Sandra McLellan
Question:11 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the target he has set for institutions in this State to draw down support from the EU progress micro enterprise fund. [11327/12]
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 10, inclusive, answered orally.
Enterprise Support Services
Sandra McLellan
Question:32 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to promote and support bids by credit institutions to access the EU progress microfinance facility; the amount that will be drawn down from this programme; and when this fund will be available to the small and medium enterprises sector. [11326/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 32 together.
The European Progress Microfinance Facility is a European Investment Fund (EIF) initiative to support entrepreneurship and employment through microfinance activities. It was established by the EU Commission in 2010.
It does not directly provide microfinance to either Member States' Governments or entrepreneurs. Instead, following a rigorous due diligence process, selected microfinance providers across the EU who fulfil the requirements are accredited by the EIF and can avail of supports designed to increase lending into the Microenterprise sector.
Specifically, capped guarantees may be provided to eligible intermediaries partially covering their portfolios of micro-loans, or loan facilities may be availed of to increase lending to micro-enterprises. The guarantees provided are intended to mitigate bad debts incurred in the lending operations. Microfinance providers may apply for the guarantee, or for the loan facility, but may not avail of both. Eligible intermediaries are any public and private institutions that provide microfinance loans and/or guarantees to individuals, or micro-enterprises established in the EU Member States. To apply to become an intermediary, interested institutions must submit a formal application for Progress Microfinance micro-credit guarantee directly to the EIF. Any EU microfinance institution may apply to the EIF under this Facility and State involvement is not a prerequisite.
I am currently finalising the delivery structures for a State-backed Microfinance Loan Fund to provide loans to the microenterprise sector. This Fund is designed to stimulate lending to sustainable microenterprises and is targeted at start-up, newly established, or growing micro enterprises across all industry sectors, employing not more than 10 people. It will provide loans of up to €25,000 for commercially viable proposals that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by commercial banks.
Following establishment of the Microfinance lending facility, application will be made for the EIF guarantee facility.
Prompt Payment System
Dessie Ellis
Question:12 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to ensure that prompt payment is made by Departments and associated bodies to small and medium enterprises. [11329/12]
Since 2009, Central Government Departments have been improving their respective payment times, so as to assist the cash flow of businesses, and are obliged to pay their suppliers within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice. This 15 day prompt payment rule was introduced by Government on an administrative basis.
Departments are required to report quarterly to my Department on their performance in meeting this target. To date, 10 sets of Quarterly returns have been published on my Department's website www.djei.ie. The returns for the last Quarter of 2011 were published today. This data will show that in value terms 97-8% of invoices were paid within 15 days for that quarter.
The ongoing publication of these composite returns by my Department provides clarity in relation to the performance of individual Departments in meeting the terms of the Government Decision.
As part of the commitments in the EU/IMF Programme for Ireland, the 15 day prompt payment rule was extended beyond central Government Departments and rolled out to the Health Service Executive, the Local Authorities, State Agencies, and all other Public Sector Bodies, (excluding Commercial Semi-State bodies), in respect of valid invoices received, on or after, 1 July 2011.
As part of this new extended arrangement, parent Departments are required to publish on their respective websites Quarterly composite reports covering those bodies under their aegis. The individual bodies covered by this arrangement are also required to publish their own Quarterly reports on their websites
These new reporting arrangements should ensure that all Ministers will be able to monitor the performance of the bodies under their aegis and will enable them to address any issues with those bodies who are not meeting these obligations.
Any Small Businesses experiencing difficulties in securing payments should, in the first instance, approach the Government Department or State body concerned. Any failures to comply with the initiative can also be brought to the attention of the relevant Minister with responsibility for the body concerned.
Enterprise Support Services
Michael Moynihan
Question:13 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when his proposed potential exporter division will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11558/12]
It is recognised in the Action Plan for Jobs that creating an indigenous engine of economic growth is central to revitalisation of the Irish economy. One of the many measures outlined in the Plan to realise this ambition is the establishment of a new Potential Exporters Division in Enterprise Ireland. The aim of the Unit is to stimulate greater activity within companies across all regions and to reorient those demonstrating real growth potential from the domestic to the international market place. The new unit will provide assistance designed to aid client companies investigate, prepare and execute an international strategy including: practical business advice, information and market intelligence; targeted funding supports where appropriate; suitable training and development.
This approach represents a new model of engagement with companies and will ensure that Enterprise Ireland's interaction is fully effective in stimulating activity among small companies.
Already, a dedicated team of Enterprise Ireland staff is being assembled for this new Division. The personnel who will staff the Unit will have the skills and experience of the Development Adviser and Market Adviser roles as well as programme management and enquiry handling skills. The Unit's responsibilities will include responding to the development needs of companies; promoting and advocating the export agenda; proactively promoting a range of tailored services, initiatives and grants; helping companies easily access EI services and financial supports; proactively identifying and stimulating companies that demonstrate the potential to grow and establish a developmental agenda with those particular companies.
Enterprises will be given the opportunity to access the services through Enterprise Ireland's website, a dedicated email address and a dedicated phone number. Outreach channels will include regional events run on a regular basis, liaising with the City and County Enterprise Boards, and regular interaction with Chambers of Commerce and other relevant bodies and agencies.
There will be a range of supports for First Time Exporters which will include general awareness events; knowledge and training workshops; access to specific market information; access to market knowledgeable mentors; funding supports; and access to Enterprise Ireland's market resources.
In 2012, engagement with in excess of 500 enterprises is planned. It is expected that companies in this cohort will increase their preparedness to export and will deliver increased exports as a result of the establishment of the Unit.
Job Protection
Denis Naughten
Question:14 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress made to date on protecting employment at a company (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11406/12]
I am informed that the process regarding the sale of Bank of America's Irish and UK credit card businesses is ongoing.
I took the opportunity of my recent visit to New York to raise the issue with the CEO of Bank of America, Brian Moynihan who confirmed this position.
As I have previously indicated, there is considerable interest in both the MBNA Ireland portfolio and the MBNA UK portfolio, the potential sale of each is being pursued separately by Bank of America.
Negotiations regarding the sale of the MBNA Ireland portfolio are continuing.
I understand that IDA has met the relevant parties, is monitoring the situation closely and is providing relevant input into the process as it moves forward. IDA is in regular contact with local Bank of America management in Carrick-on-Shannon and Dublin and at corporate level to monitor developments.
Separate to the above, IDA has been and continues to market Carrick-on-Shannon and the BOA MBNA capability there to other potential investors, should the above negotiations fail to lead to a positive outcome.
This has included creating a detailed profile/factfile in conjunction with BOA MBNA management to highlight the skillset, experience and facility in Carrick-on Shannon. This profile is being used by IDA's international network of offices to market both the centre itself and the location.
Business Regulation
Micheál Martin
Question:15 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects to complete the audit of licences required for business per item 1.49 of his action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11551/12]
Better Regulation is an important aspect in ensuring that costs are reduced for firms. Forfás has been assigned responsibility for conducting the review of licences under Action Point 1.49 of the Action Plan for Jobs. The Table of Actions in the Annex to the Action Plan for Jobs sets out a timeframe for the review.
Initial scoping of the review has commenced and draft Terms of Reference are being considered. Forfás will complete this phase in the coming week, as set out in the timetable.
The audit, consultations, and analysis will also be completed in Q3 of 2012, in line with the timetable. The findings and recommendations will be set out in a report to Government in Q3 2012. Some consultations have already taken place on the matter, and further consultations with Government regulatory agencies, departments and enterprises will be undertaken in the coming months.
Job Creation
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:16 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way he intends to ensure that resources will be targeted to major and ongoing regional disparities in job creation. [11328/12]
Job creation is at the top of the Government's agenda. Since we came into office, we have been working hard to create the improved economic conditions which will support the maintenance of existing jobs and the creation of new ones. The Action Plan for Jobs, which I launched on 13 February, outlines the Government's plan to rebuild the economy and create jobs. The plan will improve access to finance for small businesses, reduce costs and red tape, and improve supports for exports, management and innovation.
The achievement of balanced regional growth is a core objective of Government. Promoting entrepreneurship and facilitating the key infrastructural needs of Irish enterprise across all regions is vital to ensuring a vigorous pipeline of new business leaders, new business ideas and entrepreneurial activity. Cooperation across many organisations operating in the region is vital in developing a competitive edge and successfully supporting enterprise in the region. The development of sectors of opportunity and the fostering of clusters can play an important role.
This objective is consistent with the EU Commission's Regional Aid Guidelines, which govern the areas in which the enterprise and industrial development agencies in Member States may grant regional aid, more commonly known as investment aid. Investment aid is intended to promote the economic development of certain disadvantaged areas within the European Union in order to redress regional disparities. The Guidelines specify rules for the selection of regions that are eligible for regional aid and define the maximum permitted levels of this aid. Under Ireland's current Regional Aid Map, regions covering 50% of the population are entitled to Regional Aid grants. The details of the support in terms of aid intensity for each county are available on my Departments website.
The national Enterprise Development agencies under the aegis of my Department operate through a regional structure with a mandate to maximise regional opportunities. The IDA in particular has a target that 50% of delivering 50% of investments outside of Dublin and Cork. The County Enterprise Boards have been an important element in local enterprise development and in the Action Plan for Jobs we envisage better integration between Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Support and the activity of local authorities supporting business development.
I am confident that the measures outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs, together with the policies and initiatives being pursued by the Industrial Development agencies and the County and City Enterprise Boards, will create the employment opportunities necessary for national recovery.
Legislative Programme
Willie O'Dea
Question:17 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when it is expected the partial credit scheme and the micro finance scheme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11535/12]
With regard to the Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme, an Operator has been selected through a public tendering process and will shortly be contracted by my Department to act as the agent for the practical oversight, management and operation of the Scheme. Primary legislation to underpin the Scheme is being urgently progressed with the Attorney General's Office, and a Credit Guarantee Bill will be published during this Spring session. The Guarantee Scheme will go live as soon as possible following enactment of the legislation in Quarter 2 2012.
I am currently finalising the delivery structures the Microfinance Loan Fund to provide loans to the microenterprise sector. This Fund is designed to stimulate lending to sustainable microenterprises and is targeted at start-up, newly established, or growing micro enterprises across all industry sectors, employing not more than 10 people. It will provide loans of up to €25,000 for commercially viable proposals that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by commercial banks.
The Government recently approved the allocation of €10 million as seed capital for the Fund. It is anticipated that the Fund will supplement this seed capital by leveraging further funding from private sources, including the banks.
Following establishment of the Microfinance lending facility, application will be made for the EIF guarantee facility. A rigorous due diligence process is required to secure EIF accreditation. Following EIF approval of the guarantee facility, and subject to completion of all administrative and corporate governance requirements, it is anticipated that the Loan Fund will become operational by mid-year.
Enterprise Support Services
Denis Naughten
Question:18 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to support enterprise development in the midland and western regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11407/12]
The role of Government is to create the conditions where enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation can flourish and quality employment opportunities can be grown and maintained. Our objective is to put the country back on the road to economic recovery and full employment. The Action Plan for Jobs, which I launched a fortnight ago, outlines the Government's plan to rebuild the economy and create jobs. The plan will improve access to finance for small businesses, reduce costs and red tape, and improve supports for exports, management and innovation.
Supporting new and existing indigenous businesses, across all regions, to grow and export is central to our plans for recovery, growth and jobs. The Action Plan for Jobs contains a significant number of measures which are aimed specifically at the facilitation and incentivisation of growth among SMEs throughout the country. The introduction of a microfinance fund will provide loans of up to €25,000 to micro-enterprises in the Irish economy and the establishment of a potential exporter Division within Enterprise Ireland will stimulate greater activity within companies across all regions and reorient those demonstrating real growth potential from the domestic to the international market place.
The Industrial Development agencies under the aegis of my Department, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, together with the relevant County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) have been supporting enterprise development in the regions in question and will have a crucial role to play in the implementation of the various initiatives in the Action Plan for Jobs.
One of the targets for IDA Ireland in the Action Plan for Jobs is to have 50% of foreign direct investments based in locations outside of Dublin and Cork. In this regard, considerable success has been achieved in attracting high quality investment to both regions. At present, there are a total of 120 IDA supported companies employing over 17,500 people between both regions.
Currently, Enterprise Ireland has almost 700 clients employing over 17,500 people in the regions in question. In 2011, Enterprise Ireland-assisted companies created 457 new full-time jobs in the Midlands region and 1,144 in the West. In addition, over €6.7m was approved for the agency's client companies in the West regions.
In 2011, the County and City Enterprise Boards in the Midlands and Western Regions paid out over €2.3m in grant assistance to clients. Support for the microenterprise sector is being strengthened under the Action Plan for Jobs through the establishment of Local Enterprise offices in each county. I am confident that the measures outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs, together with the other policies and initiatives being pursued will continue to attract investment and employment opportunities to the two regions.
Pharmaceutical Patents
Seán Crowe
Question:19 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will identify the 2011 value in export terms of patents that will expire in 2012, 2013 and 2014. [11318/12]
Martin Ferris
Question:20 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to ensure that the ending of pharmaceutical patents does not negatively impact on job creation and retention. [11332/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together.
I am aware that a series of major patents will expire in the coming year and that patent expiry can result in reduced selling prices for pharmaceutical companies. Manufacturing location decisions are rarely made on a single product basis, however, and companies also consider factors such as quality, safety, competence, costs and tax. In addition, transferring production lines from one pharmaceutical site to another is a complex undertaking and cannot be done easily. Multinational companies practice optimal site loading to ensure high efficiency and productivity within a global plant network.
The 2011 value in export terms of patents in the pharmaceutical industry that will expire in 2012, 2013 and 2014 is not available as such information is confidential to each individual pharmaceutical company and can depend on the company's supply chain, location of patented drugs production and the company's method of accounting. I can confirm, however, that Ireland is the world's largest net exporter of pharmaceuticals with exports valued at €55 billion in 2010 accounting for 50% of exports. The pharmaceutical sector employs 25,000 people directly in high paid jobs and contributes almost €1 billion in annual corporation tax.
Ireland has been enormously successful in attracting eight of the major global players and the world's number one biotechnology company to Ireland. In addition, Ireland has a large number of companies outside of the top ten who manufacture and successfully export from Ireland. In accordance with its Horizon 2020 Strategy, IDA Ireland continues to attract leading investment in the pharmaceutical industry and, in the last two years, has attracted manufacturing companies of the quality of Warner Chilcott, Biomarin, Alkermes, Sangart and one of the world's leading generic manufacturers, Mylan. This is in addition to major on-going investment by existing companies.
IDA Ireland utilises the presence of leaders in the pharma sector, who have established a presence here, to market Ireland as the location of choice for potential investors while working closely with its existing client base to encourage further growth of their Irish operations, ensuring a positive future for Ireland's Life Sciences Sector.
Whether available as a generic or a brand, global companies strive to ensure that their products are produced to the highest international standards. Ireland retains an exemplary global record in this regard with an excellent regulator in the Irish Medicines Board and with much improved competitiveness through wage reduction and restraint which is helping Ireland to compete with lower cost locations.
The overall export performance of the sector therefore is multifactoral and whilst there are challenges with regard to patent expiration, IDA Ireland is succeeding in renewing its patent protected volumes through winning new product mandates in small and large molecule manufacture. Future export performance will be a reflection of all of these drivers of activity and the flexibility of the Irish operating environment to support continuous improvement and transformation.
Job Creation
Martin Ferris
Question:21 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the locations being considered for any future job creation health innovation hub. [11333/12]
The Government is committed to delivering a Health Innovation Hub to drive collaboration between the health system and enterprise leading to the development and commercialisation of new health care technologies. This is identified as an action in the Action Plan for Jobs and discussions have begun between my Department and the Department of Health with the relevant agencies on this matter.
At this point in the process possible locations for the hub have not yet been explored.
Work Permits
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:22 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has been briefed by the Private Security Authority in terms of the way that body operates within the context of his Department’s work permit licensing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11404/12]
My Department processes applications in respect of the different types of employment permits and all applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006.
It is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only in respect of:
highly skilled, highly paid positions or;
non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or;
positions requiring specialist or scarce skills, expertise or qualifications which cannot be filled otherwise.
Furthermore, the position of Security Officer is currently one of the occupational categories ineligible for a new first time permit. However, permits for this position may be considered for non-EEA nationals already in the State in that position who wish to change employer or permits under the Spousal/Dependant Scheme.
The Employment Permits Section has been in contact with the Private Security Authority and understands that a person may not work as a Security Officer without having a Private Security License issued on their behalf. In this regard all applications for an employment permit in respect of a Security Officer must be supported by an in-date license from that Body.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the issue of a Private Security License, in itself, does not authorize a non-EEA national to work in the State. In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA national must have a valid employment permit issued on their behalf or have immigration permission from the Department of Justice and Equality that allows them to work in the State without an employment permit.
Business Regulation
Michael McGrath
Question:23 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects to achieve item 1.50 of his action plan regarding reducing the regulatory burden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11554/12]
International benchmarking statistics reveal that Ireland imposes a relatively low burden of regulation on business. The Forfás Competitiveness Scoreboard 2011 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 administrative burdens on business 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, drives the measurement and reduction of administrative burdens in a systematic manner, based on the internationally recognized Standard Cost Model.
To date, the High Level Group has progressed a range of administrative burden issues brought to its attention by business and continues to drive progress on further issues. The Group continues to work with business interests to identify new opportunities for simplification.
As far as the 25% target is concerned, my Department has already reduced measured burdens by 23%, a potential saving of €198 million for business. Details of all the initiatives making up this total are available on my Department's website.
The cross-Government measurement and reduction of administrative burdens, towards the 25% target, as detailed in the Action Plan for Jobs, is coordinated by my Department. The target is to be reached by the end of this year. A project to measure the burden imposed by regulation under the responsibility of seven Departments and Revenue was initiated in September 2011. I expect results from the first cluster of Departments by the end of the first quarter and from the second cluster by the end of quarter two.
When the measurements are complete, we will know the administrative burden arising for business as a result of regulation under the responsibility of each of these Departments, as well as how much these burdens have been reduced since the base year, 2008.
Each Department must then draft a Simplification Plan setting out how they will achieve the remaining reductions to reach the 25% target. The first cluster of Departments should report to Government with Simplification Plans by the end of quarter two, and the second cluster by end quarter three.
Job Creation
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:24 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way he intends to promote clustering of related industries to address regional disparities in job creation. [11322/12]
Job creation is at the top of the Government's agenda. Since we came into office, we have been working hard to create the improved economic conditions which will support the maintenance of existing jobs and the creation of new ones. Our objective is to put the country back on the road to economic recovery and full employment. The Action Plan for Jobs, which I launched on 13 February, outlines the Government's plan to rebuild the economy and create jobs. The plan will improve access to finance for small businesses, reduce costs and red tape, and improve supports for exports, management and innovation.
One of the recommendations in the Plan is to "support industry-led clustering in key areas of opportunity, based on new models, industry proposals, and newly developed niche market strategies". The responsibility for delivery of this action has been assigned to my Department, the Enterprise Development agencies and relevant industry networks and groups. A number of sectors have potential to progress clustering, particularly in the guise of collaborative industry-led networks which seek to identify mutual objectives which if tackled collaboratively, can have a positive impact on the capability of companies to grow and create employment, wherever they are located.
The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 refers to a number of specific sectors, namely Finance, Telecommunications, e-Learning, Food, Gaming and the Environment. In bringing forward industry-led clustering the Enterprise Development agencies under the auspices of this Department will be working closely with industry and each other. During Quarter 1 2012, an approach and a programme to support industry-led clustering will be developed, taking account of best practice and industry views. It is intended that industry proposals for the establishment of collaborative networks to drive clustering, will be invited during Quarter 2 2012, with an active roll-out of the programme occurring in the latter half of this year. To this end, Enterprise Ireland has recently assigned responsibility for clustering initiatives to a Senior Manager with responsibility to drive the agency's activity in this space.
I am confident that the measures outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs, together with the other policies and initiatives being pursued will create the employment opportunities necessary for national recovery.
Peadar Tóibín
Question:25 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs to be created per year to achieve a net increase of 100,000 by 2016 as outlined in the action plan for jobs. [11308/12]
Gerry Adams
Question:29 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs to be created in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 to create a net increase of 100,000 new jobs by the year 2016. [11310/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 29 together.
The Action Plan for Jobs has set a target of supporting the creation of 100,000 net new jobs over the period 2012 to 2016. Even in good times, businesses close and jobs are lost, so a significantly larger number of new jobs will need to be generated on a gross basis over the period in question to achieve our target. These jobs will be created by entrepreneurs and successful businesses, aided by Government policies which create the right environment for jobs growth.
There is no reliable data published on gross job creation forecasts across the economy. However, my Department tracks data in respect of its agencies' client companies. Over the period of the Action Plan for Jobs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are targeting the support of over 100,000 gross jobs in client firms. Experience has shown that such job creation is matched by a similar number of about 100,000 connected jobs in the economy through the supply chain. Approximately 5,000 full time jobs and over 3,500 part-time jobs will be created by the County and City Enterprise Boards each year, while jobs will also be created by companies who are not supported by the enterprise agencies.
The objective of the Action Plan for Jobs is to transform the operating environment for business to make it easier to start up, expand, access finance and find new markets. An initiative such as the proposed Microfinance Fund could, for example, be a game-changer for jobs in the local economy. The Action Plan for Jobs is seeking to influence the direction of growth and to change the forecasts of unemployment. It is about grinding out reforms to our policies, structures and systems, one by one, to create the environment where jobs can be created and sustained. Clearly, trends in global economics will have an effect on our trade and investment ambitions, but we can, and will, improve the performance of our enterprises by acting on measures that are within our own control.
Social Welfare Code
Timmy Dooley
Question:26 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the liaisons he has had with the Department of Social Protection regarding changes to the sick pay regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11545/12]
The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, who has policy responsibility for the Illness Benefit scheme, held a consultative meeting recently to discuss the feasibility and potential impacts of introducing a Statutory Sick Pay scheme in Ireland. This was very much a first step in considering a range of issues that need to be examined in detail before any proposals can be progressed to Government for possible implementation. Minister Burton clearly indicated at the consultative forum that nothing has been decided yet in relation to Statutory Sick Pay.
Officials from my Department and Forfás attended Minister Burton's initial consultative forum, along with a number of business representative organisations. Forfás commented at the forum that any proposal that would increase costs for business would be of concern, and that further work was required to assess the potential cost of the proposal to enterprise, how these costs might be borne across different sectors, what implications these costs might have for employment, and what other actions could be taken to achieve the required goal of reducing the cost to the Exchequer of Illness Benefit.
I also appreciate the concerns of business representative bodies about the cost a Statutory Sick Pay scheme impose have on businesses. For these reasons, while I recognise that there are legitimate issues regarding the management of Illness Benefit budgets, it is clear that further research is required before any decision can be made by the Government on a Statutory Sick Pay scheme.
EU Directives
Catherine Murphy
Question:27 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects to sign the statutory instrument proposed in January to transpose fully Ireland’s obligations under the Council Directive 2001/29/EC relating to copyright law; if he will confirm that the wording of the statutory instrument as currently proposed will be altered before signing; if he will confirm when he expects to cease the practice of giving effect to EU legislation by statutory instrument without referral to Oireachtas committees as laid out in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11401/12]
The European Union (Copyright and Related Rights) Regulations 2012 have today been signed and simultaneously I have launched the next stage of the Copyright Review Committee review of Ireland's copyright legislation, aimed at removing barriers to innovation. I acknowledge the desire of some interested parties that this instrument be more detailed and more prescriptive. However the High Court now has significant guidance from the European Court of Justice on the implementation of the measure, and will have to ensure any remedy provided will uphold the following principles:
Freedom to conduct a business enjoyed by operators such as ISPs;
The absolute requirement that an ISP cannot be required to carry out general monitoring on the information it carries on its network;
Any measures must be fair and proportionate and not be unnecessarily complicated or costly;
The fundamental rights of an ISPs' customers must be respected, namely their right to protection of their personal data and their freedom to receive or impart information.
I believe that in Ireland we must build on our very substantial achievements in the creative and digital media industries, and become a model of international best practice for innovation in this area. Ireland is home to some of the world's most innovative internet companies, and we are determined to grow our reputation as a location where smart people and smart companies can innovate in this fast-moving arena.
It was necessary for us to proceed to sign this Statutory Instrument in order to ensure compliance with our obligations under EU law. The intended purpose of the proposed Statutory Instrument is not to enact new EU legislation but rather it seeks to merely restate the position that was thought to exist within the copyright legislation prior to Justice Charleton's judgement here and in all EU Member States. Accordingly, I am satisfied that the introduction of this measure by way of Statutory Instrument is not inconsistent with the legislative policy outlined in the Programme for Government.
As there are clearly many diverse interests, it is important that interested parties come together and work in a constructive way to map the path forward. For this reason I am particularly anxious that the consultation paper launched today is studied and comprehensively responded to by all interested parties. The challenge now is to examine what measures we can take to develop Ireland's laws in this area in such a way as to provide the greatest possible encouragement for innovation in the creative and digital industries to take place here.
This is a very complex area of law, which affects industries that are developing rapidly and where the interests of many diverse and changing parties interact with each other. My ambition to make Ireland a model of international best practice in this area will not be easily achieved, and as this debate develops I urge all interested parties on all sides to come together and work in a constructive and realistic way to the benefit of all.
In that context, I am committed to reviewing and updating the Copyright legislation currently in place in order to strike the correct balance between encouraging innovation and protecting creativity. This paper has been prepared by the Copyright Review Committee in response to submissions received and public engagement. I urge all interested parties, including information providers and ISPs, innovators, rights-holders, consumers and end-users, to study it carefully and engage in a constructive debate on all the issues.
This is a valuable opportunity for all interested parties to express their views and to make a meaningful contribution towards shaping the future development of Irish copyright law. I am confident that the work being carried out by the Copyright Review Committee, with the interaction and input of the interested parties, will result in establishing Irish copyright law on a firm footing to encourage innovation, foster creativity and meet the challenges of the future with confidence.
The independent Copyright Review Committee was established on 9th May, 2011:
to examine the present national Copyright legislation and identifying any areas that are perceived to create barriers to innovation;
to identify solutions for removing these barriers and make recommendations as to how these solutions might be implemented through changes to national legislation;
to examine the US style ‘fair use' doctrine to see if it would be appropriate in an Irish/EU context;
and if it transpires that national copyright legislation requires to be amended but cannot be amended (bearing in mind that Irish copyright legislation is bound by EU Directives on copyright and other international obligations), make recommendations for changes to the EU Directives that will eliminate the barriers to innovation and optimise the balance between protecting and promoting and facilitating innovation.
The membership of the independent Committee is Dr. Eoin O'Dell (Trinity College Dublin) (Chair), Patricia McGovern (DFMG Solicitors, Dublin), and Prof. Steve Hedley (University College Cork).
Enterprise Support Services
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:28 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the supports he will put in place to support businesses in crisis. [11323/12]
The Government's commitment to supporting business is evident from the range of initiatives outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs launched two weeks ago. The Plan tackles the issue of access to finance through a range of measures, such as the introduction of a microfinance fund to provide loans of up to €25,000 to micro-enterprises and the roll-out of the temporary partial credit guarantee scheme. At a most practical level my Department and Enterprise Ireland (EI) will be working closely with the banking sector to assist them in achieving a cultural shift in lending practices towards those companies and sectors that are crucial to economic growth.
In the area of procurement, the Plan includes practical measures such as the strengthening of EI's engagement between SMEs and procuring authorities and a new initiative to encourage contracting authorities to consider more innovative solutions to their procurement needs. EI will also have a crucial role in delivering many of the initiatives in the Action Plan for Jobs through delivering supports to drive sales and marketing capabilities, building Leadership and Management Capabilities, embedding Competitiveness Improvements, and providing financial supports. Under the Action Plan for Jobs, the micro-enterprise supports in Ireland will also be reshaped to put in place an improved enterprise support structure for small businesses throughout Ireland. EI will work with the Local Authorities to establish a new network of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in each Local Authority, which will combine the enterprise support service of the previous CEBs and the business support work of the Business Support Units in the Local Authorities.
Good progress has also been made by my Department and its Agencies in reducing administrative burdens on business, with a reduction of over 23% already having been achieved. Work is continuing to identify new areas where administrative burdens on business can be reduced. I am also very encouraged by recent developments in the private sector such as the initiative launched by Chartered Accountants Ireland, which sees the its voluntary advice service extended nationwide. www.charteredaccountants.ie.
I am confident that these types of private sector initiatives combined with the focus that this Government has brought to bear on the issues that are of particular concern for business, will yield real benefit to individual enterprises and the economy as a whole in the short to medium term.
Question No. 29 answered with Question No. 25.
Alternative Energy Projects
Brian Stanley
Question:30 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to enhance our competitiveness through supporting green technologies. [11330/12]
Companies are becoming increasingly aware of the financial savings and competitive advantage that arise from adopting an environmentally sustainable and resource-efficient approach to their business through green technologies and practices. There are a number of supports available to assist Irish enterprise in the development and implementation of green enterprise initiatives from a range of State agencies, including those under the aegis of my own Department. These supports are set out in the Developing a Green Enterprise guide which was published in July 2011 and is available on my Department's website.
The importance of developing the broader Green Economy sector has been identified in the Action Plan for Jobs. A range of drivers such as increased fossil fuel prices, renewable energy targets, emissions reductions targets, environmental legislation and consumer preferences, are creating significant opportunities for growth and jobs in this sector.
Ireland has a number of strengths which it can leverage to create employment and growth opportunities both for indigenous companies and for foreign direct investment, including excellent renewable energy resources, a strong R&D base, strengths as a location to test and develop new technologies, an outstanding natural environment to support green tourism and an established image as the ‘Emerald Isle' which can be built upon to promote Ireland's Green offering.
Enterprise Ireland currently provides a number of supports to assist clients to develop products and services for export markets, while the IDA continues to attract investor interest in the clean-tech sector.
A key objective for Government in 2012, as part of the Action Plan for Jobs, will be to publish and implement a new Plan for the Development of the Green Economy. This Plan will set out the opportunities in the sector, the role that Government will play in working with enterprise to support the development of the Green Economy, and the structures that will be put in place to coordinate cross Government action to accelerate growth.
In addition, my Department is facilitating the development by Dublin City University of the vacant former Enterprise Ireland site in Glasnevin into an internationally-recognised ‘Innovation Campus', involving a partnership of education and research institutions, enterprise and the semi-state sector with a particular focus on research-active clean-tech firms.
Job Creation
Peadar Tóibín
Question:31 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if additional revenue or capital moneys will be made available to his Department to implement the recommendations of the action plan for jobs. [11309/12]
The measures in the Action Plan for Jobs 2012 will be met from existing resources, as provided for in the annual Estimates process. The funding for my Department for 2012 was agreed in tandem with the preparation of the Action Plan. As part of the Estimates negotiations, I secured an increase in capital funding for enterprise development and support this year, resulting in the highest ever annual capital budget for my Department of €514 million.
The reality of the financial situation in which we find ourselves is that we must do more with the resources available to us, find innovative ways of leveraging funds and new ways of delivering on our job creation priorities. For example, in the Action Plan, we are finding innovative ways of using Government policy to improve access to finance for businesses by guaranteeing bank lending to viable small and medium sized enterprises through the temporary Partial Credit Guarantee scheme. We are using Government policy to encourage job-creation by carefully targeting supports, reducing costs and red tape, and removing other barriers to job-creation.
We are using Exchequer funding to leverage private sector investment. In the case of my own Department:
The State's investment of €50 million for the Development Capital Scheme will leverage up to €150 million in new funding for mid-sized, high-growth, indigenous companies.
The investment of €10 million in the Microfinance Fund will leverage up to €100 million in new funding for micro-enterprises.
The second call under the Innovation Fund Ireland for investment in small Irish-based tech companies is worth approximately €60 million, with the possibility of leveraging multiples of this sum from private investment.
The Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme is expected to provide over €100 million in new lending to small and medium-sized businesses by the banking sector.
We will seek to replicate this type of approach across Government to maximise the potential impact of Exchequer investment to support the creation of jobs.
Question No. 32 answered with Question No. 11.
Enterprise Support Services
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:33 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to help small and medium enterprises to leverage Internet marketing, sales and social media. [11314/12]
As recognised in the Action Plan for Jobs 2012, internet communications is set to be one of the fastest growing sub-markets within ICT, with potential growth rate as high as 20 percent per annum over the next decade. Therefore, small and medium enterprises need to concentrate on developing this resource as a major tool for their day to day business. Already Enterprise Ireland provides a number of supports to help SMEs in this area. Enterprise Ireland formulated and developed a funding support programme called the eBusiness Management Initiative (eBMI) to assist SMEs in developing their online marketing potential. To date 289 client companies have received support under this Initiative and the approved value of this support is €4.3m.
Additionally, Enterprise Ireland has a dedicated resource called the Internet Marketing Unit. The Internet Marketing Unit is focused on helping client companies to exploit the Internet as a route-to-market, and to assist companies develop a strategy that will shape how they do business online. The Unit provides a range of services, including strategic guidance, workshops and seminars and funding support. This Unit also runs a number of eMarketing and Social Media events for clients each year. These events have become extremely popular and are always full to capacity. The Unit regularly publishes case-studies and other online marketing collateral through Enterprise Ireland's website.
Another initiative, the Internet Growth Acceleration Programme (iGap), has been launched by Enterprise Ireland in conjunction with the Irish Internet Association (IIA), which is an intensive management development programme aimed exclusively at high potential internet/games companies. This programme has been very successful and is now in its third year. To date, 62 companies (122 promoters) have completed the iGAP programme. The fourth iGAP will be launched in October 2012. iGAP has, over the last 36 months, equipped promoters within the Irish internet/Games industry with the practical tools needed to formulate aggressive international growth plans and scale their businesses. iGAP incorporates practical learning from world-class serial entrepreneurs, it is delivered over six monthly modules and covers fundamental topics integral to building a global internet business. The modules are combined with more intensive support from an implementation coach who supports the participating companies as they complete their programme milestones.
The County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) provide a range of grants to eligible micro-enterprises, which can cover all business costs directly attributable to growing and developing a business, as well as training and one-to-one mentoring initiatives to assist individual businesses develop as appropriate to their remit and the needs of the business. In addition, where appropriate opportunities present to offer additional services, the CEBs act in conjunction with other organisations, such as Google in their recent "Getting Business Online" to make additional services and supports available. In 2011 CEBs provided over 100 training seminars in the "Getting Business Online" initiative, resulting in the creation of almost 900 new business websites.
Pearse Doherty
Question:34 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to ensure that small and medium enterprises can benefit from the savings and increased productivity arising from the use of cloud computing. [11312/12]
The Government's Action Plan for Jobs, which was launched last week, outlines the opportunities that can be exploited arising from the growth of cloud computing. These include stimulating the take up and use of cloud computing by small business, the development of the ICT enterprise sector, stimulating the emergence of start up companies providing technology services using cloud computing and, positioning the public service as a key driver in the use of cloud computing technology. The Action plan also acknowledges that challenges relating to data protection, information security, reliability of service and the availability of high speed broadband must be addressed if the benefits of cloud computing are to be fully realised.
The Cloud computing Group that I established last year will continue its work by supporting the growth and jobs potential of cloud computing and addressing the challenges outlined above. The Action Plan for Jobs identifies actions which are designed to ensure that SMEs can benefit from the opportunities offered by cloud computing including:
Supporting industry groups (e.g. Irish Internet Association) to develop and deliver a practical tool kit to assist SMEs in assessing the adoption of Cloud Computing for their business;
Examining the potential for demonstration projects in cloud computing to promote Ireland as a centre of excellence for this technology, providing a reference site for Irish companies, while potentially lowering costs and improving services;
Developing a Cloud Computing Procurement Standard with industry experts through an NSAI Standards group;
Ensuring that the ICT Skills Action Plan incorporates needs associated with the development of Cloud Computing in Ireland; and,
Delivering a Cloud Computing Technology Research Centre in order to support an industry led research and innovation agenda in this area.
With regard to the final bullet point, I can confirm that a Cloud Computing Technology Centre is being established jointly by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. After an open consultation process with industry partners, a steering committee has begun the work of developing a detailed research agenda. This agenda formed the basis for the Initial Research Programme which will be undertaken by Dublin City University, University College Cork and Athlone Institute of Technology and will formally commence in the coming weeks.
This research is particularly valuable in that, it not only includes considerations of the technical expertise and requirements to develop effective cloud computing platforms, but also incorporates the business acumen required to build new business models, end user requirements and novel ways to commercialise these platforms at the very outset of the research programme. This approach will continue to inform and drive the development of the ongoing research into this increasingly economically advantageous area. While this phase is running in 2012, an open competition will be held to establish a Host for the formal Technology Research Centre, which will allow for a significant scale up in activity over a 5 year period.
County Enterprise Boards
Catherine Murphy
Question:35 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the county and city enterprise boards that will move premises to council offices; if leases have expired on all premises being vacated; if not, the ones that remain; the duration and rent due to be paid; the transition arrangements that need to be put in place and the timeframe for same; if the existing funding arrangements will continue for the enterprise boards; by whom the staff will be employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11408/12]
As announced in the Action Plan for Jobs, I propose to establish a new "one-stop-shop" small and micro-enterprise support structure. These "One Stop Shops" will be called "Local Enterprise Offices" and will build on the significant work done by the CEBs to date. The new structure will be achieved through the dissolution of the existing CEBs and the creation of a new Micro Enterprise and Small Business Unit within Enterprise Ireland that will work with the Local Authorities to establish a Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in each Local Authority. The LEOs will be staffed with a combination of Local Authority and CEB officials. The precise HR arrangements will be finalised as the process moves forward.
In conjunction with the dissolution of the CEB legal structure, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities will be tasked with the practicalities of setting-up and rolling-out a LEO structure. There is clearly a lot of detailed developmental work to be done over the coming months to effect these changes, and to put appropriate new structures in place, as well as addressing many of the issues raised in the Deputy's question. In advance of this work being done it is not possible to say with absolute certainty the date on which a formal transition to a LEO structure will take place, but clearly it is essential that all relevant parties work together to bring about this positive change as a priority.
In the interim, it is vital to ensure continuity of service to the Micro-enterprise Sector and in that regards it is "business as usual" for the clients of the City and County Enterprise Boards until these changes have been effected.
Job Creation
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:36 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which he expects to maximise the opportunities for job creation through initiatives, innovation and technology throughout the employment spectrum in the manufacturing and service sectors, with particular reference to the need to achieve a balanced economy with economic dependency spread evenly across the lower, middle and upper income scales, thereby ensuring the highest possible degree of competitiveness in home and overseas markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11571/12]
The Action Plan for Jobs, which was published by the Government on 13th February last, is intended to maximise opportunities for job creation across the economy and will support the creation of 100,000 net new jobs to 2016. Of the net 100,000 jobs to be created, 20,000 are projected to be generated directly in manufacturing, while 30,000 will be created in international traded services. An additional 50,000 jobs will be generated indirectly through spin-offs and support activities.
The Action Plan outlines a number of measures and initiatives to enhance the operating environment for enterprise in Ireland and these measures will benefit all sectors of the economy, whether exporting or trading locally. Among the actions outlined in the Plan which will facilitate the transformation of enterprise and improve competitiveness are measures to:
support and promote investment in research, development and innovation,
improve cost competitiveness,
align skills with enterprise needs,
prioritise infrastructure investment to underpin employment growth, and
reduce costs through sensible regulation.
The Action Plan also sets out specific measures to support the development of a number of key sectors where Ireland can competitive advantage, including in manufacturing and services sectors. This approach will ensure we achieve balanced economic development across a range of sectors.
Recognising the importance of manufacturing, the Government will target a number of specific actions in support of the sector in 2012. These include the establishment of a Manufacturing Development Forum to assist in identifying the needs of manufacturing enterprises and to progress the on-going transformation agenda required in this sector, aimed at deepening technology and growing productivity. We will also develop a long term vision for the manufacturing sector and put in place a strategic plan that will help to realise this vision. Similarly, the Action Plan contains a range of initiatives aimed at developing services sectors, including ICT, International Financial Services and Business Process Outsourcing.
Enterprise Support Services
Seán Crowe
Question:37 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the market failures in lending to small and medium enterprises that necessitate a partial credit guarantee scheme. [11319/12]
I have committed to introduce a carefully targeted Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme on the basis that it will deliver positive returns to the economy and will address the competitive disadvantage being experienced by specific categories of Irish SMEs. The Scheme will be exclusively targeted at commercially viable micro, small and medium enterprises, i.e. well performing companies that have a solid business plan and a defined market for their products or services, thereby demonstrating their ability to repay the loan, but that do not secure credit facilities due to the following two market failures:
1) Insufficient collateral for the additional facilities, or,
2) Growth/expansionary SMEs which due to their sectors, markets or business model are perceived as a higher risk under current credit risk evaluation practices. In this way, the scheme will complement, rather than be a substitute for, existing lending activities by the main financial institutions.
We have identified two distinct characteristics of the Irish SME lending market which provide the rationale for a Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee scheme. Firstly, there is a cohort of commercially viable companies in the SME sector with growth potential that have experienced difficulties accessing credit as they do not have the security required for conventional collateral based bank lending. Second, there is also an issue that predates the recent banking crisis, whereby new companies or expanding companies engaged in new sectors, new technologies and markets struggle to secure finance. This can be due to a lack of familiarity or understanding on the part of the banks, of the new industry, the new product or the potential of new markets. SME customers particularly affected, include those involved in software, medical devices and other specialist products and services sectors. This market failure in the provision of credit to viable businesses became particularly acute in Ireland during the property bubble, during which time the Irish banks lost the capacity to assess credit risk in companies that were unable to offer property related collateral.
The cohorts of SMEs targeted by this initiative are of strategic importance to national enterprise policy objectives. The Scheme will also place Irish SMEs on a more level footing with international competitors that have access to similar schemes in their own countries. A key objective of this intervention is ensuring that the Scheme will add value to the measures already taken by the Government to address the SME credit supply issue and represent value for money to the State.
Job Creation
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:38 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on his new targets for job creation under the new 2012 action plan for jobs; the measures that are in place to facilitate the hiring of workers off the live register when jobs vacancies arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11403/12]
The Action Plan for Jobs has set a target of supporting the creation of 100,000 net new jobs over the period 2012 to 2016, with the longer term objective of having 2 million people at work by 2020.
Of the net 100,000 jobs to be created over the next five years, 20,000 are projected to be generated directly in manufacturing, while 30,000 will be created in international traded services. An additional 50,000 jobs will be generated indirectly through spin-offs and support activities.
The Action Plan for Jobs is part of a wider, whole of Government response to the jobs crisis, which includes also the recently published plan for labour market activation, Pathways to Work. Both documents are fundamentally linked and recognise the need to reform our policies and our structures to secure long-term and lasting results for our enterprise base and for job-seekers.
The Action Plan for Jobs includes a number of measures to support employers to recruit people from the Live Register when vacancies arise. These include simplification and extension of the Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme which exempts employers from liability to pay employer's PRSI for certain employees. This scheme will be extended to cover the first 18 months of employment while the eligibility criteria for job seekers will also be amended and improved. The Government will promote the increased take up of this scheme through business and employer representatives.
Similarly, the Government will target the increased take-up of Revenue's Job Assist scheme, which provides for a double wages deduction to employers who employ a person who has been unemployed for 12 months or more.
Under Pathways to Work, the public employment services will be reformed through the creation of the new National Employment and Entitlements Service, which will provide better targeted services to both job seekers and employers. The new service will include the provision of recruitment and job-matching services for employers, to facilitate the hiring of workers from the Live Register. A target has been set to increase the proportion of vacancies filled from the Live Register by the Department of Social Protection's employment services to 40% by 2015.
Simon Harris
Question:39 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the pressing need for a jobs strategy for Bray, County Wicklow; if he is taking steps to ensure that this need is addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11402/12]
Job creation is at the top of the Government's agenda. Since we came into office, we have been working hard to create the improved economic conditions which will support the maintenance of existing jobs and the creation of new ones. Our objective is to put the country back on the road to economic recovery and full employment. The Action Plan for Jobs, which I launched on 13 February, outlines the Government's plan to rebuild the economy and create jobs. The plan will improve access to finance for small businesses, reduce costs and red tape, and improve supports for exports, management and innovation.
Supporting new and existing indigenous businesses, across the country, to grow and export is central to our plans for recovery, growth and jobs and the Action Plan for Jobs contains a significant number of measures which are aimed specifically at the facilitation and incentivisation of growth among SMEs throughout the country. Among the measures announced are:
The introduction of a microfinance fund to provide loans of up to €25,000 to micro-enterprises in the Irish economy.
A drive to support 95 new High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) with a significant contribution to that number from ambitious international mobile entrepreneurs.
The reshaping of the micro-enterprise supports in Ireland to put in place an improved enterprise support structure for small businesses throughout Ireland.
The establishment of a potential exporter Division within Enterprise Ireland to stimulate greater activity within companies across all regions and to reorient those demonstrating real growth potential from the domestic to the international market place. The introduction of capital initiatives including the Development Capital Scheme and the Second Call of Innovation Fund Ireland.
Rolling out of a number of market initiatives, including Trade missions, an International Market Week, attracting 600 inward buyers to Ireland, driving the take up of the Going Global initiative, and working proactively with the Diaspora.
Establishment of a Senior Management team between EI and IDA to drive effective collaboration to deliver on key priorities such as procurement opportunities for SMEs and attracting inward start-ups.
It is important to clearly state that eligible companies have the same access to State services and supports, regardless of their location. Enterprise Ireland coordinates a range of supports delivered locally, including entrepreneurship programmes which are focused on identifying and assisting new business prospects across the country. Under the Regional Aid Guidelines, the Development agencies can support projects in less advantaged regions to a higher level of aid intensity, which can act as a significant incentive to the undertaking of projects which can aid job growth and expansion.
I am confident that the measures outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs, together with other policies and initiatives being pursued, will create the employment opportunities necessary for Bray and Co. Wicklow generally.
Regional Aid
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:40 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps that he has taken to renegotiate the regional aid guidelines that govern the areas in which the enterprise and industrial development agencies in member states may grant regional aid; and when the new fairer guidelines will be in place. [11317/12]
The Regional Aid Guidelines govern the areas in which the enterprise and industrial development agencies in Member States may grant regional aid, more commonly known as investment aid. Investment aid is intended to discriminate in favour of certain disadvantaged areas within the European Union in order to redress regional disparities by promoting the economic development of such areas. The Guidelines specify rules for the selection of regions that are eligible for regional aid and define the maximum permitted levels of this aid. Under Ireland's current Regional Aid Map, regions covering 50% of the population are entitled to grant Regional Aid. The details of the support in terms of aid intensity for each county are available on my Departments website, and are also listed in the chart at the end of this answer. Under the Regional Aid Map, the highest rates were afforded to the Border, Midlands and West (BMW) region. For the period of 2007 to the end of 2010, the region qualified for a rate of 30% for large firms; for medium and small firms the rates were 40% and 50% respectively.
In accordance with the Guidelines, a reduced rate of aid for the BMW region is applicable from 1 January 2011: 15% for large companies, 25% and 35% for medium and small firms respectively. The maximum aid rates for eligible regions within the Southern and Eastern Region remain at 10% for large companies, 20% and 30% for medium and small firms respectively.
To launch the work on the new Guidelines beyond 2013, the European Commission hosted a workshop for Member States in Brussels last March. The purpose of the workshop was to gather information on the operation of the current Guidelines and the experiences of Member States and to give Member States the opportunity to express preliminary views on the issues that should be reviewed in the future framework.
Following extensive consultation with the relevant stakeholders, my Department made preliminary submissions to the Commission both in advance and after the workshop. In December, the European Commission sent my Department its initial thoughts on 2014-2020 Regional Aid Guidelines. These Guidelines were discussed at a multilateral meeting of Member States and the Commission on 8-9 February 2012. Another multilateral meeting is scheduled to take place later this year, with the adoption of the new Regional Aid Guidelines scheduled for 2013. My Department will continue to liaise with the relevant stakeholders throughout this process and will seek to ensure that Ireland's interests are articulated at EU Level.
|
N130/2010 — Official Journal c 226/5 21.8.2010) |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Border, Midlands and West Region |
||||||
|
Large Firms |
Medium Firms |
Small Firms |
||||
|
Period |
2007-2010 |
2011-2013 |
2007-2010 |
2011-’13 |
2007-’10 |
2011-’13 |
|
Aid Rate (Gross Grant Equivalent) |
30% |
15% |
40% |
25% |
50% |
35% |
|
Designated Areas |
Large Firms |
Medium Firms |
Small Firms |
|||
|
South East sub-Region (Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, South Tipperary) and designated islands1 |
2007-2013 |
2007-2013 |
2007-2013 |
|||
|
10% |
20% |
30% |
||||
|
2007-2008 |
2009-2013 |
2007-2013 |
2007-2013 |
|||
|
Mid West (Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary2)Kerry, Cork Urban Regeneration Area |
10% |
20% |
30% |
|||
|
10% |
0% |
20%3 |
30%3 |
|||
|
Cork (apart from Urban Regeneration Area) |
10% |
0% |
2007-2008 |
2009-2013 |
2007-2008 |
2009-2013 |
|
20% |
0% |
30% |
0% |
1Bear, Cleire, Dursey, Heir, Long, Sherkin, Whiddy.
2As a result of Commission Directive N 130/2010, large investment aid and aid for investment projects with eligible expenditure exceeding €25 million is once again permitted for these three counties. Prior to the decision, such aid had only been allowed up until the end of 2008.
3From 2009-2013 no aid may be awarded in these counties for investment projects with eligible expenditure exceeding €25 million.
Lower aid rates apply to Large Investment Projects (i. e. > €50 million).
Departmental Bodies
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:41 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will compare and contrast the resources assigned to the Competition Authority here with those operating at best practice level within the EU; if he will detail the resources needed within the economy here; and if he will detail the additional expenditure that he will designate to the Competition Authority to deal comprehensively with anti competitive practise across the State. [11316/12]
My Department is currently undertaking a review of the resources of the Competition Authority. I expect this review to be completed by the end of March 2012. This review will have to take account of Government policy to reduce the size and cost of the public sector through the Employment Control Framework. Until that review has been finalised, I am not in a position to comment further in the matter.
Question No. 42 answered with Question No. 10.
Innovation Initiatives
Micheál Martin
Question:43 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the recommendations from the innovation task force that have been implemented; the number that are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10754/12]
The Taskforce's recommendations outlined a whole of Government approach to realising an important strand of Ireland's economic recovery and made a wide range of recommendations in areas such as intellectual property, venture capital, the higher education system, procurement, convergence, sectoral issues, taxation, enterprise agency supports and structures, broadband infrastructure, marketing and implementation. There were 26 Key Recommendations and 63 Supporting Recommendations in the Innovation Taskforce Report. Of the 26 Key recommendations, 12 have been implemented, 9 are to be implemented, in full or in part, and finally 5 will not be implemented. In the main, the unimplemented items are recommendations regarding tax allowances or are concepts requiring significant further analysis to become implementable proposals — many of them give rise to substantial additional investment costs or to revenue foregone.
Significant recommendations implemented include putting into place the €500 million Innovation Fund-Ireland to target the development of a vibrant venture capital community in Ireland through attracting top international venture capitalists. Cycle 5 of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) was launched. Moreover, funding for a number of ITF recommendations in the budgetary process to 2016 were secured, enabling my Department and its agencies to support innovative companies, grow the number of high potential start-up companies, provide more venture capital and develop a portfolio of sector specific Angel Funds and increase Enterprise Ireland supports for commercialisation. They also enable the retention of a strategic mass of world class researchers who act as a pull factor for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ireland.
Furthermore, increased funding was secured for the R&D activities of Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland in the context of Budget 2011 and Budget 2012 to enable Ireland to retain the science base built over the past decade, attract further R&D FDI, strengthen collaborations between researchers and enterprise, provide additional company R&D grants, and ensure the best use is made of research with commercial and market potential.
The ITF recommendation to introduce incentives to encourage greater take up of higher level maths has been implemented by the introduction of a scheme of bonus points for students who sit higher level maths. The scheme is to be introduced for a four year pilot period commencing Leaving Certificate 2012 and will be reviewed in 2014. This initiative complements the recommendation to roll out Project Maths — an initiative designed to place greater emphasis on the understanding of mathematical concepts and the application of mathematical knowledge and skill — which is also being implemented.
The Action Plan for Jobs contains a myriad of initiatives to support broad based innovation.
The majority of public research funding will be aligned with priority areas where we are most likely to get economic returns and monitoring systems will be put in place to measure the impact of funding. This initiative was approved by Cabinet and published.
Science Foundation Ireland operates a range of programmes designed to deliver world class research in third level institutions linked to Irish enterprises. Industry and academia collaborations have now reached 800 linkages across 500 companies. The remit of Science Foundation Ireland will be extended to include applied research, in addition to its existing remit covering oriented basic research, thereby enhancing the focus on commercialisation. SFI's funding will include support for Research Centres to enable them to build scale and world class in a sustainable way that fully underpins the development of industry in Ireland and the commercialisation of Irish research.
IDA will continue their strategy of attracting high quality FDI projects to Ireland and more firmly embed existing FDI companies with a strong emphasis on RDI — in 2011 IDA approvals for RDI stood at €700million representing an increase of 40% from 2010. The Department of Finance is also implementing, via the Finance Bill 2012, the R&D tax credit improvements announced in the budget which will help all companies and support research and innovation generally. This year, my Department will provide €140m to Enterprise Ireland (EI) to ensure the continued growth in the capacity in indigenous Irish companies to develop innovative and cutting-edge products, processes and services.
Enterprise Ireland will expand their in-company innovation capability and host a Big Ideas Showcase in 2012 to focus on securing investment and identifying business partners that will bring new technologies to the next stage of commercialisation. New Technology Centres in Cloud Computing, Learning Technologies and Financial Services will be established and preparatory work will begin on others relevant to the prioritisation exercise mentioned already. EI will also develop and pilot, in the South East, an innovation Graduates Programme managed in conjunction with the Institutes of Technology and open a call under the Innovation Voucher Scheme specifically focussed on design and branding activities for SMEs, with Third Level Institutes as providers. A second call will be launched under Innovation Fund Ireland to attract significant venture capital players to Ireland.
In the area of Intellectual Property(IP) a new Protocol is being developed to manage IP arising from state funded research. Separately a feasibility study is under way to examine what structures and policies could be developed to make Ireland a world centre for managing and trading in IP.
Public Procurement is also being used as a lever for innovation. My Department is working with Enterprise Ireland and others to develop a Procuring Innovation Initiative to increase purchasing of innovative solutions from SMEs by encouraging a more flexible approach to tendering that focuses on procuring solutions to needs rather than specific products or services.
My Department is working with the Department of Health and relevant State Agencies to develop a Health Innovation Hub to drive collaboration between the health system and enterprise leading to the development and commercialisation of new healthcare technologies. There are also a number of initiatives being taken to support innovation in sectors including the Green Economy, Agri-Food, ICT, Cloud Computing, Retail and Wholesale.
Innovation is cross-cutting and requires a broad based approach. The breadth of initiatives in the Action Plan for Jobs to support innovation is a testament to the Government's commitment to delivering innovation policy to support our economic recovery.
Human Rights Issues
Gerry Adams
Question:44 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised the issue of the plight of the people of Tibet with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping during his recent visit. [10761/12]
As I have said recently, the Government has closely followed the reported violent events in areas of Tibetan population in Chinese provinces neighbouring Tibet and is concerned about the situation. Since 1971, when Ireland voted in favour of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, this country has recognised the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. Ireland together with our EU partners adheres to the One China Policy and recognises Tibet as an integral part of China.
Through the formal framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 1995, the EU continues to share with China its experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and to urge China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation. The issue of Tibet is also raised by the European Union as part of regular political dialogue as well as during specific Human Rights Dialogue with China. Efforts are continuing in Beijing to engage at the EU level with the Chinese Government on the issue of Tibet.
Ireland together with our EU partners believes that constructive dialogue between the Chinese Government and the representatives of the Dalai Lama is the best way to address differences and tensions in Tibet and to reach a solution that respects Tibetan culture, language, religion and identity. It is important for the long-term peace and stability of the region that the two sides come to an agreement on the future of Tibet. To this end, we continue to encourage an early resumption of dialogue by the parties.
Human rights are a constant and important issue of dialogue and discussion with the Chinese Authorities, at both national and European Union level. In the course of the recent visit of the H.E. Xi Jinping the Vice-President of the People's Republic of China, the issue of human rights was raised at a variety of levels, including directly between the Taoiseach, myself and Vice President Xi.
Passport Applications
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:45 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications submitted for the years 2007 to 2011, inclusive, and to date in 2012; the number of applicants who were requested to submit additional information in each of these years; the average time in each of these cases to process a passport; if additional personnel will be allocated to the Passport Office during the high summer season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11816/12]
The total number of passport applications received and the number of applications for which additional information was sought for the period 2007 to 24 February 2012 is detailed as follows:
|
Year |
Applications |
Add. Info. |
|
2007 |
608,740 |
90,279 |
|
2008 |
581,954 |
82,684 |
|
2009 |
576,486 |
66,291 |
|
2010 |
614,284 |
61,040 |
|
2011 |
608,051 |
71,895 |
|
2012 |
99,641 |
8,966 |
It is not possible to quantify the average time to process a passport application. However, applications submitted through the Passport Express service in post offices within the State have been processed within ten working days of receipt in the Passport Service, save in exceptional circumstances.
I can confirm that 125 temporary staff have been recruited by the Passport Service for this year's high summer season. All 125 staff are in place and all but a very small number have completed a training programme in passport processing. The recruitment of 125 temporary staff for 2012 contrasts with the 85 that were recruited in March 2011 for the 2011 season and 52 recruited for the 2010 season.
Departmental Records
Gerry Adams
Question:46 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 34 of 22 February 2012, the identity of a person from a company (details supplied) whom he met on 8 November 2011. [11671/12]
The persons from the Company, referred to in the question, who attended the meeting with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance were Mr. Steve Schwarzman and Mr. Gerry Murphy.
Consumer Protection Code
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:47 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on an investment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11749/12]
Firstly, I wish to inform the Deputy that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on an individual's investment portfolio. The Central Bank has in place a Consumer Protection Code (the Code). This Code applies to all financial institutions regulated by the Central Bank (regulated entities). The Code was introduced in 2006 and revised in 2010 coming into full force on 1 January 2011.The 2006 version of the Code placed a number of requirements on regulated entities about the contents of advertisements directed at "consumers". These requirements included providing consumers with a number of important warnings. Three of these warnings were particularly important in relation to investments, namely:
"Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance".
Where an advertisement contained information on simulated performance it had to contain the following warning "These figures are estimates only. They are not a reliable guide to future performance of this investment".
Where a product could fluctuate in price or value, an advertisement had to contain the following warning "the value of your investment may go down as well as up".
The requirements for these three warnings have been included in the revised version of the Code. In addition, two other important warnings have been added. The first is that where the consumer may not get back 100% of the initial capital invested the advertisement must contain the following warning: "if you invest in this product you may lose some or all of the money you invest”. The second is that where the promised return on capital is only applicable on a specified date the advertisement must contain the following warning: “If you cash your investment before ... you may lose some or all of the money you invest”. A copy of the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code may be accessed on the Central Bank’s website www.centralbank.ie. In addition, the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 require that certain information about the nature and risks of financial instruments be provided to consumers. Regulation 84 specifies that an investment firm has to provide clients or potential clients with a general description of the nature and risks of financial instruments.
Consultancy Contracts
Gerry Adams
Question:48 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance his views that FTI Consulting can truly be considered an independent adviser when, in the aftermath of the acquisition of its US advisory role for the bank, it subsequently hired a person (details supplied), a former vice president within Anglo Irish Bank; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one of the senior management partners at FTI Consulting formerly worked for Blackstone; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that a senior managing director at FTI Consulting works as an adviser to the chief executive of Blackstone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11750/12]
As indicated previously to the Deputy the Board of the bank is responsible for the day to day operation of the bank. The matters referred to by the Deputy were not brought to my attention as these matters would, in normal course, be a matter for the Board to ensure that proper procedures are followed. However, I require the highest standards from financial institutions operating in the State particularly so from the covered institutions. I have, in the circumstances, asked IBRC to look at the matters raised in your question and to provide a comprehensive response.
The following response is based on information provided to IBRC by FTI Consulting: "The individual, referred to in the Question, is a Director in the FTI Corporate Finance Restructuring Practice and was hired by FTI on December 19, 2011. His hiring occurred after FTI’s work on the IBRC US portfolio was complete and without any knowledge on the part of IBRC. He is not connected in any way to the FTI Real Estate Solutions Practice that worked on the Bank’s US Loan Portfolio nor the group working on the ‘Segregation Conditions’ engagement between Blackstone’s advisory business and its real estate investment business. He has no access to the practice’s network where engagement data is stored (the network for the Real Estate Solutions Practice and the Corporate Finance Restructuring Practice are completely separate). Furthermore, he is based in the FTI Boston office and is physically separated from our New York (750 3rd Avenue office) and New Jersey offices where the Real Estate Solutions Practice is located.
FTI has also confirmed to IBRC that Sanjeev Khemlani, a Senior Managing Director in FTI's Corporate Restructuring Practice out of FTI’s NY — 3 Times square was a senior person in Blackstone’s GSO Capital Partners group in Hong Kong in 2009. Mr. Khemlani left Blackstone in 2009 and we understand has been employed by FTI since then. The segment leader of the Corporate Finance Practice has assured FTI Consulting that Blackstone is not Mr. Khlemani’s client and that he is not an advisor to Blackstone’s CEO. Nevertheless, the same issues as mentioned above apply to Mr. Khemlani with respect to separation of network access that precludes Mr. Khemlani having any access to the IBRC files as well as physical separation of offices. Furthermore, none of the people who work on the IBRC account from the Real Estate Practice were aware of Mr. Khemlani until this issue was raised and have never met him or discussed any matter with him.
Please note that FTI employs over 2,600 professionals (over 3,600 employees) worldwide. As such, it is always possible to employ an individual who had some employment history with financial institutions and large advisory or investment firms. However all employees enter into confidentiality agreements and receive annual training on ethics and ethical behaviour to ensure the confidentiality of our client matters." I believe this reply is comprehensive and addresses the concerns raised by you in relation to independence of FTI's involvement in the process to appoint advisors at IBRC.
Financial Services Regulation
Brendan Ryan
Question:49 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the daily and weekly cost of employing Ernst and Young as special manager to a credit union (details supplied); and the total weekly billable hours per Ernst and Young employee working at the credit union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11780/12]
The total fees to be paid to the Special Manager and his team at the credit union concerned will be subject to approval by the Court upon request by the Special Manager. The request would typically include sufficient information for the Court to determine if the fees are reasonable, and might include a work schedule, indicating tasks performed, hours worked, and staff levels. As this request has not been made to the Court at this point, the information requested by the Deputy is not finalised. The Deputy might note that the hourly rate of fee payable to the Special Manager was reduced from €423 to €375 following an application by the Central Bank of Ireland to the Court on 10th February 2012. The fees payable to his team were reduced on a pro-rate basis.
State Banking Sector
Gerry Adams
Question:50 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the number of contracts signed by the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, IBRC, to advise upon the sales of commercial loan books in 2011 and 2012; and the total cost to the bank of these contracts. [11791/12]
As indicated previously to the Deputy the Board of the bank is responsible for the day to day operation of the bank. The Board is also charged with responsibility to ensure the optimum return to the State from the work out of the IBRC loan book. Notwithstanding this, IBRC has informed me that the bank signed eight major contracts with core providers for advice relating to the sale of its commercial loan books in 2011 and 2012. These contacts have been signed with a wide range of advisors including strategic advisors, financial advisors and legal advisors across the Bank's geographies in the United States and the UK in order to ensure that the deal execution achieves the maximum recovery value for the Irish State. The majority of these been directly involved in the recently concluded successful sale of its multiple US loan portfolios. The value of these contracts is deemed by the Bank to be commercially sensitive information and the subject of non-disclosure agreements with these appointed firms.
Tax Code
Sean Fleming
Question:51 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will set out in tabular form the corporation tax rate prevailing in each year from 1985 to date; the receipts from corporation tax; the total receipts of taxation in each year; the percent of total taxation received from corporation tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11805/12]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows for the years in question. The total tax revenue and corporation tax revenue figures in columns C and D in the following table are Revenue "net receipts" figures which can differ from tax revenues reported on an Exchequer basis for accounting and timing reasons.
|
Year(A) |
Standard Rate of Corporation Tax applicable to profits earned in the year(B) |
Total net receipt of all tax revenue(C) |
Total net receipt of corporation tax(D) |
Corporation tax as a percentage of all tax revenue(E) |
|
€m |
€m |
|||
|
1985 |
50% |
6,797.2 |
276.2 |
4.1% |
|
1986 |
50% |
7,442.2 |
327.5 |
4.4% |
|
1987 |
50% |
7,944.9 |
324.7 |
4.1% |
|
1988 |
50% and 47% |
8,974.4 |
425.2 |
4.7% |
|
1989 |
47% and 43% |
9,097.0 |
384.7 |
4.2% |
|
1990 |
43% |
10,056.3 |
603.0 |
6.0% |
|
1991 |
43% and 40% |
10,581.7 |
754.4 |
7.1% |
|
1992 |
40% |
11,333.1 |
938.0 |
8.3% |
|
1993 |
40% |
12,333.9 |
1,209.0 |
9.8% |
|
1994 |
40% |
13,775.1 |
1,438.2 |
10.4% |
|
1995 |
38% and 40% |
14,360.9 |
1,458.0 |
10.2% |
|
1996 |
38% |
15,907.7 |
1,813.4 |
11.4% |
|
1997 |
38% and 36% |
18,107.4 |
2,155.0 |
11.9% |
|
1998 |
32% |
20,463.9 |
2,614.3 |
12.8% |
|
1999 |
28% |
23,532.5 |
3,442.4 |
14.6% |
|
2000 |
24% |
27,223.8 |
3,885.3 |
14.3% |
|
2001 |
20% |
28,023.8 |
4,143.9 |
14.8% |
|
2002 |
16% |
29,276.6 |
4,803.8 |
16.4% |
|
2003 |
12.5% |
32,218.9 |
5,155.4 |
16.0% |
|
2004 |
12.5% |
35,784.6 |
5,335.0 |
14.9% |
|
2005 |
12.5% |
39,503.3 |
5,503.2 |
13.9% |
|
2006 |
12.5% |
45,539.3 |
6,684.6 |
14.7% |
|
2007 |
12.5% |
47,505.4 |
6,393.4 |
13.5% |
|
2008 |
12.5% |
41,074.4 |
5,071.5 |
12.3% |
|
2009 |
12.5% |
33,278.7 |
3,889.5 |
11.7% |
|
2010 |
12.5% |
31,919.6 |
3,943.6 |
12.4% |
|
2011 |
12.5% |
34,237 (preliminary) |
3,500.4 (preliminary) |
10.2% |
Note: Where two tax rates are shown for a year it denotes a rate change applying during the year.
Bank Guarantee Scheme
Pearse Doherty
Question:52 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 57, 58, 59 of 28 September 2011, in which he states that he proposed to and secured agreement from ECB President Trichet and European Commissioner Rehn for meetings of technical experts to examine the technical aspects of the Anglo Irish Bank promissory notes, if he will confirm who is leading the discussions for his Department; the number of persons on his Department’s team in these discussions; the details of these persons including their positions in his Department; if any of the team have been brought in from outside bodies or companies; if so, the cost; the number of meetings that have taken place to date, the number, with whom and on what dates these meetings took place; the number of further meetings that are scheduled to take place up to 31 March 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11807/12]
Currently, the Banking Division of my Department, the NTMA and the Central bank are working on this technical review. This group is being supported by McKinsey and Company which is advising my Department. The deputy will appreciate it is not appropriate for commercial reasons to disclose details of the specific arrangement with the company. These resources are sufficient to progress the technical review and examination at this point. The Deputy will also appreciate that it is not appropriate to disclose details of those involved in this review. At an appropriate time it may be necessary to supplement these resources once the final shape of any solution is better defined, so that the outcome for the State is optimised.
Banking Sector Regulation
Joanna Tuffy
Question:53 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to newspaper reports that some Irish banks have made special provisions for mortgagees that are in negative equity; if he has been given any information by the banks about the nature of these arrangements and how widespread or otherwise those arrangements are; if there is any plan to encourage more banks to make provision specifically aimed at mortgagees that are in negative equity in properties that they would like to divest themselves of in order to move on with their lives in accommodation more appropriate to their circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11810/12]
The Central Bank has advised me that they wrote to all mortgage lenders in 2010 to ascertain whether they were offering, or intended to offer, a mortgage product that would allow home owners to sell their existing home and transfer the negative equity portion of the original loan to the new loan. In order to ensure that proposals in relation to such mortgages are consistent with the Central Bank's consumer protection and prudential policy objectives, the proposed criteria for any such facility would need to be agreed in advance between mortgage lenders and the Central Bank. In response to the Central Bank's letter, only a small number of mortgage lenders said that they would consider offering such a facility.
The Central Bank has also advised me that following the issue of the report of the Inter-Departmental Mortgage Arrears Working Group in September 2011, which included a recommendation on trade down mortgages, several lenders have contacted the Bank with regard to offering negative equity mortgages. This includes trade-up, trade-down and trade-down where the customer is in arrears.
In light of this and the initial low level of take up in 2011, the Central Bank has reviewed some of its criteria for negative equity mortgages and recently communicated this revision to the main lenders. It still remains that any institution offering such a mortgage facility may do so only in accordance with criteria set out by and with the prior approval of the Central Bank.
National Asset Management Agency
Gerry Adams
Question:54 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the number of cases where the National Asset Management Agency allows debtors to retain part of the income from their income producing assets to pay overheads including salaries to the debtors themselves; the number of cases in which debtors are receiving salaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the salaries received by these debtors; the number that are under €50,000, between €50,001 and €100,000; the number that are between €100,001 and €150,000; the number that are between €150,001 and €200,000; the number that are over €200,001; and the total cost to NAMA of paying these salaries in 2010 and 2011. [11838/12]
I am advised by NAMA that it does not pay salaries to debtors or their employees as NAMA is not their employer. NAMA inform me that it is the agency's practice to allow debtor companies to retain overhead costs from rental or other income that are produced by their assets where this is necessary for the company's operations. In a minority of cases, where assets are under development and not yet producing income, funds are advanced to debtors to cover essential overheads pending the completion of the project involved. NAMA assures me that the level of overheads is only agreed following a thorough and rigorous evaluation of the debtor's business plan by NAMA and that each cost element is reduced to the minimum. The level of overheads sanctioned by NAMA typically represents very significant reductions on the level which prevailed in the past. Indeed, I am informed that NAMA has on occasions looked for and obtained a reduction of 50% to 75% in overhead costs.
The retention of overheads from income in certain circumstances is considered essential to reaching an agreement that would generate a better rate of return than the option of enforcement and the employment of asset managers for the large portfolios with the significant potential cost involved. The decision to work with debtors, and in such cases the level of overheads that are approved are decisions for NAMA to make on a case by case basis in line with its commercial mandate. Indeed it would be unrealistic to expect debtors and their staff to work with NAMA in some cases for the next seven years for no income.
I am informed by NAMA that the majority of debtor remuneration packages fall into the €70,000 to €100,000 range. NAMA has also indicated that in two cases the debtors' remuneration package authorised by NAMA as part of the budget for overheads is €200,000.
NAMA deals with about 800 debtor connections, either directly or through the participating institutions acting on its behalf. Each debtor's circumstances are different and the Agency considers that details of its engagement with those 800 debtor connections, including details of sanctioned overheads, is an operational matter for NAMA.
State Banking Sector
Gerry Adams
Question:55 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 31 of 22 February 2012, if he will outline the exact date officials in his Department were notified as part of the ongoing communications with IBRC about the existence of the retention agreement between a company (details supplied) and IBRC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11841/12]
The Department was informed of the bank's intention to engage the advisory arm of the company referred to in the question on the 1st November 2011. The bank was requested by my Department to confirm that there is no conflict in relation to the appointment. This confirmation has been provided by the bank.
Gerry Adams
Question:56 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 34 of 22 February 2012, if he will detail if the officials in his Departments’ weekly discussions with a company (details supplied) about IBRC were with the advisory or investment side of the company; if he will detail the purpose of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11842/12]
The weekly discussions are with the advisory arm of the firm in question, as engaged by IBRC. While this is ordinary business of IBRC for which the Board is responsible, the purpose of the calls is to keep my Department appraised of progress and developments.
State Agencies
Gerry Adams
Question:57 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if he will detail the number of meetings held by his Department or NTMA officials with any part of a group (details supplied) on any topic since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11843/12]
As the Deputy will be aware My Department and the NTMA meet a very wide range of groups, companies, individuals etc. in normal course and on an on-going basis. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be usual or appropriate to make public details of such meetings on the basis that the parties to such meetings are entitled to normal commercial confidentiality.
School Staffing
Brendan Smith
Question:58 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11624/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:59 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11625/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:60 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11626/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:61 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11627/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:62 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11628/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:63 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11629/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:64 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11630/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:65 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11631/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:66 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11632/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:67 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11633/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:68 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11634/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:69 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11635/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:70 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11636/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:71 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11637/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:72 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11638/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 to 72, inclusive, together.
The Report on the Net Impact , in terms of posts, of Budget Measures on DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 urban primary schools that still had additional posts allocated under disadvantage schemes, pre-dating DEIS was published on 21 February 2012.
On foot of the analysis of this report, the Government agreed to retain a total of 235 posts, on a concessionary basis, in the 140 DEIS Band 1 and DEIS Band 2 schools which were identified as being impacted by the possible loss of posts. However, staffing identified for individual schools are affected by a number of net factors such as demographics — impact of increasing and decreasing enrolments, the reform of the teacher allocation process to update the General Allocation Model and the move away from a ‘top up' to the staffing schedules.
As already announced the withdrawal of 192 posts from primary schools outside DEIS Band 1 and 2 and from DEIS second level schools will proceed. These involve 136 posts from 163 post primary schools, 16 posts from 16 rural primary schools, 40 posts from 17 non DEIS primary schools. A fully accurate comparison between the staffing levels in DEIS schools in the current school year and the 2012/13 school year can only be made when the allocation process is fully completed later in 2012 to include applications by schools for developing posts, the Appeals Process, clustering arrangements for GAM and the allocation of resource hours by the National Council for Special Education.
The priority for my Department now is to complete the teacher allocation process and to issue notification to each DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 school of their staffing entitlements for 2012/13 and the outcome of the Government's decision to retain 235 posts from previous disadvantage schemes in 140 Band 1 and Band 2 DEIS schools. The report is available on my Department's website.
Brendan Smith
Question:73 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11639/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:74 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11640/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:75 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11641/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:76 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11642/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:77 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11643/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:78 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11644/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:79 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11645/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:80 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11646/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:81 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11647/12]
Brendan Smith
Question:82 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11648/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 to 82, inclusive, together.
The Report on the Net Impact , in terms of posts, of Budget Measures on DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 urban primary schools that still had additional posts allocated under disadvantage schemes, pre-dating DEIS was published on 21 February 2012. On foot of the analysis of this report, the Government agreed to retain a total of 235 posts, on a concessionary basis, in the 140 DEIS Band 1and DEIS Band 2 schools which were identified as being impacted by the possible loss of posts. However, staffing identified for individual schools are affected by a number of net factors such as demographics — impact of increasing and decreasing enrolments, the reform of the teacher allocation process to update the General Allocation Model and the move away from a ‘top up' to the staffing schedules.
As already announced the withdrawal of 192 posts from primary schools outside DEIS Band 1 and 2 and from DEIS second level schools will proceed. These involve 136 posts from 163 post primary schools, 16 posts from 16 rural primary schools, 40 posts from 17 non DEIS primary schools. A fully accurate comparison between the staffing levels in DEIS schools in the current school year and the 2012/13 school year can only be made when the allocation process is fully completed later in 2012 to include applications by schools for developing posts, the Appeals Process, clustering arrangements for GAM and the allocation of resource hours by the National Council for Special Education.
The priority for my Department now is to complete the teacher allocation process and to issue notification to each DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 school of their staffing entitlements for 2012/13 and the outcome of the Government's decision to retain 235 posts from previous disadvantage schemes in 140 Band 1 and Band 2 DEIS schools. The report is available on my Department's website.
Dara Calleary
Question:83 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the impact that budget 2012 will have on a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11762/12]
There is no increase in the staffing schedule general average of 28:1 for the allocation of classroom teachers at primary level. However, there is a phased increase in the pupil threshold for the allocation of classroom teachers in small primary schools. As part of the Budget decisions announced, the number of pupils required to gain and retain a teaching post in small primary schools will be gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014. The schools concerned are those with four or less classroom teachers. The phasing of these measures can provide the schools concerned with time to consider the potential for amalgamation with other schools where this is feasible. If amalgamations take place, they will be voluntary and follow decisions taken by local communities and not by my Department.
This Government recognises that small schools are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities. They will continue to be a feature of our education landscape. However, this does not mean that small schools can stand still or never have their staffing levels changed to something that is more affordable and sustainable for these difficult and challenging times. The teachers in small schools cannot be immune from the requirement that is being asked of all public servants to deliver our public services on a reduced level of resources.
My Department has expanded the existing appeals process so that it is accessible to the small schools that are losing a classroom post as a result of the budget measure. They won't lose their classroom post if any of them are projecting increased enrolments in September 2012 that would be sufficient to allow them to retain their existing classroom posts over the longer term. The detailed arrangements are set out in the Department's Staffing Circular that is now published on my Department's website. The closing date for submission of appeals for the April meeting of the Staffing Appeals Board is 23 March, 2012.
Departmental Funding
Noel Harrington
Question:84 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will identify possible sources of additional funding for a community group (details supplied ) available from his Department and-or any of the agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11771/12]
Neither my Department nor agencies operating under its aegis have a funding stream for community playgroups. The funding Department would, in this case, be the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
Site Acquisitions
Martin Heydon
Question:85 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 22 February 2012, regarding a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare, if his officials have visited any of the proposed sites for the new school; the timeline for identification and acquisition of the final site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11797/12]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department has sought the assistance of, and is working closely with, the relevant Local Authority in relation to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for the provision of permanent accommodation for the school he referred to. The Local Authority has identified a number of potential site options and it is intended to carry out joint site inspections of these sites with the Local Authority soon. Once a suitable site has been identified and acquired, the proposed building project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally.
School Enrolments
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:86 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address an issue of admission policies in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11811/12]
The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools that are not in a position to admit all pupils seeking entry to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998. In this regard a board of management may deem it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular age group or to children living in a particular area or on the basis of some other criterion. Some schools use parish or other boundaries for this purpose. The selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based is matter for the individual school authority. In formulating an enrolment policy a school must, however, ensure it is lawful and applied fairly to all applicants.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department.
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 Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
The Deputy will be aware that last June, I launched a discussion paper on school enrolment. The document, "Discussion Paper on a Regulatory Framework for School Enrolment" contains suggestions on how to make the process of enrolling in schools more open, equitable and consistent.
I have made it clear that the paper was not meant to be prescriptive, nor have any decisions been made as to what elements will be contained in any final regulations or legislation. The purpose of the paper was to lead and provoke debate on enrolment policies and practices.
I invited education partners and interested parties to submit their views to my Department by the 28th of October last and my officials are now co-ordinating the submissions received.
The feedback from this consultation will help inform the nature and scope of a new regulatory framework for school enrolment.
School Staffing
Peadar Tóibín
Question:87 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review a matter in respect of a school (details supplied). [11824/12]
The school to which the Deputy refers is not among the schools included in the report on the net impact, in terms of posts, of budget measures on DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 urban primary schools that still had additional posts allocated under disadvantage schemes predating DEIS, which was published on 21 February 2012, as the school is not a DEIS school.
Where a school is losing three or more posts as a result of the combination of budget and reform measures an application can be made to the Staffing Appeals Board with a view to seeking to have a portion of the loss in posts deferred to the 2013/14 school year on the basis that it is impacting in a particularly adverse manner on the school's overall allocation.
Institutes of Technology
Jerry Buttimer
Question:88 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in soft copy spreadsheet format, details of the numbers of persons awarded added years under the professional added years for superannuation purposes scheme for institutes of technology for the period 2002 to date, identifying for each institute the number of staff who have benefited, the grades or posts held by staff, the professional qualifications in question, the number of years reckoned in acquiring necessary qualifications and experience for appointment to the post in question, and the number of added years awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11844/12]
The professional added years terms for members of the Education Sector Superannuation Scheme in Institutes of Technology were introduced by the Department of the Environment in 1987, Circular S6/1987.
In accordance with scheme rules, there is provision for the granting of a gross award of up to ten professional added years where the minimum age limit or qualifications and/or experience specified for appointment to a permanent pensionable professional, technical or specialist post in an Institute of Technology would not allow an individual to be appointed by age 25 and thereby acquire maximum reckonable service (40 years) by age 65. A contribution is payable in respect of added years awarded under the scheme: 5% of retiring salary in respect of each year purchasable (6% if the employee is a member of the Spouses' and Children's Scheme). From 2002 to date, 110 individuals employed in the Institute of Technology sector have been awarded professional added years at retirement. The average award was 3.25 years.
The table below outlines in tabular form the information sought by the Deputy:
|
Institute of Technology |
No. of Awards |
Grade/Post |
Professional Qualification |
No. of years to acquire qualifications and experience |
No. of added years awarded |
|
|
|
Range of years |
Average no. of years |
||
|
Athlone IT |
3 |
Lecturer |
Degree/Membership of Professional body |
From 7 to 8 years |
3.271 years |
|
Carlow IT |
6 |
Lecturer |
Degree/Apprenticeship |
From 7 to 10 years |
1.8399 years |
|
Cork IT |
29 |
Lecturer |
Degree/Apprenticeship/ Membership of professional body/First class certificate of competency |
From 7 to 10 years |
3.5023 years |
|
Dublin IT |
25 |
Lecturer |
Degree/Apprenticeship/ Membership/Fellowship of professional body |
From 7 to 10 years |
3.0029 years |
|
Dundalk IT |
8 |
Lecturer |
Degree/Apprenticeship/ Membership of professional body |
From 7 to 10 years |
2.3271 years |
|
Galway-Mayo IT |
6 |
Lecturer |
Degree/Apprenticeship |
From 7 to 10 years |
2.9986 years |
|
Letterkenny IT |
2 |
Lecturer |
Apprenticeship/Membership of professional body |
From 7 to 10 years |
4.2883 years |
|
Limerick IT |
12 |
Lecturer |
Degree/Apprenticeship/ Membership of professional body/First class certificate of competency |
From 7 to 10 years |
5.4256 years |
|
IT Sligo |
12 |
Lecturer |
Degree/PhD/Apprenticeship/ Membership of professional body |
From 7 to 10 years |
3.2857 years |
|
IT Tralee |
6 |
Lecturer |
Degree/Apprenticeship |
From 7 to 10 years |
1.5402 years |
|
Waterford IT |
1 |
Lecturer |
Degree |
From 7 to 8 years |
1 year |
|
Total |
110 |
Average overall award was 3.25 years |
Skills Development
Brendan Smith
Question:89 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills his proposals, if any, to deal with skills shortages in specific sectors of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11852/12]
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs identifies future skills needs of enterprise outlining current provision of education and training and identifies gaps in provision, where enterprise requirements cannot be met from current supply. The Expert Group has a key role to play in the identification of skills shortages in the enterprise sector and its recommendations will continue to be reflected in all new Labour Market Activation programmes and its research will continue to inform education and training provision at all levels.
The establishment of SOLAS, the new Further Education and Training Authority, will ensure the provision of 21st century high-quality further education and training programmes. My Department also has a number of measures under the recently announced "Action Plans for Jobs" initiative, and the "Pathways to Work" sets out the strategy to reform labour market activation policy.
In 2012, at a time of reducing resources, my Department will fund over 450,000 education and training places across the range of provision in the higher education, further education and training sectors which, despite the need for widespread cutbacks, is still in line with the 2011 provision.
The early identification of skill needs that is reflected in FAS training provision comes from many sources including engagement with employers, industry and education and training providers along with national and international research and helps identify future skills needs of our economy. FAS plan to deliver up to 75,000 training places in 2012 and will manage the new Education and Training Fund which will provide up to 6,500 places.
Skillnets which is an enterprise-led body funded through the National Training Fund to provide companies with new opportunities to develop relevant, effective answers to their training and development needs was set ambitious targets for 2011 to train 40,000 persons, of which up to 8,000 will be unemployed, with up to 50% of training being for the low basic skilled. Similar targets to 2011 have been set for 2012 which will target the long term unemployed.
Following on the Labour Market Activation Fund which operated in 2010 and 2011, a new Training and Education Fund will be introduced in 2012 specifically targeted at the long term unemployed. This fund amounting to €20m, from the National Training Fund, will deliver upwards of 6,500 education and training places.
In response to skills shortages in the ICT sector, earlier this month the Government launched the Joint Government-Industry ICT Action Plan: Meeting the High Level ICT Skills Needs of Enterprise in Ireland. The Action Plan sets out how Ireland is going to build the supply and quality of graduates in the medium to long term. One measure included in the plan is provision of more than 750 free places on 17 new graduate skills conversion programmes throughout the country.
In addition, since it was launched in May 2011, the Springboard programme has supported more than 4,300 unemployed people to undertake higher education programmes in areas of identified skills needs such as ICT, the pharmaceutical and chemistry industries and the green economy. Earlier this month an additional 500 places were made available on Springboard programmes that had very high demand when they first ran in 2011. €10 million has also been made available for an expansion of Springboard in 2012 and an open competitive call for proposals for courses which can be included in the programme issued to providers earlier this week.
The timely training and upskilling of the country's workforce through a variety of relevant training programmes, further education and higher education programmes is a vital step to meet the future skills needs of industry.
School Curriculum
Brendan Smith
Question:90 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the progress made to date with regard to Project Maths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11853/12]
Project Maths is a major programme of reform of mathematics in second level schools. Project Maths began in 24 schools in September 2008. The purpose of the initial engagement with 24 schools was to learn from the experience in these project schools while using this period to work with the schools to develop materials and lesson plans and resource materials, which would then be available for mainstreaming. This phase of development has therefore been evolutionary in nature, with syllabuses and resources being developed and refined during the project phase.
Project Maths began in all schools in September 2010. As in the project schools is being implemented on a phased basis over 5 strands of mathematics as follows:
Phase 1 Strand 1: statistics and probability; Strand 2: geometry and trigonometry
Phase 2 Strand 3: number; Strand 4: algebra
Phase 3 Strand 5: functions
Project Maths has been examined in the 24 Project Schools in the Leaving Certificate 2010 and 2011, and in the Junior Certificate in 2011, and the results have been published by the State Examinations Commission. Mainstream schools will sit their first examination in Strands 1 and 2 of Project Maths in the Leaving Certificate in 2012.
The initiative is supported by comprehensive investment in professional development for teachers, at an average cost of €3.3m per annum. In addition, the Department has tendered for the development of a post graduate course for teachers who need more intensive support. A wide range of resources for the project are on www.projectmaths.ie. The support for teachers is supplemented by evening courses in the Education Centre network and by summer courses in the National Centre of Excellence for Maths and Science Teaching and Learning in the University of Limerick.
National University of Ireland
Brendan Smith
Question:91 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the future of the National University of Ireland; the costs per annum of this body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11857/12]
In July 2011, the Government decided not to proceed with the implementation of the decision of the previous Government to dissolve the National University of Ireland. Abolition of the NUI would seriously damage a valuable national brand at home and abroad. NUI degrees enjoy a high recognition nationally and internationally. This is important, particularly in medicine and health sciences. NUI institutions are increasingly successful both in attracting international students to Ireland and in delivering programmes on campuses abroad. Abolishing NUI would severely inhibit this growing internationalisation of Irish higher education.
NUI also provides important shared services in awarding and examination to its constituent universities and recognised colleges as well as providing services to graduates. These services would have to be performed by the institutions themselves in the absence of NUI and this limits the savings that would arise from abolition.
The annual State grant to NUI is just less than €13,000 and in 2010 constituent universities paid fees to NUI of approximately €2.2 million.
School Staffing
Brendan Smith
Question:92 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to a request by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 in respect of the appointment of an additional teacher, in view of the fact that a detailed submission has been made to him in support of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11858/12]
As part of the reforms to the teacher allocation process, existing posts are being used to put in place a network of over 2,500 full-time resource posts in close to 1,700 base schools throughout the country. These posts will be allocated on a permanent basis and the teachers in them will undertake NCSE approved (low incidence) resource hours in the base schools or in neighbouring schools. This approach builds on the interim arrangements that operated in 2011 but in a more structured and transparent manner. While individual schools may have their own particular preferences the Department has to look at it from a national perspective. The overall objective with these reforms is to enable the teacher allocation and redeployment process to operate more smoothly and efficiently within the new climate of fixed ceilings on teaching posts. The changes are designed to give a more equitable distribution of existing posts between schools, give earlier certainty to schools about their staffing allocations and, where possible, simplify and streamline existing processes and give greater autonomy to schools.
It also has to be borne in mind that the previous clustering arrangements included inherent inefficiencies whereby schools could retain full-time posts on less than 25 hours (some on as low as 19 hours). The new GAM arrangements operate in 5-hour blocks to facilitate, as appropriate, the day to day operation of GAM support between schools and also ensure that full-time GAM posts are fully utilised (25 hours in each post). The Department will also be requiring any surplus capacity in full-time resource posts to be fully utilised before it approves part-time resource posts for neighbouring schools.
All schools have now received their resource teaching allocations for the current school year, based on the number of valid applications for resource teaching support received by the NCSE to 25th November, 2011, and taking into account my Departments Employment Control Framework obligations which limits the number of overall resource teaching posts which may be allocated to schools.
Applications for resource teaching hours received after 25th November, 2011, will be processed by the NCSE in the context of the 2012/13 school year applications process. In the interim, schools should support pupils for whom new applications are being made from their existing resource teaching allocations, until revised allocations are made for the September 2012 school year.
Where a pupil meets the criteria for Resource Teaching support, following diagnosis or enrolment to a school which does not have any existing allocation of resource teaching support, the NCSE may make an allocation for such pupils from the small pool of remaining posts which have been reserved for such emergencies or eventualities.
Public Service Staff
Gerry Adams
Question:93 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on his involvement in transition teams to manage the exodus of staff from the public sector under the early retirement scheme by the end of February 2012. [10763/12]
I remind the Deputy there is no generally available incentivised scheme of early retirement in operation at present in the public or civil service. Many of the retirements at this time are occurring in the normal course where an individual has reached retirement age. There are also cases where individuals are availing of cost-neutral early retirement, which allows retirement earlier than normal retirement age, but with an off-setting actuarial reduction applied to the individual's lump sum and pension.
The latest information from across the public service indicates that over 7,000 people have applied to retire in the first two months of the year. The sectoral breakdown of applications is as follows:
|
Sectoral Breakdown of Applications |
|
|
Health |
2,567 |
|
Education |
2,058 |
|
Civil Service |
1,236 |
|
Local Authority |
931 |
|
Defence |
362 |
|
Garda |
310 |
|
Total |
7,464 |
When public service salaries were reduced in 2010, it was agreed by the then Government that persons retiring during a transitional or grace period would have their retirement benefits calculated on the basis of the previous payscale levels before the salary cut. That grace period will now expire on 29 February 2012. Public service managers have known about the grace period for the past 18 months and have therefore had time to plan accordingly.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government has ensured that Transition Teams have been put in place in each of the sectors to deal with the specific short-term challenges arising from the ending of the grace period and to manage the process in their respective sectors. These teams are drawn from the existing Workforce Planning Groups.
The Transition Teams have reported on their plans to manage the reduction in staff numbers arising from retirements to end-February and I have brought these to Government. Based on the information received from the Transition Teams, I am satisfied that due consideration has been given by each of the sectors to the impact of the staffing reductions and the most appropriate and expeditious ways of managing these. I would add that these departures represent less than 3 per cent of staff serving in the public service so it would be unduly alarmist to categorise them as an "exodus".
As they have the most current information on service provision at a local level, each sectoral Transition Team has been directed to actively communicate with the public via whichever means appropriate in order to allay concerns with regard to critical front-line service delivery. Public concerns about service levels should be addressed proactively and the public should be kept informed of business continuity arrangements that are in place. In the case of the civil service, material from the Transition Team process is available on my Department's website. For the wider public service, information can be provided by the relevant Minister.
Beyond the February 2012 grace period deadline, the Strategic Workforce Planning Groups in each sector will continue to ensure that sectoral employers develop plans to deal on an ongoing basis with the operational and strategic consequences arising from the reductions in public service staffing numbers.
Departmental Funding
Noel Harrington
Question:94 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will identify possible sources of additional funding for a community group (details supplied) available from his Department and or any of the agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11775/12]
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has no function in programmes of assistance to individual groups. The Deputy should raise the matter directly with the Departments concerned, indicating the basis on which funding is being sought.
Heritage Projects
Michael McNamara
Question:95 Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a progress report on the refurbishment of Ennis Friary, Ennis, County Clare (details supplied); if he will provide a date for its reopening this side of the tourist season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11839/12]
Significant phases of the Ennis Friary project have been completed. The nave has been roofed and installation of glazing is under way. This phase of the project will be complete in June 2012. Works to provide for the setting and display of the collection of medieval carved stone have been delayed. This phase of the project is not scheduled for completion by June 2012. Limited public access to the friary will be permitted in June 2012.
National Monuments
Michael McNamara
Question:96 Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the State is the owner of Leamanagh Castle which is situated at the intersection of the R476 Corofin-Kilnaboy road and the R480 road to Ballyvaughan, at the southern boundary of the Burren in County Clare; if not, is the building in State care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11840/12]
Leamanagh Castle is a national monument in State guardianship. It is under the care and maintenance of the Office of Public Works. The castle is sited on privately owned land and is not accessible to the public.
Foreign Direct Investment
Peadar Tóibín
Question:97 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the top ten Irish exporters; the proportion their exports make up of total Irish exports; and the steps he is taking to rebalance jobs creation and economic growth towards sustainable indigenous small and medium enterprises as opposed to the over-reliance on FDI. [11688/12]
Multinational enterprises are a very significant component of the Irish enterprise sector and will continue to play an important role in our economy. IDA multinational client companies support over 146,000 direct jobs and spend €19 billion in the Irish economy each year. The environment for foreign direct investment remains robust and has created core strengths in key sectors.
The pharmaceutical and ICT sectors make a very significant contribution to the Irish economy in terms of export earnings and employment. The medical, pharmaceutical and chemical sectors accounted for €46 billion, or 51%, of total merchandise exports in 2010. Computer components and electronics accounted for €8 billion of merchandise exports, while computer services accounted for €28.2 billion, or 38%, of all services exports in 2010. Between them, the two sectors employ over 110,000 people in Ireland. These sectors will therefore continue to play an important role in the Irish economy.
However, an indigenous engine of export growth is also an essential ingredient for economic recovery. We must now create the environment where Irish companies can consistently build market share, where more companies start to export for the first time, where clusters of competitive advantage develop, and Irish-owned and foreign-owned companies work more closely together to forge new areas of opportunity.
Although exports from the indigenous sector have increased over recent years, the overall contribution from the sector needs to be further enhanced. Our goal for increasing exports is to support enterprises to achieve challenging targets by building their share in key markets and to increase the proportion of output exported by indigenous companies.
Indigenous companies are also finding opportunities in emerging sectors which have been identified as holding particular potential for Ireland. These include sectors such as health and life sciences, cloud computing, digital and media services, digital gaming, and the green economy.
Supporting new and existing indigenous businesses to grow and export is central to our plans for recovery, growth and jobs. The recently launched action plan for jobs contains a significant number of measures which are aimed specifically at the facilitation and incentivisation of growth among SMEs in Ireland. Among the measures announced are a drive to support 95 new high potential start-ups (HPSUs) with a significant contribution to that number from ambitious international mobile entrepreneurs; the establishment of a potential exporter division within Enterprise Ireland to stimulate greater activity within companies across all regions and to reorient those demonstrating real growth potential from the domestic to the international market place; the introduction of capital initiatives including the development capital scheme and the Second Call of Innovation Fund Ireland; rolling out of a number of market initiatives, including trade missions, an international market week, attracting 600 inward buyers to Ireland, driving the take up of the Going Global initiative, and working proactively with the diaspora.
ON the top ten Irish exporters, I am precluded from putting sensitive information relating to the Enterprise Agencies client base into the public domain. However, according to the latest statistics available, Ireland's top merchandise exports are medical and pharmaceutical products and the top services exports are computer services.
Company Closures
Dara Calleary
Question:98 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the remedies in place for creditors of a company that has been liquidated or entered receivership and whose directors established a new entity trading in the same sphere. [11755/12]
A fundamental principle of company law is that a company is a separate legal entity from the Members or Shareholders of the company. The order of preferential payments in the liquidation of a company is set out at section 285 of the Companies Act 1963 as amended. Section 98 of that Act contains relevant provisions as to the position where a receiver is appointed under a floating charge.
The Company Law Enforcement Act 2001 established the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and strengthened the legislative provisions dealing with insolvent companies. The Director has powers to initiate company investigations, prosecutions, restrictions and disqualifications with a view to curbing abusive practices by directors. Section 56 of the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001 provides that the liquidator of an insolvent company must submit a report to the ODCE together with information on the conduct of any person who was a director of the company during the 12 months preceding its liquidation. The liquidator must also proceed to apply to the High Court for the restriction of each of the directors of the insolvent company, unless relieved of that obligation by the ODCE.
A restriction declaration, if made, prohibits an individual from acting, either directly or indirectly, as an officer of a company or from being involved in its formation or promotion for five years, unless the company is adequately capitalised. In the case of a private company, the capital requirement is €63,487 in allotted paid-up share capital. The equivalent figure for public companies is €317,435.
Debt Collection
Dara Calleary
Question:99 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the proposals he has for small companies to pursue debts via a system of arbitration or mediation in order that legal costs can be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11756/12]
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes such as arbitration or mediation provide an alternative to court proceedings for the resolution of disputes. Because of the voluntary nature of these processes, they provide a non-adversarial forum in which, through dialogue between the parties, the resolution to the dispute may be found by the parties themselves. This form of voluntary dispute resolution is frequently more efficient and cost-effective than legal proceedings. I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, is considering the preparation of legislation which may contain provisions to promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings, including with a view to reducing legal costs.
Job Creation
Sean Fleming
Question:100 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency-supported jobs in the country at the end of each year since 1985; the total number employed here; the percentage of employment in IDA-supported businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11806/12]
The total number of IDA supported jobs as at the end of each year in the period 1985 to 2011 is set out in the tabular statement. Statistics in relation to job numbers in the economy as a whole are maintained by the Central Statistics Office.
One of the targets set out in IDA Ireland's Strategy document "Horizon 2020” is the creation of 62,000 direct jobs in 640 investment projects in the period to 2014, which will result in 105,000 new jobs overall in the economy. 2011 saw a strong performance in the level of foreign direct investment (FDI) won by Ireland. IDA client companies created over 13,000 new jobs in 2011, up 20% on the previous year’s level of 10,897, increasing the total number of those employed directly by IDA client companies to almost 146,000.
Even with intense global competition for FDI and the very difficult global economic environment, there are still investment opportunities in global markets. I have every confidence that with the continued support of Government and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation IDA will continue to win investment and create jobs in the economy in the months and years ahead.
|
Year |
Number of jobs in IDA supported companies |
|
1985 |
63,360 |
|
1986 |
64,759 |
|
1987 |
64,365 |
|
1988 |
67,654 |
|
1989 |
72,616 |
|
1990 |
76,123 |
|
1991 |
77,788 |
|
1992 |
79,394 |
|
1993 |
81,835 |
|
1994 |
86,202 |
|
1995 |
92,821 |
|
1996 |
100,176 |
|
1997 |
109,875 |
|
1998 |
118,961 |
|
1999 |
128,007 |
|
2000 |
142,608 |
|
2001 |
138,569 |
|
2002 |
134,761 |
|
2003 |
131,469 |
|
2004 |
131,774 |
|
2005 |
134,935 |
|
2006 |
139,268 |
|
2007 |
140,038 |
|
2008 |
139,087 |
|
2009 |
126,415 |
|
2010 |
125,855 |
|
2011 |
130,499 |
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:101 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he expects to be in a position to incorporate any of the suggestions received in the context of job creation throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11825/12]
The recently published Action Plan for Jobs 2012 is the first in a series of annual Action Plans which will be rolled out, with the objective of supporting the creation of 100,000 net new jobs over the period 2012 to 2016, and the longer-term target of having 2 million people at work by 2020. In preparing the 2012 Action Plan for Jobs, I consulted with my Ministerial colleagues and with a wide range of stakeholders from the public, private and community sectors, to obtain their views on actions to support employment creation. I also received the Report of the Advisory Group on Small Business, which contained a number of specific recommendations aimed at supporting the small business sector.
In total, I received over 600 individual ideas for consideration. All of these ideas were examined and considered. Some are being actioned in the short-term and feature in the 2012 Action Plan for Jobs. Other proposals can be delivered in a longer timeframe, or require further consideration. These will be examined over the coming months and may be included in subsequent annual Action Plans.
As part of a campaign to inform the enterprise sector of the measures included in the 2 Action Plan for Jobs, I am undertaking a series of regional consultative meetings around the country. The first of these meetings took place last Monday, 27th February, in Cork and was attended by over 200 employers and business representatives. These regional meetings will help me to identify measures that might be suitable for inclusion in the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:102 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which he and his Department have assessed the potential for job creation throughout the labour force with particular reference to the possible expansion of various enterprises with built-in incentives to take persons off the live register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11826/12]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:103 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which small and medium-sized enterprises have been assessed for their potential to absorb persons from the live register with particular reference to the use of possible incentives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11827/12]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:106 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which it is possible to incentivise the creation of new jobs in existing enterprises having particular regard to balancing any such costs against the costs of social welfare payments for those currently unemployed and anxious to return to the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11830/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 103 and 106 together.
The Action Plan for Jobs, which was published on 13 February, sets out a range of measures which are designed to support new business start-ups, improve enterprise competitiveness and help firms to grow. It aims to support the creation of 100,000 net new jobs by 2016 by systematically removing obstacles to competitiveness, putting downward pressure on business costs, promoting innovation and trade, supporting new and existing businesses to develop and expand, and by deepening the impact of foreign direct investment in Ireland. The Action Plan also includes a number of targeted, sector-specific measures to unlock the full potential of enterprise to create jobs.
Small and medium enterprises will benefit, in particular, from measures such as:
the establishment of a new "one-stop-shop" structure for micro enterprise support;
the roll out of the Microfinance Fund for small new start-ups;
the introduction of a new temporary Partial Credit Guarantee scheme, which will address the problem of access to finance for viable SMEs that do not meet the normal lending criteria of the banks;
the expansion of mentoring schemes, particularly between multinational companies and SMEs; and
measures to improve access to public procurement opportunities for SMEs.
The Action Plan for Jobs is part of a wider, whole of Government response to the jobs crisis, which includes also the recently published plan for labour market activation, Pathways to Work. Both documents are fundamentally linked and recognise the need to reform our policies and our structures to secure long-term and lasting results for our enterprise base and for job-seekers.
The Action Plan for Jobs contains a number of measures to support employers to recruit people from the Live Register when vacancies arise. These include simplification and extension of the Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme which exempts employers from liability to pay employer's PRSI for certain employees. This scheme will be extended to cover the first 18 months of employment while the eligibility criteria for job seekers will also be amended and improved. The Government will promote the increased take up of this scheme through business and employer representatives. Similarly, the Government will target the increased take-up of Revenue's Job Assist scheme, which provides for a double wages deduction to employers who employ a person who has been unemployed for 12 months or more.
Under Pathways to Work, the public employment services will be reformed through the creation of the new National Employment and Entitlements Service, which will provide better targeted services to both job seekers and employers. The new service will include the provision of recruitment and job-matching services for employers, to facilitate the hiring of workers from the Live Register.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:104 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate arising from any discussion he has had with employers, the extent to which he is in a position to provide incentives for employers in the services sector to increase their labour force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11828/12]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:105 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate arising from any discussion he has had with employers, the extent to which he is in a position to provide incentives for employers in the manufacturing sector to increase their labour force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11829/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together.
The role of Government is to create the conditions where enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation can flourish. It is through the creation of opportunities for growth that employers will be incentivised to increase their labour force and quality employment opportunities will be created. Our objective is to put the country back on the road to economic recovery and full employment. The Action Plan for Jobs, which I launched a fortnight ago, outlines the Government's plan to rebuild the economy and create jobs. The plan will improve access to finance for small businesses, reduce costs and red tape, and improve supports for exports, management and innovation.
Supporting new and existing indigenous businesses to grow and export is central to our plans for recovery, growth and jobs. The Action Plan for Jobs contains a significant number of measures which are aimed specifically at the facilitation and incentivisation of growth among SMEs throughout the country. These are all actions which will ultimately result in the creation of high quality jobs. For example, the introduction of a microfinance fund will provide loans of up to €25,000 to micro-enterprises in the Irish economy and the establishment of a potential exporter Division within Enterprise Ireland will stimulate greater activity within companies across all regions and reorient those demonstrating real growth potential from the domestic to the international market place.
Under the Action Plan for Jobs, the micro-enterprise supports in Ireland will also be reshaped to put in place an improved enterprise support structure for small businesses throughout Ireland. EI will work with the Local Authorities to establish a new network of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in each Local Authority, which will combine the enterprise support service of the previous CEBs and the business support work of the Business Support Units in the Local Authorities.
I am confident that the measures outlined in the "Action Plan for Jobs", together with the other policies and initiatives being pursued will create the necessary conditions for growth, give employers confidence and create the employment opportunities needed across all sectors.
Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 102.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:107 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which various costs have emerged as a disincentive to job expansion in existing enterprises in the manufacturing and services sectors; the extent to which he has identified the full extent of job creation opportunities arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11831/12]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:108 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which his office has examined the job creation opportunities in the low, medium and higher income sectors in both manufacturing and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11832/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together.
Cost competitiveness is one of the key determinants of every firm's success. While we have seen reductions in wage costs and the costs of a range of business inputs, in many cases Irish prices are coming down from a high cost base and the costs of a range of business inputs remain relatively expensive compared to other jurisdictions. In addition, access to finance remains a key issue for many small and medium sized enterprises.
The objective of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs, which was published on 13 February last, is to transform the operating environment for business in order to support enterprise growth and enable job creation. The Government will achieve this objective by systematically removing obstacles to competitiveness, promoting innovation and trade, supporting new and existing businesses to develop and expand, and by deepening the impact of foreign direct investment in Ireland. The Government has also identified a number of key sectors where Ireland can gain competitive advantage in global markets and benefit from employment growth.
The Action Plan includes a number of initiatives to reduce costs on businesses, including the enactment of legislation to reform wage setting mechanisms, measures to assist companies to manage their energy costs, the reduction of charges levied on business where possible, placing downward pressure on the costs of insurance, professional and legal services, and promoting greater competition.
In addition, the Action Plan contains a range of measures to address issues of access to finance such as:
closely monitoring the lending targets set for the pillar banks and ensuring that these targets are met;
helping SMEs to improve the quality of their loan applications;
the introduction of a targeted Partial Credit Guarantee for SMEs; and
the roll-out of the Microfinance Fund for small business start-ups.
One of the main features of the Action Plan is the identification of a range of sectors which are targeted as areas for growth. These include manufacturing and a number of services sub-sectors. The development of these sectors will provide opportunities for people with a range of skills and at different income levels.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:109 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of jobs created in the indigenous industries, manufacturing and services over the past twelve months; the extent to which this compares with previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11833/12]
The figures in respect of jobs in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies and those supported by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) are compiled in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey and the CEB Annual Employment Survey respectively. The most up to date of these detail employment figures up until 2010. As the information is compiled on an annualised basis, the figures in respect of 2011 are not yet available.
There were 17,582 full time jobs created in agency-assisted companies in 2010 in the manufacturing and services sectors. The number of full time jobs created in CEB-supported companies for 2010 was 4,433. CEB job figures are not compiled on a sectoral basis.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:110 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of jobs created as a result of foreign direct investment over the past 12 months; the extent to which this compares with previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11834/12]
The Forfás Annual Employment Survey which reports on job gains and losses in companies that are supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation's industrial development agencies shows that 13,068 jobs were created in IDA supported companies in 2011, which was an increase of 20% on the previous year's level of 10,897 and well in excess of the figure of 4,615 for 2009. The total number of those employed directly by IDA client companies now stands at almost 146,000.
Despite the current global economic situation and a strong increase in international competition there was an overall increase of 17% in the number of investments from IDA client companies in 2011. There was a record of 148 new investments won during the year across all industry segments and most encouragingly, there was an increase of 30% in the number of companies investing in Ireland for the first time.
The immediate outlook for Ireland's foreign direct investment portfolio is positive with a strong short term pipeline in place, with continued support from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. IDA Ireland has assured me that it is confident of securing further investments particularly in life-sciences which will include a number of capital intensive investments involving significant construction projects. Already since the beginning of the year, announcements have been made in relation to a major site expansion by Allergan with the creation of 200 jobs and Eli Lilly investing €330 million in a brand-new facility at its Kinsale campus in Cork which will create 300 jobs during construction and 200 highly skilled employees when operational.
The pipeline from the ICT, International Financial Services, Digital Media and Business Services sectors is also strong in the short term with announcements by Accenture with the creation of 100 jobs, HP, Galway with the creation and support of 280 jobs and Pay Pal, Dundalk with the creation of 1,000 jobs.
I have every confidence that with continued strong support from Government and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation IDA will continue to win investment for this country in the months and years ahead.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:111 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of high-skilled jobs provided in County Kildare on an annual basis over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11835/12]
The figures in respect of jobs in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies and those supported by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) are compiled in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey and the CEB Annual Employment Survey respectively. The most up to date of these detail employment figures up until 2010. As the information is compiled on an annualised basis, the figures in respect of 2011 are not yet available.
The figures in respect of jobs in agency and CEB-supported companies are set out in Tables 1 and 2 accompanying this reply. There are no figures available specific to "high skilled" jobs.
|
Number of persons employed in Agency-assisted companies in Co. Kildare |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
16,514 |
15,632 |
14,064 |
14,666 |
|
Number of persons employed in CEB-assisted companies in Co. Kildare |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
1,004.5 |
975 |
897.5 |
932 |
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs directly or indirectly supported or assisted through the Industrial Development Agency or the county enterprise board in both manufacturing and services throughout County Kildare in each of the past five years to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11836/12]
Figures showing the number of jobs in County Kildare supported by IDA client companies and by the Kildare County Enterprise Board in the five year period 2007 to 2011 are set out in the attached tabular statement. Figures for 2012 will not be available until the end of the year.
One of the targets set out in IDA Ireland's Strategy document "Horizon 2020” is the creation of 62,000 direct jobs in 640 investment projects in the period to 2014, which will result in 105,000 new jobs overall in the economy, with 50% of investments being located in areas outside of Dublin and Cork. The Strategy also highlights that IDA Ireland will work with existing client companies operating in Ireland to transform the existing foreign direct investment (FDI) base in order to develop, retain and grow employment in these companies.
IDA's strategy for Kildare is to promote the county as part of an integrated East Region with access to a population base of 1.5 million people. The East region has 551 IDA supported companies employing 72,000 people of which almost 10,000 are employed in County Kildare. Kildare has a strong base of manufacturing companies with the majority performing well in a challenging environment e.g. Intel, Wyeth Medica, Braun, Hewlett Packard and Proctor and Gamble. IDA is actively engaged with all its existing client companies in Kildare highlighting the ongoing importance of upskilling and re-skilling and the need to add high value activities in order to ensure their ongoing development and sustainability for the long term. A recent announcement by Hewlett Packard that with IDA support it is proposing to recruit 150 research and development jobs to support global markets across its Irish operations in Kildare and Galway highlights this ongoing engagement and relationship with its existing client companies.
Meanwhile, Kildare County Enterprise Board provides support for micro-enterprises in the start-up and expansion phases, promotes and develops indigenous micro-enterprise potential and stimulates economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level.
In addition IDA is working with others in marketing suitable property solutions in Naas, Athy and Newbridge.
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
11,123 |
10,610 |
9,127 |
9,937 |
9,958 |
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
1,004 |
975 |
897 |
1,081 |
1,002 |
Rural Social Scheme
Dara Calleary
Question:113 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection if an RSS can complete work in a private residential housing estate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11752/12]
An underlying aim of the RSS is to provide low-income farmers and fisherpersons with work-like opportunities, harness their skills and talents and apply these to the benefit of the local community. While the types of work that are undertaken are determined locally, it is a requirement of the RSS that the works are consistent with the terms and conditions of the scheme, that the placement provider is an eligible organisation and that other criteria, particularly in respect of displacement have been addressed. Unless the residents of private residential housing estates have formed an organisation which fulfils the eligibility criteria, it is not possible for work to be completed in such estates. Specific details in regard to eligible organisations can be obtained from the Local Development Company operating in the area.
Tax and Social Welfare Codes
John O'Mahony
Question:114 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will commission an impact assessment on the effects of the austerity measures on the lives of persons with disabilities, in view of the very real link between disability and poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11660/12]
My Department is preparing an analysis of the distributive and poverty impacts on families of the Budget 2012 tax and welfare package, in conjunction with the Department of Finance. This analysis is currently being finalised. I will arrange for the analysis to be published on the Department's website in March 2012, in line with the arrangements I put in place last year.
There are no plans to conduct any further assessments at this time.
John O'Mahony
Question:115 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection if she adequately dialogued with disability organisations prior to implementing cuts affecting the lives of persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11662/12]
In my discussions with my colleagues in Government about measures announced in Budget 2012, I had regard to any views expressed by disability organisations as well as other welfare representative organisations generally. In this regard, I held a Pre-Budget Forum on 16th September 2011. This was attended by 34 organisations, including organisations representing people with disabilities, and I and my officials had the opportunity to listen carefully to the groups' proposals relating to Budget 2012.
Social Welfare Code
Brendan Griffin
Question:116 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if migraine will be recognised as a disability for those who suffer frequent and severe migraines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11665/12]
Migraine is accepted as a certifiable medical condition. Eligibility to illness related benefit/allowance is determined by its severity and expected duration. The medical assessment is made in accordance with the Department's evidence based medical guidelines and protocols.
Question No. 117 withdrawn.
Social Welfare Benefits
Willie O'Dea
Question:118 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has been contacted by the Carer’s Association in connection with the habitual residence condition; if she will advise the allowances available to carers as a result of section 180(2) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11668/12]
The Carer's Association has been in contact with my office regarding the habitual residence condition for carers.
Carers allowance is a means tested social assistance payment made to persons who are unable to work because they are providing full time care and attention to elderly people or people with disabilities. Expenditure on carers has increased by 550% over the last ten years. In 2000, expenditure on carers by my Department was around €100 million compared to a provisional outturn in 2011, for carer's allowance, carer's benefit and respite care grant of some €658 million. This does not include the cost of the household benefits package or free travel which carers also receive. In 2011, there were almost 52,000 people in receipt of carers allowance from my Department; 22,000 of these were getting half-rate carers allowance in addition to another social welfare payment, an increase of almost 40% since 2008.
The habitual residence condition, as provided for in section 246 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended), applies to claims for jobseeker's allowance, non-contributory State pension, blind pension, non-contributory widow's and widower's pensions, guardian's payment, one-parent family payment, carer's allowance, disability allowance, supplementary welfare allowance including rent supplement, and child benefit. The effect of the condition is that a person whose habitual residence is elsewhere is not qualified for these payments in Ireland. The purpose of this condition is to safeguard the social welfare system from abuse by restricting access for people who are not economically active and who have little or no established connection with Ireland.
The legislation directs the deciding officer to take into consideration all the circumstances of the case, including, in particular, the following factors specified by the European Court of Justice:
1. The length and continuity of residence in the State or in any other particular country;
2. The length and purpose of any absence from the State;
3. The nature and pattern of the person's employment;
4. The person's main centre of interest; and
5. The future intentions of the person concerned as they appear from all the circumstances.
I have no plans to change this requirement for carer's allowance. The operation of the scheme is kept under review to ensure it operates fairly and that applicants are not being refused without full and appropriate consideration. There are a number of issues which contribute to rejection on HRC grounds. These include:
The applicant's main centre of interest clearly being outside Ireland, including Irish nationals returning home who clearly indicate that their homes, lives and future intentions are out of this State and that their stay in Ireland is of a short duration;
Failure to provide relevant documentation (such as proof that they have terminated their employment, residency, closed bank accounts abroad etc.) or no documentation at all;
Clear evidence that an applicant is continuing to receive welfare from another jurisdiction based on their residency there, for example a person receiving disability living allowance based on their residency in Northern Ireland;
Persons who make multiple applications in a very short time for different allowances such as jobseekers, disability and carers.
In 2011, 13,888 applications for carer's allowance were processed. Of these, 223 were refused on the basis of habitual residency, of which 42 were Irish nationals. This means that, in 2011, approximately 1.6% of all applications were refused on habitual residency grounds.
Social Welfare Appeals
Sandra McLellan
Question:119 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite and approve an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will expedite a decision. [11682/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the disability allowance claim of the person concerned was disallowed following an assessment by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that he was medically unsuitable for the allowance. An appeal was registered on 24 November 2011 and in accordance with the statutory procedures the relevant department papers and the comments of the Deciding Officer on the matter raised in the appeal have been sought. In that context, an assessment by another Medical Assessor will be carried out.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Pension Provisions
Robert Troy
Question:120 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 6 December 2011, when a decision on the review will issue. [11685/12]
The qualifying conditions for State pension (transition) require the applicant to:
have entered insurable employment before attaining the age of 55 years,
have at least 260 paid contribution weeks, since entry into insurance,
have a yearly average of at least 24 paid/credited contributions.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has self-employment contributions paid from April 1989 to 2011. The Department does not have a record of the person concerned paying PRSI contributions as an employed contributor prior to that date.
Self-employment (S-class) PRSI is not a reckonable class of social insurance for State pension (transition).
A social welfare inspector has been requested to investigate the position relating to his employment as a mechanic during the period 1959 to 1980, and to confirm if any additional PRSI contributions would be due for this period. The person concerned will be contacted by the inspector next week to arrange an interview. When the investigation has been completed, his claim to State pension (transition) will be reviewed and he will be notified of the outcome without delay.
The person concerned satisfies the conditions for entitlement to a State pension (contributory) at 98% of the maximum rate, payable from age 66.
Child Poverty
Mick Wallace
Question:121 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address the rates of child poverty in Ireland, with more than 19% of children at risk of poverty and almost 9% of children living in consistent poverty; her views on the fact that measures introduced in Budget 2012 may result in an increase in these rates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8085/12]
Mick Wallace
Question:122 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the fact that budget 2012 introduced a series of measures that impact disproportionately on the poorest children; if she will outline her plans to address child poverty here in view of the fact that children are the group most at risk of poverty and are also the group most reliant on State support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8086/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together.
Plans to tackle child poverty are outlined in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 (NAPSincl) and in the Programme for Government. The Government is committed to achieving the targets in the NAPsincl to reduce the number of people experiencing poverty. These targets are currently being reviewed to ensure that they continue to be appropriate and achievable.
The highest rates of poverty are in jobless households and households that have limited engagement with the labour market, including lone parent and unemployed families. Children in jobless households are three times more likely to experience consistent poverty than children generally. A multidimensional approach to tackling child poverty is needed to take into account income supports, services and parental access to employment.
The Programme for Government sets out the framework to achieve the critical objectives of increasing employment, building sustainable economic growth and protecting the most vulnerable in society. Employment opportunities will be increased through labour market activation, skills training and education measures. New initiatives such as Pathways to Work will also facilitate especially those who have been long-term unemployed to re-enter the labour market.
In Budget 2012, the Government limited cuts in social welfare to households where there was additional income above the basic social welfare payment to avoid any general reduction in primary weekly payments. In standardising child benefit rates, the Government sought to introduce a more appropriate system of child income supports as balanced by unchanged payments providing additional child-related supports to families on low incomes.
This Department works closely with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) in relation to these issues. The development of the overarching Children and Young People's Policy Framework, 2012-2017, to guide the development and implementation of policy and services for children and young people in the State, will use cross-departmental collaboration to achieve its objectives. Early childhood care and education programmes, especially aimed at low income families, are priorities. The role of early intervention and support programmes for the most vulnerable children and their families will be enhanced in the context of the new Child and Family Support Agency under the DCYA. Programmes developed within the network of 107 family resource centres, funded through the DCYA and the results of three Dublin-based pilot projects to enhance children's development (jointly funded by the DCYA with a philanthropic organisation), will also inform the Government's plans to develop a new area
Social Welfare Appeals
Martin Ferris
Question:123 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who is caring for that person's 79 year old mother, has been waiting more than eight months for a decision as to whether he or she is entitled to a carer’s allowance when the medical problems that affect the person's mother are becoming more severe by the day. [11746/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16 August 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 17 January 2012 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration on 27 January 2012. There was a significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office between 2007, when the intake was 14,070, and 2010 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively. This has had a significant impact on the processing time for appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. 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.
Social Welfare Benefits
Eric J. Byrne
Question:124 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount and type of payments that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 receives from her Department on a weekly and monthly basis; the manner in which the person's eligibility for rent allowance is assessed; the amount this person receives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11766/12]
The person concerned is in receipt of disablement pension at the weekly rate of €43.80 and one-parent family payment of €217.80 per week. She is also in receipt of rent supplement of €600.64 per month. This rate is calculated on the basis of her weekly one-parent family and disablement payments.
Community Development
Noel Harrington
Question:125 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will identify possible sources of additional funding for a community group (details supplied ) available from her Department and-or any of the agencies funded by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11770/12]
Under the Community Initiatives area of responsibility in the Department of Social Protection (ie Rural Social Scheme, Tús, Community Employment Schemes and Community Services Programme), there is no provision to provide direct funding by way of grants to organisations. In the case of the RSS and Tús, organisations may submit a work plan requesting participants to undertake certain works of benefit to the local community. Pending approval of the work plan, participants are assigned to undertake the work. Under the Community Services Programme, funding is offered as a contribution towards the costs of employing a number of workers. Companies are given flexibility in how and who they employ, in determining job descriptions, salary levels and progression. I understand that Goleen Community Playgroup Limited is funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs under the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme.
Social Welfare Appeals
John McGuinness
Question:126 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, if she will expedite the appeal in view of the fact that it was lodged in September 2011; and expedite a response. [11776/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14 October 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 2 February 2012 and the appeal will be assigned, in due course, to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing. 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.
Social Welfare Fraud
Joanna Tuffy
Question:127 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedures in place for dealing with persons who may have received an overpayment in their social welfare payments; the way in which they can resolve the matter; if measures can be put in place to repay the amount to the Department by instalments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11781/12]
My Department endeavours to seek the maximum level of repayments from clients, who have received payments in excess of what they were entitled to, in order to encourage prompt repayment of all debts. We are fully committed to recovering 100% of all overpayments, including those arising as a result of suspected fraud or error.
Effective debt recovery is seen an integral part of the deterrent to fraudulent claiming. Debt holders should be aware that a departmental debt will remain on their records until fully recovered and will result in a reduction of all future entitlements, up to and including state pension. Following the death of a customer who owes a debt, my Department has a claim on any estate remaining. Persons who have a debt and who are no longer dependent on social welfare are required to repay this debt as quickly as possible. My Department actively pursues the recovery of all overpayments, including the initiation of civil proceedings, where appropriate.
Where an overpayment has been assessed against a person, that person is afforded an opportunity to bring to the notice of the Department any views s/he wishes to offer on the assessment of the overpayment and their views on the proposed method of repayment.
In determining the actual amount to be repaid and the method of recovery the Department takes into account the personal circumstances of the person overpaid and the circumstances in which the overpayment occurred. Overpayments may be recovered by (i) withholding arrears due to the person, (ii) deduction from payments due to the person, (iii) payment of a lump sum by the person, (iv) regular payments by the person to the Department or (v) recovery from the person's estate.
When determining the rate of recovery, consideration is given to a number of issues, including the need to recover the overpayment as soon as possible but also ensuring that undue hardship is not caused to the person. The general approach is that the amount proposed is the maximum repayment that the person can afford in order to recover the overpayment as quickly as possible.
Most overpayments are recovered in instalments over a period of years, rather than in a single lump sum.
In the context of the Fraud Initiative 2011-2013 which I launched last September, the Department is reviewing its overall approach to debt recovery. A range of options are currently being examined with a view to both minimising overpayments and increasing the rate of recoveries. The consideration of all options has to be balanced of course, clearly taking into account the core income support and social inclusion purpose of social protection payments and any particular legal requirements.
Departmental Offices
Alan Farrell
Question:128 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give an update on the acquisition of an appropriately located community welfare office in Dublin North, on which she had previously instructed the Office of Public Works to locate as an alternative to the current arrangement of residents having to travel to the current office in Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 to apply for certain benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11786/12]
The Office of Public Works, on behalf of my Department, is in the process of acquiring suitable accommodation for the establishment of new public offices in Balbriggan and Swords as a matter of priority. All available options are being examined in the context of a viable accommodation solution, taking account of the operational needs of the Department, the service needs of the local community and also the need to demonstrate value for money to the taxpayer in the acquisition of property.
Pension Provisions
Kevin Humphreys
Question:129 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection when the social welfare Bill will be published; when those who are approaching eligibility for partial State contributory pensions will receive clarification on their future entitlements in view of the fact that the lack of implementation of measures announced in budget 2012 has created uncertainty for future financial planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11787/12]
The Social Welfare Act 2011, which was enacted on 19 December 2011, gave legislative effect to a number of social welfare measures arising from Budget 2012. It will also be necessary to bring forward a further Social Welfare Bill to enact a number of other measures announced in Budget 2012, which are due to take effect early in 2012. This Bill will also provide for a range of other amendments to the social welfare code arising from policy, administrative or operational matters. Work is currently underway on drafting the required legislative changes and it is envisaged that this Bill will be published towards the end of March 2012.
One of the measures announced in Budget 2012 is a change to the rates bands for the State contributory pension which is being introduced from September 2012. The changes to the rates bands, as outlined below, will not be included in this Bill but will be introduced by Regulation in advance of September 2012
With effect from September 2012, the rate band of between 20 and 47 yearly average contributions will be replaced with new rate bands of between:—
(i) 40 and 47 yearly average contributions,
(ii) 30 and 39 yearly average contribution and,
(iii) 20 and 29 yearly average contributions.
Therefore, the rate of State pension (contributory) paid to new applicants will be appropriate to the average number of contributions paid over a working life. Those who have fewer contributions will receive a lower rate of pension. The maximum rate is unchanged as is the rate for those with yearly average contributions of between 40 and 47. While existing pension recipients are unaffected, the changes proposed will apply to new claimants from September 2012.
Claimants who qualify for a reduced rate of State pension (contributory) and who have income needs may qualify, depending on their means, for a higher rate of State pension (non-contributory). Details of the new rates bands for both State pension (transition) and State pension (contributory) are set out at the end of this reply. Customers will be notified of their future entitlements when their claim is processed. In general, applications for State pension transition (SPT) should be submitted at least 4-5 months before a person reaches his/her 65th birthday while applications for State pension contributory (SPC) should be submitted at least 4-5 months before reaching age 66. In advance of this a person can request a copy of their contribution records from the Central Records Section of the Department.
|
New State Pension (Transition) Rates |
|
|---|---|
|
Yearly Average Contributions |
Personal Rate Per Week € |
|
48 or over |
230.30 |
|
40-47 |
225.80 |
|
30-39 |
207.00 |
|
24-29 |
196.00 |
|
Yearly Average Contributions |
Personal Rate Per Week € |
|
48 or over |
230.30 |
|
40-47 |
225.80 |
|
30-39 |
207.00 |
|
20-29 |
196.00 |
|
15-19 |
150.00 |
|
10-14 |
92.00 |
Social Welfare Benefits
Dominic Hannigan
Question:130 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for domiciliary care for children with autism in County Meath that have been received in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011; the number of applications that were processed and approved in each of the years; the number that were processed and denied in each of these years; the number of applications that were appealed in each of these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11837/12]
The Department has been accepting new claims for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) since 1st April 2009. Statistics relating to the allowance for the period prior to April 2009 are a matter for the HSE, the previous administrators of the scheme.
Statistics relating to the outcome of applications for children with specific disabilities or conditions in individual counties are not held. While statistics relating to specific disabilities are not routinely compiled, sample statistics for decisions relating to applications for children with autism were previously collated for the period 1st April 2009 to 31st March 2011. During this period, a total of 920 domiciliary care allowance applications were processed with a medical condition within the autism spectrum. Of these, 507 (55%) were deemed to satisfy the qualifying criteria, with 413 (45%) not satisfying the criteria.
This compared to 46% of general applications satisfying the qualifying conditions in the same period.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is treated in the same manner as other disabilities or conditions under the scheme. Qualification for the scheme is not based on the disability of the child, but on the level of additional care necessary because of that disability.
The overall number of applications for DCA that were received, awarded and refused in each year from April 2009 to end 2011 is set out in table 1 below. Details in relation to appeals are set out in table 2.
|
Applications received |
Applications fully processed in year |
Applications allowed incl. on review* |
Applications refused |
|
|
2009 (from 1st April) |
3,389 |
2,823 |
1,220 |
1,603 |
|
2010 |
5,457 |
5,333 |
2,576 |
2,757 |
|
2011 |
5,525 |
5,396 |
2,502 |
2,894 |
*Includes cases initially disallowed but allowed on review following receipt of additional information.
|
Year |
Appeals registered |
Appeals withdrawn (allowed on medical review) |
Medical reviews outstanding on appeal |
Appeals allowed |
Appeals disallowed |
Appeals outstanding |
|
2009 |
836 |
189 |
0 |
293 |
353 |
1 |
|
2010 |
1,858 |
518 |
0 |
528 |
728 |
84 |
|
2011 |
2,270 |
424 |
293 |
220 |
421 |
912 |
Social Welfare Appeals
Jack Wall
Question:131 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against the decision to refuse an application for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11848/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15th October 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 16th January 2012 and the appeal will be assigned, in due course, to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.
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.
Employment Support Services
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:132 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is her intention to have a database of all jobs available here; and the number that are currently available. [11850/12]
The Department of Social Protection advertises vacancies notified to its employment service's job bank through its national call centre, and maintains a database of all such vacancies.
During 2011, in the region of 69,000 job opportunities were notified to the job bank (then operated by FAS) and a further 9,500 jobs have been notified in the first two months of 2012. Currently, (February 28), there are 4,500 job-offers open on the job bank.
Jobs notified to the service represent only a share of all vacancies that arise in the economy. For example, data in the European vacancy monitor published by the European Commission in January 2012 indicate that approximately 95,000 jobs were filled in Ireland in the three months April-June last year.
Social Welfare Benefits
Michael Moynihan
Question:133 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the impact on farmers of the changes concerning farm assist which arose in budget 2012 regarding a reduction in the income disregards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7265/12]
Support for farmers on low incomes is available through the farm assist scheme. While this means-tested payment is broadly similar to the jobseeker's allowance scheme, it has a more generous means test, which takes account of the specific nature of farming and, unlike jobseeker's allowance, farmers claiming this payment do not need to be available for work outside of the farm in order to qualify.
The changes to the scheme announced in Budget 2012 relate to the assessment of means from self-employment, including farming, which was raised from 70% to 85%. In addition, the deductions from assessable self employment income for children were halved to €127 per year for each of the first two dependent children and €190.50 per year for each subsequent child.
These changes, which are estimated to affect some 5,500 claimants, bring the conditions of the scheme closer to those of jobseeker's allowance. In this regard they also facilitate a move towards the introduction of the proposed single assistance payment for persons of working age.
Child Support
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:134 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the way she will ensure the health and welfare of children in the State considering the specific cuts that have been made to one-parent families in budget 2012. [8084/12]
The payment rate for the scheme remains at €188 per week — with a further €29.80 per week for each additional qualified child. Until 2011, the OFP payment provided long-term income support to lone parents until children were aged 18, or 22 if in full-time education, without any requirement for them to engage in employment, education or training. Such long-term welfare dependency and passive income support to individuals of working age are not considered to be in the best interests of the recipient, of their children or of society.
Legislative changes were introduced to the OFP in the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2010. These came into effect on 27 April, 2011, and reduced the maximum age limit of the youngest child for receipt of the OFP to 14. Further changes to the maximum age limit of the youngest child for receipt of the OFP were announced in Budget 2012. There are no changes for existing customers until 2013 — after which revised phasing-out arrangements will come into effect. The OFP will also see a reduction, over five years, of the earnings disregard for new and existing claimants.
Social assistance and the structure and delivery of payments have a key role to play in terms of incentive and disincentive effects with regard to commencing/returning to work, education or training and extending employment. While supports are available to those in receipt of the OFP payment, these are not currently provided in a structured or systematic way.
The changes to the OFP scheme put in place a model that:
prevents long-term dependence on social welfare support and facilitates financial independence among parents,
recognises parental choice with regard to the care of young children, but with the expectation that parents will not remain outside of the labour force indefinitely, and
includes an expectation of participation in education, training and employment initiatives, with the appropriate social welfare supports provided in this regard.
The changes also move the scheme towards a single means-tested social assistance payment for people of working age, which is the Department's strategy with regard to means-tested income support. This payment will end the categorisation of customers, including lone parents, into different payment types and will instead focus on the person and on their individual capacities. People can then be given, or be directed to, the supports and services that they need in order to return to, or take up, employment, training or educational opportunities.
Seán Crowe
Question:135 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the future role of child income supports under the proposal to roll out a single working age payment system in the social welfare system. [10026/12]
The Department of Social Protection makes a number of payments to families with children which include child benefit, which is provided on a universal basis to all families. They also include payments to low income families including the family income supplement and qualified child increases to recipients of primary social welfare payments, both of which provide a level of assistance that is directly or indirectly linked with a household's income situation.
The principle of a single working age payment is to create a payment that would cover all people of working age including those who would currently be classified as unemployed, disabled, or parenting alone. The aim of the single payment is to give effect to the policy principle that people are given or directed to the supports or services that they need in order to return to or take-up work or other training or educational opportunities, matched by a requirement that they avail of that support. This approach would also provide an opportunity to address the current complexity of Ireland's social welfare assistance system by streamlining a number of different payments for people of working age. There are no plans to change the existing arrangements in relation to increases for qualified children in the context of a single assistance payment for people of working age.
In June 2011, an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare was established to address a number of specific issues around the operation and interaction of the tax and social protection systems. The Group has been tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be improved and better poverty outcomes can be achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes, and to identify the specific practical institutional and administrative improvements to their operation. The Advisory Group is currently prioritising child income support payments and will, thereafter, examine other issues, including consideration of working age income supports.
Airport Development Projects
Brian Walsh
Question:136 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans in respect of the development of terminal buildings at airstrips on Inishbofin and Cleggan, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11650/12]
My Department has retained consultants to undertake the next step in the process of developing terminal buildings at the airstrips on Inishbofin and Cleggan in County Galway. This includes the detailed design and costing for the project. It is envisaged that this stage will be completed by April 2012.
Creative Economy
Regina Doherty
Question:137 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht with regard to the creative economy programme, the numbers of projects that are running here at present; the location and the categories of same; the number of persons employed on these projects; the total amount of funding secured from the EU for same; the projected amount of the €70 million of funding that Ireland hopes to secure during the life of the programme; and the information that has been made available to interested community based groups regarding the creative economy programme. [11686/12]
The Deputy will appreciate that, at present, there are two EU programmes operating within the areas for which I have responsibility:
1. The Media Programme is the EU support programme for the European audiovisual industry and details are available at www.mediadeskireland.ie; and
2. The Culture Programme is the EU support programme for organisations working in the field of culture and details are available at www.ccp.ie.
Discussions are currently underway between the Member States and the European Commission on a new framework programme for the cultural and creative sectors. This will run from 2014 to 2020 and will be called the Creative Europe Programme. A budget of some €1,800 million is mooted for the new programme but this is not finalised and will have to be considered in the context of the overall EU Budget. It includes a proposal to amalgamate the current Culture and MEDIA programmes under a common framework and create an entirely new facility to improve access to finance.
National Monuments
Gerry Adams
Question:138 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the permanent monuments that exist to commemorate the Famine; and if he has given any consideration to developing a national permanent monument to commemorate the Famine. [11798/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, there are a number of memorials, monuments and plaques in towns and villages around the country, which were put in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be feasible for me to name all such memorials.
In relation to the issue of a national permanent monument to commemorate the Famine, the Deputy will be aware that in 1996 the then Government invited nominations for a suitable location for a national memorial to commemorate the Great Famine and Murrisk in Co. Mayo was chosen as the appropriate site. Sculptor John Behan was commissioned by the Government to create a sculpture to commemorate the Great Irish Famine, which was unveiled by the then President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, in July 1997.
EU Directives
Brian Walsh
Question:139 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the mechanisms in place to ensure manufacturers and distributors of light bulbs comply with the EU lighting directive; the penalties that may apply in a case of non-compliance; the recourse open to persons wishing to report failure by a company to comply with the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11649/12]
European Regulation No 244/2009 on the eco-design requirements for non-directional household lamps and Directive 98/11/EC on the energy labelling of household lamps set out requirements for implementing EU directives on eco design and energy labelling respectively. As the Minister responsible, my Department is the market surveillance authority for these directives and their associated implementing measures.
National legislation, in the form of Statutory Instruments (S.I.s) transposing the above Directives allows for the withdrawal, seizure, detention and in certain cases forfeiture and destruction of non-compliant products. Penalties and associated appeals procedures are specified in the transposing legislation.
A person guilty of an offence under S.I. No. 203 of 2011 (Eco Design Regulations) is liable:
On summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or
On conviction of indictment, to a fine not exceeding €250,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both.
A person guilty of an offence under S.I. No. 366 of 2011 (Energy Labelling Regulations) is liable:
On summary conviction, to a class A fine, or
On conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €250,000.
My Department has recently submitted its section of the National Market Surveillance Programme for 2012-2013, coordinated by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, which sets out surveillance activities to monitor products, in order to verify compliance with the applicable directives. These activities include:
Proactive inspections — inspections of retail sites for compliance with the directives;
Reactive inspections — inspections of retail sites on foot of complaints from members of the public or from information provided by customs authorities or other member states;
Product testing — testing of applicable products for compliance with the requirements of the Directives and associated implementing measures.
Specifically, in the case of light bulbs, my Department undertook a surveillance activity in 2011 in respect of compliance with Regulation 244/2009. Almost 150 retailers, manufacturers and distributors were contacted in respect of the aforementioned Directive and the majority have returned a Declaration of Compliance to confirm their compliance with the applicable Regulations.
All cases of suspected non-compliance should be reported to and will be investigated by my Department.
Housing Grants
Sandra McLellan
Question:140 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the Health Service Executive occupational therapist reports are not sufficient for local authorities when tenants need essential works carried out due to health issues; the reason that local authority housing tenants need an OT report when they must have this done by a private therapist at the cost of anywhere up to €300; if there is any funding available to persons who cannot afford to have this report done privately; if the community welfare officer can pay the occupational therapist and be reimbursed when the works are approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11751/12]
My Department provides capital funding to local authorities to assist with the provision of necessary adaptations and extensions to their properties to meet the needs of tenants with a disability. It is a matter for the local authority to determine the nature and extent of the required works and to procure the necessary technical or professional services to ensure that the works are fit for purpose and designed and constructed in accordance with best practice.
My Department is not aware of instances where a local authority tenant would be required to obtain and pay for professional services, including reports from occupational therapists, in cases where adaptations or extensions are being undertaken by the local authority to the social housing stock.
Local Authority Charges
Michael McCarthy
Question:141 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a club (details supplied) is liable to pay the septic tank charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11621/12]
The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 applies only to domestic households. Owners of premises connected to a domestic waste water treatment system will be required to register their system with the water services authority in whose functional area the system is located. Larger properties, such as sports clubs, hotels and guest houses etc., served by septic tanks or other on-site waste water treatment systems and discharging in excess of 5 cubic metres of sewage in any period of 24 hours, require a discharge licence under Section 4 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977. Section 4 applies to direct discharges to waters and also to indirect discharges via percolation areas and soil.
Planning Issues
Timmy Dooley
Question:142 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person who has responsibility for the maintenance and management of services in estates where the builder is no longer in business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11657/12]
Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 applies to estates which have been granted planning permission and includes the construction of two or more houses (which as defined in the Act includes apartments) and the provision of new roads, open spaces, car parks, sewers, watermains or drains.
In relation to estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the permission, section 180 provides that the planning authority must if requested to do so by the developer or by the majority of the qualified electors who are owners of the houses involved, initiate the procedures in section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 for declaring the road(s) to be public roads, for whose maintenance the local authority will then be responsible.
Section 11 of the Roads Act empowers a local authority to, by order, declare any road over which a public right of way exists to be a public road. Before making an order the local authority must be satisfied the road is of general public utility, consider the financial implications of taking the road in charge and consult with the public/consider any objections received. The consideration of the objections and the making of the order declaring the road to be a public road is a reserved function, so that the decision whether to take the road in charge is ultimately one for the discretion of the elected members.
In relation to estates which have not been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority and enforcement proceedings have not been commenced within the relevant period section 180 also provides that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the majority of the owners, initiate the procedures in section 11 of the Roads Act. However, in this case the section provides that the provision in section 11 of the Roads Act requiring the authority to consider the financial implications of taking the road in charge shall be disregarded.
Section 180 also provides that where a planning authority, in complying with section 180, makes an order under section 11 of the Roads Act, it must also take in charge any open spaces, car parks, sewers, watermains, or drains within the attendant grounds of the development. Section 180 was amended in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 to provide that a planning authority may take in charge an unfinished estate, at the request of the owners of the housing units, at any time after the expiration of the planning permission, in situations where enforcement actions have commenced or where the planning authority consider that enforcement action will not result in the satisfactory completion of the estate by the developer. Planning authorities have also been empowered to take in charge part of an estate or some, but not all, of the facilities in an estate.
Community Development
Noel Harrington
Question:143 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will identify possible sources of additional funding for a community group (details supplied ) available from his Department and or any of the agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11772/12]
While my Department does not directly fund the activity covered by the group in question, they may wish to contact their local development company, West Cork Development Partnership Ltd, who can examine ways in which they can be of support.
Water Services
Finian McGrath
Question:144 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a submission on public water utility (details supplied). [11792/12]
A public consultation process on the Government's proposals for the establishment of a new public water utility and the proposed approach to water charges and water metering concluded on 24 February. My Department received more than 300 submissions and these are now being considered.
The approach to be taken for the installation of meters in different household types, including those outlined in the Question, is under consideration by my Department. The Government plans to fund the metering programme through a commercial loan from the National Pensions Reserve Fund. In relation to leakage, water conservation measures have been given priority within my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 which provides for contracts for water main replacement/rehabilitation to the value of some €321m to commence in the programme period.
Local Authority Charges
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:145 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Dublin City Manager briefed him on the €500 fire services call out charge; if he gave Dublin City Council approval to charge for calling out Dublin Fore Brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11812/12]
Local authorities are permitted, under statute, to charge fees in relation to the services they provide. I do not have any role in approving or consenting to the levying of such charges.
Most fire authorities have had charges in place for their fire brigade services for many years. In the case of Dublin, I understand that additional charges were introduced in respect of fire service responses in the four Dublin local authorities in 2012, and that the money recouped through charges for services is only a small proportion of the overall cost of providing fire services. The full costs of the services are met by the local authorities through a range of income sources, including commercial rates, charges for services to commercial properties, Government grants and subsidies, the household charge and the charge on non-principal private residences.
In many cases, the householder/premises owners are covered for recouping charges for attendance of the fire brigade at incidents such as house fires, road traffic accidents and hay barn fires from relevant home, motor, and farm insurance policies.
Most fire authorities operate waiver schemes in respect of call-out charges; each case is considered on its merits, and partial waivers and deferred payment options are considered as appropriate.
Departmental Agencies
Dara Calleary
Question:146 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the future of the Equality Authority offices based in Roscrea, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11753/12]
I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply below to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 23 February 2012. The position is unchanged since then:
The future of the Equality Authority's Roscrea Office is being considered by a working group set up to advise me on issues relating to the amalgamation of the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority. A decision on its future will be taken once the working group has reported with its recommendations. I expect that the working group will shortly complete its work.
Departmental Properties
Dara Calleary
Question:147 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the future of the Garda Ombudsman offices based in Roscrea, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11754/12]
I am informed by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission that they do not have offices in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. While it was the original intention to open an office in Roscrea under the decentralisation programme, suitable office accommodation could not be found. The Commission's senior management team decided that, because of the geographical distribution of the caseload of the Southern Region Team, the formal establishment of an office in Cork city would be more cost-effective than operating a team from Roscrea. Following consultation with the Probation and Welfare Service, agreement was reached that the Ombudsman Commission could avail of a suitable space in its premises in Cork. The Roscrea decentralisation project was subsequently postponed indefinitely. It is the experience of GSOC's Senior Management Team that the existing arrangement of locating an investigations team in Cork has proved to be a prudent business decision with regard to the efficiencies achieved, customer service provided, geographical spread of investigative staff achieved and the financial savings realised.
Prison Committals
Patrick Nulty
Question:148 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of committals to prison for non-payment of fines and non-payment of debt in 2011; if he will provide comparative figures for the previous three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11622/12]
A breakdown of the number of committals imprisoned for non-payment of fines and non-payment of debt for each of the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Fines |
Debtors |
|
2008 |
2,520 |
255 |
|
2009 |
4,806 |
162 |
|
2010 |
6,683 |
5 |
|
2011* |
7,514 |
35 |
* The 2011 figures are provisional pending the publication of the Irish Prison Service Annual Report.
I can advise the Deputy that the number of such persons held in custody at any one time is a tiny fraction of the overall prisoner population. To illustrate this point, on 28 February, 2012, there were 27 (26 Fines, 1 Debtor) persons or 0.63 percent of the numbers in prison custody that fell into this category. As I explained recently in response to a separate Parliamentary Question, the Fines Act 2010 includes a number of provisions designed to minimise the level of fine default and where it does occur, to ensure, as far as possible, that fine defaulters are not committed to prison. In particular, under Section 14 of the Act, the court must consider the financial circumstances of the person before the amount of the fine is determined. There are also provisions in the Act, that I intend to commence in 2012, allowing for the payment of fines by instalments; the appointment of receivers to recover outstanding fines (or property to the value of those fines); and the substitution of community service orders for fines, where they remain unpaid after the receiver has completed his or her work.
I am also committed to pursuing alternatives to custody. The Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011 commenced on 1 October last and requires judges when considering imposing a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months or less to first consider the appropriateness of community service as an alternative to imprisonment. I expect that these measures, taken together, will all but eliminate the need to commit persons to prison for non-payment of fines.
Courts Service
Dara Calleary
Question:149 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff in the Probate Service due to retire by 29 February; if he will outline on a county basis the current waiting time for probate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11652/12]
The Probate Office is an office of the High Court. Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that in Dublin probate is dealt by the Principal Probate Registry in the High Court where one officer is to retire by 29 February 2012. The Courts Service has informed me that waiting time for probate applications in the Principal Probate Registry (Dublin) have significantly improved. Substantial efforts were made in the course of 2011 to address waiting times for the personal applicant which have resulted in waiting times reducing from approximately 26 weeks last year to 10 weeks currently. Applications from solicitors currently take about 3-4 weeks. In addition there are 14 District Probate Registries located outside Dublin. These registries are attached to the Circuit Court Offices. Officers assigned to the District Probate Registries also have responsibility for other aspects of circuit court work. I am informed that the waiting times for District Probate Registries are not readily to hand but are being compiled and I will arrange to have them forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Court Service has informed me that the impact of staff retirements on the provision of services will vary between court offices depending on the numbers retiring and the skill sets available in each office. The Service has put in place contingency plans which are being customised to meet the needs of individual offices. These plans include technical skills training to address the skills and knowledge deficit resulting from retirements. The following table sets out the overall number of staff retiring by 29 February 2012 in each Circuit Court office which has a District Probate Registry and the number of staff retiring who are currently assigned to the District Probate Registries.
|
Circuit Court Office |
Number of retirements in each Circuit Court Office |
Number of retirements from officers currently assigned to Probate Section in each Circuit Court Office |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
1 |
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
1 |
0 |
|
Galway |
4 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
1 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
4 |
1 |
|
*Waterford |
2 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
19 |
5 |
*Waterford is now a combined Court Office.
Dara Calleary
Question:150 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff in the Courts Service due to retire by 29 February; the impact of these retirements on court services; and if any court services will be closed or curtailed during 2012. [11653/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that 53 staff members will have retired between 1 January and 29 February, 2012, bringing to 121 the total number to have retired from the Courts Service through age related or cost neutral early retirements in the period since 1 Feb 2010. The Court Service have put in place a series of work force planning measures over the last three years to ensure that available resources are deployed to best effect including the centralisation of processes, creation of multi-jurisdictional combined court offices, rationalisation of court venues and offices, rationalisation and standardisation of court procedures and an on-going review of resource allocation, including redeployment to front line services.
The Court Service have in place specific plans to address the immediate transition period following the 29 February 2012. These include the filling of key operational and front line posts, increased use of lateral transfer to fill such posts, increased flexibility in the use of staff resources; and redeployment of resources from other Government Departments and agencies where permissible. In addition, the Courts Service will continue to work closely with Court Presidents to ensure that court sittings are maintained. This will, in some instances, result in some restrictions on public access to services where resources are prioritised to allow for continuance of sittings.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the Courts Service, in common with all other public sector organisations, is obliged to ensure that resources are deployed to best effect to ensure continuity of service with reduced budgets and resources. Greater flexibility in the deployment of available resources will be critical in maintaining the delivery of front line court services. All court facilities are subject to ongoing review and no court venue or office is excluded from this process.
Departmental Staff
Dara Calleary
Question:151 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff in the Property Registration Authority due to retire by 29 February; the impact of these retirements on services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11654/12]
In the period between 01 January and 29 February 2012 a total of 11 staff in the Property Registration Authority have retired or are due to retire. I am advised that the Authority has put arrangements in place to ensure the continued provision of services following staff retirements taking place up to end of February. The Authority is endeavouring to realign responsibilities in all areas to deal with the loss of staff through retirements. Cross functional teams have been set up to process specific areas of casework, on-line services have been extended to free-up staff, areas have been identified in which processes and workflows can be improved and organisational rationalisation has been discussed with Unions. A business case will be made to fill critical posts and an impact analysis exercise to deal with potential loss of legal expertise over the next four years is also planned.
Dara Calleary
Question:152 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff in the Legal Aid Board due to retire by 29 February; the impact of these retirements on services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11655/12]
In the period between 01 January and 29 February 2012 a total of 6 staff in the Legal Aid Board have retired or are due to retire. While the loss of any staff will have an impact on services, the Board is continually reviewing its service delivery processes with a view to ensuring that services are provided as efficiently and effectively as possible. In this regard, the Board intends to introduce a new "Triage" system which will be piloted initially in up to eight of the Board's law centres, commencing in March. The main purpose of this initiative is to ensure that clients will be offered an initial appointment with a solicitor for legal advice within a month of applying for legal services. The operation of the Triage system will be critically reviewed on an on-going basis to determine its impact on service provision, including the extent to which clients can be referred to alternative dispute mechanisms, such as mediation, where appropriate. It is envisaged that the approach will be extended nationwide later in the year by the Board. I welcome in particular this approach of seeking alternative means of addressing disputes which might otherwise end up before the Courts which is consistent with Government policy in relation to the resolution of disputes through conciliation and mediation rather than through litigation, where possible.
Prison Visiting Committees
Dara Calleary
Question:153 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline all appointments made by him to Prison Visiting Committees since 9 March 2011. [11656/12]
I have made 30 appointments to Prison Visiting Committees since 9 March, 2011, details of which are set out in the following table. The Deputy may wish to note that I am still in the process of making further appointments and writing to the people concerned informing them of their appointment.
|
Name |
Visiting Committee |
|
Rita Hayes |
Arbour Hill |
|
Abdullah Bulbulia |
|
|
Wilhelmina Daly |
|
|
Dermot O’Connell |
Cork |
|
Mary Loughnane |
|
|
Margaret O’Keefe |
|
|
Noel Cloak |
Dóchas Centre |
|
Bernie Donnelly |
|
|
Mary Elliott |
|
|
Mary Prendergast |
Limerick Prison |
|
John Higgins |
|
|
Val Rooney |
|
|
Kathleen Richey |
Loughan House |
|
Andrew Cullen |
|
|
Patrick Boyle |
|
|
Joe Aherne |
Mountjoy |
|
Richard Codd |
Shelton Abbey |
|
Gerry Delaney |
|
|
Margaret Shortt |
|
|
Thomas Gregan |
|
|
Denis Murphy |
St. Patrick’s Institution |
|
John (Sean) Lyons |
|
|
Emma Muldowney |
|
|
Niall Counihan |
|
|
Sadie Jordan |
Training Unit |
|
Fintan Kelly |
|
|
Deirdre Kenneally |
|
|
Noel Turley |
|
|
Betty Gleeson |
Wheatfield |
|
Stewart Stephens |
Garda Equipment
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:154 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views that senior members of the Garda Representative Association have stated that the cuts could leave Ireland vulnerable to a massacre on the scale of Norway’s Utoya atrocity and that officers need armed capability even if it is never used; if he will confirm that he is proposing to reduce the number of firearms available and thus cutting costs by €2.7 million a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11759/12]
The carrying of firearms by Garda personnel is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. In that context the Commissioner determines the number of Garda members to whom firearms are issued without reference to either myself or my Department. The Garda authorities have indicated that at present the armed capability of Garda members is provided by District Detective Units supported by National Units. In addition, they have put in place specific arrangements to co-ordinate Garda armed response measures throughout the country. These arrangements include special responses to deal with emergency type situations. In view of the operational nature of the functions involved it would not be appropriate for me to comment in further detail on how the relevant resources might be deployed. The Garda authorities have also informed me that the armed capability of Garda members is kept under on-going review.
Garda Transport
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:155 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether gardaí will have to revert to using bicycles to patrol their areas in the absence of any transport being provided to them, in view of the fact that a total of 71 marked patrol cars were taken out of the system in the past six months after reaching the 300,000 km limit and no new cars were purchased to replace them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11760/12]
The provision and deployment of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that an order for 40 new Garda cars has recently been placed and that these vehicles are currently being rolled out. In addition, a tendering process is under way to put in place a contract which will allow for the provision of further Garda vehicles. This is a matter that will be pursued in the light of An Garda Síochána's operational priorities and the availability of financial resources.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that a full and comprehensive policing service is being delivered throughout the country. They have also confirmed that the relevant policing arrangements are being kept under on-going review to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources.
Garda Stations
Martin Ferris
Question:156 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he received correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the closure of the Garda station in Moyvane, County Kerry; and if he has had a chance to reply to their letter and respond to each of the points they raised. [11761/12]
Correspondence on behalf of Moyvane Developments Association was received in my Department on 26 January and 8 February. A Report has been requested from the Garda Commissioner on certain specific points raised by the Association and a full reply will issue upon receipt of this additional information.
Departmental Funding
Noel Harrington
Question:157 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will identify possible sources of additional funding for a community group (details supplied ) available from his Department or any of the agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11774/12]
Unfortunately, given the overall resource constraints that my Department is currently operating under, I must inform the Deputy that my Department does not have an allocation out of which funding can be made available to the group in question.
Garda Operations
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:158 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on Garda Operation Shannon; the number of vehicles recovered; the number of persons arrested and charged to date; the number of successful convictions secured to date; the cost of the operation to date; the number of gardaí involved; if this operation is still active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11813/12]
In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.
Closed Circuit Television Systems
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:159 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is concerned with the number of security camera systems in the Dublin city area that are reportedly not working; if he is considering introducing new guidelines or a national strategy on the operation of CCTV and security camera systems around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11821/12]
A Community-Based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005 to provide financial assistance to community-based groups towards the capital costs of establishing a Community CCTV System. To date 45 such CCTV Systems have been awarded funding under this Scheme.
The operation and maintenance of such CCTV Systems is a matter for each community based group and is governed by the Code of Practice for Community Based CCTV Systems. This Code of Practice includes the requirement to ensure that CCTV cameras are properly maintained and repaired.
Separate Garda CCTV systems are in operation throughout the country and I understand that they are functioning effectively.
Responsibility for the maintenance and repair of other CCTV Systems is a matter for the relevant operator.
Criminal Prosecutions
Martin Ferris
Question:160 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the proportion of successful cases taken by the Garda for assault against members of the Garda before a judge (details supplied). [11846/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, I have no role in the investigation or prosecution of cases. It is the function of the Garda to investigate alleged offences, to gather whatever evidence may be available and to submit a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The question of whether a person should be prosecuted and for what criminal offence is the responsibility of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is independent in the performance of her functions.
In relation to the Court proceedings to which you refer, the position is that the Courts are, subject only to the constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. It is not open to me to comment or intervene in any way in relation to how particular proceedings are conducted or on the outcome of those proceedings.
Grant Payments
Jim Daly
Question:161 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the agri-environment options scheme in respect of a person (details supplied); when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11667/12]
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, have to be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query arose in respect of land parcels declared which will require digitisation of the areas concerned. This is being dealt with by my Department at present and once the digitisation process is completed, the application will be processed with a view to making payment at the earliest opportunity.
Payment in respect of the 2011 Scheme year is subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investment through checks on receipts. During these checks queries were identified in relation to the capital expenditure claim of the person named. My Department has issued a letter to the person named regarding this matter and will process the application further upon receipt of a response to these queries.
Global Strategic Framework
Robert Dowds
Question:162 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will prioritise small scale farmers, especially women, in developing countries, in his submission to the UN Global Strategic Framework for Food Security and Nutrition process in April 2012. [11676/12]
The first discussions on the Global Strategic Framework will be held at the FAO Regional Conferences. The European Regional Conference, which my Department will be attending, will take place in April in Baku, Azerbaijan and will be an opportunity for Ireland to feed into the process and to influence the consensus ERG position to be formulated.
Ireland's submission will be prepared by my Department in consultation with our colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. While our submission has yet to be completed, I can assure you that it will be very supportive of smallholder farmers, particularly women, in developing countries. Our submission will be informed by the 2008 Hunger Task Force Report, which recommended three priority areas for Ireland in its efforts to address global hunger: 1) support to smallholder farmers, particularly women, in Africa; 2) addressing maternal and infant undernutrition, and 3) strengthening international political commitment to addressing Hunger.
Ireland has made steady progress in implementing the Hunger Task Force recommendations. Through our overseas development programme, Irish Aid, we support a comprehensive range of programmes to sustainably improve food and nutrition security of the poorest and most vulnerable. For example, in Malawi, we support smallholder farmers' organisations to improve soil fertility and diversify to more nutritious crops; in Tanzania, we support smallholder farmers' access to better farm inputs such as seeds and fertiliser; and in Lesotho, we support smallholder farmers to develop vegetable gardens to improve household nutrition. At the international level, we work to ensure that global agricultural research is focused on the needs of women smallholder farmers, and that research outputs are readily available to the poorest farmers.
The UN Global Strategic Framework for Food Security and Nutrition is another opportunity to further Ireland’s work in this area, and I look forward to engaging with it.
Robert Dowds
Question:163 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will attend the meeting of the UN Committee on World Food Security in October 2012 in Rome, at which the Global Strategic Framework for Food Security and Nutrition will be approved, demonstrating that Ireland is a leader in protecting small scale farmers. [11677/12]
A full meeting of the UN Committee on World Food Security takes place every October and is attended by my officials and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. October of this year. A decision on Ministerial attendance will be taken closer to the event.
Knackery Industry
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:164 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will revoke the licence of a knackery which, located next to a preschool centre for children with special needs and public residences, is apparently in breach of European Communities (Knackery) Regulations, 1996 which state that the owner of a licensed knackery shall, subject to Regulation 11(1), ensure that the premises of the knackery is adequately separated from the public highway and other premises. [11758/12]
Knackeries are approved and supervised by my Department in accordance with Animal By-Product (ABP) Regulations (EC) No. 1069/2009 and Regulation (EC) No 142/2011, which lay down the health rules as regards the use and disposal of ABP and superseded the regulations referred to by the Deputy.
All such establishments are inspected on a risk basis by officials of my Department to ensure that the conditions attached to their ABP approvals are adhered to and that any non-compliances identified by the inspectorate in relation to the above regulations are addressed immediately.
Issues relating to noise pollution and odours from such premises are a matter for environmental rather than ABP regulation, which in this case is administered by the Local Authority.
Forestry Sector
Catherine Murphy
Question:165 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the event of the sale of the forestry assets of Coillte, the steps he will take to ensure that the open forestry policy of Coillte, which facilitates recreational use of these forests, will continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11795/12]
As announced by the Government last week, consideration will be given to the sale of some assets of Coillte, excluding the sale of land, when market conditions are favourable and at an acceptable price to Government. A valuation of Coillte assets is currently being undertaken by the NTMA (NewERA unit) in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. No decision on the possible sale of Coillte assets will be taken until the valuation process is completed.
I am conscious that Coillte's forests provide a range of recreational opportunities for the general public continuing a long tradition of open access to state owned forests. I am aware that this is a very significant issue of concern for the general public, therefore public access to recreational land will be an important consideration in the decision-making process regarding the potential sale of such assets.
Land Act Trusts
Sean Fleming
Question:166 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the information in relation to trusts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11804/12]
The overall number of trusts set up under the Land Purchase Acts, which are currently in existence is 151.
The number of Land Act trusts that ceased to be operative under the provisions of section 30 of the 1950 Land Act for each of the last five years are as follows:
|
Year |
No. of Land Acts |
|
2012 |
1 |
|
2011 |
13 |
|
2010 |
12 |
|
2009 |
29 |
|
2008 |
40 |
|
2007 |
63 |
There are 6 Land Act trusts still in operation in County Laois, details as follows:
|
Table |
|
|
The Harps GAA Club |
folio 8286 |
|
Cullohill GAA Club |
folio 4457F |
|
Clonin Sportsfield |
folio 12391 |
|
Castletown Sportsfield |
folio 16345 |
|
Trumera Sportsfield |
folio 6794F |
|
Srahcullen Trust |
folio 3555 |
The following Land Act trusts have ceased to be operative in County Laois in the last 5 years are as follows:
|
Table |
||
|
2012 |
Ballinakill GAA Club |
folio 12665 |
|
2011 |
Clonaslee St. Manmans GAA Club |
folio 12588 |
|
Trumra GAA Club |
folio 7375F |
|
|
2009 |
Slieve Bloom GAA Club |
folio 18900F |
|
Mountmellick GAA Club |
folio 19624F |
|
|
2008 |
Ballylinan GAA Club |
folio 13830 |
|
Timahoe GAA Club |
folio 5320F |
|
|
Shanahoe GAA Club |
folio 17698F |
|
|
O Dempsey’s GAA Club |
folio 15023 |
|
|
2007 |
Milltown St. Joseph’s GAA Club |
folio 12315 |
|
Killeshin GAA Club |
folio 2324F |
|
|
Kellaville GAA Club |
folio 12675 |
Child Care Services
Michael McCarthy
Question:167 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will advise on possible funding streams available to a child care facility (details supplied); her views on where it can source additional funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11809/12]
Noel Harrington
Question:168 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will identify possible sources of additional funding for a community group (details supplied ) available from her Department and or any of the agencies funded by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11769/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
The Government currently supports the provision of early childhood care and education through three support programmes — the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme. These programmes are implemented by my Department. The service referred to is participating in two of the aforementioned programmes.
Under the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, which supports community-based childcare services, enabling them to provide childcare at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income families, funding of €10,569 for the academic year 2011/12 has been approved for this service. This funding is based on the income profile of the parents and the level of service provided to their children.
The service is also participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme providing a pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. This service has received capitation funding of €13,932 to date to provide for the first 27 weeks of the school year 2011/2012 with a further payment due at the end of March, which will provide for the remaining 11 weeks of the school year.
My Department also implements the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme. The purpose of the CETS programme is to support parents on eligible FÁS and VEC courses by providing free childcare places to them. There is an opportunity for all services that provide full day care to participate in this programme. Also afterschools which are open all year round are eligible to apply. However, I understand that the service referred to by the Deputy does not currently offer the type of service required for eligibility for the CETS programme.
In December 2011, the Government announced a new National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) Capital Funding 2012 grant. This grant will provide capital funding of €6m this year to both community and private childcare providers currently participating in one or more of the above funding programmes: CCS programme; CETS programme and ECCE programme. The funding is available for small maintenance/renovation work or equipment and the maximum grant available to qualifying applicants is €50,000.
Funding of €250,000 has been allocated under the Parent and Toddler initiative for 2012 and the City/County Childcare Committees will administer this funding on behalf of my Department.
There is no further funding available to my Department to support childcare services at this time.
Departmental Staff
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:169 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons employed by her by grade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11817/12]
The numbers employed by grade at my Department are contained in the following table:
|
Table |
|
|
Secretary General |
1.00 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
1.00 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
1.00 |
|
Director |
1.00 |
|
Special Advisor to the Minister |
2.00 |
|
Principal Officer and Equiv Grades |
12.30 |
|
Assistant Principal and Equivalent Grades |
24.93 |
|
Personal Secretary to the Minister |
1.00 |
|
Personal Assistant to the Minister |
1.00 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
23.23 |
|
Administrative Officer |
4.00 |
|
Executive Officer |
26.73 |
|
Staff Officer |
2.40 |
|
Civilian Driver to the Minister |
2.00 |
|
Clerical Officer |
25.80 |
|
Services Officer |
3.00 |
|
Total |
132.39 |
Health Services
Finian McGrath
Question:170 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if she will review a case in respect of a person (details supplied). [11856/12]
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.
Home Help Service
Michael McCarthy
Question:171 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health his views on proposed changes to hours worked by home helps; the measures he will take to ensure that such changes will not drive persons into nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11613/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Nursing Education
Noel Coonan
Question:172 Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Health the number and location of return-to-practice courses available nationwide for nurses wishing to return to the occupation; the number of spaces available; when more courses will come on stream; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11614/12]
As the number and location of return to practice courses available nationwide for nurses wishing to return to the occupation, is a matter for the HSE, this query has been forwarded to it for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Cards
David Stanton
Question:173 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for medical cards which are awaiting a decision; the average processing time for both renewal and new applications respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11615/12]
I have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ciaran Lynch
Question:174 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there will be no disruption to day care centre services (details supplied) due to staff retirements under the public service arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11618/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medical Cards
Paul Connaughton
Question:175 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on his application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11619/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Martin Ferris
Question:176 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the reason a 70 year old person (details supplied) has to produce evidence of fire and contents insurance of their house when applying for a medical card when this is not asked for in the medical card application form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11620/12]
Under the Health Act 2008, the income thresholds for entitlement to a medical card for those aged 70 and over are €700 (gross) per week (€36,500 per year) for a single person and €1,400 (gross) per week (€73,000 per year) for a couple (married couples and couples living together as husband and wife).
Persons aged 70 or over, whose gross income is above the stated thresholds, may, depending on their personal circumstances, still qualify for a medical card or a GP visit card under the standard means-testing arrangements which exist at present. The purpose of requesting proof of house insurance from persons making applications for medical cards is to assist in determining a person's net income, as per the medical card guidelines. Some housing costs such as house insurance costs, can be offset against an applicant's income and improve their chances of qualifying for a medical card.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ciaran Lynch
Question:177 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be brought forward or if the patient can be called in the event of any cancellation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11623/12]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for in-patient or day-case surgery.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and facility involved.
Services for People with Disabilities
John O'Mahony
Question:178 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health if he adequately dialogued with disability organisations prior to implementing cuts affecting the lives of persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11661/12]
The recently approved HSE National Service Plan 2012 outlines, as required in legislation, the type and volume of services to be provided this year in return for the resources made available by the Oireachtas. The Plan acknowledges that there will be an inevitable and unavoidable reduction in services this year because of the scale of the financial and staffing challenge facing the health service. However, it also outlines the various actions that will be taken to mitigate as far as possible the impact which the budget and staff cuts would otherwise have on services. In framing the Plan, the HSE was asked to avoid across the board cuts in budgets and to ensure that reductions in budgets should not lead to a corresponding reduction in services. This is in line with the objectives of the Government's health reform programme to prioritise our services in a way that supports those in greatest need.
In the case of disability services, the Plan provides for a 3.7% reduction in budgets but makes it clear that there is scope for achieving efficiencies of 2% or more through measures such as consolidation and rationalisation of back office costs. All providers will be expected to achieve some efficiency savings but the level of savings required will vary depending on the profile of the service provider, efficiency savings achieved to date and the scope for further savings. The HSE will work closely with the Department in finalising the allocations. Some reductions in day services, residential and respite services will be unavoidable even with such efficiencies. The aim will be to tailor such reductions to minimise the impact on service users and families as much as possible.
The parameters applying to disability services in the Service Plan were informed by strong representations from organisations representing people with disabilities. The HSE and my Department recognise the valuable contribution disability organisations make to the provision of services to adults and children with disabilities, and acknowledge the significant savings and other efficiencies that service providers have made in general since 2008. Given the challenges service providers are experiencing, I recognise that the maintaining of service levels within available resources will require significant levels of cooperation, change, flexibility and creativity on the part of all stakeholders. HSE Disability Managers are currently engaging with service providers in line with the Service Plan requirements to achieve the necessary efficiencies in 2012.
Health Services
Brendan Griffin
Question:179 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve neurological care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11663/12]
The report entitled “National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of the Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015” was jointly commissioned by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and published in December 2011. The report sets out a clear policy with a recommended service framework that, when implemented, will ensure that the services are delivered in the most appropriate, most effective and most efficient way.
The report recognises that given the current economic climate, the focus in the short to medium term has to be on reconfiguration of services, structures and resources and the enhancement of the skills and competencies required to meet the changing context.
The HSE is committed to developing an implementation plan and an implementation structure for the provision of neuro-rehabilitation services, in close collaboration with the HSE Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Programme.
Brendan Griffin
Question:180 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a multidisciplinary approach to migraine management will be introduced nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11664/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Tom Fleming
Question:181 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the action he is taking to address the ear, nose and throat waiting list at Kerry General Hospital; the number of persons currently on the waiting list; the length of time that they are waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11672/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Services
Robert Troy
Question:182 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will reconfirm the commitment he made in Dáil Éireann during Private Members’ business on Wednesday 22 February to increase funding to the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, in view of the increased patient numbers following the downgrading of hospitals in Navan, County Meath and Roscommon. [11673/12]
The funding I referred to during Private Members Business on Wednesday 22 February was in relation to the Prospective Funding Programme introduced in 2011 for Orthopaedics. I would like to clarify for the Deputy that the procedures involved are carried out in the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore.
Sale of Alcohol
Robert Troy
Question:183 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans and the timeframe to deal with the below cost selling of alcohol. [11674/12]
In its report on alcohol, the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group recommended — among other things — the introduction of a legislative basis for minimum pricing per gram of alcohol. As minimum pricing is a mechanism of imposing a statutory floor in price levels for alcohol products that must be legally observed by retailers, its primary function would be thus to discourage at risk levels of alcohol consumption. This recommendation is being actively considered as part of the development of an Action Plan in advance of proposals being drafted for Government.
Hospitals Building Programme
Joanna Tuffy
Question:184 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure to date on the proposed new national children’s hospital, including any cost for planning, design, architect fees, engineers fees, reports and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11678/12]
Joanna Tuffy
Question:185 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding proposals for a new national children’s hospital in view of the fact that An Bord Pleanála has rejected the planning for the hospital on a site at Dublin’s Mater Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11684/12]
Eamonn Maloney
Question:197 Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the decision to refuse planning permission for the national paediatric hospital, will the site available at Tallaght hospital, Dublin, now be considered. [11799/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 184, 185 and 197 together.
I announced my intention to establish an independent group to consider the implications of the decision of An Bord Pleanala received on 23 February 2012 to reject the planning application for the proposed construction of a national paediatric hospital on the site of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital.
I have asked Dr Frank Dolphin, a former Chairman of Temple Street Hospital and a former Chairman of the HSE, to chair the group. I will announce the full composition of this group and its terms of reference shortly.
In relation to the Deputy's question regarding the total expenditure to date on the National Children's Hospital, I can confirm that the overall costings to date to end of December 2011 are €36.6 million.
Health Service Staff
Gerry Adams
Question:186 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 133 of 19 October 2011, if an embargo remains in place in respect of two posts in the National Counselling Service in the Health Service Executive in counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan; when he expects the positions to be filled; if the promised review was carried out in January 2012 and the outcome of same; if the temporary staff who were covering the two posts have finished up; if he will give an update on the waiting list times in the National Counselling Service in RIAN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11745/12]
The current Employment Control Framework for the health sector gives the HSE some flexibility in relation to filling posts in order to protect frontline services in so far as possible while still achieving the required staff reduction targets. In addition, the Public Service Agreement allows the HSE to redeploy staff based on service need.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Accommodation
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:187 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the report by emergency doctors that children are spending up to 24 hours on hospital trolleys because of the shortage of beds and that it is reported that 13 or 14 children have to spend the night on a trolley in an emergency department and some spend their entire hospital stay on one. [11757/12]
It is not acceptable that any patient and especially a child must wait for treatment. The whole thrust of the Government's health reform programme is to make the system work better and improve patient's experiences even while we are tackling the economic crisis facing our country.
Hospitals across the country are currently experiencing a surge in attendances to Emergency Departments due to an increase in the number of patients presenting with influenza and respiratory problems.
Children awaiting admission are in personal cubicles or isolation rooms where a bed is not yet available. I must emphasise that children who are waiting to be admitted are getting the full range of specialist care they need while in the Emergency Department.
The Paediatric Hospitals work together as a unified network. The Clinical Director, a joint appointment across all three hospitals, works with the hospitals to ensure patients are given the right treatment in the most appropriate location. When bed pressures occur, the Clinical Director clinically reviews patients and, where necessary, redeploys patients across the hospitals.
The three Dublin Paediatric hospitals are working closely together so that children can be admitted quickly where necessary. The Paediatric Hospitals remain cognisant at all times of the challenges facing their young patients and of the need to support families. The hospitals work with the families whenever possible to ensure the least possible disruption to the patient.
The HSE Regional Director of Operations and the Clinical Director are arranging to meet with the Association of Paediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians as soon as possible to review matters.
Medical Cards
Dara Calleary
Question:188 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the reason there is a delay in processing medical card applications (details supplied); and the steps he is taking to reduce the waiting times [11763/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Dara Calleary
Question:189 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the updated position in respect of the Health Service Executive review which he has requested of the sheltered attendance allowance cut which came into effect on 13 January 2012. [11764/12]
The decision to reduce the top up payment made to people with a disability attending rehabilitative training was implemented by the Health Service Executive (HSE) without informing the Department of Health. The reduction from €31.80 per week to €20 per week, from 1st January 2012, was communicated to the HSE Local Managers in advance of the Minister approving the National Service Plan for 2012.
I acknowledge that this proposed measure sought to bring consistency to the top up bonus paid to people attending the HSE rehabilitative training scheme with similar payments paid in other State training schemes.
Any reduction in payments to individuals requires adequate advance notice to enable the recipients and indeed, service providers, to take the reduction into account in planning their support needs and other arrangements.
It should also be noted that people with a disability attending Rehabilitative Training are usually in receipt of a State payment such as the Disability Allowance.
Accordingly, the HSE agreed to my request to review its decision, and it has recently submitted a Report on the matter which is under consideration in my Department.
Medical Cards
Michael Conaghan
Question:190 Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11778/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
John O'Mahony
Question:191 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on a medical card application; the reason for the delay in issuing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11779/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Ciaran Lynch
Question:192 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made regarding a medical card application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11783/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Billy Timmins
Question:193 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the basis on which an emergency medical card will be issued if applied for by a patient’s general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11784/12]
I have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.
Health Service Expenditure
Eamonn Maloney
Question:194 Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Health the cost to the Exchequer of drugs purchased for the years 2011 and 2012. [11790/12]
In 2010 the HSE's Primary Care Reimbursement Service spent €1.9 billion on medicines and other prescribed items supplied under the GMS and community drugs schemes. (This includes mark-ups and dispensing fees paid to pharmacists and wholesalers). Finalised figures for 2011 are not yet available.
The cost of medicines supplied in public hospitals is met from the overall budget of each hospital and is estimated to be in excess of €300 million per annum.
In recent years, a number of changes to the pricing and reimbursement system have been successfully introduced. These have resulted in an overall reduction in pharmaceutical expenditure by the HSE despite increases in the number of eligible people and the number of items supplied.
Health Services
Finian McGrath
Question:195 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the 330 persons on the residential placement waiting list at a location (details supplied). [11793/12]
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.
Medical Cards
Billy Timmins
Question:196 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11796/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 197 answered with Question No. 184.
Hospitals Building Programme
Eamonn Maloney
Question:198 Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Health if the concept of allowing private hospitals to be built on the grounds of public hospitals is no longer permitted. [11800/12]
As indicated in the Programme for Government, existing policy of co-location of private hospitals on public hospital lands will cease.
Extensions granted in respect of the project agreements for the four most advanced co-location projects expired at the end of March 2011. The HSE also contacted the private parties involved with the other co-location projects, which were at earlier stages of the procurement and contractual processes, to inform them that it will not be proceeding with those projects.
Medical Cards
Mattie McGrath
Question:199 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that a medical card was issued to a person who subsequently cancelled their health insurance and who one month later received a general practitioner’s visit card and was informed that their medical card was no longer valid; his views that this person has a legitimate expectation that their medical card would be valid for at least one year as the expiry date was 31 May 2013 and it was reasonable for them to cancel their health insurance following receipt of their medical card; his further views that this card should be honoured until the expiry date in view of the fact that this person would have a very strong case on the grounds of legitimate expectation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11801/12]
Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970 medical cards are provided to persons who, in the opinion of the HSE, are unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. The assessment for a medical card is therefore determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. There is a provision for discretion by the HSE to grant a card in cases of "undue hardship" where the income guidelines are exceeded.
Arising from the legislation, there is naturally an obligation on the HSE to ensure that it is operating within the legal framework set out by the Oireachtas. Therefore, the HSE must ensure that finite public resources are directed to the people that qualify under the legislation. This necessitates the HSE assessing applicants to see if they qualify for schemes such as the medical card and reviewing their status at regular intervals to ensure that the correct entitlements are in place.
If an individual is not satisfied with a decision made by the HSE concerning an entitlement to a medical card or GP visit card, a person has a right of appeal to the HSE Appeals Officer. An appeal must be lodged by the applicant within twenty-one days of the decision.
An individual's decision to purchase private health insurance is a matter for the individual and has no bearing on eligibility for a medical card.
Hospitals Building Programme
Tom Fleming
Question:200 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when approval will be given for the development of a 40-bed residential unit in Killarney, County Kerry, to facilitate the overall closure of St. Finan’s Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11802/12]
Following the publication of the "Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Medium Term Exchequer Framework", the Health Service Executive commenced drawing up its capital programme for the multi-annual period 2012-2016. The Executive is required to prioritise the capital infrastructure projects within its overall capital funding allocation taking into account the existing capital commitments and costs to completion over the period. A draft capital plan for the period 2012-2016 has been submitted to my Department. My Department is reviewing the proposals and following up with the HSE where further details may be required.
The proposed plan requires my approval with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Details of the plan will be published by the Executive following its approval.
Health Services
Sean Fleming
Question:201 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will reconcile the discrepancies between the figures shown in the Health Service Executive annual accounts in both 2009 and 2010 in respect of payments to an organisation (details supplied) in Newbridge, County Kildare to the amount that their accounts indicate as income from the HSE for the same period; if he will ensure that no discrepancies in relation to the figures arise in respect of the 2011 accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11803/12]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:202 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to have a transplant at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; if he will confirm that the waiting times for transplants is more than 30 months; the immediate steps being taken to reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11814/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:203 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for each specialist at each of the three children’s hospitals; the average waiting times for each specialist; the steps being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11815/12]
The Paediatric Hospitals work together as a unified network. The Clinical Director, a joint appointment across all three hospitals, works with the hospitals to ensure patients are given the right treatment in the most appropriate location. When bed pressures occur, the Clinical Director clinically reviews patients and, where necessary, redeploys patients across the hospitals.
The three Dublin Paediatric hospitals are working closely together so that children can be admitted quickly where necessary. The Paediatric Hospitals remain cognisant at all times of the challenges facing their young patients and of the need to support families. The hospitals work with the families whenever possible to ensure the least possible disruption to the patient. In 2012 a key performance objective of a waiting time of 20 weeks or less for elective paediatric procedures will be introduced.
I have asked the HSE to supply the Deputy with the detailed information sought.
Eating Disorders
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:204 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the amount of the €35 million funding that was ring-fenced for mental health services under the Budget Statement 2012 that will be allocated for the provision of services and treatment of eating disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11818/12]
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:205 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if there is a timeframe for the implementation of recommendation of 15.4.6 on the development of multi-disciplinary teams providing specialist inpatient, outpatient and outreach services for eating disorders, one per team per Health Service Executive region, which are linked closely to the local adult CMHTs to ensure continuity of care and recommendation 15.4.7 which proposes an eating disorder sub-unit in a regional general hospital mental health unit with six beds each and which would contribute 24 public eating disorder beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11819/12]
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:206 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the services currently in place in the public health system for the treatment of adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18 years with an eating disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11820/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 to 206, inclusive, together.
A special allocation of €35m for mental health was provided in Budget 2012 in line with the Programme for Government commitments, part of which will support the treatment of eating disorders. The €35m funding will primarily be used to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children's mental health services, by ensuring, at a minimum, that at least one of each mental health professional discipline is represented on every team. Over 400 additional staff will be recruited to support initiatives under the €35m package.
It is intended that the additional resources will be rolled out in conjunction with a scheme of appropriate clinical care programmes which are currently being developed. The clinical care programme plan will construct service models that implement A Vision for Change. Core to the overall plan will be the principles of recovery, individualised care delivered in partnership with voluntary agencies and based on early intervention and evidence based practice. Three areas in particular will be prioritised this year, one of which will be around the treatment and care of patients with eating disorders. The other two priority programmes will be on Early Intervention in Psychosis and Suicide Prevention.
HSE services for people with eating disorders are embedded in the Community Mental Health Service and with Primary Care. Individuals with eating disorders frequently present to the primary care practitioner with complications of their condition and early intervention at this level greatly improves outcomes. The HSE has developed a Mental Health in Primary Care accredited training programme for primary care practitioners with Dublin City University with a view to enhancing the capacity of primary care to recognise, assess and treat a range of mental illnesses, including eating disorders, within the primary care setting.
Community based Adult Mental Health Services receive referrals from Primary Care and provide assessment and treatment to individuals with eating disorders; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams provide a similar role for their cohort of referrals. Where the individual's psychiatric or medical needs are more acute, in-patient admission is offered within the local psychiatric services or acute medical care where necessary.
The HSE can and has worked with service providers in the independent sector to provide specialised care, on an in-patient and/or an out-patient basis. In a limited number of cases, referrals to specialised eating disorder services in Dublin or the UK can be clinically recommended and supported in appropriate circumstances, subject to the necessary resources being available.
National Lottery Funding
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:207 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a decision will be made in respect of an application for funding under the National Lottery grant scheme in the case of an organisation (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11822/12]
My Department has received an application for funding from the 2012 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. This is one of a large number currently being assessed by my Department, and the Deputy will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.
Long-Term Illness Scheme
Michael Colreavy
Question:208 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to extend free general practitioner care to those who qualify under the long-term illness scheme. [11823/12]
The Programme for Government committed to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this reform programme, the Government is committed to introducing Universal Primary Care within its first term of office.
Initially, free GP cover will be extended to persons with defined long-term illnesses in receipt of drugs and medicine under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment. Once primary legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas, the details of the new arrangements will be announced.
Nursing Home Subventions
Gerald Nash
Question:209 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will establish if any moneys are owed by the Health Service Executive to a company which owns a certain nursing home (details supplied); the amount owed; when the payment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11845/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Services
Brendan Smith
Question:210 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the proposals, if any, he has to restore services to their former level at a hospital (details supplied). [11855/12]
I want to ensure that as many services as possible can be provided safely in smaller, local hospitals. On this basis, the organisation of hospital services nationally, regionally and locally will be informed by the Clinical Programmes. These Programmes have been developed and implemented by a joint HSE/Departmental group who are currently developing a framework for the future development of smaller hospitals. Consultation with all the stakeholders, including patients and public representatives, will be an integral part of the process. These inter-related programmes aim to improve service quality, effectiveness and patient access and to ensure that patient care is provided in the service setting most appropriate to individuals' needs. The planned introduction of hospital groups will also provide further opportunities for inter-site cooperation.
Monaghan Hospital is an integral part of the Cavan and Monaghan Hospital Group and continues to play an important role in the delivery of clinical services in the Cavan Monaghan area and to other parts of the North East Region. The current level of activity will be maintained at Monaghan Hospital as part of the 2012 Service Plan. In addition, an increase in day services activity is also planned for 2012.
Proposed Legislation
Peter Mathews
Question:211 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans regarding the future regulations in the clamping industry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11669/12]
While current legislation permits local authorities to clamp vehicles in public places, either directly or by contract with a clamping company, there is no legislation covering clamping on private property.
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to regulate the vehicle clamping industry, I have presented a discussion document to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht, outlining the issues to be addressed in regulating the industry, my proposals on the shape of appropriate legislation and inviting their views. When the Committee's views have been received, I anticipate that appropriate legislation will be drafted and brought before the Oireachtas.
Taxi Industry Regulation
Martin Ferris
Question:212 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason under section 37 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, a person cannot use the Irish version of their name and the English version (details supplied). [11785/12]
The regulation of the taxi industry, including issues relating to the use of the English or the Irish language for identification purposes with regard to licensing, is a matter in the first instance for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. I have arranged for the Deputy's request for clarification to be sent to the NTA. If you do not get a response within ten working days please advise my private office.
Traffic Management
Brian Walsh
Question:213 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the specific transport projects in Galway that will benefit from the allocation of €25 million through the regional cities programme over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11847/12]
The Department is funding an ongoing programme of traffic management and public transport improvements in the four regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, and this programme is being administered on the Department's behalf by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
In this regard and following consultation with the relevant local authorities, the NTA are finalising their recommendations and proposals for the four cities, including Galway, for 2012. I understand that the local authorities will be advised of their allocations shortly.
It is anticipated that Galway will benefit from between €20-€25 million in transport investment over the next five years. In recognition of this substantial level of funding, the NTA have now asked Galway City Council and the other relevant local authorities, to prepare multi-annual capital programmes to provide the appropriate framework for the delivery of transport investment projects in their cities.
Road Network
Dara Calleary
Question:214 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a request was received by the National Roads Authority from a local authority in relation to a road scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11849/12]
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority within its area, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources and may be supplemented by State road grants.
In July last year the National Roads Authority (NRA) invited applications for consideration for funding in 2012 under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme. Local authorities were reminded that funding requested should not exceed the previous year's allocation. In the case of Mayo County Council, funding was sought for 16 schemes totalling €6,395,000 which was considerably in excess of the allocation the Council received in 2011 —€1,350,000.
While the list of projects submitted to the NRA included a scheme on the R319 at Tonragee, this project was ranked eighth in the council's list of priorities and was not, therefore, submitted to my Department for consideration for funding due to the overall allocation limits. Five projects submitted for consideration for funding did receive an allocation totalling €1.56 million.
It is open to Mayo County Council to prioritise this project and to submit it for funding under the 2013 Specific Improvement Grants Scheme when applications are sought later in year. Alternatively, the Council may fund this project through its own resources.