additional debt that has been incurred due to the bank bailout scheme if he will estimate the interest repayment by the end of 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36672/10]
The debt servicing interest costs for the period from 2007-2011 are set out in the table. The figures for 2010 and 2011 are the Budget 2010 projections. It has been signalled publicly by my Department that debt interest costs in 2010 will be approximately €350 million lower than was forecast at Budget time. The estimated 2010 outturn and 2011 forecast are currently being revised by my Department and the National Treasury Management Agency in the context of the publication of the four-year budgetary plan. The plan will be published in the first half of November taking account of the latest economic and fiscal data, including the recent announcements in relation to banking measures.
|
2007 (outturn) |
2008 (outturn) |
2009 (outturn) |
2010 (forecast)* |
2011 (forecast) |
|
|
Debt Servicing Interest Costs €bn |
1.6 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
4.4 |
5.7 |
*Budget 2010 forecast, revised forecast for 2010 is €4.1 billion.
National Asset Management Agency
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:158 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the mechanism his Department has created so that taxpayers can be assured that from November 2010 the National Asset Management Agency discount valuation of the final tranche of loans from the Irish banks is accurate; if the figures reported to the Dáil on 30 September 2010 are the final figures and will not be revised upwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36678/10]
The actual discounts on the remaining NAMA transfers will only be known to 100% accuracy following the completion of loan by loan due diligence and the valuation exercise by NAMA. The NAMA discounts quoted by me in my statement of 30th September were estimated by NAMA taking account of the detailed loan-by-loan data available to the agency from the transfer of the first two tranches and supplemented by information now available to it on the remaining loans. With this detailed information NAMA has been able to refine to a reasonable degree of accuracy its estimates of the discounts on the remaining loans to be transferred. The Deputy will be aware that the transfer process is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Consultancy Contracts
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:159 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the reason local security companies were not permitted to tender for the Office of Public Works facility management contract for a facility (details supplied); to explain what is a facilities management contract; when the facilities management contract was tendered last and when were the earlier tendering processes; the total value of the facilities management contract; if there has been a roll-over of the contract; if his attention has been drawn to the local concerns at the manner in which this facilities management contract was awarded and at the perceived lack of transparency and accountability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36679/10]
The facility management contract for Northside Civic Centre was publicly advertised and following a pre-qualification process a number of suitable firms were invited to tender. A facility management contract is where a single company is contracted to provide services in the management of a facility that could include, building fabric maintenance, specialist services maintenance, landscape maintenance, energy management, minor works project management, health and safety management, static security, catering, cleaning, waste management, reception, porter service, post and courier services, tenant billing, accommodation management, and any other service that may be required in the management of a building or facility. The facilities management contract was tendered in 2003 for a five-year contract. The value of the contract at the award of contract was approximately €300,000 per annum. The requirement for services in a number of facility management contracts, including this particular facility, is currently under review and will be tendered next year. The issue of the security contract has been raised by the Deputy in a previous recent parliamentary question and in a representation directly from a local security company. The procurement of security services in the facility is a matter for the existing facility management company or the future management company when the contract for the management of the facility is re-tendered.
Value for Money Reviews
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:160 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to undertake a further value for money analysis of the work of the Office of Public Works; if he will undertake a full review of procurement practices in the organisation and if this is currently under review; if he is currently reviewing the structure of this Department which was inherited from the British in 1922 and his views on whether it needs to be significantly restructured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36680/10]
The Commissioners of Public Works advise that value for money studies are undertaken, as decided by Government under the Expenditure Review and Value for Money programme. The National Procurement Service (NPS) was established in the Office of Public Works following a Government decision in 2009. The NPS has a lead role in modernising procurement practices for goods and services across the public sector. The NPS groups its work around three main strategic goals namely (1) strategic sourcing; (2) education/development/guidance and (3) eProcurement. During the past 12 months it has been involved in extensive activities to further each of these goals. During the past year the NPS has launched major procurement campaigns in areas that have a reach across the majority of the public service and therefore afford an opportunity for heightened levels of collaboration and also promise the possibility of maximum return on investment.
The NPS has, to date, in conjunction with InterTrade Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and ISME given workshops and presentations to over 300 suppliers. This initiative will continue into 2011. Recognising the necessity to have access to the best of national and international advice on procurement and supply chain management, a procurement Advisory Group was established in 2010.
Since its establishment in 1831 the Office of Public Works has been restructured and re-organised on numerous occasions as its remit has changed and expanded and as National and EU legislation, eg the EU Floods Directive, demanded to meet changing political, social, cultural and public service demands. The present decentralisation programme has effected another restructuring of the organisation. The management of the Office of Public Works continually review work practices and structures to ensure the best service delivery model.
Bank Guarantee Scheme
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:161 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the basis for the decision to guarantee subordinated debt holders of the nationalised and part-nationalised banks in view of the knowledge of risk that such bond-holders had when they advanced the money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36806/10]
The Deputy should note that only dated subordinated debt was covered by the original State Guarantee. Perpetual subordinated debt was excluded. The overriding concern in the weeks before the State Guarantee was to preserve the stability of the entire banking system at a time when it was at serious risk of collapse. Given the highly volatile state of international financial markets in September/October 2008, it was essential that the commitment provided by the Irish Government to stand behind our banking system was entirely credible, clear and consistent. In those circumstances, there were significant risks in an approach which sought to discriminate between different types of bank liabilities. Such an approach could have resulted in the financial markets concluding that the guarantee was not acceptable or indeed credible.
The report on the banking crisis by the Governor of the Central Bank, Patrick Honohan, refers to what he called the "hysterical" state of the markets at that time and concludes that decisive and credible action was needed the restore stability. In particular, there was a requirement to maintain access to wholesale capital markets. It was also crucial to guard against the risk of a default on any liabilities. Had there been a default on subordinated debt, a cross-default could have arisen which would have had the effect of triggering the Guarantee on other liabilities
As far as opportunities for risk-sharing are concerned, I understand that holders of subordinated debt in the three largest banks, through various buy back exercises at a discount, have incurred losses of more than €5 billion so far. In addition, credit rating agencies have downgraded subordinated debt in some of the Irish institutions on the basis that they expect further costs to be imposed on these bondholders. As I outlined in my statement on banking of 30 September last, my Department in conjunction with the Attorney General is working on resolution and reorganisation legislation, specific to Anglo Irish Bank and INBS, which will address the issue of burden-sharing by subordinated bondholders. The legislation will be consistent with the requirements for the measures to be recognised as a re-organisation under the relevant EU Directive in other EU Member States.
Very significant volumes of both short-term and longer-term funding were secured by the banks from wholesale capital markets in the weeks following the introduction of the guarantee. This has subsequently provided an important foundation to the funding of the banks and a bulwark against funding pressures that have arisen at various times since. Finally, the Deputy may wish to note that with the expiry of the original CIFS guarantee scheme on 29 September last, no guarantee is available from the State in respect of dated subordinated debt.
Semi-State Sector Remuneration
Pat Breen
Question:162 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce legislation to reduce and cap the salaries of semi-State chief executive officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36807/10]
Staff, including chief executive officers, of commercial State Sponsored Bodies do not come within the provisions of the legislation providing for the public service pension-related deduction (pension levy) introduced with effect from 1 March 2009 or the reductions in pay of public servants introduced with effect from 1st January 2010. With the exception of chief executives, the Minister for Finance does not control the pay of staff of these bodies. I brought proposals to Government to review the arrangements governing the pay of chief executives. The Government has agreed that such a review should be undertaken. I will shortly announce further information on the nature of the review and the group to undertake it. Unlike the position in the commercial State Sponsored Bodies, staff of non-commercial State Sponsored Bodies, including the chief executive officers, come within the legislation referred to above and are subject to both the pension related deduction and to the reductions in pay.
Prescription Charges
Richard Bruton
Question:163 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if holders of long-term illness cards are exempt from the charge of 50 cent for every item on a prescription [36533/10]
Prescription charges do not apply to items supplied to patients under the Long Term Illness Scheme.
Drugs Payment Scheme
Alan Shatter
Question:164 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the average waiting time for the processing of drug payment scheme refunds is approximately nine months; the reason the Dublin health board areas have one full-time member of staff or two part-time members of staff dealing with all applications for refunds; if her attention has been drawn to the consequential negative impact on persons awaiting receipt of moneys expended on the drugs payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36575/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medical Inquiries
Jimmy Devins
Question:165 Deputy Jimmy Devins asked the Minister for Health and Children when the review into the case of a person (details supplied) will be published [36577/10]
I will meet with patient advocacy groups this week in relation to this matter. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to make any public statements on this Review before these meetings have been held.
Hospital Accommodation
Finian McGrath
Question:166 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in building the new cystic fibrosis unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital [36583/10]
A new ward block to replace existing accommodation is being developed at the hospital. This facility will provide single room en-suite inpatient accommodation (100 rooms) and a dedicated day unit for people with Cystic Fibrosis, including 10 single day treatment rooms with en-suite sanitary facilities. St Vincent's University Hospital and the HSE are committed to this project and are taking every possible step in order to ensure earliest possible delivery of the new ward block. My Department understands that the signing of the contract is imminent. The site has been cleared and is ready for construction to begin and the contract, once awarded, will require 18 months for construction of the new facility.
Medical Cards
Martin Ferris
Question:167 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a medical card holder (details supplied) was charged for a dental treatment [36589/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Services
Seán Power
Question:168 Deputy Seán Power asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties being encountered by VHI subscribers attending public hospitals, where care is provided by consultants on Type A contracts (details supplied); her views on whether this situation must be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36598/10]
Patients admitted to hospital under the care of a consultant holding a Type A contract are deemed to be public patients. Under the current eligibility framework, a patient must be categorised as public or private on admission to a public hospital. It is not open to a patient to opt to have both public and private status during a single episode of care. As the regulator of the private health insurance market, I have no role to play in the day-to-day running and commercial decisions of private health insurers.
Child Care Services
Terence Flanagan
Question:169 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36611/10]
I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which provides for a free pre-school year to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. Children qualify for the free pre-school year where they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months in September of the relevant year. This means that children born between 2 February 2006 and 30 June 2007 are eligible for the free pre-school year which commenced in September 2010. There is no provision under the scheme to enrol children that are below the qualifying age.
The objective of the ECCE scheme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to all children in the year before they commence primary school. Services participating in the pre-school year are expected to provide appropriate age related activities and programmes to children within a particular age cohort. It is necessary, therefore, to target the pre-school year at a particular age cohort and to set minimum and maximum limits to the age range within which children participate in the scheme.
In setting the minimum and maximum age limits, account was taken of a number of factors, including the variation in school admission policies and the fact that the majority of children commence primary school between the ages of 4 years 6 months and 5 years 6 months. I understand that the person referred to by the Deputy has a child who will qualify for the ECCE scheme in September 2011 but is outside of the lower age limit for qualification in September 2010.
I also have responsibility for implementing the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) scheme which provides funding to community childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare fees to disadvantaged and low income families. Parents can qualify for support with their childcare costs through the CCS scheme which is open to community not for profit childcare services. Some 950 services throughout the State are participating in the CCS scheme and receive funding which is passed on to qualifying parents in the form of reduced childcare fees.
Eligibility for a GP visit card is based on net income and takes account of outgoings such as rent and mortgage repayments and other expenses including childcare costs and travelling expenses. As a result, parents with substantial gross incomes can qualify under the CCS scheme. Parents who do not qualify for subvention are charged the cost price for their childcare service. Parents who consider that they qualify for support under the CCS scheme should contact their local City and County Childcare Committee to establish exactly what participating community facilities are available in their area.
Health Services
Michael D. Higgins
Question:170 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason pupils at a school (details supplied) in County Galway are not included in the dental scheme for schoolchildren; if she will rectify this matter as a matter of urgency and fairness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36618/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Cards
Jack Wall
Question:171 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36621/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Departmental Correspondence
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:172 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36622/10]
My Department replied on my behalf to the person concerned on 6 October 2010 in relation to the issue of medical records as raised in the correspondence referred to. Regarding the further issue of the Drogheda Review, I will meet with patient advocacy groups this week in relation to this matter. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to make any public statements on this Review before these meetings have been held.
Care of the Elderly
Liz McManus
Question:173 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a commitment that Wicklow hospital will be retained as a residential long stay care facility for the elderly; if she will ensure that the Health Information and Quality Authority report on it is published immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36625/10]
Billy Timmins
Question:183 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a hospital (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36843/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 183 together.
Wicklow District Hospital is a residential unit for older people providing long stay, respite and day care. Due to the age of the hospital, and despite investment over the years, some building infrastructural issues have come to light recently which gives rise for significant concern and they are being assessed. While the question relates to a service matter, I understand that the Health Service Executive has taken no decision yet in relation to the future of the hospital. Under the Health Act, 2007 statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority, for inspecting and registering categories of designated centre for older people. This new registration and inspection regime commenced on 1 July 2009.
The Authority carried out an inspection of Wicklow District Hospital on 24 August 2010. The Authority's inspection process comprises three parts: pre-assessment, the inspection visit and report completion including a process of fact-checking and verification. Following inspection, the inspection report is drafted by the inspector(s). Once complete, the draft report is issued to the provider for a factual accuracy review. The provider must submit an action plan to address any issues identified during the inspection. Finally once the action plan has been submitted and approved the report is published by the Authority on-line at www.hiqa.ie.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Mary Wallace
Question:174 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Health and Children the knowledge that exists within her Department regarding defibrillator quantities, locations and geographical spread throughout the country; if there is a lack of information regarding such an important life saving device if her Department will undertake to improve the State’s knowledge to ensure that such information is available to the emergency services in endeavouring to respond to cardiac arrest victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36627/10]
The Department does not retain information on the location and geographical spread of defibrillators. This is a service delivery matter and it has therefore been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Catherine Byrne
Question:175 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of money spent on purchasing crutches, wheelchairs and other mobility equipment in 2009, and to date in 2010; from whom these items are purchased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36660/10]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health and Safety Regulations
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:176 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of inspections performed by environmental health officers on restaurants and pubs in 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36663/10]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to food inspections. Environmental Health Officers of the HSE carry out food safety inspections of all food establishments under service contract to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Data regarding inspections of food establishments is captured in six broad categories of establishments, including the services sector, which includes restaurants, pubs, hotels and other service sector establishments. The FSAI have informed me that the numbers of food inspections carried out in the service sector between 2007 and the first half of 2010 are as follows:
2007 — 32,909;
2008 — 31,810;
2009 — 31,206;
2010 (up to end of June) — 13,381.
Hospital Accommodation
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:177 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of construction works carried out at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 over the past ten years; the purpose and cost of each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36666/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Cards
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:178 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will allow for the provision of doctor-only medical cards for persons over 70 years who do not qualify for a full medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36800/10]
Under the Health Act 2008, a much simplified system of assessment for eligibility was introduced in respect of persons aged 70 or over, based on the significantly higher gross income thresholds rather than the standard net income limits. The gross income thresholds are €700 per week for a single person and €1,400 for a couple, as against net income limits of €201.50 for a single person and €298 for a couple.
Under the net income assessment system, the assessment of eligibility is based on the combined income of an applicant and spouse (where applicable) after tax, PRSI and income levy contributions have been deducted. Additional allowances may be made for rent/mortgage, travel to work and child care costs. However, these would not be a factor for the vast majority of older people. Where an applicant's income is in excess of the net income guidelines, the Health Service Executive (HSE) will take medical issues and expenses into account in determining whether or not "undue hardship" exists. Where a person aged 70 or over does not qualify for a medical card by virtue of their gross income being over the specified thresholds, the HSE will assess if the person qualifies for a medical card or GP visit card under the existing net income thresholds.
Notwithstanding the above, the HSE may issue a medical card on a discretionary basis, if the applicant would otherwise be caused undue hardship in providing general medical and surgical services for himself/herself and any dependants. To assist the HSE in making such a determination, it is necessary for the applicant to provide information about medical issues and expenses.
Health Service Staff
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:179 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if agreement has been reached for the redeployment of clerical and administrative staff to clinical support work; if so, the extra staff that will be available and the areas to which they will be redeployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36801/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Pharmacy Services
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:180 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that long-stay older patients in primary, community and continuing care hospitals are now required to have their prescriptions filled through community pharmacists so that the 50 cent prescription charge can be collected; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that this is likely to be significantly more costly to the State because of the dispensing charge per item and the loss of drug purchase discounts which have been available to such hospitals; if she will reconsider this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36809/10]
With effect from 1 October last, medical card holders are required to pay a 50c charge for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists under the General Medical Services Scheme, subject to a cap of €10 per month for each person or family. In some long-stay facilities patients receive their medicines and other prescription items from hospital pharmacies and are not, therefore, subject to prescription charges. This practice is currently under review from an equity perspective.
Health Services
Emmet Stagg
Question:181 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in providing orthodontic treatment to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare [36823/10]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Services
Kieran O'Donnell
Question:182 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Health and Children to make a statement on the review currently being carried out on services at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36836/10]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Question No. 183 answered with Question No. 173.
Road Network
Tom Hayes
Question:184 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Transport the amount of money that was granted to each local authority to repair the damage to roads which occurred late last winter; the amount of the money that remains to be drawn down by each local authority in tabular form [36837/10]
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources and are supplemented by State road grants paid by my Department. Local authorities provided details of exceptional road related costs, which fell outside the normal financial provision for winter maintenance as a direct result of the damage sustained in late 2009/early 2010. I took account of this information received when deciding on the allocations to local authorities of €411million for 2010.
I decided to defer the planned rehabilitation works on regional and local roads in 2010, in order to provide greater flexibility to local authorities to address the damage sustained and I requested that they carefully target resources to address, on a priority basis, the most urgently required repairs. It is not, therefore, possible to isolate specific amounts of money from the funds allocated to each Authority in the manner sought by the Deputy, but I understand that all of the funding allocated to local authorities for regional and local roads in 2010 (€411 million) will be drawn down by year-end.
However, the following table shows for information the amount allocated to each local authority, the amount paid to date and the balance remaining to be paid as at end September 2010.
|
Payee |
Allocation |
Paid YTD |
Allocation Remaining |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Arklow Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Athlone Town Council Total |
395,000 |
10,271 |
384,729 |
|
Athy Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Ballina Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Ballinasloe Town Council Total |
195,000 |
38,580 |
156,420 |
|
Birr Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Bray Town Council Total |
425,000 |
— |
425,000 |
|
Buncrana Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Bundoran Town Council Total |
139,000 |
— |
139,000 |
|
Carlow County Council Total |
5,602,699 |
3,568,389 |
2,034,310 |
|
Carlow Town Council Total |
410,000 |
— |
410,000 |
|
Carrickmacross Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Carrick-on-Suir Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Cashel Town Council Total |
139,000 |
— |
139,000 |
|
Castlebar Town Council Total |
195,000 |
90,000 |
105,000 |
|
Castleblaney Town Council Total |
139,000 |
40,831 |
98,169 |
|
Cavan County Council Total |
12,886,998 |
7,273,433 |
5,613,565 |
|
Cavan Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Clare County Council Total |
15,586,498 |
8,389,533 |
7,196,965 |
|
Clonakilty Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Clones Town Council Total |
139,000 |
— |
139,000 |
|
Clonmel Borough Council Total |
470,520 |
— |
470,520 |
|
Cobh Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Cork City Council Total |
4,317,050 |
3,283,765 |
1,033,285 |
|
Cork County Council Total |
42,384,713 |
23,398,669 |
18,986,044 |
|
Donegal County Council Total |
26,173,931 |
14,879,948 |
11,293,983 |
|
Drogheda Borough Council Total |
445,000 |
— |
445,000 |
|
Dublin City Council Total |
10,583,776 |
3,998,805 |
6,584,971 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Total |
5,632,449 |
1,758,257 |
3,874,192 |
|
Dundalk Town Council Total |
425,000 |
— |
425,000 |
|
Dungarvan Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Ennis Town Council Total |
410,000 |
— |
410,000 |
|
Enniscorthy Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Fermoy Town Council Total |
195,000 |
43,397 |
151,603 |
|
Fingal County Council Total |
6,646,866 |
2,962,542 |
3,684,324 |
|
Galway City Council Total |
3,725,000 |
919,605 |
2,805,395 |
|
Galway County Council Total |
23,101,894 |
12,142,385 |
10,959,509 |
|
Kells Town Council (Ceannanus Mór) Total |
169,701 |
— |
169,701 |
|
Kerry County Council Total |
17,935,942 |
11,336,570 |
6,599,372 |
|
Kildare County Council Total |
12,922,893 |
7,557,159 |
5,365,734 |
|
Kilkenny Borough Council Total |
430,000 |
166,160 |
263,840 |
|
Kilkenny County Council Total |
10,490,699 |
6,488,575 |
4,002,124 |
|
Killarney Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Kilrush Town Council Total |
139,000 |
111,250 |
27,750 |
|
Kinsale Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Laois County Council Total |
9,286,299 |
4,746,639 |
4,539,660 |
|
Leitrim County Council Total |
8,316,699 |
5,030,822 |
3,285,877 |
|
Letterkenny Town Council Total |
395,000 |
290,000 |
105,000 |
|
Limerick City Council Total |
2,406,000 |
1,341,307 |
1,064,693 |
|
Limerick County Council Total |
12,665,598 |
8,628,027 |
4,037,571 |
|
Listowel Town Council Total |
195,000 |
189,798 |
5,202 |
|
Longford County Council Total |
5,837,799 |
3,264,630 |
2,573,169 |
|
Longford Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Louth County Council Total |
6,249,368 |
3,193,550 |
3,055,818 |
|
Macroom Town Council Total |
139,000 |
— |
139,000 |
|
Mallow Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Mayo County Council Total |
20,670,746 |
16,745,622 |
3,925,124 |
|
Meath County Council Total |
13,157,397 |
6,194,528 |
6,962,869 |
|
Midleton Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Monaghan County Council Total |
12,393,499 |
7,334,550 |
5,058,949 |
|
Monaghan Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Naas Town Council Total |
410,000 |
— |
410,000 |
|
National Roads Authority Total |
2,030,500 |
151,414 |
1,879,086 |
|
Navan Town Council Total |
410,000 |
— |
410,000 |
|
Nenagh Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
New Ross Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
North Tipperary County Council Total |
10,807,598 |
5,649,836 |
5,157,762 |
|
Offaly County Council Total |
8,152,699 |
6,309,062 |
1,843,637 |
|
Roscommon County Council Total |
13,748,598 |
6,034,951 |
7,713,647 |
|
Skibbereen Town Council Total |
139,000 |
— |
139,000 |
|
Sligo Borough Council Total |
430,000 |
58,706 |
371,294 |
|
Sligo County Council Total |
9,988,699 |
6,130,900 |
3,857,799 |
|
South Dublin County Council Total |
9,012,608 |
198,808 |
8,813,800 |
|
South Tipperary County Council Total |
10,716,098 |
7,808,403 |
2,907,695 |
|
Templemore Town Council Total |
139,000 |
— |
139,000 |
|
Thurles Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Tipperary Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Tralee Town Council Total |
410,000 |
— |
410,000 |
|
Trim Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Tullamore Town Council Total |
195,000 |
14,975 |
180,025 |
|
Waterford City Council Total |
3,610,000 |
1,188,856 |
2,421,144 |
|
Waterford County Council Total |
10,336,926 |
5,191,344 |
5,145,582 |
|
Westmeath County Council Total |
12,064,899 |
7,840,336 |
4,224,563 |
|
Westport Town Council Total |
195,000 |
127,000 |
68,000 |
|
Wexford Borough Council Total |
470,000 |
— |
470,000 |
|
Wexford County Council Total |
13,140,248 |
10,614,000 |
2,526,248 |
|
Wicklow County Council Total |
9,118,098 |
7,569,545 |
1,548,553 |
|
Wicklow Town Council Total |
195,000 |
— |
195,000 |
|
Youghal Town Council Total |
195,000 |
195,000 |
— |
|
Grand Total |
414,964,005 |
230,500,733 |
184,463,272 |
Services for People with Disabilities
Finian McGrath
Question:185 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider waiving the fee for the disabled drivers parking card [36654/10]
Disabled parking permits are issued on behalf of my Department by the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI). A fee is charged by these organisations for the issue of permits in order to cover the cost of administering the scheme and producing the cards. For some time, the fee charged by the DDAI and IWA has been €25. While I as Minister have power under the Road Traffic Act 2004 to make regulations setting a maximum fee, I have not to date done this. Last July I published a review of the disabled parking scheme conducted by my Department. One of the recommendations of the review, which I have accepted, is that a maximum fee which may be charged for the issuing of a disabled parking permit should be set at €35. The reason for this is to allow the IWA and DDAI to invest in improving security features of the card. It would remain open to the issuing organisations to charge less than this maximum. My Department is currently preparing regulations to give effect to the recommendations of the disabled parking review.
Departmental Correspondence
Mary O'Rourke
Question:186 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his views on correspondence (details attached) [36536/10]
I wish to advise the Deputy that I will write to her directly in relation to this matter.
Visa Applications
Billy Timmins
Question:187 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36590/10]
It is not the general practice of the Visa Office to issue multiple journey visas unless a compliant travel history to Ireland in the recent past has been shown. In that context, a Visa Officer would normally expect to be satisfied that the conditions of at least two previous visas had been observed. A multiple entry visa may be issued for a one year period with a subsequent similar visa issuing for a maximum period of two years unless there is a significant change in circumstances. My Department is happy to continue to provide this facility into the future.
The persons concerned created on-line visa applications on 26 September 2010. However, the necessary supporting documentation in regard to their applications has not been submitted. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Garda Vetting of Personnel
Paul Kehoe
Question:188 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if any assistance can be offered to a person (details supplied) in relation to the problems with Garda clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36601/10]
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that a vetting application in respect of the person referred to has been received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit. The application is being processed at present and a response will issue in due course.
Residency Permits
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:189 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to his comments in the debate on the Immigration Residence and Protection Bill (details supplied) if he will clarify which categories of persons and the behaviour he was referring to; if it is his intention to exclude certain categories of migrants from family reunification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36616/10]
It has always been the case that the rules with regard to family reunification have differed between the various classes of migrant present in the State. The rules are developed by reference to certain factors including the purpose for which the primary migrant entered the State, the category of residence granted to the primary migrant, the ability of the family unit to be economically viable in the State and other more general immigration matters such as public policy and security issues. It is therefore the case that certain classes of migrant, for example, certain classes of international student, are not eligible for family reunification by virtue of their status in the State while those who may be entering the State as an employment permit holder are eligible. In developing the rules in relation to family reunification and in the examination of such applications regard is had to the provisions of the Constitution and of relevant International conventions so as to ensure that our practices are in conformity with our obligations in the area.
With regard to my comments during the debate on the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, I simply illustrated the fact that there are certain classes of migrant who would not in the normal course be considered eligible to migrate to the State but who have entered the State under whatever guise and who it may not have been possible to remove from the State. To provide that such persons are eligible for family reunification while denying eligibility to those who entered the State in accordance with immigration rules is not acceptable.
Visa Applications
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:190 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the arrangements that can be made to allow a person’s family (details supplied) travel to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36619/10]
On the basis of the information provided by the Deputy it is not possible to provide a substantive response. I note that the nationality of neither the person referred to by the Deputy nor the two children referred to has been mentioned. Further information on the exact circumstances of the family concerned, including their place of regular residence, has also not been provided.
I can however advise the Deputy that Chinese nationals are required to be in possession of a valid visa prior to seeking entry to the State. All persons who are visa required and who are not in possession of same may apply to their nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate for the appropriate visa. Where a visa required national is ordinarily resident in the State and wishes to exit and re-enter the State, such a person must be in possession of a re-entry visa, prior to exiting the State. Each visa application is considered on its individual merits the onus resting with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer as to why a visa should be granted. Comprehensive information when making a visa application (including the re-entry visa process) is available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie).
I am informed by Officials in the Visa Office of my Department that on the basis of the information provided they can find no record of a current visa application for the Chinese national referred to. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Garda Vetting of Personnel
Tom Hayes
Question:191 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of Garda vetting applications which are outstanding at present; if he has assigned persons from his Department to deal with the backlog of applications; the length of time persons are waiting to have their application processed at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36623/10]
The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for a large number of organisations in Ireland registered with the Gardaí for this purpose and which employ persons in a full-time, part-time, voluntary or training capacity to positions where they would have substantial, unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. The GCVU has managed a substantial increase over recent years in the numbers of vetting applications it receives — 187,864 in 2007; 218,404 in 2008 and 246,194 in 2009. At present, there are approximately 60,000 vetting applications in the course of being processed.
The processing time for vetting applications fluctuates during the year due to seasonal demands when the volume of applications received from certain sectors can increase. Additional time may be required to process an individual vetting application in cases where clarification is required as to the details provided or where other enquiries need to be made, for example, when the person in question has lived and worked abroad. There will always be a reasonably significant time period required to process a vetting application. Registered organisations have been advised to take account of this in their recruitment and selection process. However, the Gardaí make every effort to reduce this to the minimum possible consistent with carrying out the necessary checks. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the current average processing time for vetting applications received at the GCVU is in the region of ten to 12 weeks, given that demand is particularly high at present.
The allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. Due to the high volume of applications, an additional ten persons have recently been recruited to the Vetting Unit on a temporary basis. In addition, overall staffing arrangements at the Unit are under review at present, in the light of the increasing demands being made upon it.
Finian McGrath
Question:192 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his views on a matter (details supplied) [36626/10]
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that two vetting applications in respect of the person referred to have been received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit. The applications are being processed at present and a response will issue in due course.
Deportation Orders
Alan Shatter
Question:193 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons deported from the State in each of the past five years; the dates on which each deportation took place and the number of persons deported on those dates; the flight arrangements in each case in the context of the airline involved; the travel agency, if any, that made arrangements for the flights; in respect of each date on which deportations took place, the cost of the flights involved and the total sum paid in respect of such flights and any commissions relating thereto to the travel agency or agencies that made arrangements to book the flights and the total sum paid to each such agency in each of the past five years [36661/10]
The numbers of people deported, pursuant to the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, in the period 1st October 2005 to 30th September 2010 are set out in the table overleaf.
|
Year |
Deportation Orders Effected |
|
2005 (From 01/10) |
87 |
|
2006 |
301 |
|
2007 |
139 |
|
2008 |
161 |
|
2009 |
291 |
|
2010 (to 30/09) |
198 |
|
Total |
1,177 |
Removals are carried out both by way of commercial scheduled flights and by charter. To obtain the detailed information in relation to persons deported by charter and commercial flights and the dates and flight information for each such flight in the last five years requested by the Deputy is not readily available and would require an inordinate amount of time to obtain and an inappropriate expenditure of limited resources.
The travel agent involved in making arrangements for commercial flights is Club Travel. In this regard, the Department avails of the services of Club Travel under the contract negotiated centrally by the Department of Finance. In relation to chartered flights, Air Partner PLC currently hold the contract to supply the aircraft and flight crew for charters.
Removals carried out using commercial flights arranged by Club Travel usually involve transit through other European airports as Ireland does not have direct flights to most of the countries of return. In addition, most flights have to be booked at short notice, near to the date of departure, which involves higher costs than if booked well in advance. However, such costs must be looked at in tandem with the considerable expense arising from the continued presence in the State of persons who have no valid basis for being in the State. Such costs would include accommodation, health, education and social welfare costs as well as detention costs in certain cases. While it is important to keep deportation costs to a minimum, to not remove persons who have no valid basis for being in the State would call into question the integrity of the entire asylum and immigration systems. This would leave this State open to further illegal immigration and even greater expense to taxpayers.
My Department also works in co-operation with other EU Member States, through the EU-wide FRONTEX network, to carry out joint deportation operations to destinations of shared interest. This has the effect of reducing the overall costs to the State of charter flights. Additionally, the Department receives EU funding through the European Return Fund for charter flights.
The detailed information in relation to the cost of commercial flights and all other costs involved in relation to the travel agents in the last five years required by the Deputy is not readily available and would require an inordinate amount of time to obtain and an inappropriate expenditure of limited resources.
Alan Shatter
Question:194 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of occasions in each of the past five years in which his Department or the Garda Síochána placed an advertisement seeking tenders from travel agencies or other persons for making necessary arrangements for the deportation from this State of illegal migrants; and to detail the current arrangements in place with regard to any possible such deportations in the coming 12 months. [36662/10]
My Department has placed advertisements for tenders for the provision of aircraft and flight crew for chartered flights on two occasions in the last five years; in February 2007 and May 2010. The company appointed on both occasions following a detailed examination of the tenders received is a large UK based service provider, Air Partner plc, with considerable experience and expertise in this type of work.
The travel agent involved in making arrangements for commercial flights is Club Travel. In this regard, the Department avails of the services of Club Travel under the contract negotiated centrally by the Department of Finance. For practical reasons of security it would not be appropriate for me to give details of possible future charter flights for deportation purposes.
Garda Transport
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:195 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of Garda vehicles including unmarked vehicles and vans purchased in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; if funding is being allocated in 2011 to purchase additional Garda vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36664/10]
The information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Garda Authorities and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.
Compensation Tribunals
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:196 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when the next hearings will take place of compensation tribunals for victims of serious crime in view of the fact that the last sittings were held six months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36668/10]
I can inform the Deputy that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal are expected to be in a position to offer further dates for appeal hearings before the end of this year.
Proposed Legislation
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:197 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to change the law in relation to the illegal occupation of property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36676/10]
I have no plans to change the law on the illegal occupation of property as set out in section 19C of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 (inserted by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002).
Garda Strength
Enda Kenny
Question:198 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the current number of gardaí in each of the districts within the Mayo Garda division for 2010; the number of gardaí in each of the districts within the Mayo Garda division for 2009 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36802/10]
Enda Kenny
Question:199 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the vacancies that exist within the Mayo Garda division for all Garda ranks, including civilian staff; his plans to ensure these vacancies are filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36803/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of each of the Garda Districts in the Mayo Garda Division, as of 31 August 2010, 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2008, was as set out in the following table.
|
District |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
|
Ballina |
58 |
56 |
64 |
|
Belmullet |
26 |
28 |
29 |
|
Castlebar |
86 |
85 |
90 |
|
Claremorris |
53 |
38 |
44 |
|
Swinford |
60 |
61 |
60 |
|
Westport |
39 |
41 |
42 |
|
Total |
322 |
309 |
329 |
The Deputy will be aware that during 2009, Garda Divisional boundaries were realigned with local authority boundaries and as such Easkey and Enniscrone Garda Stations have moved to Sligo/Leitrim Garda Division. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently no civilian vacancies in the Mayo Garda Division.
Garda Stations
Enda Kenny
Question:200 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the situation regarding the provision of a new Garda station (details supplied); if any progress has been made in constructing a new Garda station for the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36804/10]
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and it is progressed by the Office of Public Works, who have responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I am advised by the Garda authorities and the Office of Public Works that a premises in the area referred to by the Deputy has been specially adapted for use as a Garda station and has been operational since May 2010. I am further informed that the construction of a new Garda station will be addressed in the context of An Garda Síochána's identified accommodation priorities and in the light of available resources.
Enda Kenny
Question:201 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the situation in respect of improvement works at a Garda station (details supplied); the progress made in respect of recent renovations to the Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36805/10]
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and it is progressed by the Office of Public Works, who have responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the first phase of refurbishment works at the Garda Station referred to by the Deputy was completed in May 2010. The second phase of refurbishment works is currently under way and it is expected to be completed before end of year.
Prisoner Releases
Alan Shatter
Question:202 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 7 October 2010 (details supplied) if he will provide the date to which this figure relates [36831/10]
I can advise the Deputy that the figure of 409 given to him in an answer to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 7th of October 2010 relates to prisoners who have been classified as unlawfully at large since the start of this year to the 5th of October 2010.
Garda Operations
Finian McGrath
Question:203 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his views on a matter (details supplied) [36834/10]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is within Clontarf Garda Sub-District. Local Garda management is aware of difficulties being experienced by residents. Garda investigations into two incidents in the area are ongoing.
One Sergeant and six Gardaí are attached to the Community Policing Unit in Clontarf Sub-District, one of whom is allocated specifically to the area referred to and who regularly meets local residents to address any issues arising. The area is subject to regular patrols by uniform and plain-clothes personnel, including the Community Policing and Mountain Bike Units and the District Detective and Drug Units, supplemented as required by the Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel.
I am further informed that under Operation Tombola policing plans are in place to prevent and detect the importation for sale of fireworks in the lead up to Halloween. Operational orders will also be in place, in consultation with other stakeholders, including the local authorities, public transport providers and other emergency services, to prevent and detect anti-social behaviour particularly associated with the Halloween period.
Local Garda management closely monitors and keeps under review patrols and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the communities in the area, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. Current policing strategies are designed to prevent crime, public order offences and anti-social behaviour, and community policing is a central feature and core value of policing policy. This will ensure an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life for residents.
Ministerial Transport
Lucinda Creighton
Question:204 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform to specify the exact costs involved in providing a ministerial car to each member of Cabinet in the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36838/10]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the principal costs of running the Office Holder fleet comprise the salaries of drivers and the purchase of cars where required, as well as fuel and maintenance. I am also informed by the Garda authorities that prior to 2008 their records for the Office Holder fleet were maintained in manual form and that the extraction of detailed figures would be very difficult and would place an inordinate burden on resources. Consequently, it is not possible to provide the information sought in respect of 2007. The Garda authorities have also indicated that in respect of subsequent years a breakdown of the costs incurred for each individual Office Holder is not readily available. However, the overall costs associated with providing Office Holder cars to Ministers, including the Chief Whip and the Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs, are detailed in the following table.
|
Category |
2008 |
2009 |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Salaries etc. of Drivers |
3,006,781 |
2,764,119 |
|
Fuel |
147,695 |
127,254 |
|
Maintenance |
86,773 |
98,541 |
|
Purchases |
367,277 |
0.00 |
|
Total |
3,608,526 |
2,989,914 |
The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to provide costs for 2010 at this stage.
Human Rights Issues
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:205 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 1224 of 29 September, the substance of the suggestions put forward by the EU and supported by Ireland [36629/10]
I refer the Deputy to my oral answer to Parliamentary Questions Numbers 107 and 110 yesterday. Ireland, along with other European Union member states, shared the objective of reaching a consensus on this issue on the basis of the work of the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, Ms Catarina de Albuquerque, and suggestions to this end were made through the EU.
Social Welfare Code
Richard Bruton
Question:206 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider extending free travel to persons being cared for under the domiciliary care allowance [36532/10]
For a child requiring full-time care who is under age 16, a domiciliary care allowance of €309.50 per month may be paid to the parent or guardian. This payment is not means tested and is to provide for the additional costs involved in providing care and supervision that is substantially more than that normally needed by a child of the same age. This may include additional travel costs. A child who is attending school may be eligible for assistance under the Department of Education and Skills school transport scheme. The Health Service Executive (HSE) may also assist with transport costs in certain circumstances. I have no plans at present to review the qualifying criteria for the free travel scheme.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ciaran Lynch
Question:207 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of rent assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, for less than one year, for one year, for two years, for three years, for four years, for five years, and for longer, and the cost per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36539/10]
I have provided a tabular statement on current recipients of rent supplement by duration. Expenditure on rent supplement is not available on a county basis.
|
Years |
Recipients |
|
0-1 |
48,299 |
|
1-2 |
27,979 |
|
2-3 |
8,772 |
|
3-4 |
3,608 |
|
4-5 |
2,384 |
|
5+ |
5,058 |
|
Total |
96,100 |
(1)Claims with duration of precisely 1 year are recorded under the 1-2 years heading, claims with duration of precisely 2 years are recorded under the 2-3 years heading and so on.
(2)This represents unbroken continuous claims only. Where recipients change address, the claim at the new address may be recorded as a new claim and the duration spent at the previous address may not be taken into account in these statistics.
Michael Ring
Question:208 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if the technical assistance grant under the back to work enterprise allowance scheme is still available [36542/10]
The Technical Assistance and Training Scheme allows the Department of Social Protection to provide support to Back to Work Enterprise Allowance recipients who are engaging in self employment projects, to enhance their chances of success to become independent of the social welfare system. This is a discretionary scheme and there is not an entitlement to the Technical Assistance and Training Scheme as of right. Where appropriate, the fund can also be used to provide support to other social welfare customers who may require assistance in accessing the labour market or are trying to establish an enterprise and need training or other supports. Take up of the Technical Assistance and Training Scheme has been very positive in 2010. The Department has reviewed funding for the scheme for the remainder of the year and the allocation has been increased by over 30%.
Jack Wall
Question:209 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36549/10]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was requested in July to provide further information in order to process her application for rent supplement. The information requested by the HSE has not been provided by the person concerned to date. A decision will be made on her rent supplement application when the information requested has been provided.
Social Welfare Appeals
Martin Ferris
Question:210 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection when carer’s allowance will be paid on appeal to a person (details supplied) [36586/10]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office on 31 August 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Martin Ferris
Question:211 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal will be heard in respect of a person (details supplied) [36587/10]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. There was a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There was an increase of a further 44% in the number of appeals received in the first eight months of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order.
A number of initiatives have been put in place to enhance the capacity of the office to deal with the current caseload and inflows. In that regard:
2 additional Appeals Officers were assigned to the Office in 2009,
A number of additional staff were assigned to the administration area of the Office,
The organisation of the Appeals Officer's work has been changed so as to increase productivity,
A project to improve the business processes in the office was undertaken which has resulted in a number of improvements being implemented, and
Significant enhancements have been made to the office's IT and phone systems.
In addition, it was decided to use experienced retired staff strictly on a short term basis to supplement the current resources and the services of eight retired officers have now been secured on a part-time basis and have been operating since July.
I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals, while ensuring that any progress does not conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:212 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1346 and 1347, the reason he stated that information on the number of the refusals that were overturned on appeal is not readily available whereas his response to Parliamentary Question No. 1377 of the same day includes a breakdown of the numbers of appeals that were allowed, partially allowed and disallowed; his views that it is vital that Dáil Members have access to accurate data so as to ensure proper assessment and scrutiny of Government budgetary proposals [36630/10]
Based on previous enquiries to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, the section of my Department involved in preparing replies to Parliamentary Questions No 1346 and 1347 understood that the information requested was not readily available. However, that section of my Department is now aware that the Appeals Office has since collated the data and that it will be maintained from here on in and available to the House. I apologise for any inconvenience caused to the Deputy and to the House.
Social Welfare Benefits
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:213 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the position of a person (details supplied) who has been refused the back to educational allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36808/10]
A review of the decision to disallow an application for the back to education allowance from the person concerned was carried out on 11th October 2010. The decision to disallow the application has been upheld on the grounds that he already holds a qualification at an equivalent level.
Michael Ring
Question:214 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be awarded the contributory pension in view of the contributions which they have made. [36826/10]
The qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory) require the applicant to
have entered insurable employment before attaining the age of 56 years.
have at least 260 paid contribution weeks, from employment or self-employment, since entry into insurance.
satisfy the yearly average condition.
The person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) in April 2004. His claim was disallowed on the grounds that he does not satisfy the contribution condition as he only has a total of 122 paid full-rate contributions. In the notification of this decision, the person concerned was advised of his right of appeal to the independent Appeals Office, if he was not satisfied with the outcome of his application.
Question No. 215 withdrawn.
Arts Programme
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:216 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if Culture Ireland is planning on rolling out a multi-disciplinary programme of work across the USA in 2011; if a budget has been confirmed for this; if so, how much; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36798/10]
Culture Ireland is planning a strategic initiative in the United States in 2011 which will showcase Irish artistic excellence in partnership with significant US institutions, venues and festivals. Its objectives are to reinvest in the unique cultural relationship between Ireland and America, strengthen links with the Irish diaspora, enhance Ireland's reputation and profile as a global leader in creativity, expand the reach of Irish culture to new audiences and provide a strategic platform to promote Irish tourism, trade, investment and innovation. This initiative was announced by the Taoiseach during his visit to Washington DC in March this year. It draws on the recommendations of the Ireland-US Strategic Policy Review, and also on the strong strategic focus on culture as a unique long-term strength and door-opener for Ireland and Irish business, at the Global Irish Economic Forum in Farmleigh.
Mr Gabriel Byrne, in his position as Cultural Ambassador for Ireland, has been closely involved in developing the initiative, in collaboration with Culture Ireland and our Embassy and Consulate network in the US. The programme, scheduled to run from January to December 2011, will comprise a range of events across artistic disciplines in key cities (for example New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta and Philadelphia) and in other locations where there are strong presenting partners. Funding for this strategically important initiative will be made available from my Department's allocation for 2011 and will be finalised in the context of the ongoing Estimates process.
Local Authority Reform
Ciaran Lynch
Question:217 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the discussions or communications he has had with Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes concerning the possible reduction in the number of local authorities from 34 to 22; the way that the reduction will be achieved; if, at any time, or in any form, the local authorities to be affected were identified or indicated; the local authorities that were affected; if he has accepted this particular recommendation of the review group; the way he intends to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36568/10]
The general issue of local government structures will be addressed definitively in the White Paper on Local Government. The development of the White Paper has had regard to a number of relevant policy developments and publications, including the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. Currently, there are 34 city and county councils and a further 80 town councils.
The report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group, established to review the cost base, expenditure of and numbers employed in local authorities, is of relevance. The Review Group recommended the delivery of corporate service functions on a joint basis across contiguous local authorities, achieved by establishing joint management structures. The Review Group recommended ten such joint administrative areas.
The Limerick Local Government Committee, in its September 2009 report, contained a recommendation to merge Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council. A dedicated Cabinet Committee has been engaged in finalising the policy decisions for inclusion in the White Paper on Local Government. I intend to publish the White Paper as soon as possible following completion of the Government's deliberations. On the specific issue of local government in Limerick, I will bring proposals to Government for discussion, with a view to early implementation of the Government's decisions.
Water Quality
Joe Carey
Question:218 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the persistent problems with the new €9.8 million water treatment plant in Ennis, County Clare, which he officially opened this year; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that fire tenders and other tankers are being used to transport water from other water sources to feed into the Ennis supply in a bid to satisfy demand for water for the 30,000 persons depending on the Ennis water supply; his views that this practice is unsustainable and that it places undue pressure on other valuable resources and if so, his further views that the Ennis water augmentation scheme must now be prioritised as it will deliver an alternative water supply to Ennis and its environs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36603/10]
I refer to the Adjournment debate on Wednesday, 6 October, 2010 in relation to this matter. The report on the design work was received in my Department on 8 October. It will take approximately 2 weeks to have the report evaluated and a response will be made as soon as possible to the Office of Public Works.
Water and Sewerage Schemes
Dinny McGinley
Question:219 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of a sewerage scheme for a town (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36605/10]
Dinny McGinley
Question:220 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of a sewerage scheme for a town (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36606/10]
Dinny McGinley
Question:221 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of a sewerage scheme for a town (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36607/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 to 221, inclusive, together.
The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 — 2012 , a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Donegal. The total value of contracts underway and those proposed for commencement during the period of the programme in County Donegal is some €116m.
The Dungloe and Glenties Sewerage Schemes, which are to advance jointly, are included in the Programme among the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010 -2012. Donegal County Council's Tender Documents for the contract are under examination in my Department and are being dealt with as quickly as possible. Burtonport Sewerage Scheme is not included among the contracts and schemes in County Donegal to be progressed under the Water Services Investment Programme over the period 2010 — 2012.
A key input to the development of the Programme was the assessment of needs prepared by local authorities, including Donegal County Council. These were subsequently appraised in the Department in the context of the funds available and key criteria that complemented those used by the authorities. Inevitably, through this process, certain projects that had been proposed had to give way to others that are more strategically important at this time, as the total value of contracts and schemes proposed by local authorities exceeded the level of resources likely to be available in the period.
The scope and format of the Programme for 2010 to 2012 is designed to better reflect ongoing environmental and economic priorities, to maximise the return on public funds being invested in the sector and to ensure that the Programme is realistic in its level of ambition. The contracts and schemes that did not rate sufficiently for inclusion in the Programme on this occasion were those which did not feature highly on public health grounds or other environmental compliance requirements (for example those relating to European Court of Justice proceedings, or those required in the context of the River Basin Management Plans, Shellfish Pollution Production Programmes, EPA reports etc) and projects that were proposed simply for capacity expansion (which was unrelated to the National Spatial Strategy/developing areas priorities), and which in the case of water supply can be deferred, in many cases, in favour of accelerated water conservation measures.
Wildlife Protection
John Cregan
Question:222 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the hen harrier compensation scheme will re-open to new applicants and in the absence of the scheme re-opening, if the applicant can revert to claim forestry premium on eight acres, which was due to be planted but was not subsequently planted, due to restrictions placed on same due to the presence of the hen harrier [36632/10]
My Department's Farm Plan Scheme is currently closed to new applicants. Further access to the scheme will be subject to the availability of funding during 2011 and beyond. Any decision to invite new applications will be publicly announced. In such an event, applications to join the scheme will be assessed on the basis of conservation priorities, biodiversity added value and overall cost. Farmers should contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to matters concerning the forestry premium.
Waste Disposal
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:223 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that the European Commission has issued a final written warning for Ireland’s non-compliance with the 2005 European Court of Justice waste ruling for Ireland’s failure to address the persistent pattern of official tolerance of the uncontrolled disposal of waste [36644/10]
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:224 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that the European Commission has issued a final written warning for Ireland’s non-compliance with the 2005 European Court of Justice waste ruling and has cited several cases where waste has been left untreated in unauthorised sites, specifying the location and nature of such sites [36645/10]
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:225 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the manner in which he has instructed his and other Government Departments and agencies to comply with a ruling on waste disposal handed out in 2005 by the European Court of Justice and if he has any plans to do so [36647/10]
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:226 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the possible consequences of Ireland continuing to fail to address the issues raised in the final written warning from the European Commission on non-compliance with the 2005 Court of Justice waste ruling [36648/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 to 226, inclusive, together.
A formal response by Ireland to the judgment of the European Court of Justice issued to the European Commission in October 2005, detailing the measures being taken to ensure compliance with the provisions of Council Directive 75/42/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste, as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991. There has been subsequent correspondence and bilateral meetings have been held with the Commission by way of clarifying aspects of Ireland's response. Significant progress has been made in satisfying the court judgment, and this has been acknowledged by the Commission.
A further letter of formal notice has recently been received from the European Commission in relation to a number of outstanding issues where the Commission contends that there are continuing problems of compliance, and it includes reference to particular sites on which further action is required. My Department is engaging with the necessary authorities, including the Office of Environmental Enforcement, to ensure that these issues are resolved to the satisfaction of the Commission. A further bilateral with the Commission is envisaged in relation to these issues. While it would be open to the Commission, were it not to be satisfied with Ireland's response, to seek the imposition of fines by the Court, my focus is on addressing the outstanding issues in this case, thereby ensuring compliance with the judgment of the Court.
Building Regulations
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:227 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the role and responsibility of his Department in addressing the serious fire hazard problems that continue to affect an apartment complex (details supplied) in Dublin 17 in view of the ongoing distress that has been caused to families and households in the complex and the Department’s key mandate for setting and invigilating the regime of fire safety standards and monitoring by fire safety authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36673/10]
The Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 and Building Control Act and associated Regulations 1997- 2008 include a range of provisions for fire safety in the design, construction, operation and management of buildings (including apartments).
Part B of the Building Regulations 1997 sets out the fire safety requirements to be observed in the design and construction of certain buildings including apartment complexes. Building Control authorities review the design of buildings from a fire safety perspective and, if satisfied, issue a fire safety certificate in respect of the design. Building Control authorities have a range of enforcement powers available to them where breaches of building regulations come to light.
Section 18 (Part 3) of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003 places a duty on persons having control over premises, such as apartment complexes, to take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire and to ensure the safety of persons on the premises in the event of an outbreak of fire. Section 4 of the Act provides that it an offence for any person to contravene any requirement of Part 3 of the Act.
Section 22 of the Fire Services Act 1981, as amended, empowers fire authorities to inspect any land or building, including apartment complexes, for the purpose of the Act, including enforcement of fire safety matters. Fire authorities have a range of powers available to them, updated and strengthened in 2003, to ensure fire safety in buildings. I have no role in the day to day exercise of these functions.
Planning Issues
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:228 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the illegal occupation of development lands in the North Fringe, Dublin 13 that is causing serious distress to local residents and householders many of whom are paying large mortgages; the instructions he has given Dublin City Council, the National Asset Management Agency and local developer (details supplied) to secure all derelict and vacant North Fringe lands which they have allowed to become derelict and which are now illegally occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36674/10]
The illegal occupation of land comes within the remit of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. The operation of this Act is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Law Reform and the enforcement of its provisions is a matter for the Garda Síochána.
From a planning perspective, it is the responsibility of developers to ensure that lands that are part of construction sites are adequately secured from unauthorised access and from becoming a location for anti-social behaviour. Moreover, local authorities have extensive powers available to them under planning, derelict sites and litter legislation to ensure that private lands do not detract from the visual quality and character of a particular area. My Department will, as soon as possible, publish a consultation draft of best practice guidance on managing unfinished housing development sites. This will clearly set out the roles and responsibilities of developers and local authorities in this regard.
Official Engagements
Joe Carey
Question:229 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 7 October 2010, if he will now facilitate the meeting as originally requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36799/10]
I have received the letter requesting a meeting. I will give the matter due consideration, as indicated in the reply to Question No. 204 of 7 October 2010. My office will be in touch with the organisation in question, in due course.
Flood Relief
Michael Ring
Question:230 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Office of Public Works in relation to the flood mitigation works in an area (details supplied); the outcome of their last meeting; if a decision been made on the report on the additional design work request for the proposed flood control structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36829/10]
I refer to the Adjournment debate on Wednesday, 6 October, 2010 in relation to this matter. The report on the design work was received in my Department on 8 October. It will take approximately 2 weeks to have the report evaluated and a response will be made as soon as possible to the Office of Public Works.
Internet Domain Names
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:231 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is developing proposals in conjunction with his EU colleagues for a bank international domain name to address the ongoing problems of spam emails purportedly from financial institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36667/10]
The decision to create a Bank top level Internet domain name will be made by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). It is a matter upon which the private sector would liaise with ICANN. My Department has no involvement in any activity regarding such a Top Level Domain name.
Departmental Expenditure
Martin Ferris
Question:232 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost of subsistence and travel paid to each member of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority [36588/10]
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority is an independent statutory authority and hence the internal financial management is a matter for the Authority in which the Minister does not have a role. However, the Department has forwarded the request to the SFPA for its consideration and for a direct reply to the Deputy.
Grant Payments
Seymour Crawford
Question:233 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan can expect to receive their area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36529/10]
An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 23 February 2010. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with an advance payment of 75% issuing in respect of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage. The application of the person named is now processed and payment will issue shortly. The 25% balancing payments under the Scheme are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 20 October 2010.
Animal Diseases
Andrew Doyle
Question:234 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the fact that 15% of Wicklow herds are restricted and that there are eight reactors per thousand in Wicklow as opposed to a national average of three per thousand, if he will give details of the measures he has taken and the resources he has put in place to deal with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36554/10]
There are 1,083 herds in the Wicklow East region, 75% of which has been tested to date this year. The number of new herd restrictions is 127 compared with 77 at the same time last year. The number of reactors disclosed since 1 January is 641, compared with 365 for the same period last year. The average number of reactors per thousand tests in Wicklow East is, at 8 reactors per thousand tests, well above the national average of 2.5 per thousand. This is partly due to the fact that the region has experienced a number of very large breakdowns, with one herd alone disclosing 121 reactors. In addition, 56% of the reactors in the region came from just 11 herds and 8 of those herds involved breakdowns that disclosed more than 20 reactors.
I can assure the deputy that the testing programme is on schedule and the District Veterinary Office is performing epidemiological assessments in the region including, where applicable, the use of gamma interferon blood testing. The District Veterinary office is also assessing the specific resource requirements as part of the re-organisation of the local office network and, subject to budgetary constraints, additional resources will be assigned to the region if this is deemed necessary. I am satisfied that all appropriate measures are being taken to deal with the disease situation in the region and that the area is being very closely monitored by my Department.
Andrew Doyle
Question:235 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason the strain trials of TB cases has ceased at the State Laboratory in Backweston; his plans to have this service resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36556/10]
My Department's Laboratory Service provides a range of diagnostic services for the tuberculosis eradication programme, including culture and/or histopathological examination of samples, tests on blood samples to aid the diagnosis to TB and Spoligotyping, to determine the strain type for M. bovis isolates. This latter service is used in particular for research and investigation of TB outbreaks in certain areas or regions. With regard to the trials referred to, a collaborative study between the Dublin District Veterinary Office and the Regional Veterinary Laboratory was undertaken in 2009 in the context of an increase in TB levels in the Wicklow area. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of M. bovis infection in deer and badgers in three selected project areas and to compare the strains types in cattle deer and badgers.
The study has been completed. It found that there was one predominant strain in the deer and badger isolates and that this strain was also found in a high proportion of the cattle isolates. This strain has not been identified outside of Wicklow. Two other strain types, also unique to Wicklow, shared the same spoligotype. Strain typing is an ancillary support to a range of measures undertaken by my Department and is performed where deemed necessary.
Grant Payments
Andrew Doyle
Question:236 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in 2009 payments for organic farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36557/10]
All payments for 2009 have issued except in cases where there are outstanding matters to be resolved. The EU Regulations governing the Organic Farming Schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments, the first of which, amounting to 75% of the payment, may be released once all administrative checks have been completed. The remaining 25% may be paid once all on-farm checks have taken place and the participant has submitted an end-of-year declaration of farming activity.
Waste Management
Andrew Doyle
Question:237 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the classification of poultry offal as class three hazardous waste which prevents its use in biomass plants; if he intends to take any action to remedy this anomaly [36558/10]
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002, poultry offal is classified as a Category 3 animal by-product (ABP). This is the lowest risk category of animal by-product. Poultry offal is not generally regarded as hazardous waste. The normal method of disposal of poultry offal is by rendering. The above mentioned regulation provides for a number of other approved methods of disposal of poultry offal. These include using it as a raw material for manufacturing petfood.
The Diseases of Animals Act 1966 (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies) (Fertilisers & Soil Improvers) Order 2008 — S.I. No. 253 of 2008 — places restrictions on the types of ABP that can be used in a compost or biogas plant. Raw ABP from abattoirs or poultry processing plants is not allowed be used in a compost or biogas plant. This is intended to help prevent the spread of diseases and to protect our valuable meat industry. These national restrictions are permitted under EU regulations.
Pigmeat Sector
Andrew Doyle
Question:238 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total amount paid under the pigmeat recall scheme for 2009 and to date in 2010; the closing date of the scheme; the amount of the scheme financed by the EU; the number of companies that have benefited from this scheme; the action the Department has taken to ensure that payments were not made for imported pork products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36559/10]
The agreement concluded with pig processors in December 2008 involved making available a facility of up to €180 million to assist processors in funding the recall and destruction of certain pork products from the market. The closing date for the Pigmeat Recall scheme was 16th April 2010. A total of €100m has been paid out under the Scheme to date: €35m in 2008, €55m in 2009 and €10m in 2010. Cofunding in the sum of €8m was provided by the EU in respect of some 7,500 tonnes of affected pigmeat product. A total of 120 companies benefited from the scheme.
As regards imported pigmeat, the position is that no compensation was paid on product which could be shown to be wholly derived from pigmeat of foreign origin. All such product which could be identified was released back to the market. However, if the product was comprised of a mix of Irish and foreign pigmeat, it all had to be recalled and destroyed, even if it contained only a small proportion of Irish meat. This was specifically provided for in the Scheme in the best interests of public health and the restoration of public confidence. In addition to the payments a further €28.3m has been paid out in respect of culling of affected herds bringing the total expenditure to date to €128.3m.
Domestic Abattoirs
Andrew Doyle
Question:239 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of local authority supervised slaughterhouses in operation from 2005 to 2009; if he has conducted a review of artisanal and local slaughterhouses; his plans to support the development of local and artisanal slaughterhouses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36560/10]
The Local Authority Veterinary Service (LVAS) supervises low-throughput slaughterhouses under service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The number of slaughterhouses supervised by the LVAS from 2005 — 2010 at year end is outlined below.
Oct 2010 = 232
As I do not have a role in relation to local slaughterhouses, I do not have plans to carry out a review. Small meat establishments were among the sectors eligible to apply for aid under the competitive Marketing and Processing Scheme operated by my Department. The 31 small meat projects awarded aid in 2008, the final year of state aid approval, included refurbishment of some abattoirs and one new small abattoir (in Roscommon). Teagasc continues to provide advice to artisan meat enterprises.
Installation Aid Scheme
Andrew Doyle
Question:240 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action being taken to support the establishment of young farmers in view of the suspension of the co-funded young farmers installation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36561/10]
The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was suspended for new applications with effect from 14 October 2008 as part of the decisions taken within the context of the 2009 Budget. I have no plans at present to reintroduce this Scheme although I have provided a sum of €4.5 million in this year's Estimates in order to meet outstanding commitments under this and preceding installation aid schemes.
Afforestation Programme
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:241 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when approval will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to plant an area of land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36562/10]
An application for afforestation grant aid on behalf of the person in question is currently being processed. I understand that the application is one of a number which is being held pending completion of discussions between the Forestry Division of my Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in relation to the effects of afforestation and windfarms on the habitat of the Hen Harrier.
Grant Payments
David Stanton
Question:242 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to introduce new grant aid for dairy equipment; the qualification criteria and funding levels available under this new dairy hygiene scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36581/10]
EU Commission approval for the introduction of five targeted modernisation schemes focused on supporting productive investment in the agricultural sector was received earlier this year. Due to the relatively short time-frames for completion of the investment works concerned, priority was given to the introduction of the Sow Welfare and Poultry Welfare Schemes which were launched on 16 June last. The Sheep Fencing/Handling Scheme will open for new applications on 1 November next.
No date has yet been fixed for the introduction of the Dairy Equipment Scheme. Under the terms of Ireland's Rural Development Programme, the Scheme will provide grant-aid for (i) milking machine equipment, and (ii) milk storage and cooling equipment, at a standard grant-rate of 40 per cent up to a maximum grant level.
Joe Carey
Question:243 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Clare receive their payment under the disadvantaged area scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36609/10]
Joe Carey
Question:244 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when will payment be made to a person (details supplied) in County Clare for the single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36613/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 together.
An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2010. The application of the person named is now processed and the 75% advance payment due under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme will issue shortly. The 25% balancing payments under that Scheme are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 20 October 2010.
The 50% advance payments under the Single Payment Scheme are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 18 October 2010; individuals' payments will be calculated on the basis of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage. The application of the person named is scheduled to be among those to whom the advance will issue at that stage. The 50% balancing payments under the Scheme are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 1 December 2010.
Question No. 245 answered with Question No. 101.
Proposed Legislation
Willie Penrose
Question:246 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when he intends to publish the legislation to amend the Competition Acts to uphold the right of certain freelance workers such as actors and musicians to collective bargaining, which was promised as part of the review of the Towards 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36636/10]
"Towards 2016” contains a Government commitment to introduce amending legislation to exclude voice-over actors, freelance journalists and session musicians when engaging in collective bargaining, from the provisions of Section 4 of the Competition Act 2002. The commitment takes into account, inter alia, that there would be negligible negative impacts on the economy or on the level of competition, and would have regard to the specific attributes and nature of the work involved, and be subject to consistency with EU competition rules.
I intend, subject to consistency with EU competition law, to give effect to this commitment in the legislation currently being prepared to merge the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority. This legislation will also amend, reform and update certain provisions of existing competition and consumer law. Draft Heads of the Bill have been completed and circulated to Ministers for their views. It is my intention to bring these Heads to Government shortly for approval to draft the Bill. I hope to publish the Bill early next year.
Job Creation
Willie Penrose
Question:247 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the nature, type and amount of grants, subsidies or incentives available to employers who wish to recruit potential employees into their businesses, such as the restaurant type business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36576/10]
My Department does not provide direct funding to business or start-ups, it does however provide funding to the enterprise agencies. Assistance for small businesses and services in Ireland is delivered primarily through the County and City Enterprise Boards who are the primary initial contact point for business start-ups. They are responsible for providing support to small businesses with 10 employees or fewer in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level.
Subject to certain eligibility criteria, financial assistance to new and developing micro-enterprises may be available for a range of eligible business costs from the CEBs in the form of priming, expansion/development and feasibility/innovation grants. However, I would stress that priority is given to projects in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. It is considered inappropriate to support other areas such as retail enterprises, personal services (e.g. hairdressers, gardeners, etc), professional services (accountants, solicitors, etc) lacking export potential, construction, as it is considered that these enterprises generally give rise to unacceptable deadweight (where projects would have proceeded anyway) and/or displacement (where the projects simply displace business from other players in the market) concerns.
Whilst not all projects are eligible for direct financial assistance, CEBs also deliver a range of non-financial supports such as training, mentoring and general business advice services, designed to help new and existing enterprises to operate effectively and efficiently so as to last and grow. I would therefore recommend that potential entrepreneurs or existing business owners contact their local CEB to discuss the particular needs of their business. Contact details for individual CEBs can be found by accessing the following website: www.enterpriseboards.ie .
Furthermore the Government is also encouraging employers to create new jobs through reducing the costs associated with employment through the Employer Jobs (PRSI) Incentive Scheme. For each new eligible job, the scheme gives an 8%-10% saving on employment costs for the first year of employment. For further information regarding this new incentive, a prospective employer should contact the Department of Social Protection at www.welfare.ie
Employment Rights
Mary Upton
Question:248 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will ensure that a person [details supplied] receives the payments he is due from his employment as determined by the Employment Appeals Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36655/10]
The case in question has been determined by the Employment Appeals Tribunal. According to the information supplied by the Deputy, the Circuit Court issued an Order which was passed to the County Sheriff for execution and the Sheriff has failed to recover the sums due. As the matter appears to rest with the Court and the Sheriff, there is no further role for the employment rights bodies which operate under the aegis of my Department.
Redundancy Payments
Mary Upton
Question:249 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will ensure that a redundancy payment is now processed in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36659/10]
My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation
I can confirm that a statutory redundancy lump sum claim was received by my Department on 6 October, 2010 in respect of the above individual. In view of the particular set of circumstances outlined by the Deputy in this case, I have asked my Department to bring forward the processing of this claim and I understand that this claim will be processed over the next 3 to 4 weeks. I regret that the individual concerned had an unsatisfactory customer service experience and I have brought this matter to attention in my Department.
Job Creation
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:250 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of manufacturing jobs lost throughout the economy over the past three years; the extent, if any, to which any such jobs were relocated to other economies; the reasons given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36810/10]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:251 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of manufacturing jobs created throughout the economy over the past three years and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36811/10]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:252 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of high tech jobs lost throughout the economy in each of the past three years and to date in 2010; if any were relocated to any other jurisdictions; the reasons given for such relocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36812/10]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:253 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of high tech jobs created throughout the economy in each of the past three years and to date in 2010; the origin of the investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36813/10]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:254 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of jobs lost throughout the services sector in each of the past three years and to date in 2010; the reason given for such losses; if any were relocated to other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36814/10]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:255 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of jobs created in the services sector throughout the economy in each of the past three years and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36815/10]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:257 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the extent to which he, his Department and or groups and bodies under his aegis have specifically intervened in the creation of jobs in specific sectors throughout the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36817/10]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:258 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the steps he has taken to assist those with entrepreneurial skills or who have become unemployed with a view to encouraging job creation in the manufacturing and services areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36818/10]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:259 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the extent if any to which he and his Department have identified jobs in the manufacturing and services sectors that might appear to be vulnerable in the current economic climate, having regard to the experience of the past five years; the steps, if any, taken or contemplated by way of positive intervention to improve their situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36819/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 to 255, inclusive, and 257 to 259, inclusive, together.
The Industrial Development agency figures for job gains and losses are compiled annually in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey, the most up to date of which details employment figures up until 2009. The figures are in respect of numbers of persons employed in firms assisted by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development, which come under the aegis of my Department. As the information is compiled on an annualised basis, the figures in respect of 2010 will not be available until 2011. Details of the agency figures for job gains and losses are set out in Table 1 accompanying this reply. There are no figures available specific to ‘high tech' jobs. The data in the tables in respect of services relates to the services sectors supported by the enterprise agencies.
There are no figures available in respect of jobs relocated to other economies. There are many differing and complex factors that can influence a firm's decision to relocate and these are a reality of the modern globalised economic environment. Notwithstanding this, IDA Ireland has continued to attract and retain high value manufacturing investments from leading global corporations.
Job ‘churn' occurs in the internationally trading sector of the economy, in a number of ways and for a variety of reasons. Companies adjust their plant location and utilisation strategies to address matters such as accessing new markets, moving production nearer to customers, meeting firm or market specific customer relationship issues, accessing technology, in addition to business takeovers and consolidations. For much of the last decade, this churn has been positive for Ireland with companies replacing lower value activities with activities of higher value, resulting in better-paid, more highly skilled jobs.
In terms of supporting the creation of new employment opportunities across the country the State development agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, together with the County and City Enterprise Boards assist and promote enterprise development and employment growth in businesses. Despite operating in a very difficult economic environment, there are still investment opportunities in global markets and IDA will continue to compete vigorously for projects for Ireland. So far this year, there have been 63 IDA announcements with the potential to create in excess of 4,700 jobs.
Enterprise Ireland delivers a wide range of supports to Irish companies, targeted at the specific requirements of clients throughout all regions to ensure that they develop to their full potential in terms of innovation and exports, which in turn, stimulates job creation. In addition, the Employment Subsidy Scheme and the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund have been introduced to assist vulnerable but viable companies to maintain employment and to develop and sustain their businesses respectively.
The role of the County and City Enterprise Boards is to provide support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate entrepreneurship at local level. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the Boards support individuals, firms and community groups provided that the proposed projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability. The Boards give priority to businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors.
Statistical information in relation to CEBs is collated annually. My Department does not collect or retain information on the number of specific job losses in CEB assisted companies. Information on existing jobs in CEBs-supported companies for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 is set out set out in Table 2 accompanying this reply.
|
Sector |
Number of Permanent Full-time Jobs Gains 2007 |
Number of Jobs lost 2007 |
Net Gains/ Losses 2007 |
Number of Permanent Full-time Jobs Gains 2008 |
Number of Jobs lost 2008 |
Net Gains/ Losses 2008 |
Number of Permanent Full-time Jobs Gains 2009 |
Number of Jobs lost 2009 |
Net Gains/ Losses 2009 |
|
Manufacturng |
12,895 |
15,465 |
-2,570 |
10,138 |
20,695 |
-10,557 |
5,992 |
30,487 |
-24,495 |
|
Other Industry |
1,492 |
1,151 |
341 |
1,609 |
1,776 |
-167 |
941 |
2,878 |
-1,937 |
|
International Services |
8,975 |
7,067 |
1,908 |
8,872 |
6,653 |
2,219 |
4,421 |
10,282 |
-5,861 |
|
Financial Services |
3,347 |
559 |
2,788 |
2,638 |
1,068 |
1,570 |
975 |
1,946 |
-971 |
|
Total |
26,709 |
24,242 |
2,467 |
23,257 |
30,192 |
-6,935 |
12,329 |
45,593 |
-33,264 |
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
|
Number of jobs existing in CEBs-supported companies* |
34,545.5 |
33,811 |
30,726.5 |
*Based on CEB Annual Employment Survey.
Export Markets
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:256 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of new markets for Irish exports identified and or created in each of the past three years and to date in 2010; their value on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36816/10]
In 2010 Enterprise Ireland (EI) has been working closely with its clients to maintain and build their business relationships with existing key customers and target and win new customers in existing and new markets. There has been a large number of targeted sector visits and a number of cross-sectoral visits led by Government Ministers to strategic overseas markets with an emphasis on High Growth and Emerging markets.
EI continue to identify and support the entry of appropriate clients to the selected markets of Brazil, Russia, India, China, the Gulf, Japan and most recently South Africa. Of particular significance is the work that is already underway with the construction products and services sector in the Gulf States.
Enterprise Ireland has identified and targeted a number of sectors and sub-sectors in individual markets that offer clear opportunities for those EI clients that have the expertise and experience to potentially win sales and grow exports in each market. A successful example of this approach has been the work around the construction sector in the Gulf States. By recognising and validating the opportunity in construction in the Gulf and matching it to the capabilities of a cohort of Irish companies Enterprise Ireland built the knowledge and expertise in the market to facilitate clients in building contacts and relationships thus enabling them to win significant business.
The High Growth Markets (Brazil, Russia, India, China, Gulf States, Japan and South Africa) are a diverse group of markets at different stages of development and sophistication. Over the period 2008-present the combined total number of clients doing business in these markets has risen by 13% from 932 to 1,052. EI clients have also established 76 new presences in these markets during 2008 and 2009 reflecting this increased commitment to these markets. Work is also underway to identify opportunities that may be available to clients in other emerging economies such as Indonesia, a significant market with untapped potential. Growth was achieved despite the difficult trading conditions encountered from the second half of 2008 onwards.
EI is continuing to work with a large number of companies to target and win business right across the globe and demand from companies in targeting export markets is very strong as evidenced by EI's recent International Markets Week (20th September — 23rd September) in Ireland when EI's International staff met with over 670 Irish companies (>1,700 meetings) to agree joint action plans to target export market opportunities. These action plans are now already underway.
Details on the performance of Ireland's merchandise and services exports to priority markets are detailed below.
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 (Jan – June) |
|
|
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
|
|
Brazil |
161,630 |
183,234 |
211,313 |
119,444 |
|
Russia |
326,847 |
344,469 |
242,649 |
188,392 |
|
India |
168,344 |
160,976 |
158,492 |
80,611 |
|
China |
1,320,372 |
1,609,277 |
1,632,227 |
830,160 |
|
Gulf States |
785,119 |
833,107 |
833,967 |
509,010 |
|
South Africa |
368,943 |
311,686 |
214,177 |
137,340 |
|
Japan |
1,738,063 |
1,708,239 |
1,701,897 |
867,077 |
Source: CSO.
|
2007 |
2008 |
|
|
€’000 |
€’000 |
|
|
Brazil |
122,000 |
199,000 |
|
Russia |
1,165,000 |
1,382,000 |
|
India |
374,000 |
398,000 |
|
China |
1,233,000 |
1,423,000 |
|
Gulf States |
540,000* |
673,000 |
|
South Africa |
590,000 |
538,000 |
|
Japan |
897,000 |
1,066,000 |
Source: CSO.
*Does not include confidential figures for Kuwait.
Questions Nos. 257 to 259, inclusive, answered with Question No. 250.
Job Creation
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:260 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the extent to which he has engaged with the job-creating sectors throughout County Kildare with a view to generating increased employment and protecting existing jobs having regard to the experiences of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36820/10]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:261 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of small enterprise jobs created in County Kildare in each of past five years and to date in 2010; the number lost in the same period; the action proposed for increased activity in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36821/10]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:262 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the net number of new jobs created in the various sectors throughout County Kildare in the past five years; the number of jobs lost in the same period; the action proposed to redouble job creation efforts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36822/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 to 262, inclusive, together.
Jobs are the central priority of Government policy. Recently, the Taoiseach launched the five-year integrated Government plan for trade, tourism and investment aimed at generating 300,000 jobs. The new plan, "Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy", is the first integrated strategy to promote overseas trade, tourism and investment. With this new strategy, the Government aims to position Ireland for strong export-led growth to 2015, resulting in high levels of job creation.
In terms of supporting the creation of new employment opportunities across County Kildare, the State development agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, together with the Kildare County Enterprise Board assist and promote enterprise development and employment growth in businesses. Enterprise Ireland delivers a wide range of supports to Irish companies, targeted at the specific requirements of clients to ensure that they develop to their full potential in terms of innovation and exports, which in turn, stimulates job creation. In addition, the agency has refocused its efforts on strengthening and sustaining viable companies through a range of initiatives focused on the needs of their client base.
During 2010, the Kildare County Enterprise Board has continued to support enterprise development through the provision of both financial and non-financial assistance and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development and to enhance employment creation within the county. While it is clear that we are operating in a very difficult economic environment, there are still investment opportunities in global markets and IDA will continue to compete vigorously for projects for Ireland. Kildare has in recent years attracted some world class manufacturing companies and at present there are 26 IDA Ireland supported companies in Kildare employing approximately 9,131 people.
In March 2009, Hewlett Packard announced the creation of up to 500 jobs for Leixlip Co Kildare. It must be remembered, however, that jobs announced are typically created over a period of up to three to five years. In addition, the IDA has arranged two site visits for potential investors to date in 2010.
Details of job gains and losses in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, in the county are set out in the first table. Statistical information in relation to jobs supported by the County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) is collated annually and the second table shows the numbers of jobs existing in Kildare CEB assisted companies for the years in question. Figures in relation to job losses in CEB-assisted companies are not collated.
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
Total |
|
|
Job Gains |
1,033 |
956 |
678 |
463 |
380 |
3,510 |
|
Job Losses |
440 |
714 |
1,327 |
1,333 |
2,114 |
5,928 |
|
Net Position |
593 |
242 |
-649 |
-870 |
-1,734 |
-2,418 |
|
Year |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
Net Jobs Existing in CEB assisted companies in Kildare |
815 |
857 |
1,004.5 |
975 |
897.5 |
Brian O'Shea
Question:263 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of projects that the IDA Ireland has announced for Waterford in the past five years; the job potential involved in these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36840/10]
I am informed by IDA that in the 5 years since mid 2005, there were 6 announcements in relation to multinational, Greenfield start ups and expansions in Waterford City and County, with the potential to create 588 jobs. While jobs announced are typically created over a period of up to three to five years, it should be noted that, in the 5 years from the beginning of 2005 to the end of 2009 (the latest date for which figures are available) a total of 1,679 jobs were actually created in IDA supported companies in Waterford City and County. At present there are 31 IDA Ireland supported companies in Waterford City and County employing over 5,900 people.
Soilse Poiblí
Dinny McGinley
Question:264 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil iarratas faighte ag a roinn le haghaidh soilse poiblí ar Oileán Ghabhla; an mó solas atá i gceist, an costas measta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [36578/10]
Tá iarratas faighte ag mo Roinn ó Chomhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall chun deontas a cheadú le dhá sholas poiblí a chur ar fáil ar ché Phort an Chrainn agus trí sholas poiblí ar Ché Thrá na mBlátháin ar Oileán Ghabhla, ar chostas iomlán €17,500. Tuigfidh an Teachta nach bhfuil sé ar chumas mo Roinne an t-iarratas seo a cheadú i bhfianaise na srianta a chaithfear a choimeád ar chaiteachas faoi láthair agus tosaíochtaí eile gur gá freastal orthu.
Tionscnaimh Forbartha Aerfoirt
Dinny McGinley
Question:265 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta cad é an staid ag a bhfuil an plean chun aerstráice a chur ar fáil ar Oileán Thoraigh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [36579/10]
Ag tógáil san áireamh go bhfuil an cead pleanála agus an tOrdú Ceannacháin Éigeantaigh i leith an aerstráice imithe as feidhm anois agus na srianta is gá a choimeád ar chaiteachas sna cúinsí eacnamaíochta reatha, tá cinneadh tógtha ag mo Roinn gan dul ar aghaidh le haerstráice a thógáil ar Oileán Thoraigh.
Is féidir liom a chur in iúl don Teachta áfach, go bhfuil an fhéidearthacht maidir le heileapad a thógáil ar an oileán á fiosrú faoi láthair agus tá comhráite ina leith sin ar siúl idir oifigigh mo Roinne, Comhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall agus Comharchumann an Oileáin.
Cruthú Fostaíochta
Dinny McGinley
Question:266 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil aon phlean ina roinn le fostaíocht a chur ar fáil ar na hOileáin Ghaeltachta i nDún na nGall; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [36580/10]
Mar is eol don Teachta, bíonn iarrachtaí leanúnacha ar siúl ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun deiseanna fostaíochta a chur ar fáil i ngach ceantar Gaeltachta, na hoileáin Ghaeltachta i nDún na nGall ina measc.
Tuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta go gcuirtear béim láidir ar fhiontraíocht a spreagadh ar na hoileáin agus go gcuirtear gach tacaíocht ar fáil faoi scéimeanna an Údaráis chun cuidiú le gnóthaí oileánda a bhunú. Ar ndóigh, mar gheall ar an aeráid eacnamaíochta ghinearálta atá ann faoi láthair, is dúshlán an-mhór é infheistíocht phríobháideach a mhealladh go dtí na hoileáin.
Ag deireadh na bliana 2009, tuigtear dom go raibh:
30 duine fostaithe (idir phoist lán-aimseartha agus pháirt-aimseartha) i ngnóthaí a fuair cúnamh ón Údarás ar Oileán Árainn Mhóir; agus
24 duine san iomlán fostaithe (idir phoist lán-aimseartha agus pháirt-aimseartha) ar Oileán Thoraigh.
Is iad na comharchumainn is mó a sholáthraíonn seirbhísí riachtanacha don phobal ar na hoileáin agus cuireann an tÚdarás deontais reachtúla bhliantúla ar fáil dóibh, bunaithe ar phleananna aontaithe. Cuidíonn gníomhaíochtaí na gcomharchumann le fostaíocht a chur chun cinn ar na hoileáin in earnálacha ar nós acmhainní mara, an turasóireacht, seirbhísí áitiúla agus cúrsaí cultúir agus teanga. Chomh maith leis sin, tá an tÚdarás ag comhoibriú le heagrais Stáit eile le scothseirbhísí, as a n-eascraíonn deiseanna fostaíochta, a sholáthar ar na hoileáin.
Anuas ar an obair atá ar bun ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun fostaíocht a chruthú, tá suim de €4.64m ceadaithe ag mo Roinnse do Chomhar na nOileán Teo chun an Clár Forbartha Tuaithe 2007-13 a riaradh agus tá béim ar leith curtha ar thacaíochtaí do mhionfhiontair sa chlár áirithe sin.
Departmental Expenditure
Billy Timmins
Question:267 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding a centre (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36835/10]
The centre referred to by the Deputy is funded under my Department's scheme to strengthen and support volunteering. In 2010 the centre received funding of €122,957.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government is currently engaged in preparing the Estimates for 2011 in the context of the forthcoming Budget. While at this stage I cannot give a commitment to any individual organisation, I will be endeavouring to make the best possible use of the resources available, taking account of the need to prioritise frontline services and ensure value for money.
Departmental Contracts
Kathleen Lynch
Question:268 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Defence when this Deputy can expect to receive the information promised in Parliamentary Question No. 475 of 6 July 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36540/10]
The Department has now completed a review of the contents of available files that were located following a review of file listings. Given that the initial question related to contracts that may have been placed up to seventy years ago, there was very little material found that referred to institutional laundries and much of what is available is incomplete. It is clear however from a review of the files that such laundries had tendered for the award of contracts from the Department. However, it has not proven possible to confirm whether any institutional laundry was actually awarded a contract.
Defence Forces Recruitment
Joe Carey
Question:269 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Defence his plans for a new recruitment programme to the Defence Forces in 2010 and in particular if there will be any cadet intake this year; if so, the number and when same will be advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36599/10]
Within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is firmly focused on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Permanent Defence Force. Government approval was secured in the context of Budget 2010 for a level of 10,000 all ranks. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. Targeted recruitment is being carried out in 2010 in order to maintain the operational capability of the Defence Forces. To this end I approved the recruitment of 40 Recruits to the Naval Service, limited recruitment to the Army and the intake of 30 Cadets from the Cadetship Competition 2010 which closed on the 28th July 2010. I intend, with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies.